View Full Version : Need Boat Advice!
I just purchased a New 2001 GMC Sierra Ext. Cab 4x4 with the 4.8 ltr
engine. Manual says it can handle 9000lbs I think.
Anyway, I'm looking at buying a Lund Angler, Mr. Pike or maybe even the 1800 Pro-V. Anyone know if I will be able to tow it okay with this truck? Right now I have a Rebel (900lbs) so that isn't really a fair comparison.
Most trips will be from Des Moines, IA to Canada.
Not too familiar with towing and already own the truck. Need help so I don't buy something my truck can't tow.
Thanks,
No problem. Take a look in your manual, there should be a chart for max towing capacity. The chart should list your engine, rear end and 2wd or 4wd. The max towing capacity will take these values into account. Any of these rigs should be well within your max towing capacity. I have the 1800 Pro V SE with a Merc 175 efi and I love it.
Best Regards,
FJH
Thanks. I really do appreciate the advice!
Have a nice weekend.
Nofish
11-30-2001, 04:28 PM
Howdy NC,
Great truck, I am very envious of you for it!!! And to answer your question in a nutshell, you could pull at least two of those boats and stay below the towing capacity!!! LOL!
Have fun......R
Big T
11-30-2001, 05:33 PM
I don't think that truck will pull a pro-v. Haven't driven it, but doesn't seem to have the power from what I have read.
Maybe someone who owns it could help you out?
Smitty
11-30-2001, 05:35 PM
I don't think you'll have any problem towing any of the rigs you mentioned with that setup. One item I would recommend if you don't have it is a tranny cooler.
Have fun...
Smitty,
Would you mind explaining to me what a "tranny cooler" is and what it does? Thanks again for all your help!
He's talking about a transmission cool, that cools the transmission oil. Most fit up front behind the grill and look like little radiators.
Dodge1
12-04-2001, 03:45 AM
The 4.8 has 270 HP and 285 foot pounds of torque.
The 5.3 has 285 HP and 325 foot pounds of torque.
Not a big difference for towing the rigs your thinking about buying.
Hopefully your new truck has the 3.73 axle ratio and the trailering package?
If you have the 3.42 axle ratio, which is the standard ratio for the 4.8, it would be an excellent idea to tow in 3rd gear, use the tow/haul feature, and avoid using OD. IMHO towing in OD, with either engine, is just asking for trouble but that's another subject that everyone seems to have an opinion on.
If you don't have the trailering package, it would be very good advise to get a transmission cooler installed, before you start towing.
I am almost positive I have the 3.73 and I know I have the towing package. I thought I was always supposed to tow in 3rd gear or with the "OD" off? I know it effects gas mileage, but I guess I've always heard it is generally much easier on the vehicle.
If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me what would be the Max weight you would tow and if possible, equate that to a boat? Preferrably a Lund since that is the brand I know the best.
I realize the manual says one thing, but I want to know what most people would feel comfortable towing and still have the vehicle perform.
Thanks!
FreeByrd
12-04-2001, 11:55 AM
If you have the towing package and don't tow in overdrive, they don't make a Lund - or probably ANY boat - glass or tin - under 21 feet that your truck won't tow. If your manual says it will tow 9000 pounds, I don't think any of the rigs you are considering approach HALF of 9000 pounds. Bottom Line - no problem!
Good Luck,
Steve
Steve,
Thanks for the input. As I'm sure you already know, I'm not exactly an "expert" in the boating/towing world!
Larry m
12-04-2001, 12:22 PM
NC
Other posts are correct, you can tow anything your talking about with that truck and a trans cooler would be a good investment. I have that truck with a 5.3 and tow a 2000 Angler. Also live in Des Moines and fish Canada 2-3 times per year. If you'd like to visit somtime I'm at ute41@home.com. Thats Mediacom ans as you know they are experiencing some problems. Not receiving e-mail now but should be fixed by thurs or Fri.
Crazy4Eyes
12-04-2001, 12:34 PM
NC,
Looks like the majority wins..........you shouldn't have any problems whatsoever as long as you don't try to drive 100mph. I have a 99 silverado with the 5.3 liter and I pull a Lund Pro-v 2025 to alot of the tourneys with ease.......I just never pull in overdrive like many of the fellas have already said.......you should definitely be happy with this truck............good fishing!
Travis
12-04-2001, 03:43 PM
N.C,
give me a call if your intrested in a 2000 mr pike
fully loaded i would give you a awsome deal. 701-343-0575
You won't have any problems pulling any of the boats mentioned.
For any type of towing - a transmission cooler is an excellent idea. It really helps to increase the longivity of the transmission.
Basically pull your rig at what ever speed that you feel comfortable with. Run your rig in a gear so that your transmission is seldom shifting. If you are running faster, and or hilly country, so that the transmission is doing a lot of down and up shifts - then shift it out of overdrive, and you should be good to go.
If, on the other hand, you are on the straight and level, or down hill, and or a wind behind you - go ahead and shift up to over drive and let the transmission lock up and sail along.
Pull in the highest gear that you can comfortably pull with, at the speed that you want to cruise, with minimum shifting. If you are shifting a lot - gear down, and you will be fine.
That is why, in general, any time that I have to slow for a town, or other type construction, etc. I make a point to always shift out of overdrive for a rig like yours.
Good luck and enjoy your truck and boat.
REW
Gary B
12-04-2001, 04:39 PM
NC,
REW has pretty much nailed it. I would say that your truck is not rated for 9000lbs though, but you shouldn't have any problem with the boats you are looking at. For 9000lb you need the big engine, 4.10 gears, upgraded suspension(z71, or other if over 5000lbs), tow package, etc. I do tow in OD with my '99 k1500 (5.3), but if the transission shifts back and forth much at all I either use the tow/haul mode or downshift to 3rd. I do know that it goes down the road very well at 65-70mph. Take some time and read the manual (at least chapter 4 on towing). You know what they say about the bigger engines--- they get you moving faster and get you where you are going faster. That does include the gas station! Good luck and have fun.
Dodge1
12-04-2001, 05:14 PM
If you have the tow package you have the 3.73 gears and the tranny cooler.
Aside from what some posters said, IMO a couple of mpg less is a lot cheaper then a tranny rebuild. I know their probably correct but I would just rather be safe then sorry.
FYI - I had a 95 Jeep with the 5.2L and I towed in overdrive on the flats. After 31,000 miles the tranny had to be rebuilt $$$ and no I wasn't running at 75mph+ and I was only towing a Skeeter 135.
Dodge1
Thanks to everyone for your help. You confirmed what I thought, but I definately wanted to hear from people I assume are much more experienced in this matter than me. Any other advice concerning my rig is welcomed.
Thanks,
NC
Walleye daddy
12-06-2001, 07:18 AM
Just an input on the prior posts. If you have the factory towing package you also have a towing selector button on the shift selector. This puts the the transmission into a towing mode that allows the vehicle to stay in a lower gear until the on board computer senses its in a proper rpm range to shift it out. It does it for you. No need to worry about selecting d3 or o.d. I own a 2001 Sierra with the 5.3 liter, pull a 99 1850 Sportfish fully loaded, and have no problems whatsoever. I don't even know its back there. Good luck
Thanks. I do have the tow/haul button on the shifter and it seems to work just fine. Just out of curiousity, my brother in law has a 99 Yukon and the manual specifically says TO TOW in Overdrive!
Any ideas why?
You can tow in overdrive but the transmission downshifts alot, tow in 3rd. I have a 2000 GMC 5.3 automatic. I tow about 2500lbs and don't even know the boat is there. If you tow with the cruise control, it has a tendancy to downshift alot, so I don't use the cruise unless it is fairly level. The mileage is about 1.5mpg better not using the cruise. The 4.8 will have all the power you need, just make sure it has a trans. cooler. You can get a factory cooler kit from the dealer. It has all the lines and brackets. Less than $100 and worth it.
Final Answer:http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/features.htm#trailering
Thanks for the help. For some reason I read in the manual it was 9000lb and not 8200lb. Oh well, either way it has way more capacity than I will ever need.
Thanks to all of you who posted your responses. I really appreciate the help.