Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

1947dodge

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Aug 10, 2012
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Have a 98 chevy extended cab 1500, 4wd, and buying a 87 chaparral 278xlc and I saw online the boat weighs 5100 lbs. So Im thinking thats without the engine and the trailer with brakes..I wont be towing far to the lake which is about a twenty mile trip maybe four times yet this year.. It says the truck is rated for 7400 lbs.. Any opinions? Thanks
 

Shortbuss

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Have a 98 chevy extended cab 1500, 4wd, and buying a 87 chaparral 278xlc and I saw online the boat weighs 5100 lbs. So Im thinking thats without the engine and the trailer with brakes..I wont be towing far to the lake which is about a twenty mile trip maybe four times yet this year.. It says the truck is rated for 7400 lbs.. Any opinions? Thanks

You are coming in under why you can tow. So ya legally you should be able to tow it no prob.
 

spdracr39

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

With boat, trailer, fuel, and gear you are probably at your limit. It should pull it but if you live in a hilly area I would add a transmission cooler even for a twenty mile haul. The online weights include the base engine.
 

1947dodge

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Ok thanks I beleve there is a trans cooler on it.
 

T_Herrod

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Is there a Tow/Haul button on the gearshift? If so don't be afraid to use it if you are in a hilly area. Just don't let the tranny go into overdrive.
 

rbh

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Have a 98 chevy extended cab 1500, 4wd, and buying a 87 chaparral 278xlc and I saw online the boat weighs 5100 lbs. So Im thinking thats without the engine and the trailer with brakes..I wont be towing far to the lake which is about a twenty mile trip maybe four times yet this year.. It says the truck is rated for 7400 lbs.. Any opinions? Thanks

The 1500 is a heavy half ton truck right?
What is the gross towing capacity of it? (7400?)
And what is the max tongue weight your boat and trailer combo will place on the hitch?


5100 pounds boat (dry?)
Tandem axle trailer 2500 pounds+-
Fuel and boat gear 1000 pounds +-
 

truckermatt

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

I have the same truck as you,

It will be a heavy load, but you should be OK towing it. Stay in 3rd gear (3 on the shift selector.) and check your glove box for a little sticker with alot of numbers on it. It will tell you your axle ratio which will make a huge difference. I have a 3.42 (GU6) and its good on the highway, but lacks some low end grunt when towing.

GQ1 -- AXLE REAR, STD RATIO
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION)

HC4 -- AXLE REAR, 4.56 RATIO
 

1947dodge

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Thank you, I know its at its limits for sure but will take it easy until I can get a bigger truck...
 

oldjeep

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

The 1500 is a heavy half ton truck right?
What is the gross towing capacity of it? (7400?)
And what is the max tongue weight your boat and trailer combo will place on the hitch?


5400 pounds boat (dry?)
Tandem axle trailer 2500 pounds+-
Fuel and boat gear 1000 pounds +-

2500lbs for a trailer that hauls 6K? That seems crazy heavy. What is the make/model of the trailer?
 

H20Rat

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

2500lbs for a trailer that hauls 6K? That seems crazy heavy. What is the make/model of the trailer?

Yep... I'm guessing that is probably at least 1000+ on the optimistic side for trailer weight. 1000# for fuel and boat gear is also high, that is A LOT of fuel! Not everyone even trailers a boat with fuel. At one lake that I'm at, marina prices are the same as the road side of the store, so I intentionally travel with as little fuel on board as possible. Splash and then fill.
 

WIMUSKY

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

4 trips 20 mile trip, no problem. Never trailer it in OD. Depending on the tongue weight you may want to air bag it. Motor is 5.7 I assume(truck)?
 

rbh

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

2500lbs for a trailer that hauls 6K? That seems crazy heavy. What is the make/model of the trailer?

I went to the highest extreme just to be on the safe side for the trailer, the fuel and gear was based on 6 pounds per gallon at 100 gallons plus all the rest of the stuff you use.

And as the OP said the weight did not include the motor, whats that going to weigh?
 

drrpm

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

That's a pretty big boat and realistically it will be very close to the limit on that truck. If the truck is in good shape and you take it easy it should be alright for your stated purpose.
 

JoDo

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Is there a Tow/Haul button on the gearshift? If so don't be afraid to use it if you are in a hilly area. Just don't let the tranny go into overdrive.

I always use "tow/haul" even with a good load just in the bed. That's advice from a GMC mechanic.
 

oldjeep

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Sea lion dual axle Thanks

Just look at the tag on the tounge - Subtract from Max load from GRVW and you should have the trailer weight.

Found this in a quick search:
Sealion Dual Axle Trailer, 7100 GRVW, 5800 lb load capicty. Currenty set up for a 25" Wellcraft Coastal

In the case of that trailer it would weigh around 1300lbs
 
Joined
Jul 22, 2012
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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

I went to the highest extreme just to be on the safe side for the trailer, the fuel and gear was based on 6 pounds per gallon at 100 gallons plus all the rest of the stuff you

Not being critical but, fuel is 8 lbs/gal.
 

Silly Seville

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Re: Can my 98 chevy 1500 pull this boat

Just look at the tag on the tounge - Subtract from Max load from GRVW and you should have the trailer weight. Found this in a quick search:
Sealion Dual Axle Trailer, 7100 GRVW, 5800 lb load capicty. Currenty set up for a 25" Wellcraft Coastal. In the case of that trailer it would weigh around 1300lbs

I agree, 2500 lbs. for the trailer was a high guestimate...but depending on how the trailer is currently equipped, it might not be that far off. My tandem trailer weighs 2000 lbs. on a CAT scale...however, it has 48 rollers on it and 5,200 lb. cap. axles. So, if the OP really wants to know, he needs to get on down to the scalemaster. Just my .02 :)
 
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