Towing with a Blazer

[Gonzo]

I am in the market for a new car and am considering getting a Chevy Blazer. In the next year I would like to buy a boat-something like a Lund Explorer, 16', 80" to 90" beam, 75 to 90 H.P. From what I've read the boat/motor/trailer would weigh about 2000 pounds. Would the Blazer be a vehicle for towing this boat? Do I need to add anything to the Blazer for towing?

Thanks for your help.

Gonzo

[rodbuster]

I have a Blazer I don't tow with it but I did check to see if I could.The book says 5500 lbs.And I believe it could but I think it would't last long.If your only looking for 2000 lbs it should work fine.Just make sure if you tow with a lot of hills you may need to keep it out of overdrive.

[Gary]

The Chevy s-10 Blazer should do just fine for towing a boat of that category. You did not say what year of vehicle, but I would highly recommend four-wheel-drive, automatic, and the 4.3L motor, along with the tow package. Properly equipped this vehicle will tow 5500 pounds or so.

[chadk66]

My dad tows a 17' smokercraft with a 90hp ob on it. absolutely no problem pulling it, and you hardly notice it back there. My only suggestion would be to opt for the optional surge break trailer system. I don't think they're more than a couple hundred bucks and would save you big time if you really had to stand on em with a smaller truck. Otherwise it does a great job.

[cisco]

We had a '98 Blazer 4x4 V6 for two years. It's tiny gas tank was troublesome due to poor gas mileage -- couldn't pass a gas station. It was tiring to drive because of the uneven floor beneath the drivers feet. I was well aware of my 18' Targa over every mile driven in tow. For the boat you have in mind, I would not want to be towing with a Blazer. It's called mid-size, but in my opinion it is just plain small.

[Smitty]

I would think a Blazer would tow that boat without much of a problem, especially if it has the 4.3L engine. I pulled a 17' Lund Prosport for a couple years with a Dodge Dakota w/4.0L and other than pulling a little on hills it was fine. You will probably need to take it out of overdrive when towing and if it doesn't have one, I would recommend a transmission cooler (many vehicles w/ towing packages already have one).

[Hans]

The 4.3L is pretty marginal as a towing engine, and the Blazer is gonna be pretty light if you need to do any serious STOPPING.

Been there, done that, wasn't fun. Consider a Yukon/Tahoe with a 4.8 or 5.3L V8.

Hans

--
A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man
contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.

[rwl]

I own a 96 blazer 4x4 4.3l towing package, It's my wifes, but I took it to Canada with a buddies 16 foot 40 horse Lund adventurer, three guys and bear hunting equip. No problem at all 14 hours each way. I also have a 17 foot MR. Pike with 115, towed that a few times 60 miles each way does just fine. I would get trailer brakes for sure. My main tow truck is 2000 Silverado 5.3. More comfortable to tow with this. Check price and milage and you will probably end up with a full size Tahoe, more truckk for not alot more $.

[Robertp]

I think the Blazer would be fine with this size boat. You may want to hold off on your purchase as Chevrolet will be introducing in first quarter of 2001 a 2002 model Trailblazer. Early reports are good for the redsigned vehicle and the new 4.2 Vortec will get 270hp. Likewise Ford is redisigning the Explorer in the first quarter and it too will carry a 2002 model year identity. Both the Ford and Chevrolet are reported to be substantially improved

[Eyeowa]

My last tow vehicle was a '95 Blazer w/tow package and 3.73 gearing. NO problem towing 2800 lb. package. The ONLY problem I had was seeing around my 90" wide boat. Other than that, excellent power, mileage, etc.

Eyeowa

[Gonzo]

Thanks to all who responded!

The wife and I are doing some car shopping tommorrow - just sort of a get aquainted with the vehicles kind of trip. We'll take a look the Yukon besides the Blazer, maybe even a medium size pick-up. What ever we get will have to be something she'll feel comfortable driving and will leave some dollars for the boat.

Gonzo

[Calif Bill]

I have a 96 4.3 4x4 Blazer, factory tow package. Tows fine at that weight. The brakes are better since the recall. I towed a 14' Valco with 15 Mariner, and do not even know it's there. I also have a 21' Jetcraft, about 4400# on trailer, and full of fuel. Will tow ok on flats and small hills, just not enough torque for the 4000'+ mountains. Bought a 99 Expedition and gave wife the Blazer. Tows great, milage sucks! Course the milage sucks when not towing. Would recommend the Blazer for a 16' boat, 4.3l is great engine. Still drive my 89 S-10 4x4 P.U., as it gets better milage than the Exp.
Bill

[bill]

I have the gmc jimmy 1998 it is the same vehicle!! I have towed around 5000 miles with mine. My boat is a 1800 pro v with a 150 v max and a 9.9 kicker. I have made it to canada 4 times and all over. I would not say it is a great towing vehicle butt it works! you will get from 11 to 13 mpg.The biggest problem is the small gas tanks you will have to stop alot it holds 18 gallons. I have had some trouble pulling it out of ramps I have had to put it in 4 wheel low that gets her up those steep ramps. But it is a good car I would look at the yukon or the new jimmy next year is going with a bigger motor. The book states 5500 lbs you will not see my driving it with that kind of weight. I have brakes on my trailer that helps alot!! well good luck bill

[Pitts]

I had a 94 s-10 blazer with 4.3 vortec. Motor is ok but the tranny even with a cooler was over heating when hauling my 8x12 fish house on a trailer which only weighed 2500#. I would look at the full size Tahoe or pick-up first. Bought mine for the same reason wife didn't feel comfortable driving a full size rig and since she has a car of her own she never drove the blazer anyway. Resale value sucked at best.
Go with the full size!!!

Pitts

[Pikegirl]

Don't even consider it. The Blazer is too light, the 4.3L is just barely adequate for pulling even a light load. This vehicle is your basic toy "yuppie SUV", fit for hauling picnic equipment.

Trust me, we had one, and was the happiest day of my life when we upgraded to our Silverado 5.3L extended cab. The 4.3L was worn out after 20,000 miles of towing a modest 17' boat, transmission was always overheating, and gas mileage is BETTER on our bigger truck.

[Hogger]

I'd have to agree. As a former Blazer owner I'd suggest you keep looking. I had a 94, 4x, 4.3, with tow package. I towed a 16' Lund with a 40, weight under 2000. Even with the tow package it still towed like I was pulling a house. If the temp was over 90, the tranny constantly boiled over if I towed a long distance. Keep in mind the 94 was the last year they built the Blazer on a frame - now it's unibody construction. I my opinion you'd be better off with something else.

[Jerry]

Had an older Blazer 4X4. Too light and underpowered for towing any distance IMHO. Upgraded to a Dodge Durango 4X4, 5.2L w/tow package. Tows 3000lb rig long distances very well. Durango has good ground clearance and good 4WD system for steep ramps. Drives OK as everyday vehicle. Price as equipped was pretty good. Reliability OK so far. Gas mileage sucks like most SUV's. Good mid-sized alternative - worth a look.

[Lundluvr]

I definitly agree with the last three post. I had a 96 blazer. When I bought a 1775 Pro V lund I thought it would be fine. I was wrong. It was a very nice truck but it just wasn't big enough to handle pulling the boat so I had to trade it in.I guess alot of it depends how often and how far you will be trailering. Good Luck.

[toofeweyes]

I've worked in a chevy dealer parts dept. all my life...that vehicle may be "rated" for 5500lb but you'd be crazy to try it.I've seen lots of these 'cute' little trucks with pinoin bearings welded solid from towing a 2500lb rig, transmissions so badly burnt up the stench would gag a maggot etc. The new design blazers are coming with many new improvements including the all new straight 6 engine which will give it more power and better mileage but your still going to be asking a small pony to do the work of a Clydesdale. Another point is the brakes on these vehicles have been a problem since day one... when trying to stop any kind of a load, they're not much bigger than those used on a celebrity!!Do yourself and anyone driving on the road with you a favor and really check out some of the bigger units...you will be much happier and safer in the long run
:D is it time to go fishing yet?? :7