Quote:
Originally Posted by JKady
Newer trucks have better brakes, generally more power, 4-6 speed transmissions, stronger frames, etc... Power is nothing without brakes and suspension to control the load. You can make an old truck pass everything but a gas station with a huge trailer behind it, making it stop and control that trailer is a much larger task. I would rather hook my boss's CC/LB Duramax equipped Sierra 3500 to a trailer than my C10 any day of the week.
My dad has had a '70 F100 for going on 25 years now, and did everything he could to make it tow better (load leveling air bags, heavier springs, better tires, best trailer brake controller he could buy at the time), you could still see "the tail wag the dog" so to speak if you were following him with much of a trailer behind it. His 04 F150 with the 7 lug heavy tow package that is bone stock (Aside from transfering said brake controller) you'd almost forget there's a trailer behind it. Both half tons, both make similar HP numbers, I'd almost bet that the '70 would walk the new truck in a drag race, but it can't hold a candle to it towing.
Yeah good brakes, fuel mileage and overdrive transmissions are for the birds!  I love my old truck for its simplicity and looks, but I have no intentions of setting it up to tow for a reason. |
Why do people think the brakes are bad on these trucks? Think and do what you want...I do,and I won't call you
for being different from me. Ever wonder how people survived back before all these amenities? Not all newer trucks get great fuel economy,either. My '72 K2500 gets 12.5 mpg,has a 5th wheel set-up that's been in there for 40 years,and I've never had a single problem from my non-overdrive transmission. I took my family from Maryland to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon,all over the Southwest,and back to Maryland in our '71 C/20 with a big camper on it when it was 18 years old and all original. What a great time that was and memories to last forever. It handled great and rolled right along with everyone else just fine. Of course,we got a lot of compliments at all the campgrounds and gas stations. If I had payments I would have been home working that month. I can buy a lot of gas with the money saved on payments and big shop rates when repairs are needed. As the newer trucks age they become too costly to repair to be cost effective.
Here in Maryland the speed limit on interstates is 65. Back in '72 it was 70.