Towing weight? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1968 c10 357 · 03-11-2010, 12:14 PM

Hello, is there anyone who knows where I can download an original document on how much a 68 c10 is authorized to tow?

If I can not prove how much it may tow, then it will be set to max half of what it weighs, and it is not so much.

I bought the truck last summer in California, and got it sail back to Denmark, here it must be approved by the authorities before I can drive it.

Total interest, thank you in advance ...

(Excuse my English, Google is helping me.)

Jacfourteen · 03-11-2010, 12:55 PM

I'm interested in this too. I've looked around but its mostly opinions on how much these things can safely tow. I guess when I get home I could look in my owners manual....don't know why I didn't think of that sooner

Too bad mine is a 3/4 ton so it won't help you out, maybe someone else has a manual for a 1/2 out there.

**mr48chev** · 03-11-2010, 01:08 PM

Someone should have it in the back of their owners manual for that model truck.

It is also going to depend on what style of hitch you have on the truck as a class III or IV hitch is rated a lot higher than a bumper hitch or a step bumper with a hitch ball in it.

It is pretty normal for guys here to tow a car trailer with a full sized American car behind a C-10 of any year.

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2010, 02:32 PM

believe it or not, it mostly depends on what eangine and what gearing is in the rear end.
I don't think I have anything for a 68, but I think I do for a 70.
I'll see if I can dig into it later on this evening.

1968 c10 357 · 03-11-2010, 03:41 PM

Thanks for the replies
The Danish authorities need only "model and vintage" so if anyone has
a piece of paper with something from Chevrolet of what the vehicle is authorized to tow I will be happy.
(My hitch is class v-5 it says 10,000 lb)

**StingRay** · 03-11-2010, 05:58 PM

On a vehicle that old it will more than likely depend on the gvw and the hitch type. They didn't have gcvw back then. Here you can tow GVW with a regular hitch rated to that capacity. You can tow double gvw with a weight distributing hitch, a goose neck or a 5th wheel. At that point it really becomes the gvw and axle ratings. On a lighter vehicle they will become the limiting factor because of the weight the hitch transfers to the tow rig. Whether it tows well or not that's really equipment on the individual truck. A typical 67-72 half ton with a good 350/ th350 and a 373 diff will pull 8 or 9k on the flat really well and at 10% tongue weight you are pretty much at or over one of the gross weights. In the hills it will probably be a bit weak. Here over 3K and you need trailer brakes. Get a really good controller as it makes a big difference.

I'm talking in thousands of pounds here so in Europe do the conversion to KG

Average Joe · 03-12-2010, 02:07 AM

Hey 1968 c-10 357 I'm not much help as to your towing question but thought i'd say hey to a fellow Dane. Well i'm only half as my dad is from Danmark but my mom is from California. Pops was born and raised outside of Hobro and came to the U.S. in the sixties and obtained his citizenship. He's been back half a dozen times since and even took me in '98. Seems like I went through Odense on the train from Copenhagen to Soro. My aunt lived there at the time. The only American Iron I saw when I was back there was a rusted out 70's blazer. Good luck on your project!!!

Longhorn Man · 03-15-2010, 05:09 PM

Digging this one up... Without the engine and rear gear ratio, I can't help you. So far all i have located is for a 1970. I don't know if they will settle for that or not, but it breaks it all down by engine and rear ratio.

Rod · 03-15-2010, 09:55 PM

There were trailering brochures that had decent data on towing capacities. This is dated Nov 68 if it helps. Rod

CHEMPOWR · 03-15-2010, 10:34 PM

Thanks for the chart. There doesn't seem to be a lot og guidance on this topic out there on the internet.

What strikes me is that the C10 and C20 can pretty much tow the same amount of weight if they have the same drive train. kind of goes against what has been said on some of the threads here (and against common sense).

1-2many · 03-15-2010, 11:15 PM

Sorry this is for a 71 and is in bad shape. Good luck with your Department of Motor Vehicles. I have some larger files if you need them. Your English is better than mine and I've lived here most of my life.

Jay

1968 c10 357 · 03-16-2010, 05:14 AM

Thank you all, that is exactly what I hoped to find, great ...

crites_72 · 03-16-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod

There were trailering brochures that had decent data on towing capacities. This is dated Nov 68 if it helps. Rod

ok quick question. my 68 had a 283 in it. i allways thought that was the original motor but it doesnt show one on that brochure?

msgross · 03-18-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crites_72

ok quick question. my 68 had a 283 in it. i allways thought that was the original motor but it doesnt show one on that brochure?

nope, 283 stopped in 67... 307 and 327 in 68 for the SBC...

Seraph · 03-16-2010, 12:12 PM

i don't recommend doing this.....

1968 c10 357 · 03-16-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seraph

i don't recommend doing this.....

in Denmark, I will get in jail for doing that ...
Perhaps not, but will get a heavy fine at any rate ...

dwcsr · 04-10-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seraph

i don't recommend doing this.....

But this is Texas, we'll tow a house with a gocart on the Freeway at 65 mph. So its not a fair comparison to normal states that may worry about stopping the truck when you get where your going.

grayw0lf · 03-16-2010, 02:46 PM

Goodness gracious, Seraph.

You're killing that poor thing!

Seraph · 03-16-2010, 04:43 PM

lol this was when it was the only vehicle we had, today she sits up getting ready for the restoration she deserves. just thought i would share the pic

oh BTW it pulled all the way home no problem!

67ChevyRedneck · 03-18-2010, 08:05 PM

Combined weight of loaded truck and trailer... for an L6 3.73 C-10 was only 6,250 lbs??? The truck weighs about 3,800lbs. Dang. That means I could really only haul a "lowes" style small trailer with about a ton in it.

Rod · 04-08-2010, 08:53 PM

Good stuff their Edmond, glad the Canadian's can help out The Netherlands.

Edmond · 04-09-2010, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod

Good stuff their Edmond, glad the Canadian's can help out The Netherlands.

Yeah I'm very happy with the Canadians!!

Although my truck was not a Canadaian built truck they still could help me out with the right data.
Kudos to http://www.vintagevehicleservices.com/ and George Zapora. ( George.Zapora@cc.gm.ca )

Cya,
Edmond
Dutch Longhorn

Jacfourteen · 04-10-2010, 12:47 AM

That's a pretty light load but at least you can tow something now. I'm glad it worked out for ya!

Edmond · 04-10-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacfourteen

That's a pretty light load but at least you can tow something now. I'm glad it worked out for ya!

Thanks.
Yeah I know it's not the biggest load one can tow, but all together, the weight of the truck, the load in the truck
and the towing weight behind the truck I'm within the GCW of 9500lbs that GM recommends for my Longhorn.
At least I can now legally tow some kind of weight.
Before I could not tow anything.

Yep, I'm happy with it!

Cya,
Edmond

capev86 · 04-10-2010, 12:06 PM

hey......that blazer needs more leaf's in the back and a drop tow bar!

and those towing laws you guys have to deal with oversees are complete ca-ca....

03-11-2010, 12:14 PM	#1
1968 c10 357 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Odense, Denmark Posts: 6	Towing weight? Hello, is there anyone who knows where I can download an original document on how much a 68 c10 is authorized to tow? If I can not prove how much it may tow, then it will be set to max half of what it weighs, and it is not so much. I bought the truck last summer in California, and got it sail back to Denmark, here it must be approved by the authorities before I can drive it. Total interest, thank you in advance ... (Excuse my English, Google is helping me.)

03-11-2010, 12:55 PM	#2
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: Towing weight? I'm interested in this too. I've looked around but its mostly opinions on how much these things can safely tow. I guess when I get home I could look in my owners manual....don't know why I didn't think of that sooner Too bad mine is a 3/4 ton so it won't help you out, maybe someone else has a manual for a 1/2 out there. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

03-11-2010, 01:08 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,640	Re: Towing weight? Someone should have it in the back of their owners manual for that model truck. It is also going to depend on what style of hitch you have on the truck as a class III or IV hitch is rated a lot higher than a bumper hitch or a step bumper with a hitch ball in it. It is pretty normal for guys here to tow a car trailer with a full sized American car behind a C-10 of any year.

03-11-2010, 02:32 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Towing weight? believe it or not, it mostly depends on what eangine and what gearing is in the rear end. I don't think I have anything for a 68, but I think I do for a 70. I'll see if I can dig into it later on this evening.

03-11-2010, 03:41 PM	#5
1968 c10 357 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Odense, Denmark Posts: 6	Re: Towing weight? Thanks for the replies The Danish authorities need only "model and vintage" so if anyone has a piece of paper with something from Chevrolet of what the vehicle is authorized to tow I will be happy. (My hitch is class v-5 it says 10,000 lb)

03-11-2010, 05:58 PM	#6
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	Re: Towing weight? On a vehicle that old it will more than likely depend on the gvw and the hitch type. They didn't have gcvw back then. Here you can tow GVW with a regular hitch rated to that capacity. You can tow double gvw with a weight distributing hitch, a goose neck or a 5th wheel. At that point it really becomes the gvw and axle ratings. On a lighter vehicle they will become the limiting factor because of the weight the hitch transfers to the tow rig. Whether it tows well or not that's really equipment on the individual truck. A typical 67-72 half ton with a good 350/ th350 and a 373 diff will pull 8 or 9k on the flat really well and at 10% tongue weight you are pretty much at or over one of the gross weights. In the hills it will probably be a bit weak. Here over 3K and you need trailer brakes. Get a really good controller as it makes a big difference. I'm talking in thousands of pounds here so in Europe do the conversion to KG __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada Last edited by StingRay; 03-11-2010 at 06:00 PM.

03-12-2010, 02:07 AM	#7
Average Joe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 1,352	Re: Towing weight? Hey 1968 c-10 357 I'm not much help as to your towing question but thought i'd say hey to a fellow Dane. Well i'm only half as my dad is from Danmark but my mom is from California. Pops was born and raised outside of Hobro and came to the U.S. in the sixties and obtained his citizenship. He's been back half a dozen times since and even took me in '98. Seems like I went through Odense on the train from Copenhagen to Soro. My aunt lived there at the time. The only American Iron I saw when I was back there was a rusted out 70's blazer. Good luck on your project!!! __________________ 1967 C10 Suburban 454/TH400/3.07's An Average Joe and His 'Burb: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=775843

03-15-2010, 05:09 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Towing weight? Digging this one up... Without the engine and rear gear ratio, I can't help you. So far all i have located is for a 1970. I don't know if they will settle for that or not, but it breaks it all down by engine and rear ratio.

03-15-2010, 09:55 PM	#9
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Re: Towing weight? There were trailering brochures that had decent data on towing capacities. This is dated Nov 68 if it helps. Rod Attached Images __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

03-15-2010, 10:34 PM	#10
CHEMPOWR Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Beyond, TX Posts: 61	Re: Towing weight? Thanks for the chart. There doesn't seem to be a lot og guidance on this topic out there on the internet. What strikes me is that the C10 and C20 can pretty much tow the same amount of weight if they have the same drive train. kind of goes against what has been said on some of the threads here (and against common sense). __________________ 1969 GMC Wideside SWB 400ci/TH400/373/Disc Brakes/Leaf Springs 1992 Chevy C3500 Ext Cab Dually Silverado 454 TBI 2007 Chevy Corvette ZO6 427ci 505HP

03-15-2010, 11:15 PM	#11
1-2many Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central California Posts: 39	Re: Towing weight? Sorry this is for a 71 and is in bad shape. Good luck with your Department of Motor Vehicles. I have some larger files if you need them. Your English is better than mine and I've lived here most of my life. Jay Attached Images __________________ Free beer is good beer.

03-16-2010, 05:14 AM	#12
1968 c10 357 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Odense, Denmark Posts: 6	Re: Towing weight? Thank you all, that is exactly what I hoped to find, great ...

03-16-2010, 12:12 PM	#15
Seraph Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Streetman Texas Posts: 134	Re: Towing weight? i don't recommend doing this..... Attached Images __________________ 1972 chevy c 10 longbed 2000 Ford Powerstroke (daily driver)

03-16-2010, 02:46 PM	#18
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	Re: Towing weight? Goodness gracious, Seraph. You're killing that poor thing! __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!

03-16-2010, 04:43 PM	#19
Seraph Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Streetman Texas Posts: 134	Re: Towing weight? lol this was when it was the only vehicle we had, today she sits up getting ready for the restoration she deserves. just thought i would share the pic oh BTW it pulled all the way home no problem! __________________ 1972 chevy c 10 longbed 2000 Ford Powerstroke (daily driver)



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03-18-2010, 08:05 PM	#20
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Towing weight? Combined weight of loaded truck and trailer... for an L6 3.73 C-10 was only 6,250 lbs??? The truck weighs about 3,800lbs. Dang. That means I could really only haul a "lowes" style small trailer with about a ton in it. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 03-18-2010 at 08:07 PM.

04-08-2010, 08:53 PM	#21
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Re: Towing weight? Good stuff their Edmond, glad the Canadian's can help out The Netherlands. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

04-10-2010, 12:47 AM	#23
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: Towing weight? That's a pretty light load but at least you can tow something now. I'm glad it worked out for ya! __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

04-10-2010, 12:06 PM	#25
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: Towing weight? hey......that blazer needs more leaf's in the back and a drop tow bar! and those towing laws you guys have to deal with oversees are complete ca-ca....

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