What is the towing capacity of a 1988 Chevrolet C1500 pickup truck with a 5.7 liter engine three speed automatic transmission no door tag available?

Answer 1

Three speed automatic? Should be a 4L60 tranny in there - 4 speed with OD. Does the shift indicator have both a "D" and a "D" with a circle around it?

If so, only tow in "D" and keep it below 8,500 lbs. If not, keep it below 7,000 lbs.

(I've been towing with Chevy trucks since 1968)

1988 C1500 should have the 700R4 4-spd automatic transmission which was in a selection of full-size rear wheel drive cars, trucks, and vans. I do believe the you could have an older body style C10, being a 1988. I would be very surprised if you had a 350 or 400 automatic 3-spd in that truck either way. The 4L60 wasn't in place until roughly the Vortec engine family. Depending on the body; truck, SUV, or van, you should be looking at 94-95ish to get into the 4L60. No disrespect to the previous answer, he obviously has more experience than I have with the Chevy trucks. I've owned an 89 Chevy, 90 GMC, and currently a 93 Chevy (5spd this time). I have also owned an 89 (I think) Astro van with the 4.3 and 700R4 and a 99 Tahoe which had the Vortec 5.7 and the 4L60E. I have popped two 700R4 transmissions, well, two have failed on me while I owned them. NEVER tow with the 700R4 in overdrive unless you have a very light load. Those things weren't great from the factory with no load. You will shift too much and lock/unlock the torque converter until you overheat the transmission if you tow much of anything in overdrive. My mechanic, on the second failed 700R4 suggested using "D" unless you were planning on doing over 55 for a decent amount of time and fairly straight road. I basically used it only on the highway. If you truly do have the 700R4, your torque converter will lock/unlock in "D" just as it would in "D" with the circle around it. If you just barely apply the brake, the torque converter will temporarily unlock. They operate on a vacuum (I believe). When you apply the brake it sees that as a sign that you will be stopping. I think the heaviest I ever put behind a 5.7L with the 700R4 was around 6,000 lbs. It pulled OK but by no means was it a monster tow vehicle. 6,000 with the 99 Tahoe on the other hand was barely noticed.