I had a 2000 2wd that I towed a 20' travel trailer with. The trailer was factory rated at 2900# empty. I never got around to weighing it. The trailer had brakes on both axles. I used a weight distributing hitch. I took it on one trip to Mazatlan, another to Cabo San Lucas plus about 5 trips to Seattle and Vancouver BC. I installed a transmission cooler which is easy to do. If you live in Arizona or Florida get the biggest cooler that will fit in the space. I can't speak for Texas.

 

Well... if we go by what the bumper says, its 3500 lb, with a 350 lb tongue weight....
HOWEVER; a class one hitch is only capable of hauling 2000 lb with a 200 lb tongue weight... so to even get what the bumper rating says you would need to get a class two or three receiver...I have a class three on my truck, haven't used it much yet though.
As for cooking your brakes down the hills... shift down, as long as your not hauling too much you shouldn't cook your tranny by doing that...
The towing ratings are based on EVERYTHING to do with towing a trailer: power, brakes, drive shafts, rear ends, axles, bearings, tires, suspension....
The maximum towing rating is based on which thing can handle the least.
Hope this is helpful

 

I have a 2000 Chevy Blazer LS 4.3L OHV 12V FI 4D 4X4 (well kept with 81,000 miles) and I need to know how much it can tow. The manual says the bumper is rated for 2000 lbs but two other sections of the manual list the vehicle's capacity at 5600 and 5900 lbs. I called Chevy to ask if this model came with a tranny cooler and they said the VIN reference records don't go back to 2000 so they could not tell me. I thought they should at least tell me what was standard for that year/model but they said they could not.
Basically, all I need to know is, if I put 1600 lbs (fuel, luggage, people, etc.) in/on the Blazer can I safely tow 4000 lbs with a class 3 hitch?

 

I just got back (tonight) from a 1800 mile round trip in Northern Ontario with my Blazer (2000-2 door-4x4). I had the seats down and the back of the truck was loaded with hunting gear for two weeks in the Moose camp.
I do not know what the weight was in the truck, but I also towed a total of about 3500lbs (trailer with more gear and a oversized 700 Polaris ATV that comes in at 1000lbs).
All went well with no problems, but the truck would rev-up to 4200 RPM on some steeper hils north of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. I do not know where you plan on driving, but I'd chance it.
Just my $ .02 worth. Good luck.

 

I did some more digging and I found an owners manual online... (I'm at work on a break right now, so I will post a link later, if I remember) but the manual specified weights in relation to transmissions and whether or not its 2 or 4 wheel drive... Can't remember for sure, but I think the auto trans with 4 wheel can haul 5000 pounds...