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Old 10-31-2011, 06:31 PM   #1
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GM Pickup Truck ?

Does anyone tow with a GM pickup truck, with a 4.3 engine and 3:23 gears? If so how does it do?
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Old 10-31-2011, 07:40 PM   #2
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I use to tow my old 19ft. travel trailer with an astro van which had the 4.3 motor and the same rear end. Since you have a pick-up you should be fine as long as you don't go too large. With the astro van I would notice the trailer being pushed around by the big trucks but you learn to counter that.
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Old 10-31-2011, 08:57 PM   #3
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Does anyone tow with a GM pickup truck, with a 4.3 engine and 3:23 gears? If so how does it do?
I`ve never towed with one, but as with most TV`s, it depends on what you will be towing.
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Old 10-31-2011, 10:41 PM   #4
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I tried towing our 25' Prowler travel trailer with the 4.3 and 3:73 gears and a manual transmission. The truck was a short box chevrolet with 4x4. I towed it home and back to the dealer for some repairs and back home again. Total of 160 miles. The next week I had a 3/4 ton chevy with a 350. It lived in 2nd and 3rd gears. 5th gear only happened on down hills.
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Old 11-01-2011, 06:35 PM   #5
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I use to tow my old 19ft. travel trailer with an astro van which had the 4.3 motor and the same rear end. Since you have a pick-up you should be fine as long as you don't go too large. With the astro van I would notice the trailer being pushed around by the big trucks but you learn to counter that.
I am going to tow my Jayco Swift SLX 154BH that has a GVWR of 3200 lbs.
Just didn't know it would on hills.
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Old 11-02-2011, 07:32 AM   #6
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Hitch Pin To be blunt about it your tv will be hurting.You will be taking the life right out of your truck. The 4.3 will suffer due to the 3.23 rear gear. If you can, try to get a 3.73 set up, if you plan to keep the truck and tow with it. Larry ps maybe a local salvage yard will swap the whole rear end,while keeping your brakes & drums. just a thought.
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Old 11-05-2011, 05:33 PM   #7
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Ok, I think I fixed my potential towing problem. I took out the factory open differential and the 3:23 gears, and installed a new Eaton Posi, and a new set of 3:73 gears.

I also changed the speedometer and odometer setting so they would read right.
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Old 11-05-2011, 07:23 PM   #8
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So, how's it towing? Good luck and keep the home team posted.
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Old 11-05-2011, 08:24 PM   #9
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3:73's will definately help.
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Old 11-05-2011, 10:02 PM   #10
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So, how's it towing? Good luck and keep the home team posted.
Can't tow anything yet, they say the gears need at least 500 miles on them before towing. The truck does seem to have more getup and go to it now.
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Old 11-06-2011, 04:30 PM   #11
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Definitely go with 373 gearing.... Your engine and transmission with thank you.

Also, I'd recommend aux ATF LPD (Low Pressure Drop) install as well. Even if only towing "up to" 3,500 lbs trailer, I'd install the aux ATF cooler rated for attached 5,000 lbs trailer. For example: Hayden 1678 @ http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/Me...ansaver-cooler

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Old 11-12-2011, 06:49 PM   #12
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I replaced the rear end in the astro van and installed 373s. I suspect towing killed the original rear end. The Wilderness I towed weighed 3200 lbs. It was what I could afford at the time. It lasted eight years so it did pretty good.
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