towing

[zeke2422]

Does anyone know what my 2.2L 00 extreme can tow or if it can. i had gotten stickers on the truck telling me not to tow anything. But i just need to tow a ridding lawn mower. any help would be great

[Chrisvich]

I am in the process of throwing a hitch on my 4.3L xtreme truck. Mike found one for me about a week ago on ebay made by putman hitch. It needs a couple of spacer to make it work but will go on as I just test fitted everything about an hour ago. I figure you could throw about 150-200lbs of tongue weight on the back of the truck, as I will be towing a boat. Need anymore help just pm me.

[Chrisvich]

here is a link to what I bought on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hitch-for-Chevy-S-10-GMC-S-15-Highrider-Sonoma_W0QQitemZ330159605030QQihZ014QQcategoryZ336 53QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[zeke2422]

thank you

[Mikz86TA]

The GM manual and info states that the Xtreme isnt designed for towing. But it has the ZQ8 suspension which was also availible on the LS trucls like mine. There isnt any info stating the suspension cant handle a load. Im not sure what gives, being the only diffence is the body kit. There is another thread recently you can search for that I posted all the towing capacities per truck (2wd/4wd/auto/manual/2.2/4.3/reg/ext/crew)

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Could it be that they say not to tow w/ an Xtreme just to protect the body kit? Because if you did tow something and squatted the truck down a little there would be less space before the body kit would scrape and catch on stuff if you hit bumps, pot holes, slanted driveways, etc. In other words, they might just be trying to cover their butts.

[Chrisvich]

Im not sure thats the case...I think it just has to do with the suspension. I have thrown 400lbs worth of gym equipment in the back of my truck and would easy be almost riding bump stops. There might be a little clearance issue where the tongue inserts into the receiver with the bumper being as low as it is, but a couple of spacers no more than a 1/4 inch will be needed. If I get to it this weekend I will post up some pics on what you will have to do.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

The reason I said that was b/c Mikz said that his ZQ8 claims that he can tow with it--assuming I read that write. And since the only real diff btwn the ZQ8 and the Xtreme is the body kit--as was said. Why else would they say not to tow w/ an Xtreme? I could be wrong, but that's what I see.

[Mikz86TA]

Actually, it says in the Chevy S10 brocure, that it isnt recommended to tow with an Xtreme. But noting about a ZQ8. Then again there isnt any info about a LS ZQ8 in there either. But, in the Sonoma brocure, it shows a few times a SLS ZQ8 towing. One is a 20+ft. boat up a landing ramp. Ill read into the GMC brocure more later =) Im personally in a 'dont get it' state about the topic. But, I have to agree, the rear spring setup isnt the strongest.

[Chrisvich]

What ever the reason may be for not being able to tow with the Xtreme. If you think about it, you have a loaded trailer with only X amount of tongue weight the truck has to support directly. I weigh 180 lbs and can stand on the back bumper and jump up and down on it. Just about the only other force applied to the truck would be the push/pull weight of the load on the trailer.

[zeke2422]

man this is all great infor. i think i will hook up the trailer and put in the lawn mower and check the clearance and if its bad then i will wait and get the air ride tow package to keep it level.

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?category%7ccategory_root%7c-29=Towing+and+Travel&selected_prod_ids=2165&qid=MERCADO-SEARCH2_i01-070831-20:42:18-30443 (http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?category%7ccategory_root%7c-29=Towing+and+Travel&selected_prod_ids=2165&qid=MERCADO-SEARCH2_i01-070831-20:42:18-30443)

[chevybrat]

I am also reading the chevy brochure for our trucks...it says the s10 model with the extreme package is not engineered or equipped for towing.

s10 2wd reg cab manual transmission vortec 2.2l 1700lbs maximum.
s10 2wd extended cab manual transmission vortec 2.2l 2000lbs maximum.

s10 2wd reg cab automatic transmission vortec 2.2l 3200lbs
s10 2wd extended cab automatic transmission vortec 2.2l 3000lbs

s10 4wd extended cab manual transmission vortec 4.3l 4000lbs maximum
s10 4wd extended cab automatic transmission vortec 4.3l 5500lbs maximum

s10 4x4 extended cab w/ZR2 package manual transmission vortec 4.3l 4200lbs maximum

s10 4x4 extended cab w/ZR2 package automatic transmission vortec 4.3l 4700lbs maximum

s10 4x4 crew cab automatic transmission vortec 4.3l 5200lbs maximum

Hope this helps people out. This is where I got my info: http://www.housechevrolet.com/siteimages/truck_brochures/s10_catalog.pdf

[chevybrat]

lol i just read mikz post that stated he posted another thread stating every trucks load capacities...hehehe my bad, that woulda saved some time...

[Mikz86TA]

Hahaha..Its cool. I was too lazy to look up that post and link it. I found my Sonoma brocure from 2002/2003. Shows a ZRX ,which is a ZQ8 package, towing a boat up a ramp at a lake. The boat is huge and it looks like a photoshopped picture. If it cant be done, thats false advertising!! Also there is a small pic of a reg cab ZQ8 hauling a quad. I do that..it squats but Ive never had an issue except the bump-stop action when cruising over a hump in the road at speeds. It will also bump-stop if Im gettin on it..and on a hard 2nd shift with the quad loaded up. IDK...Imm still searching for the answer. haha

[chevybrat]

haha. Yeah. in the brochure i have it shows a ZR2 hauling a decent sized boat. I wonder if it can really do that. I was gonna haul a horse trailer for a friend, empty, and was questioning my trucks capability of doing it...and then realized i dont have a hitch or anything LOL. Guess that plan got cancelled eh.


Anyway, it's good information if it's accurate. Of course it likely says "so many pounds" maximum for a reason...

On a side note, I just ordered an actual sales catelog/brochure off ebay for 2001 chevy s10s. I think it will be nice to have. Just because its neat and has some nice information in it. :-]

[Slaymanic]

The bumber / hitch design like the aftermarket uhaul kits that mount to your frame under the bed then allowe a removable hitch don't fit very nice with a rollpan and then if it is too low and you have a single axle trailor well it can put much added stress on the leafs and cause you to bottom out...Most lowered vehicals aren't really used for towing though thats just my take on it all

Note: I didn't realize there were two pages to this thread so go off of the last post on page 1...been at work to long =/

[Chrisvich]

I just did a google search on Xtreme towing and there are several others out the towing fishing boats and what have you with the ZQ8 package. A lot are saying that you may need to 1. beef up the rear with airbags or helper springs and 2. getting a tranny cooler which I will probably end up getting. As for my putman hitch install:
1. I pulled the rear bumper off and tailgate so that all that wasnt in the way (6 bolts all together)
2. I loosened up the 3 bolts on each side that attach the bumper bracket to the frame.
3. Take the exhuast hanger bracket off the frame ( you will have to buy and relocate hanger, but I am re-doing my exhuast anyway).
4. Attach the hitch to the brackets and swing the hitch to the frame to mark for drilling
5. take hitch off...drill holes..put hitch back on and everything else and your done.
But you already knew that.....I will throw up pics after I go get the right drill bit for the job

[Slaymanic]

=] Thats what we made the dealer ship did was build a towing kit for my truck so I can keep my bumber

[Mikz86TA]

I am creating a Suspension and Towing/Hauling thread in the section for info. I am waiting for the moderator of the section to approve it. I only got 1 part done so far. It has all the 2nd gen RPO suspension codes and their definitions/applications by GM. Then I will have the cab/motor/tranny combos and cargo and towing capasities for them all as well. I also found out a few more tidbits I think will be interesting and helpful. One being RPA codes. RPAs are RegularProductionAccessories. These were the add-ons you could get like tonneau cover, bed rails and tow hitch. As soon as the thread is approved and posted I will add to it the rest of the story.

[T Man]

The sales picture of the Syclone also have it towing a boat. Just a little FYI

[T Man]

Speaking of syclones, i believe i have a new wallpaper

http://www.sytyarchives.com/backgrounds/background_007_1280.jpg

[Chrisvich]

Speaking of syclones, i believe i have a new wallpaper

http://www.sytyarchives.com/backgrounds/background_007_1280.jpg

I can see you found my girlfriend and truck

[T Man]

someone fell asleep at the computer again

[Chrisvich]

Just to revisit this thread for anyone with an xtreme contemplating on towing something with the dreaded "DO NOT TOW" sticker staring you in the face....It can be done with the stock suspension.

My dad is always taking pics....

[ollieking1]

i agree, i got my lowered extreme to tow my wave runner and my 16 ft patio boat, all i have is a step bumper with a 2" ball towed it to the local launch up in shasta lake was really low so i had to use the second launch that was anywhere on the steep bank of the lake and the truck did great no loss of power or any weird noises ...