Let's Talk Towing (With a 25+ Year Old Truck)

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

orbit

Newbie
Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
7
Reaction score
3
Location
MPLS
Check your u-bolts. Pull one out and make sure they haven't rusted down to toothpicks by the bracket area. I replaced mine and 6 or the 8 studs broke when I was taking them off. Better to find out in your garage rather than on the highway hauling.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
7500 is with the max trailering pkg which includes 3.73 axle

They based their tow ratings on power which is stupid. The 2500 didn't get rated to pull more according to my owners manual. There's no mention in the manual of the 34" radiator impacting tow ratings or the existence of hydroboost or heavier leaf packs having a say in the matter. Pull what feels right.
 

NightRunner

Resident Junkman
Joined
Mar 23, 2018
Messages
514
Reaction score
274
Location
DFW, TX
Check your u-bolts. Pull one out and make sure they haven't rusted down to toothpicks by the bracket area. I replaced mine and 6 or the 8 studs broke when I was taking them off. Better to find out in your garage rather than on the highway hauling.

Just recently installed a lift kit (2" rear block that I'd like to get replaced with 2500 springs to eliminate the block entirely), so the U-bolts are brand new. Good thinking though!
 

Gibson

I'm Awesome
Joined
Aug 15, 2018
Messages
179
Reaction score
174
Location
oregon
Ok, newb question. Why is the Manual trans rated at half the automatic?

Thanks!
One of the hardest loads you can put on a drivetrain is getting a heavy load moving from a dead stop.
With a manual trans the best torque multiplication/gear reduction you can get is 1st gear, what you got is all you get.
With an auto trans, the torque converter, (at the very start,) will multiply the torque up to about 2:1, so, in effect, you are starting off in a "granny gear", so to speak.
With a TH350/4L60E, 1st gear is about 3.08,, but when you mash the go-pedal from a dead stop, the effective ratio, (for the first few feet,) is like having about a 6:1 granny gear to get moving.
In a manual trans, your only option is to keep the engine revs up and try not to burn-up your clutch, or stall the engine, to start moving.
The torque ratings on those little TBI engines were not all that great to begin with, and they need all the help they can get.
 

blackhawk17

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
87
Reaction score
29
Location
Clarksville, TN
If it's a 91, unless it has the F44 suspension package (14 bolt semi-float), you're limited to 6500 max. Might be even less if you don't have 3.73 gears like you said. Mine's a 92 with F44 3.73, and 7,000 is my max. I have the paperwork if you'd like to see it. It's for 1992 but there was no difference- the numbers will be the same.
 

evilunclegrimace

Does not always play well with others
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
2,290
Reaction score
2,333
Location
pennsylvaina
One of the hardest loads you can put on a drivetrain is getting a heavy load moving from a dead stop.
With a manual trans the best torque multiplication/gear reduction you can get is 1st gear, what you got is all you get.
With an auto trans, the torque converter, (at the very start,) will multiply the torque up to about 2:1, so, in effect, you are starting off in a "granny gear", so to speak.
With a TH350/4L60E, 1st gear is about 3.08,, but when you mash the go-pedal from a dead stop, the effective ratio, (for the first few feet,) is like having about a 6:1 granny gear to get moving.
In a manual trans, your only option is to keep the engine revs up and try not to burn-up your clutch, or stall the engine, to start moving.
The torque ratings on those little TBI engines were not all that great to begin with, and they need all the help they can get.


Um, No.
 

Biggershaft96

Cant Getrite
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
4,219
Reaction score
1,673
Location
Ligonier, IN
Ok, newb question. Why is the Manual trans rated at half the automatic?

Thanks!
most likely for liability. heavy trailers will kill clutches and nv3500s (especially early nv3500s, single rail nv3500s seem pretty stout). To keep from replacing them under warranty they cut the ratings in half.
 

Gibson

I'm Awesome
Joined
Aug 15, 2018
Messages
179
Reaction score
174
Location
oregon

The word "No", is quite simplistic.
What part of my post do you think is untrue,, do you understand the actions of a torque converter.
There are lots of utube vids that explain the torque multiplication factor at load start-up.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
If it's a 91, unless it has the F44 suspension package (14 bolt semi-float), you're limited to 6500 max. Might be even less if you don't have 3.73 gears like you said. Mine's a 92 with F44 3.73, and 7,000 is my max. I have the paperwork if you'd like to see it. It's for 1992 but there was no difference- the numbers will be the same.

Yes, please. I'm not saying I don't believe you, because I do. I've seen literature outside the owner's manual that breaks it down better so I do want to see this as well if it's handy.
 
Top