Towing with an 84 K20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

twxsby · 06-22-2005, 03:37 PM

I want to buy a toy hauler, the one I want maxes out at (loaded) at 10,000 lbs. Do you think my truck will handel it? Here are a few specs.
2000 miles on rebuilt engine (350) and tranny (700R4)
Edelbrock performer intake and cam (stock carb)
Edelbrock Headers (shorties)
Derale deep pan with cooling fins (2 extra quarts) and trans temp gauge
Stock tranny cooler
Truck is 21 years old, Drive Train in all newly rebuilt.
What do you think?
Thanks

toroflow · 06-24-2005, 03:56 PM

I don't honestly think a 700r4 will hold up to that. Sure it can and has been done, but the life of it will be drastically reduced. Also, make sure you have Automobile Club (AAA) RV towing, so when you do break down (fried trans), they (AAA) will tow both your Sub and trailer back for you for free.

twxsby · 06-24-2005, 04:19 PM

Even if the temp is kept at or below 250? Correct me if I'm wrong, but what kills transmissions is heat. If the proper precautions are taken (2 qt extra capacity, external cooling, and temperature monitoring)?
Is the 700R4 just a weak tranny? Why would they put a transmission that couldn't handel heavy loads in a K-20 M (3/4 Ton Heavy Duty)

screwballl · 06-24-2005, 10:03 PM

this is why i like my 91 with 454 Tonawonda (sp?) and low gearing

toroflow · 06-27-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Why would they put a transmission that couldn't handel heavy loads in a K-20 M (3/4 Ton Heavy Duty)

Well, in later years (late 80s), GM offered only the Turbo 400 in the K20 Subs (then the 4L80 in 1991). I believe this was due to the tranny not holding up to the rigors of towing, which is to be expected moreso if you bought a K20 over a K10.

twxsby · 06-28-2005, 09:29 AM

Does anyone know what the most I should pull with a th700r4 is?

twxsby · 06-28-2005, 05:57 PM

That sucks! I just dumped $1800 into having the 700 rebuilt. Oh Well, I guess I will get a smaller (lighter) trailer.

aggiedave98 · 07-25-2005, 01:32 PM

twxsby,

I'm not a tranny expert, but I rebuilt mine myself. When I was doing it, I learned a lot. Besides heat, there are things like the sun gear that has teeth that can wear out. I assume towing a lot of weight some of those gear teath can actually wear faster. Also the band that's applied in 2nd and 4th will slip much more when towing heavy loads (although hopefully you're not towing in 4th anyway...).

When you rebuilt it, did you do any upgrades? At the least, there's the corvette servo and a boost valve to give higher shift pressures. Those are actually cheap mods that you can do w/ the tranny in the vehicle. Let me know if you want more info on that...

06-22-2005, 03:37 PM	#1
twxsby Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 81	Towing with an 84 K20 I want to buy a toy hauler, the one I want maxes out at (loaded) at 10,000 lbs. Do you think my truck will handel it? Here are a few specs. 2000 miles on rebuilt engine (350) and tranny (700R4) Edelbrock performer intake and cam (stock carb) Edelbrock Headers (shorties) Derale deep pan with cooling fins (2 extra quarts) and trans temp gauge Stock tranny cooler Truck is 21 years old, Drive Train in all newly rebuilt. What do you think? Thanks __________________ 84 K-20 Burb 94 Ranger 4X4

06-24-2005, 03:56 PM	#2
toroflow Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 103	I don't honestly think a 700r4 will hold up to that. Sure it can and has been done, but the life of it will be drastically reduced. Also, make sure you have Automobile Club (AAA) RV towing, so when you do break down (fried trans), they (AAA) will tow both your Sub and trailer back for you for free. __________________ Ken '60 GMC 3/4T 4x4 '60 GMC Suburban 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4

06-24-2005, 04:19 PM	#3
twxsby Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 81	Even if the temp is kept at or below 250? Correct me if I'm wrong, but what kills transmissions is heat. If the proper precautions are taken (2 qt extra capacity, external cooling, and temperature monitoring)? Is the 700R4 just a weak tranny? Why would they put a transmission that couldn't handel heavy loads in a K-20 M (3/4 Ton Heavy Duty) __________________ 84 K-20 Burb 94 Ranger 4X4

06-24-2005, 10:03 PM	#4
screwballl Tonawanda 454 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Liquid Sunshine State Posts: 2,754	this is why i like my 91 with 454 Tonawonda (sp?) and low gearing __________________ 91 Chevy Suburban Tonawanda 454 R2500 - SOLD!!! 04 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi 2WD, 24K miles (as of July 2011) In the past 30 years about 90% of Fords are still on the road, the other 10% made it home. -------------------

06-28-2005, 09:29 AM	#6
twxsby Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 81	Does anyone know what the most I should pull with a th700r4 is? __________________ 84 K-20 Burb 94 Ranger 4X4

06-28-2005, 05:57 PM	#7
twxsby Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 81	That sucks! I just dumped $1800 into having the 700 rebuilt. Oh Well, I guess I will get a smaller (lighter) trailer. __________________ 84 K-20 Burb 94 Ranger 4X4

07-25-2005, 01:32 PM	#8
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	twxsby, I'm not a tranny expert, but I rebuilt mine myself. When I was doing it, I learned a lot. Besides heat, there are things like the sun gear that has teeth that can wear out. I assume towing a lot of weight some of those gear teath can actually wear faster. Also the band that's applied in 2nd and 4th will slip much more when towing heavy loads (although hopefully you're not towing in 4th anyway...). When you rebuilt it, did you do any upgrades? At the least, there's the corvette servo and a boost valve to give higher shift pressures. Those are actually cheap mods that you can do w/ the tranny in the vehicle. Let me know if you want more info on that...



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