towing 4000lb with 98' Rodeo

[starfish1972]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for advice here.

My family are moving to Orlando from Pittsburgh next month. One of our friends suggested renting a 6x12 Uhaul trailer (1800lb empty, 4400 fully loaded) and towing it all the way to Orlando with our 98' Rodeo (V6 4x4 90K). In that case, we are looking at a trip of 1200miles with a over 4000lb tow load. Guess I'm pushing my baby to the limit - Will my Rodeo be fine with such a torture?

Thank you.

[amigo-2k]

if you do I would install a tranny cooler if you have an automatic.

Also, I would check into one way full size pick-up truck rentals with a hitch.

Why kill the rodeo when you can kill a rental truck?

[Ramblin Fever]

Automatic or stick-shift?

To be honest, yes, it will be fine, but I do believe the auto has the advantage to a slightlier heavier load capability - don't have my owners manual in front of me, and I've only owned the automatic on two different Rodeo's, but some vehicles have a slightly higher tow rating on the auto versus stick.

I have the '97 Rodeo automatic V6, and I've towed right at 4,500# with mine up and over the I-70 corridor; i.e. 10-12' k feet above sea-level, I've done this several times but very carefully and not pushing it by any means.

Moving from Pittsburgh to Orlando is all down hill, I'm guessing, and at sea-level - you'll be fine.

I would make absolute certain - if you have the automatic - to make sure you have fairly clean transmission fluid in there (i.e. changed within the last 10k or so) and the level is 100% accurate - no leaks, no low fluid level, and also it's imperative on the transmission for the cooling system to be up to par as well.

When you get to Orlando, have your ATF fluid changed again as a precautionary, the GM 4L30-E auto transmission in these trucks thrives on clean, fresh fluid and will last a long time if paid attention too.

Also, do not be afraid to use your gears, if you're climbing a hill, even a small hill (with 4k# on your tail) you will need to manually shift down to 3rd (in the automatic) and don't be afraid to do so - but ONLY shift down to 3rd if your speed is at or below 45mph.

Key point on an auto is to not overwork it, and you will fry this tranny if you're sitting at 45mph or below and have not down shifted with this kind of load.

Also, when you're taking off from a stop-sign, even on flat surface, have the transmission in "D" WITH the powermode ON, this will help keep the shift-points higher and allow greater pulling power. This is definitely something to use while getting on the highway as well.

When you're on the highway, i.e. 50-60mph, leaving the truck in "D" with powermode OFF is fine as long as it's all flat surface and/or down hill. At ANY point of even the slightest incline, hit the powermode ON before getting to the incline as this will help pull the rpm's up and give it the pulling power it needs without lugging the engine or transmission.

As explained above, if you start climbing a good hill and your speed drops fairly quickly to 45mph or lower, manually shift down to 3rd and do NOT use the powermode (dash light off) - you don't want to overwork the transmission by telling it to shift to 2nd unless your speed falls below 30mph (doubtful at sea-level)

Try to keep your overall Rpm's below 4,500 as there is no need to go above that and you'll just be over-stressing engine and transmission.

I do NOT recommend going any faster then 55-60mph TOPS, remember, this is a moderate wheel-based SUV, but your truck only weighs about 4,500# and a heavy side wind could EASILY knock you off kilter.

One more thing, make sure your air filter is clean/new, air up your back tires on the truck to about 2-4psi OVER what your door label says, and make sure your truck tires are in excellent shape - you don't want a blowout hauling a 4K# load!

Try to keep to only two adult passangers and one or two small children, and no extra weight in the truck while hauling the trailer - you don't want say 800-1k# IN the truck while hauling/towing a 4K# trailer, this is too much to ask of a 3.2L V6 engine.

Take it SLOW and take your time, if you drop to 45mph, so what! Put your flashers on, stay in the right lane, and put some music on.

Good luck to you.

[starfish1972]

Thank you guys for the good suggestions. Mine has AT and the towing capacity is 4500#, so I'd be pushing it but it would still be under the limit. Let's wait and see how it works. I'll update you when I arrive in Orlando.