towing with a 4.8L?

10-16-2012, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate the honesty and no hard feelings. I really like the truck and we use it for so many other things as well. I'll just pick up a nice open trailer and tow with that. For what I plan to race that will do just fine. I'm glad that I found out before I invested in an enclosed trailer.

L78 Nova · 10-16-2012, 10:36 PM

I have a 2000 GMC 4x4 short w 3.73 gears... works OK for my Nova on an open trailer.... Couldn't do over 55mph with a 15' (heavy) travel trailer against a strong headwind.

Ate a tank of fuel on the way out against the wind and barely a third of a tank coming home with no wind.

Rusty Davenport · 10-17-2012, 08:27 AM

It's interesting how much input is given on things like gas mileage and rear gearing in relation to engine size...........that is such a small issue PULLING..........the issue is handling and STOPPING in traffic...........you are doing the right thing with an open trailer, leave the difficult moments for the track, not the trip.

james schaechter · 10-21-2012, 08:27 AM

A friend of ours used to tow with a 4 door yukon with a 350. It pulled ok power wise and actually handled well. The problem was the rearend. It would knock out the pinion bearings. It had a towing package and a small car trailer.

We used to tow with an open trailer all the time. Much better match for what you have. You will still want more truck though. Once you feel the stability and brakes on a heavy 3/4 or bigger, you will not want to tow with any 1/2 ton again.
It isn't the power, it is the ability to deal with wind, or a panic stop or evasive manuevers that will make the difference. Once that mushy suspension package and weak brakes get tested, it can take you for a very scary and dangerous ride if you are overloaded.

Dan Fahey · 11-08-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L78 Nova

I have a 2000 GMC 4x4 short w 3.73 gears... works OK for my Nova on an open trailer.... Couldn't do over 55mph with a 15' (heavy) travel trailer against a strong headwind.

Ate a tank of fuel on the way out against the wind and barely a third of a tank coming home with no wind.

TarHeel:
FYI..

Mike Harris one of our Impala SS Racers from Ohio
He tows with a Chevy Pickup with a 4.8L engine, open trailer, car and family.

He has no problem pulling over Pennsylvania and New York mountains.
Though on some inclines he barely hits the 65mph speed limits.

Otherwise the engine and trans are doing fine and gets good mileage.

Dan

11-19-2012, 12:52 PM

Thanks Dan. I'm assuming he's towing a 4000+ lb. Impala SS ... remember those days well!

My C5 is about 3200 without me (going to run IHRA Pure Stock) and the open trailer is 2000 so it will be just a touch over 5000 lbs. Also, just my wife and I in the truck and not a lot of extra "stuff" so I'm thinking it should be fine.

10-16-2012, 07:57 PM	#1
Tar Heel Guest Posts: n/a	Re: towing with a 4.8L? Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate the honesty and no hard feelings. I really like the truck and we use it for so many other things as well. I'll just pick up a nice open trailer and tow with that. For what I plan to race that will do just fine. I'm glad that I found out before I invested in an enclosed trailer.

10-16-2012, 10:36 PM	#2
L78 Nova Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 92 Likes: 266 Liked 23 Times in 13 Posts	Re: towing with a 4.8L? I have a 2000 GMC 4x4 short w 3.73 gears... works OK for my Nova on an open trailer.... Couldn't do over 55mph with a 15' (heavy) travel trailer against a strong headwind. Ate a tank of fuel on the way out against the wind and barely a third of a tank coming home with no wind.

10-17-2012, 08:27 AM	#3
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 506 Likes: 4 Liked 101 Times in 27 Posts	Re: towing with a 4.8L? It's interesting how much input is given on things like gas mileage and rear gearing in relation to engine size...........that is such a small issue PULLING..........the issue is handling and STOPPING in traffic...........you are doing the right thing with an open trailer, leave the difficult moments for the track, not the trip. __________________ NHRA AND IHRA STOCK ELIMINATOR 2772

10-21-2012, 08:27 AM	#4
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,994 Likes: 1,299 Liked 1,440 Times in 301 Posts	Re: towing with a 4.8L? A friend of ours used to tow with a 4 door yukon with a 350. It pulled ok power wise and actually handled well. The problem was the rearend. It would knock out the pinion bearings. It had a towing package and a small car trailer. We used to tow with an open trailer all the time. Much better match for what you have. You will still want more truck though. Once you feel the stability and brakes on a heavy 3/4 or bigger, you will not want to tow with any 1/2 ton again. It isn't the power, it is the ability to deal with wind, or a panic stop or evasive manuevers that will make the difference. Once that mushy suspension package and weak brakes get tested, it can take you for a very scary and dangerous ride if you are overloaded. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

11-19-2012, 12:52 PM	#6
Tar Heel Guest Posts: n/a	Re: towing with a 4.8L? Thanks Dan. I'm assuming he's towing a 4000+ lb. Impala SS ... remember those days well! My C5 is about 3200 without me (going to run IHRA Pure Stock) and the open trailer is 2000 so it will be just a touch over 5000 lbs. Also, just my wife and I in the truck and not a lot of extra "stuff" so I'm thinking it should be fine.