Towing with 2000 GMC Jimmy (your opinion)

[eryoung]

Hello, Just wondering what you peoples opinion is with towing with my 2000 GMC Jimmy. I am towing a 2003 KZ Frontier camper, weight with full options is 4250 pounds. My manual for my Jimmy states it can to 5600 pounds, I added a Derale transmission cooler, bought new Michelin XC LT tires, added Rancho rs9000X shocks. Have a class 3 Husky hitch with weight distribution bars and Anti sway control. Its just me and my wife (dont have kids) so we wont be bringing the house with us. Am I asking to much for my Jimmy to tow this safely? Just looking for your opinion. Cant afford a new truck right now.

thank you and take care
Eddie

[92 Lumina]

I tow a 20 foot boot at nearly 4000 pounds with no problem. You may want to run the transmision in 3rd gear (not overdrive) I found even a small grade would cause the RPM to come up but the truck would slow down (slipping trans) when in overdrive. So I dont do it anymore. Keep it below 70 and slower going down hills. My boat liked to try and push me down the hills a bit. Best advise is use your head, keep your options open when in traffic. fill your water tank after you get where you are going. Towed my boat 4 1/2 hours into upper michigan last year, no problem.

Mark

[jp233]

you should be ok to tow that rig with your Jimmy. Yes you should leave it in gear and NOT use overdrive when you are coming to a hill. I pull a 3K lb 14 foot box trailer and have no tranny cooler etc, and when in overdrive it seems to hunt for a gear or slip easily. But if you are on a flat road you can use overdrive and let it tow at the lowest rpm you can manage for gas mileage. When going down hills I would use a lower gear and try not to ride the brakes as you can warp your rotors easily. Might want to get some more aggressive pads up front for the brakes.

Definitely try to keep the rig weight at a minimum to start your trip (water tank etc). Other than that you should be ok, the Jimmy is up to the task! Depending on how much mileage you accumulate towing that rig change your tranny fluid on the regular (20-30K miles).

-Pat

[eryoung]

Pat,
Thank you very much for you reply, that is exactly what I needed to here! There are some people out there (weight police) that think you need a Mack truck to tow a pop up trailer. You made me feel a little more at ease.

thanks
Eddie