Too small of a motor?

[IndoubtGASIT]

I am thinking about buying a 2000 3/4 ton crew cab chevy. The only thing that I worry about is that it only has the 5.7L. I would use to tow 4 sleds on an alluminum trailer, and a 21ft boat. Do you guys think the motor is too small for the truck? And any experience with these trucks from any owners? Thanks. Think snow.

 

[dangerfield]

I had one of these trucks for 5 years, and pulled a 7000lb trailer with it. On the flats it pulled pretty good, but add a head wind or hill to the equation and it was definetly underpowered. I never did any mods to it like exhaust, or intake. Had a 98 half ton prior to this truck with the 5.7 and it actually pulled better just because the truck was that much lighter.

 

[IndoubtGASIT]

Yeah, right now I have a 97 with the 5.7. I love the motor but its only a short box reg. cab. I just need more room!! And the 3/4 ton 4 door seems to be way more truck than the motor can handle.

 

[Ultra]

I bought a 2000 3/4 5.7 crew short box with 4.10 gears and an auto new in 2000, just sold it a month ago. The truck does real good empty. They have a 7500# tow rating which in my opinion they won't do. My towing experience is it does just fine up to about 4500#s. I towed 6500#s about 2000 miles, it struggled, wouldn't do it again.
It handled my 20' boat just fine. At one time I had an open steel 4 place trailer and four sleds which again it handled fine. But when I towed my 26' camper (about 6500#) it work it pretty good.

 

[khaddon2110]

you'll be fine....you may not hold 70 up hill but your not going to hurt anything either.

although i'm surprised this has not received 200 posts yet telling you how your an idiot for even considering towing anything bigger than a lawnmower, and your going to do it without a turbo/diesel 1ton.......

 

[IndoubtGASIT]

Haha.. I know i'm waitin on everyone tellin me I need a one ton dually to do the job. But I just want the truck to hold 65mph with four sleds behind it withought having to put my foot all the way in it in 3rd gear. The truck I think has 3:73 gears in it. what difference will this make?

 

[Snorider]

Haha.. I know i'm waitin on everyone tellin me I need a one ton dually to do the job. But I just want the truck to hold 65mph with four sleds behind it withought having to put my foot all the way in it in 3rd gear. The truck I think has 3:73 gears in it. what difference will this make?

with the 3:73 gears you'll cruise unloaded at lower rpm and get better MPG.
With will make it work more when you throw a load on it and this will intern make your MPG when you tow drop what most people think pretty severely. 4:10's wouldn't be a bad for you when your towing but it would decrease your empty driving.

The 350 or 5.7 is a good motor, a great little small block with tons of room for power upgrades. most of the ones that would help it tow better are pretty cheap to do. But then again most everyone towing wants to be able to pull hills like they are in a turbo sports car. it would pull it fine but you won't be setting land speed records. My 93 with the 350 pulls alright on the hills with 7500 lbs. pulling vantage is usually about 60 in a 70. Which is ok because it's the stopping i'm more concerned with, and if i really think i need to make better time i use my 8.1L i also pulled my 36ft 5th wheel all over the NW with it too. If i didn't have a my 8.1l and a diesel i would do it again, especially now.It's got a fresh motor in it again.

it just depends how impatient you are. if your are going to want the flying over passes and stuff when towing semi-heavy loads your either going to have to go big block or diesel though.

 

[H2SNOW]

bah !!! 625 Cat ...373s kitty bumped to 850 with diodes and Pitsburg Box now you gots yer self a sled hauler cmon !

 

[RitzBlitz]

Yeah you should be fine, like Snorider said you won't be settin any land speed records, but you won't be beggin it for more either. I've got a 7.4 suburban for sale if you really doubt that 5.7 though... Haha good luck with the truck you'll be fine.

 

[Clarke673]

I have a 96 5.7 vortech. I got 456 gears , chip, exhaust and that’s it. Mines auto and it pulls great, 150,000 miles of burn outs, trailer pulling, and mud'n and the thing is still faster than all the new trucks. IT pulls a hell of a lot better than my friends 2004 ford F250. That things a joke. It squats in the rear end with out a load.

You will be fine! Trust me. Im fairly sure this weighs a bit more than 7500 pounds and i pulled it up a STEAP gravel rode and it pulled great.


ohh yeah, i also got a 6" procomp sus lift with 35" procomp tires and a yukon locker.

 

[Pimp Daddy]

bah !!! 625 Cat ...373s kitty bumped to 850 with diodes and Pitsburg Box now you gots yer self a sled hauler cmon !

A 625 bumped to 850? What kinda torque? Oh and even detuned it would be more than enuf twist to turn the frame of that poor chebby into a pretzel!!

 

[IndoubtGASIT]

Hey thanks guys. I've got some things to chew on now.. keep em coming

 

[H2SNOW]

A 625 bumped to 850? What kinda torque? Oh and even detuned it would be more than enuf twist to turn the frame of that poor chebby into a pretzel!!

stock out the box with 2150 torque

 

[Jaynelson]

I have a 96 5.7 vortech. I got 456 gears , chip, exhaust and that’s it. Mines auto and it pulls great, 150,000 miles of burn outs, trailer pulling, and mud'n and the thing is still faster than all the new trucks.

No it's not....you silly

 

[burndown]

I am thinking about buying a 2000 3/4 ton crew cab chevy. The only thing that I worry about is that it only has the 5.7L. I would use to tow 4 sleds on an alluminum trailer, and a 21ft boat. Do you guys think the motor is too small for the truck? And any experience with these trucks from any owners? Thanks. Think snow.

Dammmit Bryce, with the way you drive you better get a blower on that thing. That or just buy my truck from me and get it over with.

 

[Pimp Daddy]

stock out the box with 2150 torque

Increased hp by 30% and torque remained unchanged huh? Suuurrreee!

 

[Dogmeat]

Towing an open 4-place snowmobile trailer with 4 sleds on it will work just fine with a 3/4-ton truck with the Vortec 5.7L in it ...

I towed an open 4-place with my 5.3L and those don't pull as well as the later-model 5.7's did just fine ...

You will be ok.

 

[Aug]

I have a '98 half ton ex cab short box and I pulled our 24 foot camper going up a 10% grade hill and it did ok.
The trailer weighs 5,000 pounds and it would pull it 65 mph no prblem on the flat. Going up it was a first gear deal but it wasn't bad.