Towing????

[rixjohnson]

while towing my trailer i feel like my truck is struggling to haul it ,my trucks a 84 c20_454 th400 3.73 gears trailer weight loaded is only 4000lbs truck and ttailer plus me 9000lbs should i be feelin that trailer or what could be my problem pleez help ,thanx to all
Posted via Mobile Devicepic of truck and trailer its 20 foot long trailer if that helps

[DetroitDan]

doesn't seem like it should struggle. The tires are a little taller than stock, and the 3.73 gears are little taller than most, but the 454 oughta be able to overcome that much weight. I'd start looking at tire pressure on the truck and trailer, make sure they're all up to max, then look at the alignment, you're trucks probably fine but the trailer could be ought of whack and fighting you. Check for dragging or rusted trailer brakes, and ensure that you're load is centered on the trailer. Too much or too little tongue weight makes a trailer misbehave. Actually, while you're at it check the wheel bearings on the trailer too, they go bad with age and/or lack of lubrication. Take it for a ride and check the wheels/tires for excessive heat, that can pinpoint it for you.
Lastly I'd look at the tune of the truck. Particularly ignition timing, if it's not right it could falter under a load. Lots of things don't really raise their ugly head until you put it under a load.
Good luck

[DetroitDan]

I have a similar trailer that I tow all sorts of things on, mostly used it for landscaping when I had my mowing biz. My diesel never knew it was there, even with a full size Chevy pickup on it. I towed it last month with my wifes 01 1500 suburban with some equipment on it and never felt it either. I haven't towed it with my 454 yet. I also have a bunch of atvs that I plan on towing this year. I did have a 97 Tahoe that wouldn't tow my atvs to save it's life. I don't know what was wrong with that thing, I think it had tranny issues, but it drove fine except with a little trailer and atvs, it fought me every step of the way. Tranny hunted wicked bad, would downshift two gears to try to climb a hill. My 04 Avalanche 1500 towed it ok, not great but just ok.

IDK, but it seems like your truck ought to pull that easy. I'd really look at the trailer, make sure the bearings and brakes are all free, and that the tires and axles are all pointed in the same direction. Let us know what you find.

[Keith Seymore]

You shouldn't be feeling it back there.

I've towed my 4000 lb open trailer (about 4600 lbs, actually; 3600 lbs of car and 1000 lbs trailer) with my V6 pickup with no problems.

K

[blakeduren]

What condition is the 454 in? I didn't realize how bad my 454 until I tried to pull a big trailer on the highway...it decided to let the #1 piston go. Turns out my cam lobes were VERY worn out on a couple cylinders.
Mileage ? Tune up?

[rixjohnson]

Engine was rebuilt 1 year ago maybe 1500 miles on it ill start checking things out today thanks for all the replies
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[rixjohnson]

Could it be something with my trans?
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[Edahall]

Sounds like your engine is not putting out the power it should. You should not hardly be able to feel 4000 lbs back there.

[fgrecycling]

yea somethings wrong I pull 15k all the time with a 90 r30 with 454 all stock little slugish from the start but it moves just fine

[rixjohnson]

So i went to visit an engine builder today and we took a drive and he said engine sounds fine ,but when i floored it he said it should take off faster than what it did.he says my carb needs to be changed and i need to hook my passing gear.does the passing gear make a big difference? He also reccomends a holley double pumper carb mines is a edelbrock single pump,what do you guys think?
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[lindstromjd]

Originally Posted by rixjohnson

So i went to visit an engine builder today and we took a drive and he said engine sounds fine ,but when i floored it he said it should take off faster than what it did.he says my carb needs to be changed and i need to hook my passing gear.does the passing gear make a big difference? He also reccomends a holley double pumper carb mines is a edelbrock single pump,what do you guys think?
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Passing gear makes a difference for when you're really getting into the throttle and want the transmission to downshift. Or if you've got a big load and then it stops the transmission from shifting too soon.

What size Edlebrock do you have? I'd say the double pumper Holley would be ok in a 750-ish range. The 454 should be able to handle it pretty easily.

[rixjohnson]

Originally Posted by lindstromjd

Passing gear makes a difference for when you're really getting into the throttle and want the transmission to downshift. Or if you've got a big load and then it stops the transmission from shifting too soon.

What size Edlebrock do you have? I'd say the double pumper Holley would be ok in a 750-ish range. The 454 should be able to handle it pretty easily.

Single pump 750
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[baclay9]

Agree something isn't right. We pull a 38' fifth wheel behind a similiar truck with a 17' boat behind that. Not going to say you can't tell its there but it pulls it with no problem.

[DetroitDan]

I know the rest of the world likes them, but personally I hate Holleys. Never had a one I didn't have to adjust regularly. In contrast, I have had several Edelbrock 600s on smallblocks. Usually the first thing I'd do upon buying a truck would be to toss the old gummed up q-jet and toss a 1406 on it. Bolt it down, shut the hood and forget about it. Literally never have to touch it again.

That being said, I've always know the quadrajet is a great carburetor, only problem is when they get old and dirty they don't function properly. Was just easier to replace them. This time though I am keeping the q-jet, it's out being rebuilt right now. Nothing will get you better mileage and power at the same time as a fresh quadrajet imo. They're still available everywhere for short money, rebuild kit is about $20 or you can send it out for not much over $100 (around here anyway). Or you can just order a new one out of Summit or Jegs if you've got the cash.

[rayfinseats]

The carb thing sounds like BS but you may feel the weight when you take off. I used to feel the weight on bumps alot. Mine was stock 350 automatic and about 4500 pound trailer.

[Goldfinger]

There is definitely something wrong with that. my 305 1/2 ton can pull the that weight without breaking a sweat. stopping is a different story. check the bearings and tires. grease any fittings you can find. does it feel heavy at the throttle or the whole vehicle? if the whole vehicle upgrade your shocks and suspension if the engine check for drag and proper lubrication. also you may have to tune the carb a little richer for more power.

[DetroitDan]

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

There is definitely something wrong with that. my 305 1/2 ton can pull the that weight without breaking a sweat. stopping is a different story.

Shouldn't be a different story, because anything over 3000lbs is legally required to have brakes. If you tow more than that without trailer brakes and rely on the pickups brakes, then you're crazy. Not just the stopping, but if you get a sway condition trailer brakes will save it. I have recovered a ton of upside down trailers and campers in the middle of the highway because the operator didn't think they needed trailer brakes.

[DetroitDan]

My guy called me today to say he finished rebuilding my q-jet. He said it had a broken spring in the accelerator pump and the choke vacuum hose was split, he was surprised the truck even ran. It ran good, just didn't have any power when I stepped on it. For putting around normal driving it worked fine. But I'm sure that if I tried to tow anything with it, it would have fallen flat on it's face. Putting it back on this afternoon, I can't wait! Goind to change the plugs and check the timing while I'm at it, maybe a cap and rotor too.

[rixjohnson]

Okay did a compression check yesterday all was good,one thing is the carb is runnin lean and we checked the timing and it was low so now total timing is at 36.im gonna be gettin a holley 750 dp soon
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[nelsonadam84]

I would save your money as Holleys and Chevys don't seem to like each other. The things i would check would be make sure all links and hoses are hooked up to the carb and dist. Make sure you don't have a vacuum leak as that will mess every thing up. I would also check the trans fluid for color and if foaming. Could have a bad or dirty filter. But checking every thing on the truck and trailer is a good idea. Might have a brake sticking.

[b454rat]

Why a 750?? My old 84 had a 454 with a 600 Edelbrock on it, thing would pull a house down.

Better throttle response, mileage (if you keep your foot out of it) and more torque with a smaller carb.

[powerdriver 1958]

Please rethink the double pumper , I don't care for a double pumper on a daily driver .