1998 K1500 towing capactiy
 

I just bought a new tractor that is 140 miles away from me, it weighs about 6000 lbs, I have a 1998 k1500 with the 350 extended cab, sorry I don't know the rear end gearing. Will I be alright towing this tractor if I take it easy and go slow- it will be on all back roads around 55- 50 mph. Thanks for the help.

RE: 1998 K1500 towing capactiy
 

ive towed a 6500lb bobcat on a 16' car trailer with a 2000' long bed 3500 with 4.10 gears and electric brakes, power wise it needed more, stopping power was good. but it was a ton truck.
i guy i know pulled the same setup with a 2001 1500 with the 5.3 and didnt seem to have any trouble, that year model shouldbe closeto about what your 350 is putting out.

as per your truck as long as you are using electric brakes you should be fine. hopefully you have 3.73 and not 3.42's but if in doubt you can alwasy take it a little easier.

RE: 1998 K1500 towing capactiy
 

I dont know what the capacity is which i would love to figure out as well because I have a 94. My dad owns a 98 GMC 1500 Van with the same 350 and he pulled a 30' 6000lbtravel trailer from MI to CA to AZ and back to MI including many more trips. Over heated the rear end once and had it replaced but other than that no problems (that was after driving through the Rockies more than once). I do believe it it had 3.42's (could be 3.73) and he said it wasright at capacity.So IMHO you should be ok.

By the way just replaced the trany a month ago after 300k miles. Gotta love GM powertrain!!! If it was a Dodge it would have been through 2 motors and 4 tranys by now.

RE: 1998 K1500 towing capactiy
 

Look in glove box should give you the code for differential ratio[/align][/align]Rear End Ratio RPO Codes Here [/align][/align]GQ1 -- AXLE REAR, STD RATIO
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION)

HC4 -- AXLE REAR, 4.56 RATIO [/align][/align]I have a 3/4 ton with 350 engine, 3.73 differential, should be the same tow rating as yours if you have the 3.73[/align]My manual says it will tow 7700#.[/align][/align]Biggest problem you have pulling weights close you your maximum is stopping. You must plan each stop and give yourself plenty of time. Borrow a trailer with trailer brakes if possible, or get brakes installed on yours if you plan to pull the tractor many times, best money you can spend.[/align][/align]Just ask guys with skids marks on their truck seats where they almost hit someone because they could not stop the load. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]