Towing Trailer

[Syty84]

Whats the largest size travel trailer I could tow with my typhoon.

I'm putting a built 4l80e in it soon and would like to pull a trailer to an upcoming festival soon.

I read the max towing capacity for a jimmy was around 5K

http://www.rvrentalssandiego.com/san_diego_rv_rentals_wildwood_T18.htm - something like this is probably out of the question.

 

[gary sy]

Re: Towing Trailer

there is 0 tow rating for the tyhoon if you need to tow sell it and get a vehicle set up for it :2cents:

 

[Neelsonwheels]

Re: Towing Trailer

What the?? No NO NO. Zero. Typhoons are more at home on trailers then pulling them.LOL
Don't even try to pull a trailer with your Ty.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Towing Trailer

I would not tow something that big with a Typhoon. If I was going to tow something it would be closer to 1000#.

 

[Mingus]

Re: Towing Trailer

There is zero tow rating because GM "said so". They also said the vehicles aren't supposed to be modded in any way, and how many people are following that decree? The no-tow is probably because Sy/Ty's ate the 4L60 like candy as it was and they didn't want even more warranty claims. He said he's putting a 4L80E in which would take care of that problem.I know Bravadas and Astros were rated for towing so the transfer case isn't a problem. The front and rear differentials are the same as the other S-series vehicles. They do have softer springs than the "regular" 4X4's so you would probably need to address that.
What towing with the extra power of the engine would do to the axles and transfer case I don't know, or the bottom end in the engine for that matter.
Then there's the brakes. :rotf:
I definitely think you could tow a small utility type trailer with one (or a teardrop or tent trailer). A "regular" travel trailer is a whole other animal. Everytime I see something other than a full size truck towing one I shake my head.
So yes I think you could tow a trailer, but I wouldn't want to with mine.

 

[tbauer03]

Re: Towing Trailer

http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Sport-Trailer-Rental/ST/
This trailer loaded with pillows would be pushing it.:lol:
If you put a 4l80 in it, it would definitely help but then I would really worry about the brakes. I have seen pictures of members on here pulling boats before. So I'd say it's possible and its your truck, do what you want but please take all safety precautions before hitting the road. Towing isn't so much about can it pull it but can it safely stop.

 

[Slyclone]

Re: Towing Trailer

I remember seeing a picture from a magazine of a GMC syclone towing a boat. I might even have the article if I dig around. I just never understood why they say not to tow, but publish photos of the truck towing

 

[92 Ty 1173]

Re: Towing Trailer

There is zero tow rating because GM "said so". They also said the vehicles aren't supposed to be modded in any way, and how many people are following that decree? The no-tow is probably because Sy/Ty's ate the 4L60 like candy as it was and they didn't want even more warranty claims. He said he's putting a 4L80E in which would take care of that problem.I know Bravadas and Astros were rated for towing so the transfer case isn't a problem. The front and rear differentials are the same as the other S-series vehicles. They do have softer springs than the "regular" 4X4's so you would probably need to address that.
What towing with the extra power of the engine would do to the axles and transfer case I don't know, or the bottom end in the engine for that matter.
Then there's the brakes. :rotf:
I definitely think you could tow a small utility type trailer with one (or a teardrop or tent trailer). A "regular" travel trailer is a whole other animal. Everytime I see something other than a full size truck towing one I shake my head.
So yes I think you could tow a trailer, but I wouldn't want to with mine.

I would have to agree with Mike here. The weak link, 700R4, is being upgraded. As far as the rest on the mechanics of the vehicle, minus the turbo are no different than any other S series of the era. Does the trailer have any braking mechanism? If not, don't go too heavy unless you are upgrading them also. As long as you are responsible while towing, no boost launches, It should be ok. We all have different opinions and feelings about this so do research and understand that there may be failures due to it. These trucks fail while sitting on jackstands in the garage. LOL

 

[Norm]

Re: Towing Trailer

didn't towingty ( member here) use to pull a boat around with his typhoon?

 

[Neelsonwheels]

Re: Towing Trailer

If you want to tow then go ahead. More load more heat more preignition.
We all know these truck love that. I personally won't say it's a good idea.
When something bad happens ( hopefully not) you can't blame me for saying okay.
A heavy duty transmission won't save your engine.

 

[QuinnSY]

Re: Towing Trailer

The intercooler may be another factor. As far as I understand it was never designed for consistent cooling but just cooling the air during short WOT runs. A larger lower CAC and Pump should help. Then you have to think of the tongue weight, leafs and the frame. The SyTy's can tow small toys (ie: ski boat, ATV, side by side, ext), but most of us wouldn't tow anything larger than that.

 

[4cefed5]

Re: Towing Trailer

If you go air to air it will be better to tow. You will also need a helper shock with a coil spring otherwise you will be on bump stops all the time. Even with all of that still keep it to a minimum.

 

[Syty84]

Re: Towing Trailer

Thanks for all the feedback guys, well good news is that we are going to buy a much lighter weight trailer, closer to 2500-3000lbs which will probably come out to 3500-4000lbs max with everything loaded.

Just some updates about my build:

Engine has standard forged internals, rods, pistons, upgraded cam, l35s etc, it's at the machine shop getting things freshened up, I'm also converting it to 4 bolt mains while it's apart.
- Air to air is being ordered
- I'm going really big on the turbo though 74mm not sure if this will be an issue spooling up.
- Going distributorless with coils

Suspension:
I'm likely going to replace the leaf springs as they are the original units, when I bought my other truck (sy) one of them was cracked in half, so doing this just to be safe.
- Replacing rear shocks, should I keep the air shocks, 4cefed5 mentioned using a coil shock instead.
- Getting disk brakes for the rear, I have GN wheels so I'm not quite sure what is the largest brakes I can run yet, I tried to put my front GN front wheel on my Sy which has the F-body brakes and they didn't fit, so I might be limited here. I don't believe the trailer has brakes, I'll have to look into that.
- Replace front and rear shafts

Transmission
- deep pan
- aux cooler

Tow hitch
- weight distributing hitch

I wouldn't be considering this but I don't want to buy another truck, plus I have a Sy as well.

 

[Beavis]

Re: Towing Trailer

3500-4000? Way too much, maybe a1500lbs pop-up, but that would be it. I wouldnt do it. It would probably be cheaper/better/safer to buy a cheap full size pick to do that job.

 

[TeeTopZ]

Re: Towing Trailer

Yea, way to much weight. As stated earlier, the intercooler wasn't designed for sustained loads like that and the brakes weren't good enough from the factory. The GN wheels will definitely limit your brake choices, since most upgrades require minimum 16" wheels. A2A will help, but I wouldn't do it. Im not sure, but 4k might be pushing it on a regular s10/s15. You should look into another truck to pull a trailer that large

 

[tunerpike]

Re: Towing Trailer

Problem with towing with syty is boost.. The stock intercooler couldn't handle it.

I would def lower boost.. Like 5-8 psi max