Towing with these trucks?
 

So...
I'm just curious, but what would you tow with one of these trucks?
I'm running an LS type 4.8 / 4L60E / stock rear end, 12" front brakes & hydroboost.
My first thought was "Hey, if the Silverado with this setup was good to 9,000 lbs, mine should be too" but I'm beginning to reconsider. Rear diff strength, engine cooling fan capacity, kingpin front end vs the new IFS, etc...
Any rules of thumb on how to gauge the capacity for this or is it a SWAG (scientific wild @$$ guess) situation?

Re: Towing with these trucks?
 

I pulled an enclosed 6x12 trailer for 2hrs of 2lane relatively flat hwy. I have a 8.5" ten bolt with 3.42s, 5.3l, 4l60e, and stock rear springs w/ air shocks. I thought tongue weight would be an issue(thus the air shocks) but that wasnt the case. What was an issue is the truck is so light and the trailer catches so much air resistance that cross winds and semis passing makes things interesting. Power wise it pulled it fine and rarely downshifted out of overdrive but I also babied it and I drive like a grandpa

Re: Towing with these trucks?
 

My truck axles are nearly stock. I pulled an enclosed U-haul single axle from MT to just outside Indy where the hub came off. Then I transferred my stuff to a tandem axle trailer and continued my trip to MA. The leather axle seal on the LH side started to weep but it stopped after sitting and hasn't leaked again in 15 years.

Re: Towing with these trucks?
 

I don't know about towing but my truck in 4wd set up is about 4500#, but I have crossed the dump scales at 6200# with rocks and conc in the back. I did have air shocks on it a the time too. The hitch I put on is rated at 500 tongue/5000 trailer or 1000/10000 with a weight distributing setup. We plan on getting a 16-20' travel trailer at some point. I was worried about it a little, but then joined a vintage trailer group that show lots of photos of people in the 50's towing 22' Airstreams with their cars. One of the members here has an AD burb that he tows an Airstream with without any problems.

Re: Towing with these trucks?
 

When I first purchased my 59 I was restoring a 100 year old house. Made a trip to the dump with 3000 lbs of plaster with no problems. I also towed a flat trailer with a race car to the track every weekend. The truck was stock other than the 307 v8 someone threw in there at some point. The trailer had bakes and I had no issues. As long as you tow smart, as you should do towing with anything, you should not have any problems. These things were made to be work horses from the factory.....

Re: Towing with these trucks?
 

The people are in their '50s but how old were the vehicles???

-->Just joking.

Re: Towing with these trucks?
 

I tow a 1968 Airstream 28' travel trailer, 6400#, 620# tonque weight, with my 68 Chevy C20 Custom Camper. Has a Dna 60 rear and heavy leaf spring pack., 2005 5.3 and 4L60e. No problems so far. I use weight distributing hitch and frictioon sway bar. Without both you feel the suck and blow when a semi passes you. Also use electronic break controller with the trailer brakes. If its not dialed in right takes a while to stop, and I have disk breaks front with hydroboost. Also put additional tranny cooling in line with the radiator cooler. Helps to keep temps down. Just drive slower and take your time turning, slowing, accelerating and everything else and you should be good. Leave lots of room in front too. Good luck Jim. Oh, and double check everything on your walk arounds. My trailer side hitch wedge retainer failed and released the trailer from the ball on this one.
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...10328-1059.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...m/IMG_0878.jpg

Re: Towing with these trucks?
 

I'm running a built 250, 700r4, 373s and an additional trans cooler. I boxed the frame in the rear and have no problems towing our 20' 1960 4500lb Avion with a weight distribution hitch and sway control. Have aslo towed the car trailer loaded and just drive more cautiously. Should probobly upgrade from the single coffin can and 4 wheel drum one day, until then the brake controller does well.