Towing 240 sundeck

J

JK Bless

New Member
Aug 1, 2009
25
Mark Twain Lake
Boat Info
2002 240 Sundeck
Engines
6.2l
I have an 1/2 ton Chevy crew cab z71 with a 5.3l. My problem is that I have 3.42 gears. It's rated for 7400lbs but with boat, trailer and "stuff" I am guessing that it will be around 6500. Does anyone tow with the same options? I was also thinking about having 3.73 gears installed instead of trading in. I only have 30000 miles on the truck.
 
You're more likely going to be around 7,000lbs, maybe a bit over, depending on gear. Keep in mind that anything you put in your truck (besides you) should be subtracted from your max tow rating.

I've towed a 240SD with a 1/2 ton. But, it had 4.10 gears. I believe the max rating wasn't much higher than what you stated. The truck I had, though, was probably about a 2004. Is yours newer? Maybe that's why you have such a high rating with only 3.43 gears.

I felt that the 240SD was the max size/weight that I would be comfortable with when using the truck I used. Even with the 4.10's there was a lot of tranny gear jumping/hunting on just slight inclines. If I were to load the vehicle up with people and gear, I would certainly try to make sure the boat's gas tank and water tank were both as empty as possible.

I don't think I've ever towed with a truck that has 3.42 gears - just doesn't sound right for towing. I have towed with two identical trucks - one 3.73 and one 4.10. The difference was very noticeable. I suspect you would notice a similar jump in performance going to 3.73's.

Keep in mind that if you have a 4x4, you must do both front and rear (check out Randy's Ring and Pinion for gears). Also, your speedometer and odometer will be off. Any shift points based on speed will be off, too. But, an aftermarket "plug-in" computer can correct for that - also give you some more efficiency and power at the same time, along with firmer shifts for when you're towing.
 
Can't speak about your Chevy 1/2 ton, but like Dennis said figure closer to 7500lbs and I'm from the old school of thought. You should only tow about 75% to 80% of your rated tow capacity.
 
My truck is an 05. I am looking at the older sundecks...01-05. It says the dry weight on those are 4680lbs. When I bought the truck I wasn't thinking about the gears. I am kicking myself now. Not sure why you would put low gears on a truck anyway. They are thinking fuel mileage but you don't lose that much with the 3.73. My old truck had them and I don't see any difference. When I bought the truck I was only towing the Seville and it did just fine. Still looking at other options. Thanks for the info.

Jim
 
JK Bless said:
My truck is an 05. I am looking at the older sundecks...01-05. It says the dry weight on those are 4680lbs. When I bought the truck I wasn't thinking about the gears. I am kicking myself now. Not sure why you would put low gears on a truck anyway. They are thinking fuel mileage but you don't lose that much with the 3.73. My old truck had them and I don't see any difference. When I bought the truck I was only towing the Seville and it did just fine. Still looking at other options. Thanks for the info.

Jim
Click to expand...

The 240SD's were the same boat from 2000 through 2009. If you have full gas, water and typical gear, you will be definitely be over 7,000lbs.

Changing gears isn't too bad, as far as price goes. Just depends on who you have put it in - but don't skimp on who does it - you want to make sure everything gets shimmed correctly. I know enough about gear swaps to know that I wouldn't attempt it! :lol:

Are you positive about that tow rating with the 3.42's? I very well could be wrong, but it just sounds high for short gears.
 
I checked the manual and it said 7400Lbs for a crew cab short box 4 wheel drive. I was thinking about calling local dealership for their opinion.
 
JK Bless said:
I checked the manual and it said 7400Lbs for a crew cab short box 4 wheel drive. I was thinking about calling local dealership for their opinion.
Click to expand...

Woody said:
That's correct for the 3.42.
Click to expand...

Wow. That's amazing. I never would have guessed that a half ton with a small block and little gears would rate that high. That tranny is going to have to take a beating.
 
JK Bless said:
I have an 1/2 ton Chevy crew cab z71 with a 5.3l. My problem is that I have 3.42 gears. It's rated for 7400lbs but with boat, trailer and "stuff" I am guessing that it will be around 6500. Does anyone tow with the same options? I was also thinking about having 3.73 gears installed instead of trading in. I only have 30000 miles on the truck.
Click to expand...
If you leave everything else the same... people. gear, etc you are increasing your Gross Combined Vehicle Weight by 1,680#. That is the difference in weight between your Seville and 240SD. You should be able to stay under the 7,400# by keeping an eye on fuel and water. Worst case you might go over a little. I know some folks feel go one # over a tow rating and transmissions burn up, the vehicle rolls over and dies, but that simply is not the case. I'm not real familiar with your area but as long as you're not pulling on long, steep grades I think you will be within your vehicles capabilities. If you have tow haul on your truck use it, it eliminates searching.....works the best when you're above 75-80% of your tow rating. I pulled my 270SD with my wifes Yukon 5.3 and it did a great job. I was really suprised.

You didn't mention your trailer. If you don't have one spend some time looking for a quality trailer set up correctly. Pay attention to weight, they vary. The impact trailers can have on the towing experience is huge.

Try your vehicle the way it is, base your decision to change gear ratio on how it performs.
 
Woody said:
Why?
Click to expand...

Don't you think that tranny is going to be constantly hunting for gears? What about using a heavy throttle and load on a TC that will likely be unlocked a lot of the time?
 
You should be able to stay under the 7,400# by keeping an eye on fuel and water
Click to expand...

I don't normally haul with a full tank of gas. Depending on what I do, I usually keep about half a tank. I do have a tow /haul mode and use it whenever I tow. I am not real concerned about going to Mark Twain Lake as I am going down to Table Rock in Branson. Those are some big hills. Maybe I am going overboard but I'd rather be safe than sorry

You didn't mention your trailer. If you don't have one spend some time looking for a quality trailer set up correctly. Pay attention to weight, they vary. The impact trailers can have on the towing experience is huge.
Click to expand...

Anything I get is going to have to be with a trailer and I want a custom trailer with disc brakes. Are those on both axle's?

Appreciate all the info

Thanks
Jim
 
Lazy Daze said:
Don't you think that tranny is going to be constantly hunting for gears? What about using a heavy throttle and load on a TC that will likely be unlocked a lot of the time?
Click to expand...
I can say that my Yukon 5.3 and 2500HD 6.0 do virtually no extra searching when in tow haul mode. Things aren’t like they used to be. With computer controlled transmissions they can change line pressure, torque converter lock up, shift points etc, the engineers have a lot more to work with. Those TC clutches aren’t designed for heavy abuse, it’s better that they’re not locked up until the things get rolling and the loads lighter. I’ve been told that excessive shifting generates more heat/wear than the heat generated by a unlocked TC. Friction/heat have always been a auto trans worst enemy, now they can control that better than ever. I'm sure I am way over my rating on the 2500HD and trans temp changes little. From a driveability, suspension stability/ride, braking standpoint my 2500HD w/Eagle tri-axle handles the 280DA well. Except....If I were in more/bigger hills I know I would have to go to diesel, she just don't have enough oompf for any more.
 
I agree that improvements have certainly been made and the Tow/Haul mode definitely does nice things. I have a '98 in my signature, but I tow with many vehicles - most only a few years old (gas and diesel). However, I can tell you that from monitoring gauges that having a TC unlocked absolutely increases heat by a good margin. Is it more or less than shifting? I don't know. But it does increase heat significantly enough to be of concern.

The issue here, at least that I see, is the 3.42's. I also agree with you that JK should try it out before doing any swap - I'm just very skeptical of "non-towing" gears being able to keep up with weights that are at, or likely above, the max rating. And, no, I don't believe that manufacturer's ratings are "gospel".

I hope it does work just fine for JK - that'll save him some serious money. Like I said, I'm just very skeptical because of the gears.
 
hi new to the forum. looking at buying an 05 240 sundeck from a family member who wants to trade up and the issue of trailering was exactly what i was searching around for. Now my intent is to only trailer it 4 times a year driveway to summarize location, summarize to marina ramp, marina for the summer, then ramp to winterize, winterize to driveway. maybe 40 miles total on the year in 4 5-15 mile trips.
the issue is i was planning on buying a 2011 explorer as my vehicle and using it for that occasional tow but the rating is only 5000lbs, are we really looking at 7500 for boat and trailer on this one, based on sea rays listing of 4850 dry i figured with trailer would only be 5500-5800 which i thought i could get away with for only a few miles a year but this looks like it would be substantially more than it could handle.
 
Last edited:
IMHO you are looking at close to 7500+-, heck just rent a truck for the couple times you need to move it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,190
Messages
1,428,253
Members
61,100
Latest member
Raneyd85
Back
Top