Get the GMC and trade the Ford?

Xfordowner · August 31, 2006

Hello to all,

I have three days to decide if I should ditch my ford And buy a 96' 1500 Sierra club cab sle. My problem is we (wife and I) want to buy a travel trailer, but my 99 f150 (4.6L, with a 5 speed) is only rated to tow about 3000lbs. so it's gotta go, but the dealer that has this 96' sierra is giving me some conflicting info. The sierra has a elec. brake and one of those hitches that bolt to the frame, it's the 5.7 motor, the problem was when I asked what rear end it has, he didn't know so he calls the gmc dealer and reads him a number from the glove box then he gets off the phone and tells me it has a 4.10 in the rear so it should tow about 9000lbs, but when I aked him why the owners manual didn't list that rear end, he just shrugged. If I remember right the manual only listed 3.73 and a 3.86 (I think) whats going on here? Can anyone help I don't want to buy another truck that can't handle what I need it for (stupid me, should have checked the ford specs before buying) The trailer we get shouldn't weigh more than 7000lbs loaded. Sorry the post is so long, thanks in advance for any and all help!!!!!

Soon to be a X ford owner (I hope)

Hecktorx · August 31, 2006

Hello to all,

I have three days to decide if I should ditch my ford And buy a 96' 1500 Sierra club cab sle. My problem is we (wife and I) want to buy a travel trailer, but my 99 f150 (4.6L, with a 5 speed) is only rated to tow about 3000lbs. so it's gotta go, but the dealer that has this 96' sierra is giving me some conflicting info. The sierra has a elec. brake and one of those hitches that bolt to the frame, it's the 5.7 motor, the problem was when I asked what rear end it has, he didn't know so he calls the gmc dealer and reads him a number from the glove box then he gets off the phone and tells me it has a 4.10 in the rear so it should tow about 9000lbs, but when I aked him why the owners manual didn't list that rear end, he just shrugged. If I remember right the manual only listed 3.73 and a 3.86 (I think) whats going on here? Can anyone help I don't want to buy another truck that can't handle what I need it for (stupid me, should have checked the ford specs before buying) The trailer we get shouldn't weigh more than 7000lbs loaded. Sorry the post is so long, thanks in advance for any and all help!!!!!

Soon to be a X ford owner (I hope)

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4.10s weren't available in a 1500 in 96. They're either 3.73s or 3.42s. 7000lbs is about the limit for that truck. The truck will probably do it but IMO I would be looking 2500 and up if I was going to tow that regularly or for long distances.

95Sierra2500 · August 31, 2006

I always shake my head when I see people pulling with the older half-ton trucks. Yeah, they'll do it, but the carnage you're asking for down the road if you don't take care of it and add an oil cooler and (if an auto, guessing it is) a tranny cooler is NOT worth it. The engine can take it, but with the probable 3.42s in it, the rest of the driveline can't handle it. If it's got 3.73s you'll get a couple years out of it and probably need a trans rebuild without an aux. tranny cooler. On top of that, the braking power on a half ton is far inferior to the 2500/3500 trucks. If your trailer brakes ever go out, you're ASKING for trouble in a half ton.

My father has been using a 1-ton crewcab dually since 1986 for towing, and since I don't have as heavy of a trailer I've got a 3/4 ton. I'll probably never own a half ton unless it's a street rod.

pknowles · August 31, 2006

I regular pull about 6000 loaded. The 5.7L is more then up to it, but I would step up to a 3/4 ton for stability. If you can get one with a 4L80E trans (the more heavy duty trans) then you will be fine. My 97 C2500 2wd with 5.7L and 4L80E is rated to pull 7500 lbs.

RaysZ71 · September 1, 2006

Hello to all,

I have three days to decide if I should ditch my ford And buy a 96' 1500 Sierra club cab sle. My problem is we (wife and I) want to buy a travel trailer, but my 99 f150 (4.6L, with a 5 speed) is only rated to tow about 3000lbs. so it's gotta go, but the dealer that has this 96' sierra is giving me some conflicting info. The sierra has a elec. brake and one of those hitches that bolt to the frame, it's the 5.7 motor, the problem was when I asked what rear end it has, he didn't know so he calls the gmc dealer and reads him a number from the glove box then he gets off the phone and tells me it has a 4.10 in the rear so it should tow about 9000lbs, but when I aked him why the owners manual didn't list that rear end, he just shrugged. If I remember right the manual only listed 3.73 and a 3.86 (I think) whats going on here? Can anyone help I don't want to buy another truck that can't handle what I need it for (stupid me, should have checked the ford specs before buying) The trailer we get shouldn't weigh more than 7000lbs loaded. Sorry the post is so long, thanks in advance for any and all help!!!!!

Soon to be a X ford owner (I hope)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

GM had a heavy duty chassis package for 1500 ext cabs. I think it was RPO F44. It had the rear springs and axle from the light duty 3/4 ton (9.5" rear) and larger rear brakes. I think you could get the 4.10 with that. If the glove box decal says GT5 thats is 4.10, GT4 is 3.73.

superbee · September 1, 2006

Towing at rated capacity is a mistake. I think of it as operating the engine at the red line. Yes you can do it, but for how long? I have 2 3/4 tons and the difference in the brakes alone is worth it. And yes I agree, the engine is never the limiting factor, do yourself a favor and step up to a HD. You'll never go back.