Heavy towing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gabet40 · 01-19-2021, 12:18 AM

I just picked up a 71 Blazer. What is the factory towing capacity? I'd love to be able to pull a 10k lb. trailer/toy hauler.
Obviously an electronic brake controller, but what else would be necessary? Beefing up the frame? Heavier brakes?

**truckster** · 01-19-2021, 12:29 AM

Let's start with letting gravity do its job:

**kwmech** · 01-19-2021, 01:29 AM

10k with that short wheel base and 1/2 ton brakes---not practical.

**lks dcvn** · 01-19-2021, 01:54 AM

**DeadheadNM** · 01-19-2021, 08:37 AM

There are a few threads on the topic if you try a search. Here’s one example: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806020

**truckster** · 01-19-2021, 01:42 PM

Your 2016 Silverado should handle the job well. I wouldn't recommend the Blazer for the job.

I used my Blazer to tow a car hauler with a 79 Camaro on it about 40 miles on the freeway. Once. Now my Yukon gets those jobs.

hemi43 · 01-19-2021, 06:40 PM

Good luck with that !!
I pull an empty 4100LB 17ft toy hauler 3 1/2 hours once a year to a car show, and it's not fun. I used to pull a 2500LB popup trailer and it was fine, but I would say that's the maximum. Even with the best brakes in the world and lots of power, the real problem is the 104" wheelbase that you can't do anything about. Someone mentioned your 2016 Silverado, but unless it's at least a 3/4 ton, it will be just as unsafe pulling 10000 lbs regardless what the dealer says it will pull.

RustyBucket · 01-20-2021, 10:41 AM

I can't remember what I had in the car trailer, maybe the Nova & golf cart. Obviously it was loaded way nose heavy. Didn't tow it any where just moved some stuff around the property. The thread reminded me of the picture.

coyote72 · 02-04-2021, 06:03 PM

I think it really has to do with how you setup the Blazer. Trailer brakes and a weight distribution setup with sway control is how I run my setup. Not sure what our 21' toybox weighs but with a manx buggy, kids bikes, 140gal of water and all the other crap inside I would bet its still under 10k. As long as you keep it under 75 it doesn't talk back too much (unless I'm used to it now). I've done a number of drivetrain, brake and suspension upgrades and its been good. Still running manual steeling; probably make 5-6 trips a year. Also use it to drag a number of other fun things around. Good luck!

01-19-2021, 12:18 AM	#1
gabet40 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 565	Heavy towing I just picked up a 71 Blazer. What is the factory towing capacity? I'd love to be able to pull a 10k lb. trailer/toy hauler. Obviously an electronic brake controller, but what else would be necessary? Beefing up the frame? Heavier brakes? Attached Images __________________ Current owner of 2016 2500 Silverado Midnight Edition. Former owner of: 69 1/2 ton, change from long/fleet to short/fleet, shaved door handles, shaved tailgate, 4/6 drop, power windows, 700r4 72 blazer, 350 with Holley Commander 950 DFI, crane energizer cam, 350 tranny, dual sanderson blockhuggers/magnaflow exhaust

01-19-2021, 12:29 AM	#2
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,789	Re: Heavy towing Let's start with letting gravity do its job: Attached Images __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

01-19-2021, 01:29 AM	#3
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,382	Re: Heavy towing 10k with that short wheel base and 1/2 ton brakes---not practical.

01-19-2021, 01:54 AM	#4
lks dcvn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4,338	Re: Heavy towing

01-19-2021, 08:37 AM	#5
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,277	Re: Heavy towing There are a few threads on the topic if you try a search. Here’s one example: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806020 __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

01-19-2021, 01:42 PM	#6
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,789	Re: Heavy towing Your 2016 Silverado should handle the job well. I wouldn't recommend the Blazer for the job. I used my Blazer to tow a car hauler with a 79 Camaro on it about 40 miles on the freeway. Once. Now my Yukon gets those jobs. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

01-19-2021, 06:40 PM	#7
hemi43 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,497	Re: Heavy towing Good luck with that !! I pull an empty 4100LB 17ft toy hauler 3 1/2 hours once a year to a car show, and it's not fun. I used to pull a 2500LB popup trailer and it was fine, but I would say that's the maximum. Even with the best brakes in the world and lots of power, the real problem is the 104" wheelbase that you can't do anything about. Someone mentioned your 2016 Silverado, but unless it's at least a 3/4 ton, it will be just as unsafe pulling 10000 lbs regardless what the dealer says it will pull. Last edited by hemi43; 01-19-2021 at 06:46 PM.

01-20-2021, 10:41 AM	#8
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,050	Re: Heavy towing I can't remember what I had in the car trailer, maybe the Nova & golf cart. Obviously it was loaded way nose heavy. Didn't tow it any where just moved some stuff around the property. The thread reminded me of the picture. Attached Images __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!

02-04-2021, 06:03 PM	#9
coyote72 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 191	Re: Heavy towing I think it really has to do with how you setup the Blazer. Trailer brakes and a weight distribution setup with sway control is how I run my setup. Not sure what our 21' toybox weighs but with a manx buggy, kids bikes, 140gal of water and all the other crap inside I would bet its still under 10k. As long as you keep it under 75 it doesn't talk back too much (unless I'm used to it now). I've done a number of drivetrain, brake and suspension upgrades and its been good. Still running manual steeling; probably make 5-6 trips a year. Also use it to drag a number of other fun things around. Good luck! Attached Images __________________ 72 K5 4x4 350 70 Nova 454 5spd 4-link

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