Haul truck questions / What does your boat/trailer weigh?

[shimp]

I see lots pull their jets around with 3/4 and 1 ton diesels...  I have a 1/2 ton.  It's a 2004 Chevy 4.8 V8 5 speed manual trans, 3.42 rear, regular cab, shortbed.  The truck is fairly light, has 4 wheel antilock disc brakes, about 300hp, 255lbft torque (maybe slightly more).  I have had this truck since new, it came with 16" wheels and 27" or so tires (235/75/16).  It pulls GREAT with the factory tires/wheels.  But I wanted some "bling" so I bought some 2008 Tahoe 20's, with 275/50 (or maybe 55)/20 tires, which are about 32" tall.  That totally killed the "take off" of the truck, and while it still pulls fine, only at about 80mph in 5th.  People say that's too fast to pull your boat around, that it could burn out the bearings in trailer.  The way the motor is built is for midrange-upper hp/tq and it needs to get to about 80mph to get in the "power band" for pulling in 5th.  It HATES hills at 60-70mph when towing, but does fine at 80-90mph.

Question is this.  I hate to get rid of the 20's, I like the way they look, and it grips the road really well, and I spent a chunk of change on H-rated tires because after tuning on the truck with HP Tuners MPVI, it will haul, 130mph.  So I got tires rated for 130 in case I am feeling foolish...   Anyway, I like the way it handles with the 20's, but it pulls like crap, but really only if thinking in terms of 5th gear pulling.  Question is would I be wiser, to do which of the following:

1.  Get a bigger truck, made for pulling
2.  Change rear end gear ratio to 3.73 or 4.10
3.  Go back to the 16" wheels/tires
4.  Just slow down and pull in 4th (1:1 ratio)  (it's a manual trans), gas mileage will be about the same as 80-90 in 5th if 60-70 in 4th? Maybe?


What does a typical jet/trailer, 18ft boat, with big block motor weigh?  My trailer is homemade, came with the boat, and I am wondering if it's a little on the heavy side, because my 16ft boat with outboard motor on a commercial boat trailer seems to pull a lot lighter....?

Just thought i'd ask for opinions etc, unsure what route I should go.  I DO plan on getting around the state alot all summer long with the boat, every chance I get.

 

[J C Gordon]

Cheapest fix would be to change out the gear set. The 3.73 would probly be a good set for your all around use of the truck espicially with the HP tuners tune.  I think the 4.10 would be a little too low geared for everyday driving and cause your gas mileage to go down, Im sure it took a good hit when ya change to the bigger tires already. All in all the 3.73 imo would be the way to go. Cheap fix and It caint hurt to try it. Just my .02 and keep the change.. JC

 

[jdeaton]

Really need to stay in 4th. 5th is an overdrive and NOT beefed up for pulling. If you change the gearing, your still dealing with the weak link of the overdrive gear.  On weight figure 650 lbs. for motor, 150 for pump, boat depends on layup and interior package, If it is a standard lake boat with full interior, figure between 900 and 1100 lbs.  I pulled my light lay-up, lake racer,(only two light weight buckets) with a Toyota 4 banger for one season and destroyed the 5th gear.  I always learn the hard way.  Replaced the transmission and pulled the boat for two more seasons, but only used 4th gear.  Hope this helps in your decision. 

 

[sleek460]

1] Don't tow your boat at 80mph !  2] when you come to a hill, knock it out of o/d.  3] the 20's should help you on the ramp. I don't think you need to change anything. I got 286,000 out of my Chevy before I had to change anything after 15 yrs of jet boat towing ! my .02

 

[jetboat]

My vote! leave it alone.You not towing every day,only on some weekends,most ramps are not steep,and do have ridges for traction. And most trailer/boat combo's are around the 2500 lbs or less,and toung weights are less than 150lbs.

 

[Crusader]

60-65 mph towing speed will solve your problems.

 

[Last Mohecian]

According to the SleekCraft brochure I have the Rebel weighs in at 925 lbs + motor and pump.  BBC weighs around 650 dressed.  Pump is around 125.  I tow my Rebel with an 07 Avalanche with 20' wheels from GM.  I can't even tell it is back there.  I have a Road Runner Tandem axle trailer for mine.  It's not so much the over all height that killed the power as much as the rotating weight of those wheels.  Your breaking is affected severely by those wheels as well.  Personally, I'd keep the wheels and leave the gear alone and tow in 4th.

 

[Devilman]

My 18' boat/trailer combo, loaded for the lake weighs around 3000-3500 lbs.. I either tow it with my Lightning or my wife's Dodge...  Tow at 65-70 pretty much all the time in either rig. Lightning actually tows it better just for the fact of a bigger powerplant & lower gears(4.10). Factory tire size on it, 275/60/17 which is about 30" tall. Tows in O/D no problem.

The Dodge handles it pretty good with a small 4.7L V8 & 3.94 gears.. Factory size tires, 275/60/20 which equates to right at 33" tall. Most of the time we'll tow in O/D unless its hilly....

Regarding your situation, I'd say the cheapest option is leave it alone & not tow in O/D & if that means slowing down a littlte, so be it.

Or as JC mentions, putting some lower gears in it would be the next best option if you wanna keep the big wheels. Gear set & installation kit not too teribbly expensive these days I don't imagine.

 

[TintMan]

shimp ...i have an 04 chevy 5.3auto w 20's on it...but my tires are the same height as originals...and its lowered 5/8 and i pull mine many miles!~!! i think the 32" tires is your problem...making thegear ratio too high. Buy ya some shorter tires and slam your truck!!! Problem solved!!! :grin: :smile17: bling.gif

 

[Patchman]

The problem here is Chevy! My Ford will pull the Queen Mary! :evil: Just joking, send all hate mail to Jetstar! :smile30:

 

[KONA77]

LMAO  here  :laugh:

 

[Crusader]

Right on Patch, I noticed that discrepancy as well!!!!

 

[shimp]

I think I'll just tow it in 4th.  That will solve the problem.  I have a dually, but it's needing LOTS of work, not gonna be good for regular use until next year.  The Fords don't tow any better equipped with similar powerplant, gears, tires, etc.  All the same.  Some friends have Fords and they have similar issues pulling their bass boats etc.  It's just the tire height.  I really don't want lower profile tires, I like having a sidewall, as I do go through ditches, hit curbs occasionally, have to cut through pastures (I live in a farming area, and on a farm itself) from time to time.  I also have property in the Hill Country full of rocks.  No rubber band tires for me, I'd be buying new wheels constantly.  I think best just to leave it in 4th, it will pull at lower speeds just like the truck used to with the shorter tires in 5th.  I just figured most people pulled their boats at 70-80mph too!  LOL...  Guess not a good idea.  And yeah the braking was effected a little, but it has such good brakes from the factory that it's simply a matter of pushing the pedal a little further than with the short tires, it will still stop just as short, just have to push the pedal harder.  I love the 4 wheel disc brakes, and the antilock.  My old beater trucks in the past with drum brakes were always getting leaky rear wheel cylinders or just getting out of adjustment, was such a pain.

 

[Patchman]

We are just messing with you Shimp. Overdrive is intended for cruising, you will be fine in fourth. I don't blame you for liking a little sidewall on the tires. I go in some crappy places also.  :smile30:

 

[John]

my old 1/2 ton chevy used to pull the heck out my boat/ trailer 4000 lbs just took it easy though at over 70 the trailer started to walk around back there, stopping was another issue all together though.  boats are nothing to pull, due to low tongue weight my 11' ford diesel will jerk it around like theres nothing back there, the onlything is mpg drops from 18 to 12

 

[shimp]

my old 1/2 ton chevy used to pull the heck out my boat/ trailer 4000 lbs just took it easy though at over 70 the trailer started to walk around back there, stopping was another issue all together though.  boats are nothing to pull, due to low tongue weight my 11' ford diesel will jerk it around like theres nothing back there, the onlything is mpg drops from 18 to 12

I haven't pulled the jet yet with the motor in the back of the boat... LOL..  It may pull better once the motor is in the boat instead of in the back of the truck.  It squated the truck quite a bit when we sat the BBC down in the bed of the truck + the trailer tounge was pretty heavy being as the wheels are pretty far back on the trailer (single axle) and no motor in the back of the boat.  Only the weight of the pump.  I'd like to make as many events, and meets as I can so want to make sure my towing situation will be okay for even the longest hauls.  I think the 4th gear solution is fine till I get the dually going for next season.

 

[WAFOBABY]

Shimp I have a 02 1500 GMC 5.3 with 240,000 and tow my boat all over as well its an automatic on hills and take off I just take it out of overdrive and it does just fine. I would just leave it and tow it as is in 4th.