I am looking at a hi-lo camper with a dry weight of 3619. Can I pull it with my 1500 silverado classic 4.6l automatic 3.23 axle ratio? GM says it can pull 4800-5000 does that mean that I can load another 1200 or so lbs? Would the truck be struggling to get up a mountain? I have tow haul.

 

In my opinion it will do it, but not very comfortably. Especially in the mountains. That little motor is going to turn a lot of RPM's on those upgrades - not good for it.

 

Yes I agree. It will also create a lot of heat in that tranny. An added cooler will bring lower temps and piece of mind.

 

Agreed. With that rear end ratio that transmission is going to be constantly hunting and generating heat. You won't like it. Tow/haul will help, but that thing will be screaming all the time.

 

Keep it in 3rd gear if you choose to tow it.

 

i had a 93 model 1500 gmc with 4.3l motor and 3.23 differential auto,
I was pulling a 24 tow behind travel trailer, around 4500 lbs

the truck had no excess power on long slightly incline roads so it was overloaded and on hills it shifted back to first gear. I had to feather the fuel control to keep the rpms down.

biggest problem i had was heat, the coolant temp would start to rise. It was a great little truck and i did not want to ruin the engine.

gmc dealer told me the only way to solve the problem was to get a v8 motor with more hp and torque. I bought a 2500 series with 350 engine and 3.73 differential, this truck has pulled the trailer fine, however, i do not know that i would want to pull it in the mountians.

your tow vehicle needs at least 20% overage in tow pulling capacity compaired to the tow weight of your trailer and remember mama is going to load that baby down with everything but the kitchen sink when you go camping. trust me on that!!!!

good luck and be safe::

golden rule of towing: Its not what you can pull that counts, its what you can safety stop in a reasonable distance when some fool pulls out in front of you and stops to turn left, you must have a tow vehicle with enough braking capacity to safey stop your load.

you hit them its your fault!!!!!!

 

Yes, your truck will pull the described trailer, and yes it will pull it in the mountainsItems you must add to your truck are a Trans cooler, and an electronic brake.I am assuming that the trailer has electric brakes if not, I would not consider it a safe tow.Put your Tow-Haul mode on and you can tow on level roads and mild inclines in overdrive if you chose. In the mountains put it in drive to stop some of the gear searching.If you are planning to towing the trailer a lot I would change out the rear gears to 3.73 and it will increase your torque and will not have a major impact in your fuel economy.Good Luckjvp

 

It will pull it and you NEED a tranny cooler...3rd gear for hills.... And amzoil for ALL fluids