I'm starting a lawn care company on the side and have a 5x8 trailer that will have maybe 800-1000 lbs of equipment on it. My questions are, Does anyone tow such a light load around with a 4.3? How does the 4.3 hold up and pull? What is your mpg while towing?

I'm looking at getting rid of my 2000 5.3 ex-cab silverado for a 99+ regular cab 4.3. Mainly so I can have a payed off truck (or real close) and a bit shorter truck that can still be used for work. I'm not looking for better mpg while not towing just a cheaper alternative. Thanks for your help.

 

get a 4.8 truck


i will share my dads experience and take it as you will. he owned his own business and i rode to work with him everyday so i can verify this.

NBS 99 silverado base model, 4.3 v6 4l60e 3.42 open diff rear.

he got a enclosed 7x12 trailer and started using it instead of a cargo van. total weight is approx. 4-5klbs. guesstimate. towing that with the v6 did ok on flat land and at speed but uphill, or accelerating period it was gutless. with my dad driving he could get nearly 20mpg empty, but with the trailer on it, it dropped to 10mpg and not a bit more.

i think you will be disappointed inthe 4.3s towing capabilities even at onyl 1klbs. get a 4.8 and you will be happier

 

Not to mention gas mileage will be the same with the 4.8L V8 and resale will be better and you can always swap in a 6.0L and play on the weekends!

 

That is great info, thank you. Do you think a tune and a few basic mods would help a 4.3 be more comparable to a 4.8? I've just been looking at 99+ 4.3 trucks so I don't know how much more a 4.8 is but I guess not too much?

 

True. But my weekend toy is in the sig...

 

honestly the 4.3 just doesnt have the torque that even a small v8 does. unless you added about 6psi of positive displacement supercharged boost, radix or similar.

in my area the 4.8 is 1,000 or less depending on other options/condition

 

I know you mentioned it was gonna be on the side but its really easy to expand and grow in the lawn care biz. May wanna consider the 4.8 or 5.3 if you were to get a bigger trailer in the future with heavier equipment such as riders.

 

I wouldn't settle for the v6, I had one for a short period!

 

my dad's boat is about 2500 lbs and i get about 23mpg on the hwy with my v6 with 323 gears and 5speed. it pulls it well but like said earlier, sucks ***** on hills and unless its all flat land, go with a v8 or get 410s or something of that nature

 

go with a V8, my V6 does fine with small loads, but I have a 5 speed.