3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**GOPAPA** · 10-06-2021, 06:59 PM

Question first of all ,are any of you pulling a trailer with a 305 chevy engine and a 3:08 rear end? How much weight are you pulling ?
Second Question ,,can you take the gears out of a 3:08 rear end and put 3:42 gears back in it ?

72c20customcamper · 10-06-2021, 07:33 PM

Think you would be very underpowered and under geared. I tow an aluminum trailer with my 68 on it with my 72 350 and 4.11 rear . About 5k and I know it's back there . Had 3.08s in my burban 0to60 3 minutes

well it felt like it

Ziegelsteinfaust · 10-06-2021, 08:40 PM

You'll probably want 3.73's to tow with a 305 especially if it is a smogger version.

How much the trailer weigh?
Tire size or height?
Which transmission do you have?

I towed about 5,500 maybe 6000 pound box trailer with a 2.73 geared, and roller cammed 350 with about 325hp/425/tq. Built to roughly 95 Vortec specs, backed by a TH350 with a 2000rpm stall converter.

The truck was not a fan of getting it moving, and the converter would flash to about 3000 as I started rolling. Once rolling it was not a big deal, but the start was a deal.

At 55/60 I was at my stall speed so I often had to stay in 2nd to keep the converter "locked" up, but also for power as my rpm went from 2000 to 3000rpm roughly. So my friend who I was hauling the trailer for, and I. Just left stupid early in the morning to beat traffic, and only hit a bit once at the river.

**kwmech** · 10-06-2021, 08:43 PM

Transmission and tire size factor into this.

**Steeveedee** · 10-06-2021, 09:28 PM

Look up the trailering specs for that truck. I'm pulling a 6000 pound trailer with a 400 BBC and a 3.54 axle, and it is seriously lacking on hills.

57taskforce · 10-06-2021, 09:40 PM

3:08+305+trailer=major dog in my opinion.

**special-K** · 10-06-2021, 10:01 PM

Nice truck but not for towing your camper.

Warrens69GMC · 10-06-2021, 10:10 PM

Those tires look like 31x10.50x15's

Warrens69GMC · 10-06-2021, 10:15 PM

I would go 3.55 and a posi-trac or locker

71meangreenc10 · 10-06-2021, 10:22 PM

3.42 will work on your 3.08 carrier.

Smitty

TwoFiftyShifter · 10-06-2021, 11:08 PM

That truck would be a serious dog with that engine and gearing. No info on transmission? Seems like a newbie omission. If 700R4, dont bother. My dad has the same setup and truck. If a manual trans, not as terrible but still bad.

**cwcarpenter98** · 10-06-2021, 11:25 PM

I towed a 20ft, all steel car trailer with a C20 frame and bed on it. Used my 63 with the 283, 3 speed overdrive with overdrive locked out (3rd gear, 1:1), 3.73s, and 29" tall tire. It pulled ok, but it showed me that I don't really want to be towing a complete truck with my combo. I definitely needed the 3.73s to pull that trailer. Maybe would have done better with 4.10s

**kwmech** · 10-07-2021, 12:57 AM

That 86 should have a 700r4 and a 208 t-case. I'd go with at least a 4.10 or 4.56 with that tire size. A 4.10 in over drive equates out to a 2.87 final (4.10 x .7). With the 3.08 in overdrive you're pulling with a 2.1. I ran 4.56 in my older Suburban with a 700 pulling a 24ft travel trailer and it wasn't enough with 265-75r/16 (31s). That 'burb had a tbi 350. I was pulling it out of OD all the time to get anywhere on the hills around here. I just built (for a customer) an Explorer and he did the math with 35s and 5.13s. Runs great even with the V6

kipps · 10-07-2021, 01:39 AM

Play around with the numbers a bit on grimmjeeper.com. It's the best gear ratio calculator I've seen. Your cruising rpms at 60 mph should be above 2k for any power at all. 2500 would be good for a smaller engine like that.

A lot depends on how often you're pulling this trailer. If it's a one-time deal, just grin and bear it. If you plan to do it frequently, consider some serious upgrades. A larger engine and an overdrive transmission combined with a much shorter gear ratio should all be considered.

72c20customcamper · 10-07-2021, 10:00 AM

My 85 has a mild 350 basically built to pre smog specs with an RV cam ,2 inch exhaust ,upgraded 700r4 275/75r16 with 3.23 gears auxiliary trans cooler and I wouldn't pull a smal 2k trailer with it . 99% of the time I drive in D not OD on the highway OD doesn't work well with taller gears . Gas milage is pretty much the same

TwoFiftyShifter · 10-07-2021, 11:07 AM

I drove pops 84 K10 900 miles to deliver it. 350, 700R, 2.73 gears. Even empty, OD was useless, drive was OK at 70, and take off power was lousy. With a few thousand pounds, the tranny would die quickly.

**GOPAPA** · 10-07-2021, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

3.42 will work on your 3.08 carrier.

Smitty

Are you saying that I can take the gears out of the 3:08 rear end and install 3:42 back in it ?

**kwmech** · 10-07-2021, 02:49 PM

Yes --the 10 bolt rears do not have a carrier breaks unless you start with a 2.56 gear

67ChevyRedneck · 10-07-2021, 02:58 PM

For a 22' camper I'd highly recommend much more power, more gear, and more wheelbase, and honestly, probably more brakes, than that truck can provide.

Even when those trucks were new someone in your situation would have bought the 2500 longbed with a 454.

Some things were "OK" 30-40 years ago when everyone else on the road had the same under powered vehicles and crappy brakes and for the most part, most people probably drove a little slower than now. Today you have family cars and SUV's with 250-400 HP that can hit 0-60 in 5 seconds, stop in half the distance from anything 30 years ago, and cruise at 90 mph.

I guess if you're only going 30 minutes down the road to a local spot a few times a year it might get you by, but if you want to cruise the country... I wouldn't do it...

71meangreenc10 · 10-07-2021, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Are you saying that I can take the gears out of the 3:08 rear end and install 3:42 back in it ?

Yes, if you have an original 3.08 on the original carrier, you can install a 3.42 on it. I have done it many times.

https://www.randysworldwide.com/shop/yg-gm12t-342

Smitty

LONGHAIR · 10-07-2021, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

Yes --the 10 bolt rears do not have a carrier breaks unless you start with a 2.56 gear

Now, you want to talk about a slug....Those are the exact definition. I have replaced several of them over the years and no one is happy to hear that they have "the one" carrier that will not take any other gears. It is especially nice for the 4x4 guys, who get to buy two new carriers. Most are glad to see the Gov-Loc go (assuming it hasn't already) but it's an expensive up-grade.
If this is an automatic trans truck, I would definitely do this. You will kill a 700r4 in short order.

**GOPAPA** · 10-07-2021, 05:58 PM

[QUOTE=GOPAPA

I have bought the truck I want ,,waiting to have it brought from Oregon to me here in Idaho,, now I can park it easier in town in them narrow short parking spaces ..

Thx all of you ,,really appreciate the help with your input as it made me turn the truck down that I was thinking of getting ...

I like this one much better ($18,000)and bought it from a private party and got lots of information from them. It has a 10 bolt rear end ,you can help me with what all comes in a 10 bolt rear end .. and,,,, let me know if I need to change the gears or not..
What's your opinion on it .. what you like or don't like ? Also ..I got some money left over so I can give some to Jason and Liz for them having this great truck site..

then I am about broke again..

**kwmech** · 10-07-2021, 07:58 PM

Another short bed? what is the gear ratio? manual 4 speed is better for towing but you may still have issues with the wheelbase and brakes. How heavy is the trailer and is that 22' from tongue to bumper or 22' plus the tongue?

72c20customcamper · 10-07-2021, 08:01 PM

[quote=GOPAPA;8981344]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

I have bought the truck I want ,,waiting to have it brought from Oregon to me here in Idaho,, now I can park it easier in town in them narrow short parking spaces ..

Thx all of you ,,really appreciate the help with your input as it made me turn the truck down that I was thinking of getting ...

I like this one much better ($18,000)and bought it from a private party and got lots of information from them. It has a 10 bolt rear end ,you can help me with what all comes in a 10 bolt rear end .. and,,,, let me know if I need to change the gears or not..
What's your opinion on it .. what you like or don't like ? Also ..I got some money left over so I can give some to Jason and Liz for them having this great truck site.. :) then I am about broke again.. :)

[ATTACH

2137713[/ATTACH]

Attachment 2137714

Post the spid it should have the gearing listed.

Forgot to add nice truck

LT7A · 10-07-2021, 08:17 PM

That's a really neat truck, and I'm glad you're happy. That previous truck would struggle to push those tires let alone pull anything. And the weak point would have been the transmission if it was a 700 R4. The one you got with the manual should be stronger and you ought to be able to regear it do whatever you need. I would still be careful towing a 22 ft trailer with a short wheelbase truck.

10-06-2021, 06:59 PM	#1
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,424	3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Question first of all ,are any of you pulling a trailer with a 305 chevy engine and a 3:08 rear end? How much weight are you pulling ? Second Question ,,can you take the gears out of a 3:08 rear end and put 3:42 gears back in it ? __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

10-06-2021, 07:33 PM	#2
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,268	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Think you would be very underpowered and under geared. I tow an aluminum trailer with my 68 on it with my 72 350 and 4.11 rear . About 5k and I know it's back there . Had 3.08s in my burban 0to60 3 minutes well it felt like it __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.

10-06-2021, 08:40 PM	#3
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,569	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer You'll probably want 3.73's to tow with a 305 especially if it is a smogger version. How much the trailer weigh? Tire size or height? Which transmission do you have? I towed about 5,500 maybe 6000 pound box trailer with a 2.73 geared, and roller cammed 350 with about 325hp/425/tq. Built to roughly 95 Vortec specs, backed by a TH350 with a 2000rpm stall converter. The truck was not a fan of getting it moving, and the converter would flash to about 3000 as I started rolling. Once rolling it was not a big deal, but the start was a deal. At 55/60 I was at my stall speed so I often had to stay in 2nd to keep the converter "locked" up, but also for power as my rpm went from 2000 to 3000rpm roughly. So my friend who I was hauling the trailer for, and I. Just left stupid early in the morning to beat traffic, and only hit a bit once at the river.

10-06-2021, 08:43 PM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,426	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Transmission and tire size factor into this.

10-06-2021, 09:28 PM	#5
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,214	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Look up the trailering specs for that truck. I'm pulling a 6000 pound trailer with a 400 BBC and a 3.54 axle, and it is seriously lacking on hills. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

10-06-2021, 09:40 PM	#6
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Farmington, New Mexico Posts: 6,274	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer 3:08+305+trailer=major dog in my opinion. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0

10-06-2021, 10:01 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Nice truck but not for towing your camper. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-06-2021, 10:10 PM	#8
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,613	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Those tires look like 31x10.50x15's Attached Images

10-06-2021, 10:15 PM	#9
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,613	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer I would go 3.55 and a posi-trac or locker

10-06-2021, 10:22 PM	#10
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,159	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer 3.42 will work on your 3.08 carrier. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time

10-06-2021, 11:08 PM	#11
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer That truck would be a serious dog with that engine and gearing. No info on transmission? Seems like a newbie omission. If 700R4, dont bother. My dad has the same setup and truck. If a manual trans, not as terrible but still bad. __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!

10-06-2021, 11:25 PM	#12
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,436	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer I towed a 20ft, all steel car trailer with a C20 frame and bed on it. Used my 63 with the 283, 3 speed overdrive with overdrive locked out (3rd gear, 1:1), 3.73s, and 29" tall tire. It pulled ok, but it showed me that I don't really want to be towing a complete truck with my combo. I definitely needed the 3.73s to pull that trailer. Maybe would have done better with 4.10s __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

10-07-2021, 12:57 AM	#13
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,426	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer That 86 should have a 700r4 and a 208 t-case. I'd go with at least a 4.10 or 4.56 with that tire size. A 4.10 in over drive equates out to a 2.87 final (4.10 x .7). With the 3.08 in overdrive you're pulling with a 2.1. I ran 4.56 in my older Suburban with a 700 pulling a 24ft travel trailer and it wasn't enough with 265-75r/16 (31s). That 'burb had a tbi 350. I was pulling it out of OD all the time to get anywhere on the hills around here. I just built (for a customer) an Explorer and he did the math with 35s and 5.13s. Runs great even with the V6

10-07-2021, 01:39 AM	#14
kipps Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North-central Virginia Posts: 1,099	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Play around with the numbers a bit on grimmjeeper.com. It's the best gear ratio calculator I've seen. Your cruising rpms at 60 mph should be above 2k for any power at all. 2500 would be good for a smaller engine like that. A lot depends on how often you're pulling this trailer. If it's a one-time deal, just grin and bear it. If you plan to do it frequently, consider some serious upgrades. A larger engine and an overdrive transmission combined with a much shorter gear ratio should all be considered. __________________ 1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome! Last edited by kipps; 10-07-2021 at 10:29 AM.

10-07-2021, 10:00 AM	#15
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,268	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer My 85 has a mild 350 basically built to pre smog specs with an RV cam ,2 inch exhaust ,upgraded 700r4 275/75r16 with 3.23 gears auxiliary trans cooler and I wouldn't pull a smal 2k trailer with it . 99% of the time I drive in D not OD on the highway OD doesn't work well with taller gears . Gas milage is pretty much the same __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.



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10-07-2021, 11:07 AM	#16
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer I drove pops 84 K10 900 miles to deliver it. 350, 700R, 2.73 gears. Even empty, OD was useless, drive was OK at 70, and take off power was lousy. With a few thousand pounds, the tranny would die quickly. __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!

10-07-2021, 02:49 PM	#18
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,426	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Yes --the 10 bolt rears do not have a carrier breaks unless you start with a 2.56 gear

10-07-2021, 02:58 PM	#19
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer For a 22' camper I'd highly recommend much more power, more gear, and more wheelbase, and honestly, probably more brakes, than that truck can provide. Even when those trucks were new someone in your situation would have bought the 2500 longbed with a 454. Some things were "OK" 30-40 years ago when everyone else on the road had the same under powered vehicles and crappy brakes and for the most part, most people probably drove a little slower than now. Today you have family cars and SUV's with 250-400 HP that can hit 0-60 in 5 seconds, stop in half the distance from anything 30 years ago, and cruise at 90 mph. I guess if you're only going 30 minutes down the road to a local spot a few times a year it might get you by, but if you want to cruise the country... I wouldn't do it... __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

10-07-2021, 05:58 PM	#22
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,424	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer [QUOTE=GOPAPA I have bought the truck I want ,,waiting to have it brought from Oregon to me here in Idaho,, now I can park it easier in town in them narrow short parking spaces .. Thx all of you ,,really appreciate the help with your input as it made me turn the truck down that I was thinking of getting ... I like this one much better ($18,000)and bought it from a private party and got lots of information from them. It has a 10 bolt rear end ,you can help me with what all comes in a 10 bolt rear end .. and,,,, let me know if I need to change the gears or not.. What's your opinion on it .. what you like or don't like ? Also ..I got some money left over so I can give some to Jason and Liz for them having this great truck site.. then I am about broke again.. __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

10-07-2021, 07:58 PM	#23
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,426	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer Another short bed? what is the gear ratio? manual 4 speed is better for towing but you may still have issues with the wheelbase and brakes. How heavy is the trailer and is that 22' from tongue to bumper or 22' plus the tongue?

10-07-2021, 08:17 PM	#25
LT7A Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: PNW Posts: 3,545	Re: 3.08 Rear end pulling a 22 ft. Travel Trailer That's a really neat truck, and I'm glad you're happy. That previous truck would struggle to push those tires let alone pull anything. And the weak point would have been the transmission if it was a 700 R4. The one you got with the manual should be stronger and you ought to be able to regear it do whatever you need. I would still be careful towing a 22 ft trailer with a short wheelbase truck.

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