# What's the best chevy auto trans for a tow vehicle?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-the-best-chevy-auto-trans-for-a-tow-vehicle/37829>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, 1500\
**Created:** [October 9, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-the-best-chevy-auto-trans-for-a-tow-vehicle/37829 "2009-10-09T14:41:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![xneerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ce73a5/32.png) [@xneerd](https://community.cartalk.com/u/xneerd)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-the-best-chevy-auto-trans-for-a-tow-vehicle/37829/1 "2009-10-09T14:41:02Z")

</div>

I have a 56 chevy pickup with a 350hp 350. I’m in the process of attaching an 84 corvette front and rear suspension. I want to use the truck to tow a smallish camper (2000 lbs). Any thoughts on what chevy auto transmission I should use?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-the-best-chevy-auto-trans-for-a-tow-vehicle/37829/2 "2009-10-09T14:56:18Z")

</div>

Can that Corvette IRS handle a trailer? There’s a big reason the 9 inch Ford has such a great reputation.

The 400 hydramatic is the most highly regarded transmission with regard to handling the torque/horsepower needed for pulling a load.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![roadrunnr43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@roadrunnr43](https://community.cartalk.com/u/roadrunnr43)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-the-best-chevy-auto-trans-for-a-tow-vehicle/37829/3 "2009-10-09T15:29:51Z")

</div>

a TH350 can be built to handle a lot of punishment.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-the-best-chevy-auto-trans-for-a-tow-vehicle/37829/4 "2009-10-09T19:37:24Z")

</div>

Key is upgraded transmission internals,I would go with a upgraded Turbo 350 at that hp level, in fact I made that mistake once and wished I had upgraged a overdrive trans.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-the-best-chevy-auto-trans-for-a-tow-vehicle/37829/5 "2009-10-09T20:04:23Z")

</div>

I’ll second the TH400 as the best, completely mechanical, out of the box workhorse.

I’d want a minimum of 3sp trans and probably would opt for an overdrive trans myself given towing on the highway. 700R4 can be built into a pretty stout slushbox. However, the stock 700R4 in my 3/4 ton 1500 took many years of abuse beyond the advertised specifications. A 2000lb trailer would be no big deal IMO.