towing with a V6

[TheRealBigBear]

My chevy blazer has a 4.3 liter V6 & a towing package. Could this car haul an 18 - 21ft pontoon & trailer? My only concern is on the way out of the water. <br /><br />Any one else tow with this size engine & have no problems?<br />Thanks

 

[vranasaurus]

Re: towing with a V6

How much does the boat weigh.<br /><br />Also if you have 4wd you could put it in low when pulling out of the water.

 

[Realgun]

Re: towing with a V6

Honeslty yes it should. Pull out of water yes it can but it is just slower than a V-8. <br /><br />I had a V-6 Ranger and pulling the boat out seemed very slow. I now have a V-8 F-150 and it pulls out the same boat easily.<br /><br />Both are 2wd and both did the job. Its just nicer to not have to floor it to get it up the ramp, no tire spin in either case. Thats a very steep ramp!

 

[Lou C]

Re: towing with a V6

My 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 Six pulls my 20' Four Winns up the ramp with no trouble at all. It is in highway towing with hills that the smaller tow vehicles show their shortcomings.

 

[dhammann]

Re: towing with a V6

BigBear, I have the same vehicle and pull a 21' pontoon and a 4000# cruiser with no trouble at all. The 2WD Blazer is an excellant tow vehicle. I sometimes tow with a F-150 (V8) but it spins on the ramp....the Blazer will outpull the F-150!!!

 

[monoshock]

Re: towing with a V6

Just remember pulling is only part of the problem, you will need to take in consideration stopping. Allowing extra stopping distance is a must.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: towing with a V6

An 18 - 21 foot pontoon is no problem for a GM 4.3 in an S-Blazer. Not even a consideration if its 4WD. If its a 2WD, power won't be the problem, traction will be especially if it doesn't have a locking differential. Whether or not one ever tows anything, never buy a truck or SUV (2 or 4WD) without specifying a limited slip or locking rear differential. Its the most inexpensive traction insurance you can buy.

 

[TheRealBigBear]

Re: towing with a V6

Wow - do I feel better. It is in fact 4WD & engaging on the ramp make perfect sense. Thanks

 

[rwidman]

Re: towing with a V6

Look in the owner's manual for the tow rating. Then find out what the boat weighs. You will have your answer. And get the boat and trailer actually weighed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: towing with a V6

Just tow in Drive (not overdrive and you'll be fine). You will not need low range on the transfer case either but if makes you feel better, use it.

 

[dhammann]

Re: towing with a V6

Unless there is alot of slime on the ramp you should'nt have to use 4wd. The Blazer will do fine driving in "D". I tow in "3" in hilly areas but if you have the towing package this is not necessary. My owners manual says to use "D" when towing. Believe me, that Blazer will outpull a 1/2 ton PU at the ramp. Also due to the short wheelbase it is less likely to jacjknife during a panic stop. People think of the Blazer as being a small vehicle but it's weight is comparable to a full size PU.

 

[TheRealBigBear]

Re: towing with a V6

There is no 'D', just overdrive & 1-3.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: towing with a V6

"3" is direct, just like D was in the good old days before automatic overdrives were available. If your Blazer has 3.42:1 or 3.52:1 axle ratios, you will tell in a hurry if OD or 3 is required when towing. If you experience frequent torque converter locking/unlocking, and downshifting out of OD, you need to be in direct (3). If you have 3.73 or 4.10 gears, it do just great in OD.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: towing with a V6

Originally posted by Big Dee:<br /> Also due to the short wheelbase it is less likely to jacjknife during a panic stop.

What?? Please explain.

 

[tommays]

Re: towing with a V6

i had a 4.3 in a 1995 G20 van and have one in my current 2003 silverado<br /><br />i tow a 3850 pound boat/trailer and keep a lot of stuff in the truck<br /><br /> i just finished my second 500 mile mountian trip from Long Island to Lake George and back with the 2003<br /><br />after doing it for the last 10 years i have found that the 4.3 likes to run at about 2600 to 2700 rpm pulling a big load up hills<br /><br />i get the best millage about 12.5 to 13 mpg buy pushing the tow mode button and leaveing it in 3rd the converter stays locked up and the trany doesent need to hunt between 3rd and 4th on grades<br /><br />tommays