Towing capacity by the book

mike finnicum

New member
Feb 8, 1998
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By the Book:
The 78 GMC Manual only covers "Trailer Towing" on pages
10-11. Maximum is 1000 lbs. Yea - right!

Reality:
The lighter the car the better. However I have seen people
towing Lincolns with their GMC. (2500 miles/transmission)??

Frank Jenkins tows a fully loaded Ford Aerostar Van (the big
one), one member of our club tows a Mercedes. He admits to
replacing multiple knuckles and now carries a spare.

I tow an 87 Samurai at 2080 lbs curb weight. I have a 403 with
307 gears. Tows fantastic on level ground and only costs me
about 1 mpg. When I tow it with my 74 (455 & 321 gears) I do
not even know it is there.

I can climb Monte Eagle (I-24 Knox-Nashville). 7% grade for
6.5 miles in second and easily maintain 45 mph.

A VERY popular tow car in our club is the Saturn. They
weigh in at 2326-2478 lbs based on model. I was amazed that
the differece between the wagon and sport models is only 71 lbs.
The main weight diff is based on the engine and tranny.

We are considering a Saturn now. Only 200-300 lbs more than our
Samurai and a lot safer when driving. We have nicknamed our
Samurai the "Tin Can" for very good reason.

IMHO
Mike F
74 28' Stretch
78 26' Eleganza

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of
PirateJWG
Sent: Monday, October 18, 1999 6:59 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: GMC: Let's try this again... what's the towing capacity??

Howdy pholks --

Wht's the 'practical' towing capacity of a GMC motorhome, both in terms of
the original factory rating, as well as individual experiences?? Yours
Truly
would like to know!

Thanks,

ol' John
Jacksonville, FL