98 Silverado Towing Capacity

[jwo9393]

hi all,
i'm a newbie on this site...and just bought a 98 silverado z71 3 door long bed with a V8, 4wd with automatic. i'm trying to figure out the towing capacity of this vehicle. i don't know if it has the towing package, although it looks like the hitch was factory installed. can i tell anything off the tag inside the drivers door, or another VIN tag somewhere else? sorry if i sound naive, but this is the first GM vehicle i've had in 30 years.

thanks in advance for your responses,
JD

[Calbaby968]

Welcome to the site. I'm not sure if you will find the GVW on towing in on the tags in the door. I do know that I have an 04, and I've pulled over 6000 lbs and it was a champ. What are you looking to haul? I've also had my bed loaded with trees. Big Ones that made my tires rub my fenders and i've got a lift. plus the trailer was loaded up with wood as well. It made the trip without a problem.

[jwo9393]

Thanks for the quick response... there is no info on towing in the doors, unless I missed it. I'm looking to buy a tow dolly, or better yet a trailer to tow my other cars, which are everything from 5000lb Jags to 2500lb Alfa Romeos.

JD

[Calbaby968]

You will be plenty fine. I pulled a 2000 lbs Uhaul trailer to get my car which is a 3800 lbs Dodge Stealth. It pulled fine and I got 14mpg with it.

[dwill3015]

Usually you can find out what options your truck rolled off the assembly line with by referencing the RPO codes on the sticker on the inside of your glovebox. Everything from trim package to gear ratio will have a code there. Here is a link to a RPO LIST

[jwo9393]

Hey Cal,
I think your truck looks a lot beefier than mine. I'm afraid of smoking the tranny. Do you have the tow package?

JD

[jwo9393]

Darcy,
Thanks so much. I will check tomorrow. And thanks for the link.

JD

[Calbaby968]

I put on a receiver hitch. Plugs were already underneath it. I have a trailer button on my shift column for that extra umph as well.