Towing Question for my 1992 C2500 truck

[r10kidds]

I own a 1992 Chevy C2500 ex. cab with a shell 2 wd with 222,xxx miles orginal motor 5.7 L motor, oil cooler,2 trans. coolers one stock and one after market. Runs great and the A/C blows nice and cold still too.
My book said I can tow 7000 lbs. I think

I pull a 23 ft. Travel trailer that weights about 5000 lb loaded.

The truck has a hard time pulling up grades. Also sometimes I stay at about 2500RPMs on flat roads too is that ok?

Also I have a oil and trans. gauges when is to hot for both? 225? 250? 300?

Thanks for your help and time on this towing Question !!!!!

[5speedsilverado]

welcome to the site!

[2COR517]

I don't have much info on tranny oil temps, although I believe 300 is considered pull over time. There are a couple of tranny experts here. Do you have the TH 400 three speed? As for performance your truck should be pulling that OK, but you're up there towards the max. And, TTs are big and have a lot of drag. Plus I am guessing the truck is full with you, her, them, bikes, firewood, gear, etc. The towing value is basically with just the driver in a base model truck. So any weight you put in, plus the vehicle options like power windows, locks, AC, etc cut into that value. To really know where you are at for weight, load up hte TT and truck with the typical load and head for the scales. You might be very surprised how heavy you are. Also, 222k is some good miles. 350s are tough and go a long time, but it's going to get tired at some point. And the TBI is good, but it doesn't have the mid - upper end horses like a Vortec.

I would suggest a VERY thorough tuneup with GOOD quality parts. Pull your throttle body. Clean it and the Idle Air Control thoroughly, reinstall with a new TB gasket. Suck a can of Seafoam into the engine via the brake booster vacuum line. Also, put another can in the tank. New AC Delco plugs. Regular, boring single tip platinums gapped at .040 - .045. New wires, AC or Napa premium. AC Cap & Rotor, set the timing. New fuel and air filter.

I just did the TB cleanup on my Vortec. Read more here.

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25593

[canislupis69]

Welcome to the site!

[Jimmiee]

I own a 1992 Chevy C2500 ex. cab with a shell 2 wd with 222,xxx miles orginal motor 5.7 L motor, oil cooler,2 trans. coolers one stock and one after market. Runs great and the A/C blows nice and cold still too.
My book said I can tow 7000 lbs. I think

I pull a 23 ft. Travel trailer that weights about 5000 lb loaded.

The truck has a hard time pulling up grades. Also sometimes I stay at about 2500RPMs on flat roads too is that ok?

Also I have a oil and trans. gauges when is to hot for both? 225? 250? 300?

Thanks for your help and time on this towing Question !!!!!

You should have a THM 400 transmission. The RPM range looks to me like you have very low rear end ratio or a high stall converter. I would think 2200 would be ideal at cruise. 300 is too hot. You want to keep it around 270 max. Make sure to use synthetic oil.