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silver_fox_1964's avatar
silver_fox_1964
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014

99 chevy silverado 2500 5.7 reg cab 3/4 ton long bed 4x4

Hello , Is there anyone out there that could give me some insite on pulling ? I already know that the GVWR is 8600 GAWR =4250 RR=6000 . However I, own a 21ft tag along . Bought this truck last yr so that I, could move up to a fifth wheel done bought the gooseneck and all just not installed yet . I have done research for a yr as well on 5ers . However this week my bubble was busted because now I'm told I can pull a max weight of 7500lbs what a smack in the face . So this means I will have to go back with a tag along , Not a happy camper here . There isn't any Extra cooling system at all on truck but does have a very solid rearend , Axle ratio 3.73 & 4.10 and heavy duty springs . Man I bought from said he pulled a double axle trailer with a tractor up an down some hills close to Mt Airy Nc . Should I try sell my truck an get Bigger ? Thanks for all & any Information !
Tow Vehicles
  • blt2ski's avatar
    blt2ski
    Moderator
    Jan 13, 2014
    Yeezuss,

    've pulled upwards of 12K with my 2000 reg cab C2500! I was impressed with how it did. Better than my older 454's! IE a 2 bbl and a tbi, both of which were 235/385, and the V350 IIRC 255/330.

    Reality is, 6-8K it will do just fine no matter where you go. BUT, it will lose 20-30% of its hp if you go to elevation ie the highest pointin yellowstone at 9K, over vail pass at 11K...........

    Marty
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jan 12, 2014
    Be sure the intake manifold has been re sealed properly and the quick connect heater hose fitting at the front passenger side of the intake manifold has been replaced with an old school fitting. I have the same engine in a 99 Tahoe and at 218K it still runs great. I think the timing chain is getting tired tho. It has plenty of pep for driving around but I could not imagine it pulling much of a trailer!
  • maxwell11's avatar
    maxwell11
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    silver,
    check the hp rating for this engine
    I had an old style 3/4 chevy truck 2000 model with the 350 engine,
    it only has about 250 hp with 330 lbs of torque.

    so on a long hill it would start to run out of power, I always pulled in 3rd gear, not overdrive and it was ok, but never pulled in the smokies or such.

    I traded and bought a dodge diesel, 2005 model, 310 hp, but with 625 lbs of torque, wow, no problems pulling.

    the big over the road truck do not have all that much hp, but the engines have lots of torque.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jan 12, 2014
    Just use it. The truck is more than capable. The chassis will be fine, you will be in the slow lane traveling at 50-65 mph. The little small block will have to rev... Just make sure those intake seals are replaced, leaky Vortec 5.7 intake seals kills small block Chevys. Oh, I'd also make sure you have more than enough transmission coolers if it's an auto.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • Peg_Leg's avatar
    Peg_Leg
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    C is a 2 wheel drive, K is a 4x4. You can have a 3.73 or a 4.10, but not both. There is a list of build codes on the glove box door. These will indicate rear end ratio, and any tow package. A search of Chevy build codes will give you a readout of exactly what your truck has.
    The 4.10 is rated to pull more. I had the votex 5.7 with 4.10 in a 96 with tow pkg. It was a capable truck I couldn't get used to the high revs on a small block so I bought a 97 7.4 exact same truck just different enging. My BIL is still using the 96 with it nearing 250,000 mi. The biggest limit is the 6,000 lb rear axle which is the capacity of the tires.
  • Dannyabear1's avatar
    Dannyabear1
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    GM made 2 different models in 99, the old style c/k1500 and the new silverado;
    old styles had 5.7 engines, Silverado had 4.8, 5.3, or 6.0
  • silver_fox_1964's avatar
    silver_fox_1964
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    Thanks Guys really big help here to know this !! yep it's a 5.7 Vortex engine .. Guess I'll get a nice little Travel Trailer now :(?
  • 2-MTnesters's avatar
    2-MTnesters
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    Are you sure that your 99 2500 has the 5.7? I had a 99 GMC 2500 and thought the smallest engine that was put in them was the 6.0. I did pull a smaller 5er that was close to 10,000# gross and did ok on flat ground to moderate incline. struggled on steeper grades. Mileage really sucked, averaged 8mpg towing and 14 empty. Tim
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Jan 12, 2014
    The '99 8600 GVWR package is the old C6P chassis with a 4L80 tranny with the full floater 10.5" corporate rear axle. This is one very tough truck for its era. The '99 may have been the last year for the C6P chassis and the 5.7 engine.

    IMO the 7500 lb tow rating sounds a bit low as my older '90 2500 LD 5.7 throttle body chevy 7200 GVWR came with a 8000 lb tow rating. I towed doubles (9400-9500 lbs) for over 8 years with the truck. Even towed both of my GN stock and a flatbed trailers with the truck.

    The '99 5.7 CPI engine has much more HP/torque. Something like 250 hp/340 torque sounds familiar. I would stay under 8000-9000 lbs tow. The '99 4x4 may weigh 2600-2700 on the rear axles which leaves around 3200-3300 lbs for a max axle payload.

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