2000 year model Chevrolet 3500, 5.7L gas engine. Long bed (8 foot).I don't know for certain the exact engine specs, but Wikipedia lists a 5.7L Vortec engine producing 255hp and 330 ft-lb of torque.Will this tow my 10,000 pound 32' Jayco 5er safely?

Sea Six wrote:2000 year model Chevrolet 3500, 5.7L gas engine. Long bed (8 foot).I don't know for certain the exact engine specs, but Wikipedia lists a 5.7L Vortec engine producing 255hp and 330 ft-lb of torque.Will this tow my 10,000 pound 32' Jayco 5er safely?I would say "safely" but don't expect it to fly up the passes.

Sea Six wrote:2000 year model Chevrolet 3500, 5.7L gas engine. Long bed (8 foot).I don't know for certain the exact engine specs, but Wikipedia lists a 5.7L Vortec engine producing 255hp and 330 ft-lb of torque.Will this tow my 10,000 pound 32' Jayco 5er safely?Safely as in, will the chassis handle the weight...? yes.. Absolutely. You will not be the first to the top of the mountain but you will get there. Just let the motor rev, lock out OD and let the motor work. I almost bought a 5.7 Dually before I found my V10. .. It was a really pretty truck for the money. what rear axle ratio do you have by the way? I think that in 2000 there were 4.56?Thanks!Jeremiah

I'm not sure of the rear axle. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. The truck is for sale, and I haven't bought it yet. What else should I inquire about prior to buying the truck?

Check out this link for the 2000 Towing Guide2000 Towing GuideIt mentions a HD towing package was required for the 2000 HD 3500 truck with the 5.7 in order to get the 10,000 lb tow rating. I would do some googleing for the RPO code for the 2000 3500 series HD towing package. The RPO codes should be listed in the glove box. I am sure a GM expert will chime in with more info here. I "Think" that I read that the HD towing package consisted of a transmission cooler and a HD radiator.. but I may be mistaken.. I would google that as well if I were you. Thanks!Jeremiah

jerem0621 wrote:Check out this link for the 2000 Towing Guide2000 Towing GuideIt mentions a HD towing package was required for the 2000 HD 3500 truck with the 5.7 in order to get the 10,000 lb tow rating. I would do some googleing for the RPO code for the 2000 3500 series HD towing package. The RPO codes should be listed in the glove box. I am sure a GM expert will chime in with more info here. I "Think" that I read that the HD towing package consisted of a transmission cooler and a HD radiator.. but I may be mistaken.. I would google that as well if I were you. Thanks!JeremiahExcellent tip! Thank you!

Towing: Is a 1Ton 5.7L gas Chevy ok to tow 10,000 lb 5er?

22 Replies

jerem0621
Explorer II
Jul 14, 2013
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Just curious maybe someone cam clarify. I have a 99 Tahoe and was told 99 was the last year of the 5.7 or was that just in the Tahoe?

My Father in law has a 2001 Chevy Express van... with a 5.7. I am pretty sure that it took a few years to totally change to the LS based motors.

Allimax.. that was a great observation. The old towing charts were very basic.. limited info... just a rating.. If you notice on this one, I don't think it even breaks down the cab configurations..

Thanks!

Jeremiah
retired-tech
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
Had a new 98 with a 350. It did ok. I was farming and racing cars back then. hauled more than 10k all the time, and pulling 3 snowmobiles on a car trailer with the cruise at 80mph it got 9. Got 13 empty and I would probably prefer it to the 6.5 I am hauling with now.

3500 trucks had a HP rating at 250 instead of the 255 that 1500/2500 had. all dual wheel trucks had 4.10 gears singles could have 3.73 or 4.10. been a long time since I was a 4.56 in a gm truck. Also the HD truck that shows in the charts is equivalent to a 450/550 ford, not like the 2000 up when HD became the standard truck moniker.

As far as 99 being the last year for the 350,thats not quite right. the gmt400 platform was offered from early 1987through sometime in late in 2000. also the G-vans had them till the body change for I think 03.
MFL
Nomad II
Jul 14, 2013
My neighbor has a 99 with the 5.7 and 4.10 gears. He is pulling a 10,000# FW, and says it has no power, even on the level roads. It takes so much gas, especially in any wind, that he no longer pulls more than 50 miles out. He is pulling an 04 Hitchiker, with a tall, square front.

Jerry
allimax
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
jerem0621 wrote:
Check out this link for the 2000 Towing Guide

2000 Towing Guide

It mentions a HD towing package was required for the 2000 HD 3500 truck with the 5.7 in order to get the 10,000 lb tow rating.

I would do some googleing for the RPO code for the 2000 3500 series HD towing package.

The RPO codes should be listed in the glove box. I am sure a GM expert will chime in with more info here.

I "Think" that I read that the HD towing package consisted of a transmission cooler and a HD radiator.. but I may be mistaken.. I would google that as well if I were you.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Well, that was an interesting chart. Did you notice how condensed it was in 2000? It's like a whole book now with all the different configurations and manufacturers out there.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 14, 2013
Just curious maybe someone cam clarify. I have a 99 Tahoe and was told 99 was the last year of the 5.7 or was that just in the Tahoe?
Grady23
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
I had a '93 Chevy van w/350 like your talking about. I tried pulling my 7K Grady-White. It did "OK" on level ground but absolutely died on long hills. On a 5% grade it would hit 4500+ RPM just to maintain 45MPH. When you work a smallblock that hard for a long period, It's going to take it's toll on the engine. 330Ft of tourque isn't much when your towing. As for rear-end ratio -- I would look for 3:73 -- 4:10 if your going to go with a smaller enegine. As stated --- It's NOT going to impress you when you hit the hills.
Gemstone
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
I towed 7K pounds with a '98 5.7....and didn't like it...felt like I was asking too much of the truck in the mountains...too much pucker factor for me to enjoy the experience.

Regards
Gemstone
Sea_Six
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
jerem0621 wrote:
Check out this link for the 2000 Towing Guide

2000 Towing Guide

It mentions a HD towing package was required for the 2000 HD 3500 truck with the 5.7 in order to get the 10,000 lb tow rating.

I would do some googleing for the RPO code for the 2000 3500 series HD towing package.

The RPO codes should be listed in the glove box. I am sure a GM expert will chime in with more info here.

I "Think" that I read that the HD towing package consisted of a transmission cooler and a HD radiator.. but I may be mistaken.. I would google that as well if I were you.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Excellent tip! Thank you!
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2013
Check out this link for the 2000 Towing Guide

2000 Towing Guide

It mentions a HD towing package was required for the 2000 HD 3500 truck with the 5.7 in order to get the 10,000 lb tow rating.

I would do some googleing for the RPO code for the 2000 3500 series HD towing package.

The RPO codes should be listed in the glove box. I am sure a GM expert will chime in with more info here.

I "Think" that I read that the HD towing package consisted of a transmission cooler and a HD radiator.. but I may be mistaken.. I would google that as well if I were you.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Sea_Six
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
I'm not sure of the rear axle. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

The truck is for sale, and I haven't bought it yet.

What else should I inquire about prior to buying the truck?

Forum Discussion

Towing: Is a 1Ton 5.7L gas Chevy ok to tow 10,000 lb 5er?

22 Replies

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