Hello all . Ive been slowly building my truck and am always looking for new upgrades. I recently purchased a little 20ft camper that weighs only about 3500 pounds. Ive noticed the truck is realy sluggish from 0-80km/hr kinda scary when trying to merge on highways. Yes the overdrive button is off. Id like to find a way to give me some better pull. Maybe my transmission is getting tired. I feel like this truck should be able to pull this thing no problem. I have a 1996 qc 4x4 5.9 gas automatic 3.55 gears and 33" tires. Has afe intake , magnaflow muffler. Cat is deleted. Rebuilt motor with comp cam. Afternarket transmission cooler with a B&M deep pan. Any suggestions would be great. I may look into a built transmission next...hopefully thats the issue .

 

3500 is right about what you can pull without an equalizing hitch. Does your truck normally sit that low in the rear end? You're pulling nearly another trucks worth of weight so you're not going to move like you're used to. You've nearly doubled the weight you need to move as well as made it 24 feet longer. (20 foot camper and 4 foot tongue) You are just going to have to plan your moves in traffic more. You'll need to swing wide around corners and do all sorts of things different.

A little tip, if this is your first trailer, when you back up, put your hand on the BOTTOM of the steering wheel. Move your hand left and the trailer will go left. If it goes too far, pull forward and straighten up and start over.

 

Hey sorry i wasnt very specific. The trailer is exactly 20 feet from the bumper to the tounge of the trailer. Yes that is how it sits at the moment. Im looking into a weight distribution hitch and rear air bags. I just thought the truck wouldnt notice it much. Ive seen same trucks hauling larger maybe mines lazy haha

 

An equalizer hitch isn't cheap but it will make a difference in stability. I bought an adjustable one 30 years ago and have never needed to adjust it. When you say trucks like yours, do they look like your or are equipped like yours? They may have 3.9 gears, diesel engines, or down shift points have been adjusted. Your truck has twice as much work now so the engine will need to work harder.The American V-8 engine usually loafs along. You'll need to wind that puppy up more if you want to go fast. Otherwise, like I said, you need to plan your driving.

 

It's the gearing. 3.55 gears and 33"s will kill power. I know. I've run that combo for almost ten years and towed. You need 410s or 456 for best towing.

 

Regear to 4.10 gears, that will help a lot.

 

Even 3.92, or whatever it is, would be an improvement. 4.10's might be a bit much for 33's, but, it would only be a difference of 100 RPM or so. Trouble is, re-gearing is NOT cheap, and especially not on a 4x4..... 1600 - 2000 bucks if you pay someone else to do it.

 

Ya i hate these 3.55 gears. It does ok it just a slow start once its going its pulls good. And yes you are right it is not cheap. I wish ut was 2000 but up here in canada its almost twice that price for labour and install because of the 4x4. For that price i can get an older 3/4 ton or possibly a diesel.😑. I love this truck and ive never had a problem with it. Ive invested a ton of cash in it or i would of sold it to upgrade. Oh well turtles pace it is

 

Even if i was to find a heavier duty transmission , im still not gonna notice much difference because of the 3.55 gears ?

 

Not aware of any alternatives, aside from maybe a manual. The nv5600 has a lower first gear...... but, do you really want a manual trans?