I have a 1998 C1500, standard cab, short box stepside, with the 4.3L engine, and a 5spd. standard tranny. My idea was to install a 5th wheel system and tow about a 21-25 foot trailer. I would appreciate any input from anyone towing with the same setup. Since I haven't done this yet, I guess this is the time to ask.

 

What does the trailer weigh?
only specs I could find were from a 03 version, so yours may be different.


depending on your rear axle ratio...the max trailer weight and gvwr are shown.


<table width="95%" class="all"> <tbody> <tr><td align="left" valign="middle"> 4300 V6 (Manual)
</td> <td align="center" valign="middle"> 3.08
3.42
</td> <td align="center" valign="middle"> 3,500 lbs. (1 587 kg)
4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg)
</td> <td align="center" valign="middle"> 8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg)
</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

Does this help? I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information, but it seems to be mainly determined by your axle ratio.

What is the towing capacity of 1998 sierra 1500

 

hopefully your trailer is under the towing capacity. This nothing you can modify or add that will legally increase your towing capacity. When the federalee's pull you over; they go by the factory ratings for the original build.

 

Towing a 5W with a 1/2 ton is a real stretch let alone one at 21-25' in length. If the specs above are accurate, I doubt it would be doable. Payload and axle ratings, IMO, is where you'll really suffer.

Check out the dry hitch weight of the trailers you're considering. You'll easily see those at 1000lbs+. Add 200-300lbs for gear, tanks and fuel and you're easily at 1300lbs. Depending on your payload rating, you might actually already be at capacity and that's before you even add passengers and any other gear inside your truck.

You'll either have to go smaller on the trailer or bigger on the truck, probably a 3/4 ton at least.

 

I looked at the link provided, and it lists the 4.3L automatic towing 4000lbs., and the 4.3L manual towing 2000lb. Can that be correct? It doesn't make sense, I always thought the manual could tow more than the automatic transmission.

 

for the most part, that is correct for light duty trucks. the clutch is the weak leak. The automatic trans torque convertor provides much more torque multiplication.

 

Pulling heavy with a 1/2 manual is tough, the clutch tends to slip. My folks pulled a 21ft 5er with a Nissan hardbody v6 manual for years without a hitch but his old man pickup is worn out now with a crap reared, bad u joints, bum throw out bearing and a whole list of other ailments, he now pulls his 27ft super slider 5er with a dually 1ton of wonder Sierra with a 454 auto