towing with a blazer

[dhammann]

I just bought a 03 blazer with 4.3 v6, towing package and step bumber rated at 3500 lbs. Is this sufficent to pull 3000lbs? I have been using a 4 cyl s-10 and it has been tough, have not tried the blazer yet.

 

[JB]

Re: towing with a blazer

You should be okay as long as your trailer has brakes, Big Dee. If not, add them.<br /><br />Be very careful. You are close to the limits if your rig really weighs 3Klb. I would get the trailer weighed.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[poolshark38759]

Re: towing with a blazer

i would have a frame mounted hitch installed also...i dont trust bumpers!!

 

[dhammann]

Re: towing with a blazer

Thanks guys. I tried it out this weekend, pulled like a dream. No more wheel spinning, no more people in bed for ballast, no more smell of burnt phenolic from clutch!!! The bumper looks massive and mounts to the frame in a way that is similiar to a frame hitch...I'll keep a check on it though.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: towing with a blazer

you should have bought a Jeep instead.Their 6 cyl is rated to 5000lbs.

 

[dhammann]

Re: towing with a blazer

Blazer is rated at 5500 lbs w/frame hitch

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: towing with a blazer

You still should have bought a Jeep!!

 

[rschnack]

Re: towing with a blazer

I tow my boat with a full size Dodge but sometimes pull our pop-up with a Jeep Cherokee. Read the owner's manual! The lightweight Jeep, and some others in the same class, are rated to pull up to 5000 lbs. but are only rated to stop 1000 lbs.! Anything over their maximum braking requires trailer brakes. This also makes me a little nervous when I see a small vehicle launch a large boat with surge brakes on the trailer. The brakes do not help when backing up. I have heard some states are now requiring electric brakes on boat trailers to hopefully stop some of these marginal launch vehicles from ending up in the lake.<br />RCS

 

[dhammann]

Re: towing with a blazer

trailer brakes are a good thing regardless of the tow vehicle (unless it's a dump truck)there is only about 500# weight difference between the blazer and full size...add 4 fat azz adults and your there!!

 

[joeforgovernor]

Re: towing with a blazer

The Blazer is marginal for towing this amount. Be sure to tow only in 3rd gear or a transmission problem is likely in the long run. In any event keep an eye on the trans fluid condition and change it at the first sign of discoloring or burnt smell.

 

[Lark40]

Re: towing with a blazer

I'll disagree with CrazyCharlie - I have a 1996 Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 in-line six and towing package with 5000 lb. rating<br /><br />When towing my 3700 lb. load, it has the acceleration of a 1965 VW camper. Zero to sixty in a lifetime. Even with overdrive lockout and using the gears.<br /><br />The Blazer V6 has to be a better choice, regardless of the ratings.

 

[dhammann]

Re: towing with a blazer

I am well pleased with the Blazer, what an improvement over the SB S-10 PU. Traction, acceleration and fuel mileage is very good.<br />I tow 38 miles one way with only 6 stops the whole distance. I don't believe this will harm the tranny, after all, I don't drive like a bat out-of-hell. I can hardly tell that the trailer is behind me but I never lose respect for all that weight either. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[djvan]

Re: towing with a blazer

Don't allow that blazer or any other mid sized vehicle for that matter to shift into overdrive. That is very hard on the trans of a I-6 or V-6 vehicle.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: towing with a blazer

We tow with a GMC Jimmy 4.3L V6 and I must say that I dont think anyone who says 3000lbs is max for this truck has ever even driven one, because they are wonderful tow vehicles. <br /><br />Seems like a lot of people on here are quick to bash other peoples choice in tow vehicles. <br /><br />Narrow minded people like Charlie problably dont even realize that a GMC Jimmy is rated 1000lbs more then his Jeep, oh well.<br /><br />-John

 

[dhammann]

Re: towing with a blazer

I agree with Johnshan1. Actually the blazer has MORE wieght over the rear axle than the full size chevy pu !! I have no problems with wheel spin in the blazer but have seen full size pickups spin like crazy pulling the same package as mine. I have had to make a panic stop once and the Blazer stopped in a straight line (anti-lock brakes). Unless you pull with a dump truck there are risks involved when towing.....you have to be prudent and alert.