I have an 86 c20 4x4 350 carburated 400 tranny 4-10 gears. I am pulling a toy hauler. 25' with an empty weight of 5800 lbs. Max capacity of the trailer is 8000 lbs. I Just bought the camper and pulled it for the first time last weekend. If pulled fairly well on the flats but when it came to a hill it just had no guts. Not just big steep hills, but just about any incline. Even starting out from a dead stop the truck seemed to struggle. I would think with the set up that I have I should be able to pull with very little trouble. Am I missing something or is my truck not adequate for the weight of the trailer? There was no transmission slip or anything odd like that. Any help or input would be appreciated.
The trail weight is 5800lb that a a good weight behind the truck that is most likely around the same weight. The 350 has to do so work that a lot of weight 11600lb so far. if you truck motor do not have a tow cam it will feel really sluggish but even with a tow cam and a 454 it will still not feel like your driving with nothing behind you. The big thing is hill's kill you when you got big weight. Just thing of when your behind a big rig load down going up a hill from a stop. If you behind him and you have to slow down because getting to close we he got lots of gear and TQ now your like a big rig now one want to behind you at stop or small hills once the weight take over. A small in cline, I for get the math but it start to make the weight feel almost twice as much. If you lucky not to have to slow down for the guy in front or lights you will take the hill better. I use to have a 454 in my 77 I pulled then I put a strong 305 in to down size save gas for the most part on hills it hurt a little but the 305 Has around 200HP tow cam 3.08gear 350 trans built good. My truck would be 5800lb, trailer 1500lb emty, car 4200lb. Now un less your breakes( truck or trailer) are set wrong or sticking maybe your trans getting wore out, making the motor do all the work. That could make it work more harder.Tires proper air & can handle the weight your pulling. But there still only so much it will do. It not like your driving 2700lb car with 350 HP. I hope this helps. I would get a Tranny Cooler to help to save your trans, It will make last longer.
Tow Cam is a Cam more set up for low end TQ on the rpm curve more hp low end, but on the higher side on 3500rpm 4500rpm start to drop off. it's a work cam, tow trucks or trucks & station wagon halling load. give a better low end pull.
One thing I would look into is the advance curve on the distributor. I recurved mine and added an Accel Super Coil and modual. It really woke up my 350 especially on the low end.Now the only problem I have is getting the tires to hook up when I floor it. Good info:http://www.pontiacstreetperformance.com/psp/distcurve.html
