silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

[astrokc8]

Whats ythe opinion out there I,m having trouble in hot weather with the a/c on going up hills this is a 08 model. would the 4.8 v-8 be better anyone out there could you share your experience. Thanks in advance

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

That is not alot of engine for a tow vehicle, Act like your driving a semi, get a head of steam built before you hit the bottom of the hill and you may need to shut off the a/c while pulling a long hill, altho at WOT the a/c will cut out automatically.
For towing i say bigger is better, always.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

Pretty much unless you have a rediculous amount of power you should always "get a run" at decent sized hills... There are a lot of vehicles on the road that have to do this even without towing something.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

Obviously the V8 would be better but your V6 should get the job done. My older Chevy V8 truck doesn't like the hills much when towing either.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

You can tow 2000lbs with pretty much anything. You're well within your tow rating.

 

[roscoe]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

The ac isn't helping.
But more important are the rear end gears.

A full sized truck with the 4.3 was sold mostly to the guy that wanted more mpg, so you probably have some pretty high gears in the rear end.

Not too costly to change out. Should give you a little more torque, but will hurt the mpg.

 

[sheridon]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

I would think you would be fine with the 4.3 towing a 2k boat.

I currently have a Frontier with the v6 4.0 and am pulling a 2600 lb boat. Going up hill it downshifts but that can be expected given the extra weight.

 

[kentuckyguy]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

I have a 2008 GMC Serria with a V6 in it.. My pontoon weights about 2600 lbs.. It does down shift when I hit big hills, but it tows my boat just fine..

 

[shanel]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

Those 4.3's are great motors i had a 98 1500 with that engine,at 211,000 miles the transmission went out and the motor had never used any oil.Then i got a 2005 1500 with same engine and put 186,000 on it with no motor issues or oil usage.But they are weak in a full sized truck.According to chevrolets website it makes 195 hp and 260lb of torque. While the 4.8 v8 makes 302 hp and 305Lbs of torque.I would say there would be a huge difference. I amd currently towing my Q6 tahoe with a nissan frontier 4.0 v6 and does good. but nissan claims they have 262 hp.

 

[jkust]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

Unless I am misreading this you have a 2008 truck with a 4.3? I didn't know that engine was still being used outside the marine industry that late. In any event, I towed 4000lbs with a 185hp/210 tq engine in a minivan without too much fuss until I bought a v8 suv. You must be dealing with some steep hills to have issues with only 2k lbs. If my 5.3 liter tows good making about the same HP and a bit more torque (as the 4.8) I have to imagine the 4.8 will pull better than the 4.3. I figured if I plan to tow and spend the money on an suv, might as well make it a v8.

 

[109jb]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

The 4.3 is a great engine and has plenty of power. It is basically a 350 minus 2 cylinders. As far as towing with it, make sure you are not in overdrive, especially in hills. Are the tires stock size? If you have up-sized tires they will hurt towing ability by changing the effecive drive ratio. Also, as was already mentioned the rear end gear ratio is more important to how that truck tows.

 

[asm_]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

This is pretty funny. I can't believe a Silverado 4.3 v6 can't tow a 2K boat up a hill. I tow my 1600# bass boat with 3 people plus gears in my Honda Element (4 banger) up and down the hill without any problem.

One advise to you, make sure you are not in overdrive, and if that doesn't help, leave AC off when going up the hill. Oh, also, keep your speed at 55MPH.

 

[1961_lonestar_holiday]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

i'd say adjust your driving style to suit the motor in that truck. i just bought a 92' GMC full size ext. cab 2WD with the 4.3 and "5 speed". i love it! 22mpg pretty much all the time. you just have to adjust, learn to downshift and hit the hill running, dont be afraid to use some RPM's to get the job done. my boat/trailer probly weighs 1000lbs, my last boat weighed 4000lbs but my v-8 suburban didnt like to tow it at all like it weighed 8000lbs. (burned up the trans, hence the GMC)

i bet that your '08 is rated to tow 5000lbs or more.

 

[mxzeatr]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

Just my .02. I had a compact truck with the 4.3L in it and it was pretty nutless in a sub 4000lb vehicle. The newer motors have about 15 horse then that one did, but I stepped up to a half ton with the 5.3l and got better every day mileage and towing was 110% different, even though I wasn't pulling anything 'heavy'.

Now I've went over to the F150 5.4L 3v and get better mileage then the 5.3L with more power (00 Chevy to 06 F150) to boot!

My opinion is to stay away from the smaller mills, they just don't cut it and the benefits don't out way the non-benefits IMHO.


But the guys have instructed you to do what I do when towing as well. Anticipate hills, etc....Drive with the O/D off if you find the truck shifting here and there. Typically it doesn't have much of an effect on mileage in areas with some grade to them and your truck will thank you in the long run.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: silverado 4.3 v/6 towing 2k bass boat ??

Take it into the dealer. Have them "check the timing" for your lack of towing power. The tech will set it up for towing. Should be covered under the warranty and will help. It's one of the benefits of American made, the techs can adjust the computer.