3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 01-01-2010, 01:50 PM

When I first got into these trucks I wanted a 4x4 1/2 ton pick up. Later I realized since I use a truck for hauling and towing, a K20 would be a better choice. That's what I have now and feel like it was a good decision for the things I use a truck for.

But I was wondering does the same hold true for a burb? Most people really don't haul a lot inside the burb, but they do make great family haulers while pulling trailers and boats and such.

Several of my friends and I like to trek down to Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats. We have been kicking around the idea of putting together a burb and getting an older large camper (something with a shower) to pull down there. Hotels are crazy expensive during the race days (they jack the prices up).

I have a 4x4 burb stashed away, an ex 3/4 ton converted to half. I was thinking we could use this with some helper bags in the rear. Front and rear sway bars etc. Or do you guys that pull large trailers think this is a bad idea and we should switch it back to 3/4 ton?

Thanks for any thoughts on this. We all have other projects right now, so we have a year or two to plan this out.

**71blksuper4x4** · 01-01-2010, 02:55 PM

CG, I would convert it back to 3/4 if you are going to pull something pretty stout behind it. Make sure to put some 3/4 springs maybe even 1 ton springs under it to support the load. I would also reinforce a hitch with some crossmembers and such. Not saying a half ton wouldn't do it, but those springs sure help out a bunch for weight, and with half tons they tend to squat really bad with a load. Trevor

**special-K** · 01-01-2010, 04:27 PM

I like 3/4t.It`s really not that much more capacity.I`d rather risk having overkill in a 3/4t than wonder if I`m a bit too loaded in a 1/2t.Suburbans feel heavy compared to trucks to me.There`s more body roll and sway,it seems.Figure 4-5 grown men is a bit of a load in itself.You still have a shortbed behind the second seat,too.I`ve never felt like I had too much truck in a 3/4t,even empty.

BLAZERMAN · 01-01-2010, 05:09 PM

I'm with the rest on going 3/4 ton, the extra load capacity is worth it but the safety of a full floating rear is what I really like. I remember back in the 80s when I saw a 1/2 truck that was pulling a camper, it was a family visiting here from Florida and they broke an axle on a rural highway....it was not a pretty site!

msgross · 01-01-2010, 05:24 PM

I would go 3/4 ton just to hold the beer for a party like that!

**Stocker** · 01-01-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

I'm with the rest on going 3/4 ton, the extra load capacity is worth it but the safety of a full floating rear is what I really like.

Absolutely!

**special-K** · 01-01-2010, 07:13 PM

Yeah,I`m with Blazerman.That`s what I meant by overkill,which it isn`t IMO:full-floating axle...of a heavier design with larger bearings AND bigger brakes.Better safe than...

CG · 01-01-2010, 09:44 PM

Ok thanks for the input fellas. We were sitting around last night playing cards and doing a little bench building of a burb.

01-01-2010, 01:50 PM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,789	3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 When I first got into these trucks I wanted a 4x4 1/2 ton pick up. Later I realized since I use a truck for hauling and towing, a K20 would be a better choice. That's what I have now and feel like it was a good decision for the things I use a truck for. But I was wondering does the same hold true for a burb? Most people really don't haul a lot inside the burb, but they do make great family haulers while pulling trailers and boats and such. Several of my friends and I like to trek down to Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats. We have been kicking around the idea of putting together a burb and getting an older large camper (something with a shower) to pull down there. Hotels are crazy expensive during the race days (they jack the prices up). I have a 4x4 burb stashed away, an ex 3/4 ton converted to half. I was thinking we could use this with some helper bags in the rear. Front and rear sway bars etc. Or do you guys that pull large trailers think this is a bad idea and we should switch it back to 3/4 ton? Thanks for any thoughts on this. We all have other projects right now, so we have a year or two to plan this out.

01-01-2010, 02:55 PM	#2
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,150	Re: 3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 CG, I would convert it back to 3/4 if you are going to pull something pretty stout behind it. Make sure to put some 3/4 springs maybe even 1 ton springs under it to support the load. I would also reinforce a hitch with some crossmembers and such. Not saying a half ton wouldn't do it, but those springs sure help out a bunch for weight, and with half tons they tend to squat really bad with a load. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

01-01-2010, 04:27 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 I like 3/4t.It`s really not that much more capacity.I`d rather risk having overkill in a 3/4t than wonder if I`m a bit too loaded in a 1/2t.Suburbans feel heavy compared to trucks to me.There`s more body roll and sway,it seems.Figure 4-5 grown men is a bit of a load in itself.You still have a shortbed behind the second seat,too.I`ve never felt like I had too much truck in a 3/4t,even empty. __________________ "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 ~

01-01-2010, 05:09 PM	#4
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: 3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 I'm with the rest on going 3/4 ton, the extra load capacity is worth it but the safety of a full floating rear is what I really like. I remember back in the 80s when I saw a 1/2 truck that was pulling a camper, it was a family visiting here from Florida and they broke an axle on a rural highway....it was not a pretty site! __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

01-01-2010, 05:24 PM	#5
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: 3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 I would go 3/4 ton just to hold the beer for a party like that! __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

01-01-2010, 07:13 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 Yeah,I`m with Blazerman.That`s what I meant by overkill,which it isn`t IMO:full-floating axle...of a heavier design with larger bearings AND bigger brakes.Better safe than... __________________ "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 ~

01-01-2010, 09:44 PM	#8
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,789	Re: 3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton in a burb 4x4 Ok thanks for the input fellas. We were sitting around last night playing cards and doing a little bench building of a burb.



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