towing capacity question

crazyhorse357 · 08-11-2009, 01:37 PM

I have a 1993 Chevy van with a 4.3 V-6 engine and has 146,000 miles, it burns no oil with the exception of first start-up then it puffs a small amount and after that no smoke at all, just had a new torque converter and flywheel installed, my question is what the towing capacity of this vehicle in the condition that it is in now?
Any advice is welcome.

leolkfrm · 08-11-2009, 02:59 PM

the same as when it came out of the factory, just a matter of how it handles what you hook to it

crazyhorse357 · 08-11-2009, 04:12 PM

That's the problem, I have no idea what the factory spec's are.
I bought it used and it did not come with an owners manual.
Thanks for the reply

BernieB · 08-11-2009, 08:32 PM

Well, with the G10 van, 4.3L engine, 3.73:1 rear, tow package, tranny and oil cooler, the rated capacity was 4,500

crazyhorse357 · 08-12-2009, 09:14 AM

Thanks Bernie,
I appreciate your response, so I believe I would be safe, as much as possible, with a 2500 to 3000 lb load behind my van, don't you?

merlin5577 · 08-12-2009, 09:51 AM

Provided your van is in a good state of repair you will be fine.

BernieB · 08-12-2009, 10:25 AM

As Merlin says, it really depends on the condition of your van. The specs I gave you were for when it was new, and factory setup for towing. As anyone my age will tell you, age changes things.

Rust, tranny condition, tires, brakes, all these things factor in to reduce that optimal rating.

crazyhorse357 · 08-12-2009, 06:13 PM

Thanks to everyone that replyed to my concerns, it is times like these that one appreciates their friends and I appreciate all of you, we will take our chances with this van and it's towing ability and hope for the best.
Thanks again and luck to you all.
Frank aka crazyhorse357

crazyhorse357 · 08-13-2009, 07:32 AM

Just want to thank all of you that held my hand through this thread. I haven't pulled anything with it yet, but I did get a class III hitch installed and I suppose I will need to rig my lights and maybe electric brakes next, but I'll cross those bridges when I get there.
Thanks again to all that helped, I truely appreciate the effort.
Frank aka crazyhorse357

fbhart@wk.net · 08-13-2009, 11:23 AM

crazy.

if you are at or near the tow capacity of your vehicle you need to get serious about electric brakes on the trailer.

Rule one of towing: it's not what you can pull that counts, it's what you can stop in a reasonable distance that counts.

a non moving load will not hurt anyone, a tow vehicle and trailer that can not stop will cause a accident.

ask me how i know, I have put a skid mark or two on the front seat of my old 3/4 ton Chevy when someone pulls out in front of me when i am loaded and pulling mama's travel trailer.

even with brakes it can be a trip making an emergency stop.

good luck and be safe.

08-11-2009, 01:37 PM	#1
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	towing capacity question I have a 1993 Chevy van with a 4.3 V-6 engine and has 146,000 miles, it burns no oil with the exception of first start-up then it puffs a small amount and after that no smoke at all, just had a new torque converter and flywheel installed, my question is what the towing capacity of this vehicle in the condition that it is in now? Any advice is welcome. __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

08-11-2009, 02:59 PM	#2
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	the same as when it came out of the factory, just a matter of how it handles what you hook to it __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

08-11-2009, 04:12 PM	#3
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	reply That's the problem, I have no idea what the factory spec's are. I bought it used and it did not come with an owners manual. Thanks for the reply __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

08-11-2009, 08:32 PM	#4
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,901	Well, with the G10 van, 4.3L engine, 3.73:1 rear, tow package, tranny and oil cooler, the rated capacity was 4,500 __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

08-12-2009, 09:14 AM	#5
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	reply Thanks Bernie, I appreciate your response, so I believe I would be safe, as much as possible, with a 2500 to 3000 lb load behind my van, don't you? __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

08-12-2009, 09:51 AM	#6
merlin5577 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 675	Provided your van is in a good state of repair you will be fine.

08-12-2009, 10:25 AM	#7
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,901	As Merlin says, it really depends on the condition of your van. The specs I gave you were for when it was new, and factory setup for towing. As anyone my age will tell you, age changes things. Rust, tranny condition, tires, brakes, all these things factor in to reduce that optimal rating. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

08-12-2009, 06:13 PM	#8
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	Thank you all Thanks to everyone that replyed to my concerns, it is times like these that one appreciates their friends and I appreciate all of you, we will take our chances with this van and it's towing ability and hope for the best. Thanks again and luck to you all. Frank aka crazyhorse357 __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

08-13-2009, 07:32 AM	#9
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	Thanks Just want to thank all of you that held my hand through this thread. I haven't pulled anything with it yet, but I did get a class III hitch installed and I suppose I will need to rig my lights and maybe electric brakes next, but I'll cross those bridges when I get there. Thanks again to all that helped, I truely appreciate the effort. Frank aka crazyhorse357 __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

08-13-2009, 11:23 AM	#10
fbhart@wk.net Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 115	crazy. if you are at or near the tow capacity of your vehicle you need to get serious about electric brakes on the trailer. Rule one of towing: it's not what you can pull that counts, it's what you can stop in a reasonable distance that counts. a non moving load will not hurt anyone, a tow vehicle and trailer that can not stop will cause a accident. ask me how i know, I have put a skid mark or two on the front seat of my old 3/4 ton Chevy when someone pulls out in front of me when i am loaded and pulling mama's travel trailer. even with brakes it can be a trip making an emergency stop. good luck and be safe.

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