1986 Chevy G20 3/4 ton, 6.2 Diesel
Hi all, So I recently upgraded my trailer to a Zinger ZT33BH. It's big. It's heavy (8455lbs dry). I'm pretty sure my old '86 Chevy won't be happy with me pulling it. I can make do for very short pu...
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THing you have to remember, is the manufacture gcwr are more of a guidline than a 'WHAT" you should haul per say. If you do as mentioned, stay under 80km/hr vs trying to hit 100 like a lot of us do, then you need less hp, you motor etc may be up t the task! GM at about the time your truck was made etc, in the owners manuals stated, if under 25mph, you could increase tow ratings by 25%. Not that 80kmhr/50mph is 25mph, but hopefully you see the reason. At 60 mph you might need 120hp to move a given load, and need 45hp per 1% grade to hold that speed. Same setup at 50 might only need 80hp and 30 hp.
Many larger trucks in teh class 8 range, are speced based on if they are doing city vs hwy driving. A city/local road rig that really never goes above 50 mph will be speced way different than one that is on the hwy going 60-65 all the time. For your needs, you may very well be fine!
as I mentioned earlier also, your tranny is better from a starting standpoint with the same motor, than a heavier duty 8 lug trans. That trans is stronger per say as it will handle more torque/hp, but from a get up and go stand point, it is not as good! your 5-1 ability is better than the 4-1 of the heavier trans!
Marty
Many larger trucks in teh class 8 range, are speced based on if they are doing city vs hwy driving. A city/local road rig that really never goes above 50 mph will be speced way different than one that is on the hwy going 60-65 all the time. For your needs, you may very well be fine!
as I mentioned earlier also, your tranny is better from a starting standpoint with the same motor, than a heavier duty 8 lug trans. That trans is stronger per say as it will handle more torque/hp, but from a get up and go stand point, it is not as good! your 5-1 ability is better than the 4-1 of the heavier trans!
Marty
