1998 sierra capacity question

Thank you,
I was expecting that the engine oil cooler was a bit much for the weight.
Incidently, as a follow up to my post, the z82 hitch is square tubing, I'm thinking '99 and up were round.
In 2013 I did frequent oil change(and filter) + a bottle of Lucas( was so much cheaper in the US)mainly because I was keeping the engine rpm between 2750-3000 all day((avrage 7-8hrs)every day we were on the road and thought it was over working the motor a bit, it sure wasnt your typical Sunday drive.
If we do this again, I'd probably do the same thing.
The remote filter for the trans was an idea i had after showering with warm trams fluid last year on my MH. It cost little( filters are about $20) and eliminate's the need to drop the pan a couple times a year.
Thank you to all that chimed in.
Guy

guys427 wrote:
Thank you to all, this is a lot of great info.
So in the end the tow vehicule is equiped with the Z82 towing option(thereis a cooler of some kind there) with a GT4 rear end(3.73:1 ?)Factory hitch.
The reason for wanting to be on the safe side of things, even towing a relatively small TT, is that we usaully go lond distances(2013 netted a 41 day 11500km raod trip that lead us from Montreal to
San Diago via Nashvill and the Louisanna gulf coast.
Some hairry monents through the rockies(I10) and I40 on the way back.
Just want 2 be safe this time to Northern California.
I do plan on: trans temp gauge- remote trans filter( spinn on ) synthetic oil.Frequent engine oil changes(2000-3000mi.)
Just wondering if the engine oil cooler is overkill?
More info please

Tranny gauge is fine, trans remote filter is way, way over kill. Synthetic oil is fine but dino is also fine. Oil changes is off the chart over kill. Engine oil cooler is over kill too.

Sometimes doing things that you think is good can cause unintended consequences. The engine oil cooler for instance. An oil cooler in front of the cooling stack adds to the thermal load which "can" cause heating problems for the engine.

Make sure you have a good tranny cooler. Make sure the cooling stack is clean. Make sure all the fluids are fresh and call it a day and go on vacation.

Have fun!

guys427 wrote:
snip....

Just wondering if the engine oil cooler is overkill?
More info please

You should already have one. It comes with the Tow Option

Look at your main radiator. It is a cross flow design with the hot tank
on the drivers side and the cold tank on the passenger side

Notice on the pic of mine and the aux ATF cooler lines. They run down
and to the passenger side...then up to the main radiator cold tank

The engine oil lines will poke into the main radiator on the hot tank
on the drivers side. No external engine oil cooler...just into the
main radiator

If you wish to install an external engine oil cooler, make sure it is
of the tube/fin design. Plate type won't/can't take the PSI

Thank you to all, this is a lot of great info.
So in the end the tow vehicule is equiped with the Z82 towing option(thereis a cooler of some kind there) with a GT4 rear end(3.73:1 ?)Factory hitch.
The reason for wanting to be on the safe side of things, even towing a relatively small TT, is that we usaully go lond distances(2013 netted a 41 day 11500km raod trip that lead us from Montreal to
San Diago via Nashvill and the Louisanna gulf coast.
Some hairry monents through the rockies(I10) and I40 on the way back.
Just want 2 be safe this time to Northern California.
I do plan on: trans temp gauge- remote trans filter( spinn on ) synthetic oil.Frequent engine oil changes(2000-3000mi.)
Just wondering if the engine oil cooler is overkill?
More info please

Ops...brain fart...apologize for that

Bryan, you are right...it is with the round GMT800 platform receiver failing
on 'some' TVs...NOT GMT400, like the OP's square cross tube





A traditional designed receiver cross tube uses the cross tube as a
torque tube...the GMT800 receiver loads the round cross tube mainly
as a beam loading...with some or small amount of torque loading

If I remember correctly the hitch on a GMT400 was made by Valley and is square tubing. My hitch has been great on my 98 Chevy. It is the 99 and up Silverado with the round tubing that has issues. Correct me if I am wrong because I am not sure. Either way pulling 2,700 lb trailer should be a breeze. I have the 6,600 GVWR truck with 3.73's with tow pacckage and had no issues with 6,000 lbs. That was years ago though. That is my daughter's truck now and has 375,000 miles on it. Things keep wearing out now though. LOL

BenK wrote:
Most OEM brochure and published specifications are derived from a curb
TV...meaning a stripper model...even though a stripper might not be
offered for sale

So best to weigh your TV fully loaded as if going to tow. Then do the
simple math subtracting the actual weight from the GCWR.

GCWR can be figured close (ball park) by taking the curb and adding
the brochure MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating)

Then the generic formula is: GCWR >= actual TV + actual trailer + stuff
like WD hitch, cargo, people, pets, ice chest, luggage, etc, etc













This is for a 2001/2002 era (GMT800...yours is GMT400), but it shows
how diff ratio's affect MTWR




If the TV's receiver is still OEM, suggest replacing with a traditional
designed receiver. The better ones range from $150.00 on sale to
a bit over $200. Plus about an hour to remove the POS old and install
the new, traditional design receiver

A POS and below is/was a common issue that was supposedly fixed, but
have found other complaining about it on their 1999...

Not just poor welding, but the basic design is awful and why say replace
with a traditional designed receiver

Forgot:

If yours does NOT have the factory tow option, then install the engine oil cooler
(it runs to the hot tank of the main radiator), an external ATF cooler and do NOT
tow heavy in OD

Get the largest AFT cooler you can stuff in there and plate types best for this
application.

This is a picture of my Suburban while in the shop fixing the damage hitting a
SUV which jumped a stop sign...

It is on the drivers side of the center support/horn...right side
on this image and between that and the headlamp is the power steering
fluid cooler (tube/fin type)

Most OEM brochure and published specifications are derived from a curb
TV...meaning a stripper model...even though a stripper might not be
offered for sale

So best to weigh your TV fully loaded as if going to tow. Then do the
simple math subtracting the actual weight from the GCWR.

GCWR can be figured close (ball park) by taking the curb and adding
the brochure MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating)

Then the generic formula is: GCWR >= actual TV + actual trailer + stuff
like WD hitch, cargo, people, pets, ice chest, luggage, etc, etc













This is for a 2001/2002 era (GMT800...yours is GMT400), but it shows
how diff ratio's affect MTWR




If the TV's receiver is still OEM, suggest replacing with a traditional
designed receiver. The better ones range from $150.00 on sale to
a bit over $200. Plus about an hour to remove the POS old and install
the new, traditional design receiver

A POS and below is/was a common issue that was supposedly fixed, but
have found other complaining about it on their 1999...

Not just poor welding, but the basic design is awful and why say replace
with a traditional designed receiver

Never believe Dry Weight of trailers... that is without battery, propane tanks, other factory options..

my trailer is 800 pounds more than posted on trailer tags. so 10 percent more.

Actually, for GM trucks of that era, the max tow rating was with 4.56 gears.

In any case, the 2700 lb trailer will tow just fine with 3.42 gears.