Thinking about converting pickup to tow truck

[silverstreak]

Many of my friends and family members have come to rely on me to repair and maintain their vehicles. Recently I've been thinking about getting a car trailer or tow dolly. I've even considered getting an old Chevy tow truck or rollback as another project. (like I really need another) I saw this the other day I have been thinking about it ever since. http://www.liftandtow.com/products.html

I have a 71 C20 I was thinking about mounting it on. Does anyone on here have one on their 67-72 C20/C30? I'm interested on your thoughts / suggestions. Thanks.

[junkyardjohn]

I HAVE A 68 C30 TOWTRUCK. IT'S THE OLD SCHOOL TYPE WITHOUT A WHEEL LIFT. IT'S GREAT FOR TOWING OLD RWD VEHICALS. I'VE TOWED QUITE A FEW OF THE NEWER FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS WITH IT, BUT IT'S A CHANCY PROPOSITION. THEY HAVE TO BE TOWED BY THE FRONT IF THE MOTORS NOT RUNNING & IT'S VERY EASY TO BREAK ALL THE PLASTIC ON THESE NEWER CARS. IT'S GREAT FOR TOWING AROUND MY OLD STUFF. I DROVE IT FROM CARSON CITY NEVADA TO MY NEW PLACE IN SOMERSET KY. TOWING A 72 SHORT FLEET ON THE HOOK 2340 MILES. I DON'T KNOW HOW ANY TRUCK NUT CAN GET BY WITHOUT ONE. I LOVE MINE, & WITH A SMALL BLOCK IT ALWAYS GOT AS GOOD A GAS MILLIAGE AS ANY OLD TRUCK I'VE EVER OWNED. (READ THAT NOT VERY GOOD BY 2010 STANDARDS). RIGHT NOW IT'S NON-OP WITH A 350-SM465-PTO DRIVEN WINCH. I'VE HAD THE FRONT WHEELS TWO FOOT IN THE AIR WHILE PULLING BIG HEAVY TRUCKS OUT OF THE MUD.(A TAMDEN AXEL DUMP TRUCK LOADED WITH 17 TONS OF GRAVEL COMES TO MIND) I'VE GOT A FRESH 396 & T-400 TO GO IN IT & I'M GONNA GO WITH A 10 OR 12000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH, WHILE RETAINING MY WINCH TRANNY & SPOOL. I JUST WANT TO DRIVE IT WITH AN ELECTRIC WINCH BECAUSE I'M GOING WITH AN AUTO. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN MY SM465 WITH A PTO TRANNY, I'D SWAP IT FOR A GOOD WINCH. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SPOOL END ON IT AS I PLAN ON PUTTING A GEAR ON IT'S OUTPUT SHAFT & DRIVING MY BOOM TRANSMISSION WITH IT INSTEAD OF A PTO TRANNY. GAWD I LOVE IT. JOHN

[junkyardjohn]

HERES A PIC. FROM THE ARCHIVES TAKEN IN NEVADA. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097346201 ANOTHER http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097346201 YET ANOTHER http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1067738987 MORE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1042575968 COULDN'T RESIST SHOWING IT OFF http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1023844851 DAM SHOWOFF http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1026861153 SOMEBODY STOP ME.. QUICK!! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1024854440 I SURELY & SORELY MISS THE RUSTFREE SHEETMETAL OF THE DESERT, BUTT I WOULDN'T LEAVE THE GREEN APPALATION MOUNTAIN AREA FOR LOVE, MONEY OR OLD TRUCKS. JOHN

[capev86]

tow trucks are awesome if that is what you are starting with, but a regular pickup is more useful rig for all the other stuff you may end up using it for.

put a rugged hitch and full trailer harness on your truck and get a tow dolly or trailer with brakes. make sure it will handle the biggest vehicles you will haul with it. my dad and i managed to squeeze the back end of an 84 burb on his good sized tow dolly and the trip to the junk yard was "interesting" and thankfully short.

i bought my 72 burb c20 for heavy towing duties as well as lookin' pretty at car shows!

[mrein3]

You'll need insurance for such a proposition. Call your insurance guy and ask what it would cost to cover such a vehicle. I bet you change your mind.

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by mrein3

You'll need insurance for such a proposition. Call your insurance guy and ask what it would cost to cover such a vehicle. I bet you change your mind.

IN BOTH OF THE STATES THAT I'VE LIVED IN SINCE I'VE HAD MY TOWTRUCK (KY & NV.) YOU DON'T (OR DIDN'T) NEED ANY SPECIAL INSURANCE AS LONG AS IT WAS NOT FOR HIRE. BUT I WOULD SURELY INVESTIGATE IT BEFORE I INVESTED A TON OF MONEY INTO YOU'RE PROJECT AS THE LAWS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING, & SELDOM FOR THE BETTER OF THE LITTLE GUY. THATS THE MAIN REASON MY 69 IS REGISTERED AS A CLASSIC & ONLY FOR PERSONAL USE & ENJOYMENT. JOHN

[cdowns]

the insurance question is a biggey and there r some states where registration is an issue also// things to check b4 the leap

[Jack_71C10]

That hidden tow rig is cool, and you still have your whole bed and tailgate usable. I think it would work muck better on a one ton.

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by silverstreak

Many of my friends and family members have come to rely on me to repair and maintain their vehicles. Recently I've been thinking about getting a car trailer or tow dolly. I've even considered getting an old Chevy tow truck or rollback as another project. (like I really need another) I saw this the other day I have been thinking about it ever since. http://www.liftandtow.com/products.html

I have a 71 C20 I was thinking about mounting it on. Does anyone on here have one on their 67-72 C20/C30? I'm interested on your thoughts / suggestions. Thanks.

I went through the same decision process a while back. I wanted something to haul cars to car shows. It had to be safe (ie: I didn't think it was a good idea to tow a 4000lbs vehicle on a trailer behind another 4000lbs vehicle).

Now........I'm biased to the idea of getting a C30 with a rollback on it or make one yourself.

The one thing I like about a rollback is that you can haul anything with it, from a car, to a washing machine, to a stack of drywall, to a 40-ft ladder.

The best improvement was when I made removable stake sides for mine.

It's registered as an antique, which means I can only use it occasionally, with the most use being car shows (fine by me!). The antique registration gets me away from the "commercial vehicle" registration and inspection issues (expensive!) here in PA.