Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

C10_86 · 06-30-2010, 08:50 AM

Hi guys,

My truck is an '86 350, 700R4, 3.42. I need to pull a pontoon about 75 miles each way this weekend. Can a 700R4 pull 2800lbs of pontoon and trailer safely or am I asking for trouble. It will be flat terrain. I know not to use overdrive but still not sure if it can handle it. Any suggestions?

grinch4om · 06-30-2010, 08:51 AM

should be ok if the trans is in good shapr...do not use OD

72freak · 06-30-2010, 08:54 AM

Yes....no problem.....avoid OD if possible. If it is going to be a regular thing put a trans cooler on it.

RandyP · 06-30-2010, 09:22 AM

Pulling is usually not the real issue, stopping is where the problems always arose for me.

72freak · 06-30-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyP

Pulling is usually not the real issue, stopping is where the problems always arose for me.

Great point!!!.........pulling heavy loads without a brake controller, trailer brakes or surge brakes not only is against the law but dangerous. I flat spotted my share of tires before i learned and put brake controllers on all my stuff!

cableguy0 · 06-30-2010, 10:02 AM

DO NOT use overdrive. With a 3.42 gear you can run 65 without running the engine too hard. Just take it easy and you will be fine.

*Stitch* · 06-30-2010, 10:16 AM

I tow with my 700r4 in OD all the time. It's only 2800 lbs. I wouldn't worry about it a bit if it's running fine now. I would make sue that the torque convertor is locking up. If it's not then there will be a lot of slippage that will build up heat. Your truck should already have a tranny cooler in the rediator but better to check. I really wouldn't worry about it. I've towed 12k on the highway with the setup in my sig with the 6.2 and it has a 700r4 behind it. That was two years ago and it's still running strong

C10_86 · 06-30-2010, 11:44 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone. The motor is a stock rebuilt 350 from an '89 with 26k on it. I am not at all worried about it. The trans seems to be in good shape. It shifts nice and has never leaked a drop and every time I have changed the fluid it has never been burnt. Not sure if it has ever been worked on but I do know the torque converter lock up is working so I will take it easy and give it a go.

bucannon · 06-30-2010, 05:26 PM

i towed a 7200 lb trailer full of sand and my 700 r4 did just fine

James McClure · 06-30-2010, 05:55 PM

Make sure trailer brakes are up to snuff, especially if they are surge brakes. Adjustment is critical to proper operation. I've seen to many surge brake trailers cause a crash rather than prevent one because adjustment was way off. I have also seen them "chirp" the trailer wheels on a wet road makeing the trailer whip and sometimes spin out. Also with surge brakes you don't have the option of using just the trailer brakes on steep downgrades to keep it behind you instead of trying to pass you. I never had much faith in the electric brake until I pulled one, now I'll never use one without them. They will actually stop the truck and trailer loaded in an emergency if you loose truck brakes. Don't worry about the trans or eng, it'll move the 20,000 pound total weight just fine if ya stay out of OD. Just keep in mind, even with a smoking rubber stop your going to need between 200 and 300 yards to stop. Keep your following distance at 4 seconds or more. 10 years of 18 wheelers you see alot of crap and learn the difference between a driver and an operator. jim

USSkoval · 07-01-2010, 01:10 AM

When my Burb was still stock, I towed a Chevy Celebrity from Florida to Ohio, the 700r4 and half ton brakes did just fine the whole way.

*jake wells* · 07-01-2010, 02:03 AM

like James said stay out of OD it will mess one up really bad
how do i know? don't ask

westofb · 07-01-2010, 03:34 PM

I would say no, you are going to need the entire truck!

I can't believe I got to be the first smart a$$ to post!

06-30-2010, 08:50 AM	#1
C10_86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Morgan, MN Posts: 19	Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? Hi guys, My truck is an '86 350, 700R4, 3.42. I need to pull a pontoon about 75 miles each way this weekend. Can a 700R4 pull 2800lbs of pontoon and trailer safely or am I asking for trouble. It will be flat terrain. I know not to use overdrive but still not sure if it can handle it. Any suggestions?

06-30-2010, 08:51 AM	#2
grinch4om dang its hot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: frankfort kentucky Posts: 1,349	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? should be ok if the trans is in good shapr...do not use OD

06-30-2010, 08:54 AM	#3
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? Yes....no problem.....avoid OD if possible. If it is going to be a regular thing put a trans cooler on it. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

06-30-2010, 09:22 AM	#4
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? Pulling is usually not the real issue, stopping is where the problems always arose for me.

06-30-2010, 10:02 AM	#6
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? DO NOT use overdrive. With a 3.42 gear you can run 65 without running the engine too hard. Just take it easy and you will be fine. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

06-30-2010, 10:16 AM	#7
Stitch Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken... Posts: 3,122	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? I tow with my 700r4 in OD all the time. It's only 2800 lbs. I wouldn't worry about it a bit if it's running fine now. I would make sue that the torque convertor is locking up. If it's not then there will be a lot of slippage that will build up heat. Your truck should already have a tranny cooler in the rediator but better to check. I really wouldn't worry about it. I've towed 12k on the highway with the setup in my sig with the 6.2 and it has a 700r4 behind it. That was two years ago and it's still running strong

06-30-2010, 11:44 AM	#8
C10_86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Morgan, MN Posts: 19	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? Thanks for the replies everyone. The motor is a stock rebuilt 350 from an '89 with 26k on it. I am not at all worried about it. The trans seems to be in good shape. It shifts nice and has never leaked a drop and every time I have changed the fluid it has never been burnt. Not sure if it has ever been worked on but I do know the torque converter lock up is working so I will take it easy and give it a go.

06-30-2010, 05:26 PM	#9
bucannon Salty Sailor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 603	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? i towed a 7200 lb trailer full of sand and my 700 r4 did just fine __________________ 86 c-10 Custom Deluxe Savannah, Georgia

06-30-2010, 05:55 PM	#10
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? Make sure trailer brakes are up to snuff, especially if they are surge brakes. Adjustment is critical to proper operation. I've seen to many surge brake trailers cause a crash rather than prevent one because adjustment was way off. I have also seen them "chirp" the trailer wheels on a wet road makeing the trailer whip and sometimes spin out. Also with surge brakes you don't have the option of using just the trailer brakes on steep downgrades to keep it behind you instead of trying to pass you. I never had much faith in the electric brake until I pulled one, now I'll never use one without them. They will actually stop the truck and trailer loaded in an emergency if you loose truck brakes. Don't worry about the trans or eng, it'll move the 20,000 pound total weight just fine if ya stay out of OD. Just keep in mind, even with a smoking rubber stop your going to need between 200 and 300 yards to stop. Keep your following distance at 4 seconds or more. 10 years of 18 wheelers you see alot of crap and learn the difference between a driver and an operator. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

07-01-2010, 01:10 AM	#11
USSkoval Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Jefferson, OH Posts: 999	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? When my Burb was still stock, I towed a Chevy Celebrity from Florida to Ohio, the 700r4 and half ton brakes did just fine the whole way. __________________ -Andy '77 K5 Blazer '78 K10 Shortbed '78 C20 Suburban '79 K30 Crew Cab Dually '84 C10 Short Stepside '88 K20 Suburban

07-01-2010, 02:03 AM	#12
jake wells Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: No Longer Here Posts: 352	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? like James said stay out of OD it will mess one up really bad how do i know? don't ask

07-01-2010, 03:34 PM	#13
westofb I really hate wet sanding! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Brookfield, MO Posts: 601	Re: Can I pull a pontoon with a 700R4? I would say no, you are going to need the entire truck! I can't believe I got to be the first smart a$$ to post! __________________ Jeff, 68 C-10 75 C-20, now a C-10! 10 F-150



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