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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Suburbans => Topic started by: PURESTREET5006 on May 04, 2006, 08:01:00 pm

Title: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: PURESTREET5006 on May 04, 2006, 08:01:00 pm: I have a 87 Suburban( 1/2 ton 2WD) with a 350 and 700R4 trans i believe..I was told that you're not suppose to tow anything In overdrive(D) but in drive(3) so i wouldn't burn the trans....any truth to this...Thanks
Title: Re: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: Z28 c10 on May 04, 2006, 08:16:00 pm: ALWAYS tow out of OD. You will burn up the OD. The way I always pulled my bosses sprint car trailer, ( 35' gooseneck Featherlight), is to get moving in D, then after up to cruising speed, above 55 or 60, then kick in the OD to save the fuel, but only on the interstate. NEVER leave the tranny in OD when you're in town towing with a load, the back and forth shifting from 3rd to 4th is what really kills em.

JayTater

Z28 C10
Title: Re: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: Lt.Del on May 05, 2006, 10:50:00 pm: I concur. No OD when pulling. In fact, get yourself a transmission cooler for insurance. You cant have too much prolonged heat to your transmission or you'll be replacing it.

Same thing with mountain driving, or 4 wheeling, etc. Keep it out of OD. That is not what it was designed for.

1991 3/4 ton 4x4 Blu Burb

SgtDel
Edited by: SgtDel at: 5/5/06 9:52 pm
Title: TOWING
Post by: PURESTREET5006 on May 06, 2006, 01:05:00 pm: I have trans & Oil cooler on the vehicle already...what about towing at Highway speeds(65-70mph) No stop-n-go...Can i use OD then? Once i get this thing moving.
Title: Re: TOWING
Post by: Z28 c10 on May 06, 2006, 06:01:00 pm: I put 110,000 miles on an'82 c30, 454, new 700r, pulling that 25,000 lb gooseneck. ALL of those miles were interstate running from Fl. to OH. and everywhere in between. OD off until the truck was up to about 60, then shift into OD. never had any tranny problems. Just fluid and filter changes every 15,000 miles.

JayTater

Z28 C10
Title: TOWING
Post by: PURESTREET5006 on July 22, 2006, 10:09:00 am: We guys i made the First long distance tow with the suburban about 2 weeks ago( from chicago to Martin mi..150 miles one way) Trailering my race and she ran like a champ No issues what so ever and i was hauling at a good clip to( 75-80 mph) at times. I did have a blowout on the trailer and had to buy a new tire But this 89 Suburban pulls well and we did tow in D until i hit 60 mph then we ran in OD....Thanks For the info.
Title: Re: TOWING
Post by: Lt.Del on July 22, 2006, 10:39:00 pm: Sounds great. I hope you didn't have the blow out at 80 mph.
SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4
Title: TOWING
Post by: PURESTREET5006 on August 13, 2006, 09:33:00 am: Also guys..with these BFG all-terrain tires(32x11.5x15) that i have what's the most Air pressure you should run while towing..I was told to run 55 PSI( in all tires) when towing....Any truth to this?

Thanks
Title: Re: TOWING
Post by: Blazin on September 19, 2006, 06:44:00 am: I would see what the tire says and what the truck recomends, then pick a happy medium that gives you a good feel while behind the wheel. I would lean closer to the tire recomended presure though.
Title: Trailer Towing
Post by: PURESTREET5006 on September 24, 2006, 09:18:00 am: I've been to Joliet(RT66) Since then which is 30 mins from my house and to Columbus OH( Sept 2-4) and now where getting ready to go to Bowling Green Ky this up coming weekend( 9/28-10/1)...My suburban pulls good and tows straight. I just did my front brakes and installed new U-joints on the drive shaft. I'll tell you guys how that trip went when i return.
Title: Re: Trailer Towing
Post by: DnStClr on November 26, 2006, 01:00:00 pm: Whatever the tire pressure is rated at is what you should tow with. Some guys even go 5 psi higher .The tire rating is printed on the sidewall. Low air pressure is a killer while towing. It causes heat buid-up and blowouts. Trust me I know.
The addition of synthetic tranny fluid is another thing you can do for your tranny. It will not run as hot as regular tranny fluid.
Don St.Clair
Culleoka Tn
Title: Re: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: SLO 85 GT on May 15, 2007, 11:04:56 am: Thanks Guys for the responses...Now if you guys could help me out with the Electrical issue i'm having now that would be great...I had to change my screen name to SLO 85 GT..but it's still me Purestreet5006.
Title: Re: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: Captkaos on May 15, 2007, 11:45:26 pm: Quote from: SLO 85 GT on May 15, 2007, 11:04:56 am
Thanks Guys for the responses...Now if you guys could help me out with the Electrical issue i'm having now that would be great...I had to change my screen name to SLO 85 GT..but it's still me Purestreet5006.

There is no reason to switch screen names, you just have to tell me what your login issue is. Did your read this post? http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5300.0
Title: Re: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: SLO 85 GT on July 04, 2008, 05:37:41 pm: We guys i sold my trust 87 1500 series suburban last weekend for 1500.00 and i hated to see it go but i got a new beastfor a tow vehicle now!!! 1997 suburban 2500 with a 454. 4L80E, 4.10 GEARS and 4x4 with only 99k on it...I'll post pic's soon.
Title: Re: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: DnStClr on July 18, 2008, 01:33:57 am: Well the new Burb will definitely tow your race car trailer.. How come you had to switch your name anyhow? IRS chasin ya? :D
Title: Re: Trailer towing ?????
Post by: stkcode on August 07, 2008, 10:51:45 pm: As already mentioned, it's a bad idea to tow in OD with a stock 700R4. The 700R4's have a weak 4th, sun-shell and don't like to run hot. Changing the clutch pack, valve springs (using stiffer springs) and servo would help. On a decently modified 700R4, you shouldn't have any problems with towing in 4th, as long as it has an aux cooler and you don't keep riding the shift point (where it keeps having to constantly down shift, up shift, then down shift) on flat land. Any decent grade hill would be another story.