TOWING WITH AN S10 Xtreme

[P man]

Anyone here ever pulled a light trailer with a Chevy S10 Xtreme before?
Im looking to get something more economical and want to know if the 4.3 vortec on the ZQ8 platform would work.
Thanks

[1BadAction]

up to 3500lb or so you'll have no problems. The powertrain is much more capable at pulling heavier weight forward than the truck is at getting it stopped. much more than 3500lbs and you need to be careful about weight distribution and trailer setup. Make sure to install an auxiliary trans cooler.

[Ted Stryker]

Of course the ZQ8 truck will have different handling and load capacities than the standard truck, but I had a regular cab 4.3 liter 5-speed truck several years ago... It had plenty of power and great mileage, I had an Allison XR-01 drag boat and it would pull that thing right up against the factory speed limiter with no problem... It stopped it pretty well also, but I gave Myself plenty of room for that and drove as well as I could to avoid surprises... My trailered weight was under 2,000 lbs...

[gregpro50]

I had an '02 GMC Sonoma with the ZQ8 package and the 4.3 V6 that I bought new. They tell you in the manual that it is not recommended to tow anything with that suspension setup.

That being said, I installed a class III hitch and used it to tow my CVX-16 with. Every little incline pulling into a driveway or anything would drag the hitch on the ground. I can tell you that it will have plenty of power to pull a trailer but the ride is beyond aweful with that suspension setup. It was honestly the worst tow vehicle I have ever owned.

[Liberator*21]

Anyone here ever pulled a light trailer with a Chevy S10 Xtreme before?
Im looking to get something more economical and want to know if the 4.3 vortec on the ZQ8 platform would work.
Thanks


I had an S10 Xtreme Xcab that I towed my boat with. I used a "HIDDEN HITCH" that mounted the receiver in the middle behind my license plate. To fix that, I installed a fold down license plate bracket, cut an opening in my roll pan just behing where the license plate is. Just fold down the spring loaded bracket, slide in the hitch and hit the road. I should also note that I installed "AirLift" bags in the rear as well to compensate for the tounge weight and was able to tow level, no problems.

[99fxst99]

Its not always what you tow with but how you tow it. I towed a 25' Seebold Eagle all over Va/NC with a 1986 Toyota 4wd ext cab truck, 4cyl and 5spd. Towed interstate speed all day long, just not in 5th gear. I kept the brakes on the trailer WELL maintained, they would skid the tires if asked. Towing weight was 6000-6500lb and we did OK. BTW, with a small truck on the ramp, 4wd sure can be a life saver!

[josh7_78]

I have a 2002 Chevy S10 regular cab with the 4.3 and it's only a 2 wheel drive. The truck has more than enough power, but like other have the said the suspension setup isn't the greatest. Without a decent amount of tongue weight the rear of the truck can bounce around a bit. The air bags seem like a good fix and aren't too pricy. And i've only had one time where I had to have someone jump in the back of the truck because I was stuck spinning out in a ramp. Then again, I am only towing my vector on a tandem axle trailer and it isn't too much for weight.

[RNM018]

Not Sure , But all the Extreme S 10's , I've seen , are 4 clinder trucks . Just lowered , with a ground effects kit on them .

I towed my Mirage , with my Ex's S 10 , 4.3 , 5 speed truck .Never had any issue .

I also had a 4.3 , full size truck I towed with , without any issues .


As far as fuel ecconomy goes . I've had better results , with small V8's , then I have with the V6's , in both Mid , and Full Size , Towing , and Not .

Smaller Engine , Does not Equal , Better Mileage !!!

Rich Martin 018 :cool:

[1BadAction]

Smaller Engine , Does not Equal , Better Mileage !!!

Rich Martin 018 :cool:
Thats the damn truth right there. moving X amount of mass takes X amount of power, doesn't matter how you are getting the power. if you are winding the piss out of a small motor to move something, much of the time you'll be less efficient than using the TQ of a bigger CID engine.

[obrien]

I had a 2000 s10 extreme v6 5 speed that I towed my 21 checkmate with. I never had any problems at all. I towed the boat from St. pete, to a lake on the VA/NC border. I believe I was getting between 15 and 17 mpg running 70-75 mph.

[roycesrolls]

i have a 98 s1o 4 cyl 5 speed and i tow my eighteen foot flats boat everywhere with it.