1988 - 1998 (GMT400) Section for all discussion related to the 1987-1998 Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

Towing Capacity

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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 11:02 PM
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Default Towing Capacity

Hi Gang,

I have a 1991 Silverado (step-side) K1500 4x4 with the stock 350 V8 5.7 liter engine.

I don't know if it makes any difference but I ditched the ridiculous throttle body set up a while ago and she has an Edelbrock high performance manifold along with a Holley 650 double pumper carb. (runs like a beast, lots of power)

Here's my question, I just bought a boat.........you can all stop laughing now....

The boat weighs roughly 5,000 ponds and the trailer weighs roughly 1,000 pounds

I've done several searches on what the towing capacity of my truck is and the answers on the internet are all over the place.

Can any of you experts please tell me what the towing capacity of my truck is?

I need to know if she can pull the boat & trailer.

For whatever it's worth, the guy I bought the boat from has a Hummer H3, and he told me that - that beast isn't strong enough to pull the boat and he would use his fathers pickup truck to pull the boat. (no I don't know what kind of pickup truck it is)

Thanks in advance guys......



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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 12:51 PM
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h3 depends on the engine...could come with 3.5L so that wouldn't tow much.
if you have one, the owners manual is a good place to start for towing capacity
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 1:06 PM
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Originally Posted by tech2
if you have one, the owners manual is a good place to start for towing capacity

That's just it, I don't have one, and this truck is really old so all of the usual tags that give that information are missing.

Each time I go online to research it, I get these wild swings anywhere from 4,000 to 7,500 and none of it is coherent or consistent.

Thanks for the reply.....

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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 4:11 PM
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lots of factors involved that can change the rating so it can range from 4000 to 7500
engine, trans, rear diff ratio, rim size, 4wd, cab size...what you got?

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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 6:19 PM
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Originally Posted by tech2
lots of factors involved that can change the rating so it can range from 4000 to 7500
engine, trans, rear diff ratio, rim size, 4wd, cab size...what you got?
She has the original 350 with the TH 700-R4 automatic transmission, and she's the step-side 4x4 model, single cab, six foot bed.
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Old Dec 20, 2020 | 5:03 PM
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The owners manual for my 93 GMC 1500 4X4 5.7L short bed auto trans says "should never be more than 13,500 lbs max towing weight. But even that can be too heavy", depending on hills, etc (whatever that means). I'd call that useless information! I have a 2015 GMC 3500HD 4X4 diesel to tow my 16,000 lb dry weight fifth wheel and it's really "just enough" to be safe.

Last edited by meternerd; Dec 20, 2020 at 5:40 PM.
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Old Dec 20, 2020 | 7:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Z71-Guy
She has the original 350 with the TH 700-R4 automatic transmission, and she's the step-side 4x4 model, single cab, six foot bed.
you need to post your diff ratio. no one can give you the correct info without it.
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