Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine
| [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69349] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 15:02  |
Mary Ann Kjellerson
Messages: 2
Registered: October 2009
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I have a 2002 Saturn LS2 which weights about 2600 pounds and which I have towed behind my GMC
for about 1500 miles without any problems, but the manual says towing capacity of 1500 pounds. It/s
kiind of hard to fiind a vehicle that weighs just 1500 pounds, what are the rest of GMC owners towing
and is there any problems with exceeding the stated tow limit?
Don at KCMO
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69373 is a reply to message #69349] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 18:22  |
Rick Williams
Messages: 256
Registered: July 2004
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Don
I tow a Jeep Wrangler at about 3500 pounds with my '78. I upgraded to a 3.50 power drive when my transmission failed in the hills of Arkansas a couple of years back. As long as I was getting a "new" Manny transmission I went for the power drive. Was the failure related to hauling around the jeep? We can not be certain based on the failure. But probably not.
Is the 3.50 better? Yes but I may go to a 3.21 final drive as well to get a little more. .
I see that you are in KC. I lived in Olathe for 5 years about 30 years ago. If you are going to stay in the flatlands and rolling hills the 3.07 will be fine. But if you head for the big hills, I think you would be wise to consider the 3.70 final drive. You need all the help you can get in the mountains.
Rick
Rick Williams
Bliss, Michigan
1978 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69376 is a reply to message #69369] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 18:34 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
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Were finding out from our customers with a 403 that the 3.70 seems to
work best as you normally travel 60-65 mph. plus when the traffic is
heavy you lucky to travel at 55.
Also a good trans cooler will help further lower the trans fluid temp.
On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 3:04 PM, Mr.erf ERFisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com> wrote:
> Â It/s
>
>> kiind of hard to fiind a vehicle that weighs just 1500 pounds, what are the
>> rest of GMC owners towing
>> Â and is there any problems with exceeding the stated tow limit?
>>
>>
>>
> and there are some examples of " Damm the torpedoes, full speed ahead."
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=24370&title=taylor-rotorsports&cat=3092
>
> gene
>
>
>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> --
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69379 is a reply to message #69373] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 19:03 |
rvanwin
Messages: 325
Registered: April 2007
Location: Battlefield, MO
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| Rick Williams wrote on Sat, 02 January 2010 18:22 |
Don
I tow a Jeep Wrangler at about 3500 pounds with my '78. I upgraded to a 3.50 power drive when my transmission failed in the hills of Arkansas a couple of years back. As long as I was getting a "new" Manny transmission I went for the power drive. Was the failure related to hauling around the jeep? We can not be certain based on the failure. But probably not.
Is the 3.50 better? Yes but I may go to a 3.21 final drive as well to get a little more. .
I see that you are in KC. I lived in Olathe for 5 years about 30 years ago. If you are going to stay in the flatlands and rolling hills the 3.07 will be fine. But if you head for the big hills, I think you would be wise to consider the 3.70 final drive. You need all the help you can get in the mountains.
Rick
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Don,
I also tow a Jeep Wrangler (weighs in at 3600 and closer to 4000 after we are packed for a trip). I have put over 20,000 miles on with the toad faithfully following. I have the 3.70 and would recommend that if you will be towing on most of your trips. I have not noticed much if any drop in MPG.
We were in Rocky Mountain National Park this last summer and did fine but did unhook when we were going to be pulling some of the large grades going on up to the park.
I, too, lived in Olathe on two different occasions. In '83 for a couple of year then in '89 for a couple years.
Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69400 is a reply to message #69349] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 20:24 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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Most seem to be replying with "final drive and engine power" type answers.
Many things go into figuring the towing capacity. The power of the drive train is only one of them. (The lawyers get a BIG input.) You not only have to get all that extra mass rolling, you need to be able to control it and STOP it!
The heavier the toad the more you need toad brakes.
| Mary Ann Kjellerson wrote on Sat, 02 January 2010 13:02 |
... the manual says towing capacity of 1500 pounds. It/s kind of hard to find a vehicle that weighs just 1500 pounds, what are the rest of GMC owners towing and is there any problems with exceeding the stated tow limit? ...
|
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69401 is a reply to message #69379] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 20:25 |
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I have a 78 Royale. It's as it came - same engine and transmission. I've
pulled a Kia Sedona van up and down Monteagle Mountain north of Chattanooga
a couple of times without a problem. Well, it did slow down but I did pass
tankers on the way up. I worry more about the brakes on a 7% grade than I do
the transmission and keeping the RPMs up and the vacuum out of the toilet.
In other words, it creeps well at 40.
Once, in WV while not hauling anything, I started to get out and push. My
wife, who was at the wheel, was really getting impatient at 35 mph.
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
Randy Van Winkle wrote:
>
>
> Rick Williams wrote on Sat, 02 January 2010 18:22
>> Don
>>
>> I tow a Jeep Wrangler at about 3500 pounds with my '78. I upgraded to a 3.50
>> power drive when my transmission failed in the hills of Arkansas a couple of
>> years back. As long as I was getting a "new" Manny transmission I went for
>> the power drive. Was the failure related to hauling around the jeep? We can
>> not be certain based on the failure. But probably not.
>> Is the 3.50 better? Yes but I may go to a 3.21 final drive as well to get a
>> little more. .
>> I see that you are in KC. I lived in Olathe for 5 years about 30 years ago.
>> If you are going to stay in the flatlands and rolling hills the 3.07 will be
>> fine. But if you head for the big hills, I think you would be wise to
>> consider the 3.70 final drive. You need all the help you can get in the
>> mountains.
>>
>> Rick
>
> Don,
>
> I also tow a Jeep Wrangler (weighs in at 3600 and closer to 4000 after we are
> packed for a trip). I have put over 20,000 miles on with the toad faithfully
> following. I have the 3.70 and would recommend that if you will be towing on
> most of your trips. I have not noticed much if any drop in MPG.
>
> We were in Rocky Mountain National Park this last summer and did fine but did
> unhook when we were going to be pulling some of the large grades going on up
> to the park.
>
> I, too, lived in Olathe on two different occasions. In '83 for a couple of
> year then in '89 for a couple years.
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Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69541 is a reply to message #69349] |
Sun, 03 January 2010 20:53 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""I have a 2002 Saturn LS2 which weights about 2600 pounds and which I have towed behind my GMC
for about 1500 miles without any problems, but the manual says towing capacity of 1500 pounds.""
Being in the towing business I have to be carefull how I talk about this. Many tow ratings are what I would call token ratings that have no engineering substance behind them. It is either a swag, or a "don't tow" warning. Things have matured since the 70's and now ratings generally include brake, cooling, grawr, durability considerations. For ocasional towing these ratings can be considered as advice. For 24/7 towing, the ratings can have significant durability and warranty implications. SAE has recently come up with guidelines in an attempt to standardize ratings across manufacturers.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69590 is a reply to message #69553] |
Mon, 04 January 2010 09:24 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""Bob, do you suppose they were talking about tongue weight? Towing 4
wheels down the tongue weight has to be what....25 lbs? I towed an SW2
since 97 without a problem but wouldn't tow anything bigger than a
breadbox without a brake. ""
No, I'm sure they were referencing total trailer weight. It's not unusual for a manufacturer to quote such a low number since they haven't done much validation with a trailer. Typically tongue weight is about 10% of the trailer weight so a 1000# tongue load could represent a 10,000 # trailer, which only one of our members does. Tongue weight for a toad is very low--probably the weight of the tongue alone.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69653 is a reply to message #69590] |
Mon, 04 January 2010 21:40 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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There are few that are pulling 10,000lbs behind their coaches using
the 3.70 and one with 4.10. They use the weight distribution hitch to
avoid the tong weight.
On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 7:24 AM, Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> ""Bob, do you suppose they were talking about tongue weight? Towing 4
> wheels down the tongue weight has to be what....25 lbs? I towed an SW2
> since 97 without a problem but wouldn't tow anything bigger than a
> breadbox without a brake. ""
>
> No, I'm sure they were referencing total trailer weight. It's not unusual for a manufacturer to quote such a low number since they haven't done much validation with a trailer. Typically tongue weight is about 10% of the trailer weight so a 1000# tongue load could represent a 10,000 # trailer, which only one of our members does. Tongue weight for a toad is very low--probably the weight of the tongue alone.
>
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing capcacity of a 1978 GMC with 403 engine [message #69659 is a reply to message #69553] |
Mon, 04 January 2010 22:20 |
Douglas Norton
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2008
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My 1.5 cents worth: Perhaps GM was concerned with SAFETY and not PULLING CAPACITY. In a lot of states, 1,500 is the weight limit for towing without a breaking system on the towed vehicle. I think that is the safe limit for my GMC since towing 1,500 pounds is has been acceptable for my breaking experience and my 3,000 towd was scary until I got a brake buddy.
> On Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:53:00 -0600 Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@AOL.COM>
> writes:
> > ""I have a 2002 Saturn LS2 which weights about 2600
> pounds and which
> > I have towed behind my GMC
> > for about 1500 miles without any problems, but the
> manual says
> > towing capacity of 1500 pounds.""
>
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