Hi all,

I couldn't find a similar question in the forums, sorry if it exists and I didn't see it (this is my first post). I have a 2006 Uplander LT with the 3.5L engine and without the towing package, so it is rated to pull 2000 lbs. I am told that the towing package will increase the towing capacity to 3500 lbs, so I am trying to find out what exactly is in the tow package that causes this (by the way, I know that load leveling/rear air compressorand rear A/C units are prerequisite options to have the tow package. My van does have both of these).

My problem is that I cannot find anyone that can tell me what exactly is in the towing package that allows me to tow that extra 1500 lbs. I have done internet research, I have asked the dealer I bought the van from, I have called Chevrolet and asked the question to them several times, and I have even asked around at work as well (I work for GM Fuel Cell Activities in Honeoye Falls, NY). No one can tell me what is in the tow package. I have some guesses though:

- transmission cooler
- radiator from 3.9L engine (tech at the dealer was able to tell me that the radiators to the 3.5L and 3.9L engines are different P/Ns, so I'm making the assumption that the 3.9L must be bigger to reject more heat).

I believe that all Uplanders with the 3.9L engine are rated to tow 3500, so that's why I'm banking on the radiator(if the 3.5Lmodel can be configured to do that, there must be some plug-in part like that). I want to towa pop-up camper that has a dry weight of 2500 lbs and agross vehicle weight of 3500 lbs. If I cannot find out what the towing package is, I'm thinking about "making my own" by using the two items above plus a performance chip.

If anyone knows anything about this or has ideas where I can turn to for help, I would be very grateful for any advice. Thanks

 

I can't give you a specific response for the Uplander, but since I own a '07 Relay and '01 Venture, here goes:

Assuming the Uplander/Relay/Venture are all the same (and it seems they are), I would just take the published data for the Venture and use it for your Uplander. If I recall, the Venture's towing package included a transmission cooler, high output alternator, rear air leveling system, hitch, larger aluminum wheels, and wiring.

I took that info (you should be able to find it in the old Venture brochures, under the trailering option) and applied it to my venture as best I could by adding a transmission cooler and wiring harness I bought from autozone, a class III hitch from e-trailer, and rear air shocks from JC whitney. I don't have the high output alternator, nor do I have the self-leveling compressor for the air shocks.

However, I have used the Venture with this setup to tow my 3,500lb sailboat for over 600 miles on numerous occasions. I have not had a single problem, aside from a very high water temperature. When I say high, I mean that when driving through middle Georgia in the dead of August (outside air temp at 100 degrees with 100 percent humidity) and the A/C at full blast, going uphill at 65mpg, the temp guauge will hit the 3/4 mark, maybe a little higher.

If I cut off the A/C and slow down to 60mph, it will stay below 3/4.

Thats it! When the '01 finally dies (currently at 140k with no signs of slowing -knock knock) I will convert the Relay over to the same setup. I can't wait to try out the 240hp engine!

Hope that helps...the only other note I would make is that it does take a lot more room to slow down with the 3,500lbs dragging behind.

 

Thanks for the information and anecdote bubba375, I appreciate it.

 

also besides a larger radiator the uplander with the higher tow rating has a rear air suspension which mine has that's the biggest difference in them
Hope this helps this is a factory option

 

i dont tow often but i drive my 07 with a 3.9L at the weight capacity regularly... you should probably rebuild your entire rear suspension before you tow. it will wear out quick. also plan to redo your brakes completely. they are under powered in my opinion, though, a full fluid bleed was a night and day difference.
the coolant heats up to 225 fairly easily without the fans on. unless you wire a switch, the AC needs to be ON at all times except cold winter temps.
i would bypass the factory trans cooler and put in the best aftermarket one you can find/afford
there is a factory engine oil cooler too... i dont think it can be bypassed easily (edit: you could probably just cap the lines off actually) but i think it would be smart to have an additional separate engine oil cooler too.
3.9l is barely enough power in my opinion, i can only imagine the 3.5 is going to struggle along with 3500lb , but.... at some point the value of these vehicles can really only be extracted via use/abuse and these vans are cheap enough that you arent really out of much $$ if you do kill a motor or trans... just take your scrap money plus $200-300 and replace it with another uplander and try again

 

tow option should have beefier leaf springs

 

coils on an uplander.
i believe they only sell the progressive heavy duty springs for heavy loads at the moment. about $90/pair retail
begs the question, any thoughts on the spring orientation of progressive springs? do the closer coils on top or on bottom?
the directions with mine were mangled, but i think i have em in upside down... not sure if it truly matters though.