Towing advice
 

Hey guys. I have a 1998 GMC Jimmy 4x4 and I might have to do some towing within the next couple weeks. I have a B&M trans cooler installed and I have RPO code VR4 (TRAILER HITCH(WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING PLATFORM) EQLZR HITCH) and UY7 (TRAILER WIRING,7 WIRE,2 LEAD FRONT HARNESS,5 LEAD REAR HARNESS 7 WIRE TRLR HARN) and I have a 4 wire plug connected to it. I have a few questions:

-How much weight (tongue/trailer) can the 4 door 4x4 tow safely? I don't have the weights yet, but I assume at least 3000 pounds trailer weight.

-With the auto trans, I should be using 3. Correct?

-Is towing with these trucks asking for trouble or can it be done safely? Are the transmissions up for the challenge or will I wind up blowing it?

-Is there any other information I should know before towing? Anything else I should check?

Thanks alot.

EDIT: I also have the GU6 rear (AXLE,REAR,3.42 RATIO 3.42R) with the G80 (AXLE,REAR,POSITRACTION,LIMITED SLIP POSITRACTION L/SLIP R/AXL) if that matters in this case. I also noticed that it has RPO code Z82 (TRAILERING PACKAGE(SPECIAL)(REESE TYPE HITCH) PROVISION FOR HD TRAILER EQUIP). Does that mean anything?

-Also is it safe to use 4WD when towing a trailer on gravel or wet grass to prevent the Jimmy from getting stuck?

I don't know about yours but it should say the towing capacity in your owners manual.

I tow a 6x10' enclosed bike trailer with my '98 2-dr 4x4, and have had no worries haulin' two bikes cross country, but it sure beats the snot outta your mileage....I've also towed a 19' Travel trailer with my S-10 P/Up...works fine if you're not in a hurry, or tryin' to cross the Continental Divide ;) A trans cooler wouldn't be a bad idea if you don't have one...
Never had to worry about grass or gravel, just the dirt roads in the desert, no issues with 2wd...
Have fun!!

So these things (S-10 Truck Series) can actually handle heavier trailers? I thought originally that they aren't really meant for towing but they can do it. I have a trans cooler. B&M 70264 (14400 BTU) tightly fit onto the grille. I don't really care about gas mileage. I only get about 17-18 highway and 9-11 in town anyway. If I am going to tow, it won't be for long anyway. Thanks for the info.

Sounds like you are pretty much set up for towing. I don't know the exact tongue weight/trailer weight that your specific vehicle is capable of but it should be around 5000lbs. I wouldn't worry about towing the 3000lbs you are planning to tow.

A trans cooler is a must. If you have the B&M SuperCooler you have IMHO the best cooler on the market. I run them on both on our Blazer 4x4 & 98 Jeep 5.9 Limited. You shouldn't have any trouble towing 3000#. There is a chart in the Owners Manual. Ours is a 4dr, auto, 4x4 with 3:73 gears & it is rated @ 5000#. With 3:42 gears I believe the rating is a little less, but 3000# is no problem.
I tow with ours sometimes. I just tow in drive. If I notice it starting to shift in & out of OVERDRIVE I will go into 3rd gear.
I towed a 5000# trailer from Kingman AZ to Northern Nevada about 700 miles @ elevations from 3500' to 6700' in the summer without a trans cooler & the tranny got so hot it was blowing fluid out the vent tube. It burned the fluid to BLACK. I had the tranny flushed on a fluid machine had the filter replaced & added a quart of lubeGard. Then about 3000 miles later I had the same thing done & added a B&M SuperCooler. We now have 50,000 more miles on that same tranny with no problems & the fluid is just as clear & clean as it was when it was changed the last time. Yes, 50,000 miles & I have no plans of doing a service until I see the fluid starting to change color or start to smell bad.
The 4L60E transmissions are not weak.