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

[Sea_Six]

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?

[Cummins12V98]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[jerem0621]

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

[Cummins12V98]

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.