Please pardon my ignorance...probably seems like a dumb question....but...

I have a 98 expy that I would like to put a class 3 hitch on for towing a 6" x 10" box trailer. Completely loaded , I don't envision the trailer's gross to be more than ....3,500 to maybe 4,000lbs....probably substantially less.

My truck has the 5.4, oil cooler, tranny cooler, no hitch (other than the step bumper) but it does have the four wire hookup mounted under the bumper.

Can anyone tell me how I can ensure this won't hurt my truck?

Thanks for looking.....Bobby G

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Go for it!. As long as you have a diff hitch than the bumper hitch ( I don't trust them) you should have no problem. Just my opinion

Shov

 

You be ok. You may want trailer brakes.

 

Just remember one thing.... bigger is always better! If it were me I would go with a class IV hitch that was rated for 8000#. This is a frame mounted hitch and can be bought for a reasonable price. I would also consider installing a bigger tranny cooler. This is just a good safety idea for your trans. It will keep the fluid much cooler and lessen the risk of boiling it.
How often do you plan on towing this trailer and in what kind of terrain.... hilly or flat? I would also upgrade to at least a 6 pin connector and run electric brakes if the trailer is equiped with them. 4000# behind a vehicle in a panic situation is no fun! The brakes on the truck will be over whelmed in a hurry and then you will have none. The maximum towing on your truck if it is a 5.4 with 3.73 gearing and 16" wheels with the tow pkg. is 8200#. If it has 17" wheels it drops down to 7800# you ar looking at roughly half your towing capacity. Don't get me wrong... the Expy will pull it no problem. Stopping and wear are another story. If set up properly you won't even know it's back there! Good luck!

 

Thanks for all the helpful info guys. I would be using the trailer for hauling my band equipment around which was one of the determining factors in buying the expy in the first place. Most of the time I can haul everything inside the the truck. But for the bigger gigs when I've got to haul lights, more speakers and amps and such I need a trailer. Used to pull the same trailer with my 98 F-150 4.6 4x4 with the full towing package and never had an issue...well maybe braking ...when the trailer was stuffed. But my 16 year old son rolled that one night on a wet road and totaled it. But he walked away with only scratches on his hand from crawling through the broken glass and a sore face from the air bag. (THANK YOU GOD!!!) That accident only strengthened my opinion that bigger is better/safer.

But I bought the expy used and am not sure of the gearing, but I thinks it's geared pretty high, can cruise a 60mph at about 1800 rpm. It has 17 inch wheels, look like a small tranny cooler about 4" x 12", I would definately get a bigger cooler and mount a class 3 or 4 hitch, wouldn't think of towing something like that with just the bumper.

But I've got to say, I love this vehicle. I love the way it rides, drives, looks....everything but filling the tank so often! I bought it used but in almost new condition with 28,000 miles. Had a few little worrysome prolems, coil pack, replaced the IAC just the other day, but all in all an awesome vehicle...just don't want to tare it up pulling my trailer.

Thank again guys.