Newer trucks vs. Older trucks

[brianthelion02]

In a recent towing with question it was brought up that a newer truck is superior to an older truck via better handling and better brakes as well as being heavier.Thoughts?
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[yuccales]

I've pulled our Jayco behind our 69 a couple of times. The old Chevy did ok, but the drum brakes and lack of power steering takes the fun out of it. When I pull with the GMC (duramax/allison) it makes for a much more relaxing trip. And of course there's no comparing the 350 to the Duramax. I feel very safe pulling with the Sierra. BUT, it's nice to know the old Chevy can still pull it's own weight.

[MrSchaeferPants]

Are you refering to the post where the guy is driving to TX?

Depends on how you look at it. The easy answer is yes. But of course, like most everything, 90% is the driver. The harder part is, an older vehicle could be just as good.

Technology. You have disc brakes, abs, better power steering, better power brakes (I don't even have power brakes in my 68, or power steering) but those that do, ever turn a steering wheel in a brand new truck, vs one in something 20-40 years old? Turn radius is smaller on newer vehicles, they handle much better, more aerodynamic. Have a semi pass you by at 65mph with a cinder block truck, trailer, with something else big and heavy on it, possibly strong winds depending where you're driving.

Also, old truck as in... parts being old? Yeah, 40 year old ball joints, steering linkage, drums, axles, diffs, drive shafts, engine/trans, bolts/screws/fastners.

If your old truck was 100% restored, in working order, and updated brakes, steering, trans, it could be just about as good. It's still a cinder block on wheels though, and fanagle an older truck that takes a football field to make a u-turn, with a trailer.

Depends on how you wanna look at it. MOST of that can be compensated by the driver. I plan on towing/hauling with my 68, but not till I put in a brake controller, 7-pin, power brakes (prolly do disc at the same time) and power steering. But that's cause my trucks a work truck. IF I had a 2012 Cummins or Duramax, I'd use that. But I don't. Only thing I towed with my 68 so far was a wood chipper, mostly highway for like 14 miles, and back when I was done. I CAN tow whatever with it now, but how would I feel if something failed because it wasn't more capable?

Oh and weight. Heavier you are vs. your load, the better, always. PLUS length, same truck shortbed vs. longbed the longbed will always win.

And like yuccales said, comfort of a new truck is nice on long hauls.

[Cole Trickle]

If your 40 year old truck was 100% restored it would still suck compared to a new modern vehicle for towing safely.

Thats not to say an old truck is bad at towing but comparing a 400hp 2012 with a 10K pound towing capacity and every safety feature in the book to a dinosar is like comparing a appple with a orange imho.

There is no way I would even consider hooking up a 5K load to my 69 and rolling down the freeway at 70 with my family. My 09 silverado will do that standing on its head and get 3x the gas mileage while being quiet and safe.

[big_al_71]

100% A new truck is better for anything....... My truck is completely redone with the best of everything and it still does not compare to any of my toyota tundras or new chevy trucks

[Bassetlounge]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

100% A new truck is better for anything.......

Its not better at getting compliments than a clean old truck..

[MrSchaeferPants]

Oh wait, one major downside to a newer truck...



You won't look nearly as cool towing.


That has to count for something.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by MrSchaeferPants

Oh wait, one major downside to a newer truck...



You won't look nearly as cool towing.


That has to count for something.

You got that right!

[SactoJim]

Kinda like comparing a 67 big block Corvette convertible w/factory sidepipes and Ralph Nader hated knock offs to a new Z06 Corvette. That 67 would drive like a tank and get plain embarrassed in regards to over-all performance when compared!

BUT......

Which one has more character and is just plain cooler?

Same applies to old trucks.

[vectorit]

I would go for the newer trucks.

But, as my father just recently told me after I explained how I wanted to upgrade the brakes in my (his old burb). "I towed a travel trailer with that Suburban across the country with you and the rest of the family, and even off road in the Sierras and across the desert landscape not once did I complain".

OK Dad...

[74 shortbed 406]

50k for a new truck. Put 50k in an old truck and see.

[Legolas894]

Originally Posted by 74 shortbed 406

50k for a new truck. Put 50k in an old truck and see.

Good point

[Ryan Hubbard]

Originally Posted by Legolas894

Good point

I put over 35K into my 1971 C20 Longhorn and have driven it from Detroit to Los Angeles towing about 6,000 lb trailer with another 1,000 lbs in the bed. I did fine driving and towing. I have a supercharged 350/TH400/ Dana 60 running 3.55 gears. I have used my truck to tow many other things and it does fine. Of course I have some comforts like A/C, power disc brakes, power steering and brake controller.

I also have a 2003 Chevy 2500HD Duramax/Allison that I purchased brand new. I have towed a lot with this and it is still a big difference. I have towed my enclosed car hauler everywhere and a couple travel trailers. I feel much more comfortable towing my race car in my Duramax.

But you still can't beat the thumbs up you get driving the old truck.

[Mr Pops]

Originally Posted by 74 shortbed 406

50k for a new truck. Put 50k in an old truck and see.

Amen to that! Get what you pay for!

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by vectorit

I would go for the newer trucks.

But, as my father just recently told me after I explained how I wanted to upgrade the brakes in my (his old burb). "I towed a travel trailer with that Suburban across the country with you and the rest of the family, and even off road in the Sierras and across the desert landscape not once did I complain".

OK Dad...

my dad said about the same "you know back then they drove them all the time cross country etc" They must have been alot better drivers back then they also didn't have all the high tech roads to drive either we are a spoiled people now days. I'm not a fan of diesels just don't like them i tow everything with my 1/2 ton 85 4x4 does just fine with everything i need to do. All in personal preference i would honestly rather drive a old car that a truck of any year anyways.

[JKady]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

my dad said about the same "you know back then they drove them all the time cross country etc" They must have been alot better drivers back then they also didn't have all the high tech roads to drive either we are a spoiled people now days. I'm not a fan of diesels just don't like them i tow everything with my 1/2 ton 85 4x4 does just fine with everything i need to do. All in personal preference i would honestly rather drive a old car that a truck of any year anyways.

Yeah, they did drive them back then, but so was everyone else. It's not as big a deal when everyone has manual brakes or 4 wheel drums, flat out can't go as fast etc... The modern road is far different than that of yesteryear.

[special-K]

I have managed just fine with my 67-72s and that's all that matters to me. I feel they are modern as anything ever needed to be. And,all the advancements on newer trucks are great until they come around and bite you in the xxx. I've never had a bad sensor or computer problems in a 67-72.

[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.

Originally Posted by special-K

I have managed just fine with my 67-72s and that's all that matters to me. I feel they are modern as anything ever needed to be. And,all the advancements on newer trucks are great until they come around and bite you in the xxx. I've never had a bad sensor or computer problems in a 67-72.

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.

[special-K]

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.

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by special-K

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.

yea, the newest i have is an 97 my old ones are better in multiple ways few ways it's better. But i have spent more money on repairs etc. on the newer than the old easily also no payments is a big + too i forgot that

[70cst]

Interesting thread

[JKady]

Okay perhaps good brakes was a poor choice of wording, but you honestly believe that stock style brakes from 40 years ago are better than 4 wheel, anti-lock disks? I know folks survived before all these amenities, my '70 has fewer amenities than when it was new (No radio, no heater) and I drive it every day. Common sense and focusing on the task at hand while driving also used to be much more common.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by JKady

but you honestly believe that stock style brakes from 40 years ago are better than 4 wheel, anti-lock disks?

If I want my brakes to lock up, I want them to lock up tight.

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

I'm not a fan of diesels just don't like them

I used to not like them either. Then I had a fuseable link on my '93 Dodge burn out. I ran a piece of wire from the battery to the shutoff solenoid and jumped the starter with a screwdriver. Made it a couple hundred miles home that way.

[jocko]

such an easy question. Clearly a newer truck is "better" at doing some things, like towing. Yes, it may get a little better mileage. Yes, it might stop a little quicker and be more controlled (and it should when you consider it's half of a 1980's house cost). But then again, I'd venture a guess that on any given night of the year there are more folks on this site's 67-72 or 60-66 sections than anything newer combined. Like someone mentioned above - older trucks are just cool. I agree, but I think it's more than that. Special K hit on it I think - for me, personally, I like my old truck because it takes me back to a simpler, less rat-race time in my life. Seems that's what we tend to seek when we reach a certain point in life. I b there. Simple goooood for me. Look at me waxin all philosophical with myself... I should be waxin my truck! Ok, I'm gonna go take a shot of Geritol.

[Andy4639]

Great thread and some good points on both ends but it's like the Chevy VS Ford VS Dodge issue. There want be a clear winner because it all comes back to the driver him or herself.
I have a 18' utility trailer that I pull with my 08 Tahoe and don't think nothing about it loaded are unloaded it's back there and drive. Remember the lentgh and drive.
My wife, son and daughter if something happen to me and they had to drive for get it it want happen never ever. They would leave the trailer and whatever was on it behind!

I carry golf carts back and forth to the beach with it and run 75-80 MPH with it and it's not even back there except when I need to pass someone! U have to remember the extra lentgh to get back over and when making a turn.

It's all about the driver!
Oh I do pull the trailer locally with my 71 some but not offten. I didn't build it to pull a trailer.