'87 GMC tow ratings
 

I have a' 87 GMC 1-ton crew-cab dually, 454 camper special. Pin head painters destroyed the sticker on the driver door so I can't tell what the towing capacities are. Does anyone have a similar vehicle I can use as a general guideline?

Also, some months ago I described an overheating problem for which I tried almost everything. Turned out to be a bad catalytic converter. Needless to say, I have "solved" that little problem and the new motor and exhaust system have rewarded me with a VERY HAPPY and VERY QUICK old truck!

I took this board's suggestions at the time and am grateful for all the help! JOHN in Las Cruces!!

Re: '87 GMC tow ratings
 

You're going to be limited more by your type of hitch than anything.

A bumper mount ball is only going to be Class 1 (100lb tongue, 1,000lb GTW)

An after market heavy duty bumper might handle Class 2 (200lb tongue, 2,000-2,500lb GTW)

And then you get into frame mounted hitches. They're generally Class 2, some are rated to Class 3 (300lb tongue, 3,500lb GTW).

Frame leveling hitches are almost all Class 3.

For anything heavier than that you're probably going to need to go fifth wheel. And with the 454 and dually, you're probably talking almost 10,000lb GTW capacity.

All of the above are generalizations, but I'm usually pretty close to the mark on these things after managing a U-Haul authorized towing center.

Re: '87 GMC tow ratings
 

you must have my truck's cousin. I've got all my stuff documented somewhere..mine's a 77. I have a Class 4 torsion hitch on my truck and it weighs 6300 curb and we've hauled 5500+ pound trailers. The rated GVWR is 5 tons.

Did they salvage your riveted panel thats on the body side of the door jamb or do you need both it and the paper one on the door?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...y/MVC-118S.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...y/MVC-864S.jpg

Re: '87 GMC tow ratings
 

My bumper on my 86 K10,
Max....
400lb tongue weight
4000 Gross Trailer Weight

Duro

Re: '87 GMC tow ratings
 

GVWR does not mean trailer and all. GVWR is weight of truck loaded with everything. SAy 8600 gvwr= 6200 curb weight, 6 passengers- 1000, and 1500 pounds in the bed. That would be equal to its max rated GVWR.
Some bumpers are rated for 8000 pounds! Class 5 hitches will take care of pretty much any trailer you could find.
REmember, many trucks have a 10k tow rating and are classed as 7200 or so gvwr.
A 1 ton camper special would have a tow rating of around 8k or so I would guess, but it will handle more than that. The trans would be the limiting factor I would imagine.

Re: '87 GMC tow ratings
 

when i remember, i'll run out and copy down my door panel.