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Karfae69's avatar
Karfae69
Explorer
May 12, 2013

Towing with a 2000 GMC Jimmy 4WD

We currently own a class C but are looking into maybe switching to a travel trailer 25-28'or so. As I understand it is rated for 5900 but have been reading about sway, tongue weight etc.. I guess what I am asking is this vehicle going to work, I am sure bigger is better and a large full size truck is best but if I have to buy another truck is this a cost I want to do or keep what I have.

5 Replies

  • you need to look at trailers 19' or smaller. anything bigger will not be a enjoyable tow and may be a dangerous tow.
  • We pulled a 19ft 3800lb hybrid with our Jimmy and it did OK. You really felt the wind with it and you knew every hill. It can be done but it is less than ideal.
  • We had a 2000 GMC Safari van with the 4.3 V6 that we used to pull our 19' Hybrid. Never left the state of Florida (stayed in the flats) and it did OK.

    I think you are asking that GMC to do to much.
  • OK, first don't believe those GM numbers. We had a 24' TT we pulled with a 95 K1500 with the 5.7L V8 and it struggled on long grades. Yet per the manual our 2001 Chevy Blazer 4.3L V6 was rated saying it could pull our TT. Never tried it and never would knowing the effort required by the 1500 to pull it. So my opinion would be to stick with a PUP or Hybred TT of 16 to 18 foot or stay with your C.
  • Karfae69 wrote:
    We currently own a class C but are looking into maybe switching to a travel trailer 25-28'or so. As I understand it is rated for 5900 but have been reading about sway, tongue weight etc.. I guess what I am asking is this vehicle going to work, I am sure bigger is better and a large full size truck is best but if I have to buy another truck is this a cost I want to do or keep what I have.


    The Jimmy is a small/midsize suv based upon the same platform I believe as the chevy S10 Blazer / pickup. I would be cautious about the tongue weight that you put on the hitch. You would most likely want to stay at around 300-400lbs max tongue weight which means around a 2500lb - 3000lb trailer fully loaded with water and gear. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of trailers besides small tent trailers that are going to be in that weight range so I would say no and that you need a more capable vehicle to tow the size of trailer you are looking at.