Chevy S10 - GMC S15 and Sonoma Towing Questions

guitarman5

i just picked up a 1991 sonoma, 2.5l 5 speed, anyonw know what would be the max i could tow with this, i have a camper trailer that weighs about 3000-3500lbs, wondering if i could tow it safely

hoodlatch

Here's why I wouldn't:
a. wind sail factor of a high profile in gust of wind
b. high profile is like pulling a parachute
c. stopping factor (electric brakes?)
d. overloading of engine and clutch

Being you have both, sonoma 2.5 and 3.5k lbs camper, start small and see how it goes. Hook it up and take it around the block. If that works ok, progressively increase distance. Watch your temp gage so it doesn't over heat. Watch your tac so your not burning out your clutch. Start out on level ground so your not getting pushed down a grade or over doing brakes.

In other words steady as she goes and see how it goes (or stops). Let us know how it works out.

Good luck

johnny2323

Hello. We are looking to buy a camper trailer. What is the max weight that we would be able to tow on a 1992 Sonoma 4x4, V6 4.3L TBI, auto trans?

Thanks!

hoodlatch

I have a 92 4.3Z and I've towed a Johnny Pop John Deere with it. I kept it out of overdrive and it worked fine. But, as I have indicated in previous post, there are a lot of other variables involve in towing besides just weight. In this case I had electric brakes to help stop. Also I had equalizer bars on the hitch. Plus the trailer had two axles. Sorry but I don’t know what the max tow rating is. To find that answer for a 92 you would probably need to look in an archive.

philscbx

Granted it's an old thread, it will be info for anyone else considering it.

No Way would you tow a 3500 lb load with that size vehicle.
Unless you were just taking it to storage one time only and very little traffic on a Sunday morning.

This is where you see the news reports of people upside down and dead on the road and scratch their heads bald as to why.

1200 lbs at the very most.
Even My 00 4x4 v-6 can tell I have 2000 lbs back there and it gets sucked of power real quick on upgrades, so leave it out of overdrive if you feel very little gain in adding power.

s10mojo

Hi i was curious about the 1992 blazer 4.3z motor. I have a 1991 4.3 fuel injection in my 1991 which i totaled. I was looking at a 1992 that has a 4.3z motor. I have heard of the vortecs. But what is the z? Is it a better version of the vortec? I know Vortecs had spider problems from what i have read. But is this the better motor or a lower end version.. Thanks alot. I wanted to check before i buy. Thanks alot.

radame

My coleman popup camper has 1995 gvwr (lbs) and my sonoma 2002 has 5150 (lbs) ... If I use transmisión coolant and/or wider radiator, help for overheat? Happened before the last summer with 110 temp. With hills (between San Diego and Calexico Ca.) or better go for bigger truck like sierra ?
2002 gmc sonoma 4x4 sls v6 vortec automatic, crew cab

gonogo

I say bigger truck.

jerseygurl

How much weight can an 88 s10 pull. I have a bass boat with a large engine that I am trying to pull to Altoona lake, which is like 20 minutes away from me. Is it safe for me to pull it that far or should I just hold off until I can try to buy a bigger truck. Really need some help with this I just got the boat last summer and I haven't been able to do anything with it because I don't know if my little truck will pull it. Thanks.