factory tow package?

I have a pop up camper gvwr of 3350 lb. I had an after market tow hitch
put on my truck. I am being told that the tow capacity is only 3500 lb due to the fact that I do not have a factory tow package. Is this true?

 

Yeup

 

This depends on what truck you have.

4cyl can tow 3500lbs off of bumper or hitch.
6cyl can tow 3500lbs off of bumper, 6500lbs off of hitch.

 

6 cyl, but i am being told that without a factory tow package it is only rated for 3500lbs

 

No that has nothing to do with what the truck can handle.(In truth, the 4 cyl will still pull 6500 as the suspension is the same, just the engine doesn't have as much power). The truck will handle 6500 just fine. But without the trans and oil cooler, the trans will heat up on extended trips. The oil cooler isn't really too much of a problem. You could get a aftermarket trans cooler and have a transmission shop install it if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself. I put one on my 1st gen

 

Thank You, i will put the trans cooler in, but i fell better knowing the truck will handel my pop up at 3350lbs. got to go camping now thanks again.

 

Not a problem. Just personal preference, but I also have a Scanguage II to monitor my trans temp

 

If I'm not mistaken, there is a code for your year truck. Scanguage didn't have the x-code for my truck, but somebody figured it out

 

That is more the dealer trying to make money off of you. A Class IV hitch is a Class IV hitch. It doesn't matter where it comes from or who installs it as long as it's installed properly. If you have the dealer do it, it adds a trans cooler (auto trans only, manual trans is not applicable or necessary), class IV hitch, wire harness, larger alternator. But in all honesty, that truck will pull 6500lbs all day long off of a hitch with probably no issues at all. If you have an auto trans, the trans cooler is a nice feature but trucks have been built for years and years without trans coolers and never had problems. It's just now becoming more and more prevalent in newer trucks.

 

Get a trans cooler. The factory setup is designed from the ground up taking all factors in. They have to fix the stuff if it breaks. They came with a higher output alternator a larger battery a 7 pin trailer connection prewired for trailer brakes engine oil cooler automatic auxiliary trans cooler and the hitch is not only is bolted to the frame but the bumper also. You will need to add a brake controller for the camper and wiring it will not stop a 3000+ pound camper worth a hoot if any one tells you other wise don't get in front of them.