Trailer pulling ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

meathead95 · 05-01-2003, 08:09 PM

I have a 90 fullsize jimmy 4x4 with a brand new 350 crate engine and 700r4. I went and bought a trailer today to haul home my new 68 and it bairly pulled it. I could only get to 50 or so, man I dont think it is capable of pulling a wet noodle out of ts @ss. my neighbor stopped me to far forward when I pulled it on the trailer do you think that has anything to do with it as in too much tongue weight or something? any thoughts?
Thanks,
Keith

Huck · 05-01-2003, 09:49 PM

Keith, keep a couple of things in mind here-----
#1- the load weighs about 4,000lbs
#2- the trailer weighs probably 1,000-1,500lbs
#3- your full size blazer will pull depending on it's rear axel ratio
#4- you really got to pull it in drive not overdrive
#5- your tongue weight should be about 14% of your trailer and too much tongue weight will make handeling difficult or dangerous
#6- Pulling almost 7,000lbs up hills is a challenge to any full size blazer not built specifically to do that.
With all that said, it should still pull it better then 50 especially on the flat road----. Does the BLazer run great unloaded?? Huck

Huck · 05-01-2003, 09:59 PM

Keith, keep a couple of things in mind here-----
#1- the load weighs about 4,000lbs
#2- the trailer weighs probably 1,000-1,500lbs
#3- your full size blazer will pull depending on it's rear axel ratio
#4- you really got to pull it in drive not overdrive
#5- your tongue weight should be about 14% of your trailer and too much tongue weight will make handeling difficult or dangerous
#6- Pulling almost 7,000lbs up hills is a challenge to any full size blazer not built specifically to do that.
With all that said, it should still pull it better then 50 especially on the flat road----. Does the BLazer run great unloaded?? Huck

Longhorn Man · 05-02-2003, 12:15 AM

While I do not yet know the weight of the one ton...Longhorn69Jeff and I pulled it from Eastern PA to Columbus Ohio last year. We used his 350/700R4 87 K/5 Blazer. While the load did bog it down quite a bit, it was still able to get up to 60 with no problem.
Kinda sounds to me like you need to look at your K/5 and see whats up with it.

jays68yak · 05-02-2003, 12:40 AM

Ive done 90 pulling a 73 nova on a car trailer in my 94 gmc.

krazy_texan · 05-02-2003, 12:45 AM

we used my dads crappy 95 cheyenne short wide with a 305 v8 to pull my c/20 home after i wrecked it and it didnt do bad but it did have trouble but i think that has something to do with teh engine size and the weight of my truck

O'l Buck · 05-02-2003, 01:17 AM

What kind of gears do you have in that thing? My 90 Jimmy has 355,000 miles on it, the engine has been out at some point, but it's pretty tired and I pull my boat with it. The boat weighs 2800 lbs, I dunno what the trailer weighs, but all in all it's pretty heavy and I can drag it 70 if I want to......I've got 3.42 gears in mine. I don't use the overdrive when pulling a trailer.....seen too many 700R4's go up in smoke....literally. I also pulled a 1800 lb boat 275 miles on interstate at 75 with it a couple of weeks ago.

Capitol68 · 05-02-2003, 01:24 AM

how many miles do u have on the new engine ? might be cause its still tight ?

Iron-Butt · 05-02-2003, 04:17 AM

old trucks are heavy.

ZOOMY · 05-02-2003, 06:10 AM

I pull a heavy duty double axle trailer loaded with old chevy trucks all the time with my 1987 350 powered 700R4 equipped full size chevy van and only have trouble on the steepest of grades. I hope you pulled with the 700R4 in "D" and not OVERDRIVE. Pulling in OD is a good way to burn them out.....Zoomy

LAP · 05-02-2003, 08:17 AM

Me and my Dad pulled a 40 foot qooseneck trailer with 2 LWB trucks on it from Ark to LA. When I was driving I was hitting 70! He has a Dodge 3/4 Cummings. Man I love that truck. We got 16 mpg on the whole trip. Just had to brag.

**1971Stepside** · 05-02-2003, 09:19 AM

I have a new Duramax/Allison GMC. I use the mirrors to know there is something back there on a trailer, otherwise I wouldn't know! LOL

**nightmare** · 05-02-2003, 09:43 AM

when i went and picked up my 69 GMC 3/4 ton, my dad and i used his 2wd '94 S-10 blazer. we stayed at 65 most of the way, with some spots hitting 70. we went from houston, to kansas city, mo, and back, almost 1800 miles. not one problem (knocking on wood).

andyr354 · 05-02-2003, 10:49 AM

Why is it so many people misspell Cummins ? Sorry had to rant.

I would investigate gear ratio, but still my 70 C10 is geared high and I pull trailer + 3700lb jeep all the time and don't even know its back there. Need to know how it runs the rest of the time, I think you have some mechanical or ignition problem.

Gotta love those Cummins dodges though. Dads got a 02 cab and chassis. Pull a loaded 24ft stock trailer in overdrive down the highway and gets 18mpg. Set the cruise and go.

*racedvl* · 05-02-2003, 08:25 PM

Never pull in overdrive!!!!!

Chevyguy111786 · 05-04-2003, 12:40 AM

Quick question.

I've got a 70 lwb with a 350/350 and am goin to get my grandpa's 70 lwb in indiana. i'm in texas. my truck has about 6000 miles on a rebuilt engine, tranny, and brakes. do you think it will make the trip pullin either an 18' car hauler or a 20' goose neck? let me know...cuz i'm runnin out of ideas, thought of everything but it's all too expensive. gotta go the first week of june. THANKS

dwaite72lnghrn · 05-04-2003, 08:49 AM

If the crate motor came with a big CAM and big carb/TBI jetted for big cam you can never get into your torque range to get it up to speed. Most towing engines are low horse high torque in low RPM's. Do you know what RPM you were running at 50mph?
Check the spec on the engine find out where the Max Torque comes in, If it hits at 2800rpm or less it should have no problems, If it comes in a lot higher it will burn rubber well but not haul well.
In the 80's big blocks peak torque for towing came in around 1600rpm-2600rpm. Torque gets you going HP keeps you moving If the spread between torque and horse power is to great you have a big dead spot. JMHO

meathead95 · 05-04-2003, 01:42 PM

well guy i dint know whats up with it but i did tow it in d and not od my name may be meathead but im not a dumb@ss lol........ im not sure though it runs and sounds awesome by its self and gets about 22 miles to the gallon (just got back from pf) it just doesnt like the trailer ill investigate it more and let yah know what i find out

**Palf70Step** · 05-04-2003, 07:17 PM

Like we were talking up at PF Kieth, I'll bet you ghot a real high gear...3:08's or who knows maybe higher. I know they stuck some 2's in the 2wd, not sure about 4wd. But considering those 33's and hearing you pull away I'd say its around a 3:08 and those tall tires just kill it that much mor.

I think You aught to yank that crate and put the one from the S10 in it (soon as the wife gives up her dibs on it

)...You can let me use the measly underpower crate in my 70....I'm only use to a 6, so it should seem powerful enough for me

meathead95 · 05-04-2003, 09:32 PM

i gotcha palf i dont think momma is letting loose of the s10 anytime soon lol.........

Jackal2k9 · 05-04-2003, 09:56 PM

something is up with it. It's got gearing issues or somthing. We put my stepside on a huge car hauler and hooked it up behind my dads z-71. I cuoldnt even tell it was there until i wanted to slow down. We did 80 the whole way back getting 14 mpg... shait.... the truck we pulled only gets 10 moving it's own ass. It did have 3.73 gear ratios though so that might help it out. but if you have a 4x4 jimmy it shold have a steep gear in it. atleast a 3.42 and thats plenty.

05-02-2003, 01:17 AM	#7
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	What kind of gears do you have in that thing? My 90 Jimmy has 355,000 miles on it, the engine has been out at some point, but it's pretty tired and I pull my boat with it. The boat weighs 2800 lbs, I dunno what the trailer weighs, but all in all it's pretty heavy and I can drag it 70 if I want to......I've got 3.42 gears in mine. I don't use the overdrive when pulling a trailer.....seen too many 700R4's go up in smoke....literally. I also pulled a 1800 lb boat 275 miles on interstate at 75 with it a couple of weeks ago. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska Last edited by O'l Buck; 05-02-2003 at 01:19 AM.

05-02-2003, 01:24 AM	#8
Capitol68 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin,Tx Posts: 327	how many miles do u have on the new engine ? might be cause its still tight ? __________________ '68 Fleet LWB orig 307 .030 over GM Hei/w Accel Super coil orig. stock TH 400. _______________________ “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pine English author d.1851

05-02-2003, 04:17 AM	#9
Iron-Butt 454 club Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,348	old trucks are heavy. __________________ David 1965 Chevrolet c-10 454 automatic Custom bbw swb. 1965 Chevrolet C-10 swb (Sold) 1963 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl automatic with dual exhaust, pb, ps and 17's. R.I.P "I will miss you. 1967 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl Custom lwb 1939 Chevrolet Coupe, 350 v8 automatic. 1935 Chevrolet 2 Dr Standard in the works. 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide. 2023 Chevrolet Stingray Z51 Convertible. I never want to grow up.

05-02-2003, 06:10 AM	#10
ZOOMY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: WIS Posts: 1,752	pulling I pull a heavy duty double axle trailer loaded with old chevy trucks all the time with my 1987 350 powered 700R4 equipped full size chevy van and only have trouble on the steepest of grades. I hope you pulled with the 700R4 in "D" and not OVERDRIVE. Pulling in OD is a good way to burn them out.....Zoomy

05-02-2003, 08:17 AM	#11
LAP Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Slaughter, La Posts: 153	Me and my Dad pulled a 40 foot qooseneck trailer with 2 LWB trucks on it from Ark to LA. When I was driving I was hitting 70! He has a Dodge 3/4 Cummings. Man I love that truck. We got 16 mpg on the whole trip. Just had to brag. __________________ 68 50th Longhorn Custom Camper 396 A/C 25 options 71 C20 Cheyenne 71 K10 SWB Cheyenne 72 C10 Cheyenne ----------------------- Slaughter, La

05-01-2003, 08:09 PM	#1
meathead95 computer illiterate Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 6,446	Trailer pulling ? I have a 90 fullsize jimmy 4x4 with a brand new 350 crate engine and 700r4. I went and bought a trailer today to haul home my new 68 and it bairly pulled it. I could only get to 50 or so, man I dont think it is capable of pulling a wet noodle out of ts @ss. my neighbor stopped me to far forward when I pulled it on the trailer do you think that has anything to do with it as in too much tongue weight or something? any thoughts? Thanks, Keith __________________ 72 2wd blazer 72 swb 4x4

05-01-2003, 09:49 PM	#2
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Keith, keep a couple of things in mind here----- #1- the load weighs about 4,000lbs #2- the trailer weighs probably 1,000-1,500lbs #3- your full size blazer will pull depending on it's rear axel ratio #4- you really got to pull it in drive not overdrive #5- your tongue weight should be about 14% of your trailer and too much tongue weight will make handeling difficult or dangerous #6- Pulling almost 7,000lbs up hills is a challenge to any full size blazer not built specifically to do that. With all that said, it should still pull it better then 50 especially on the flat road----. Does the BLazer run great unloaded?? Huck

05-01-2003, 09:59 PM	#3
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Keith, keep a couple of things in mind here----- #1- the load weighs about 4,000lbs #2- the trailer weighs probably 1,000-1,500lbs #3- your full size blazer will pull depending on it's rear axel ratio #4- you really got to pull it in drive not overdrive #5- your tongue weight should be about 14% of your trailer and too much tongue weight will make handeling difficult or dangerous #6- Pulling almost 7,000lbs up hills is a challenge to any full size blazer not built specifically to do that. With all that said, it should still pull it better then 50 especially on the flat road----. Does the BLazer run great unloaded?? Huck

05-02-2003, 12:15 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	While I do not yet know the weight of the one ton...Longhorn69Jeff and I pulled it from Eastern PA to Columbus Ohio last year. We used his 350/700R4 87 K/5 Blazer. While the load did bog it down quite a bit, it was still able to get up to 60 with no problem. Kinda sounds to me like you need to look at your K/5 and see whats up with it. Attached Images

05-02-2003, 12:40 AM	#5
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	Ive done 90 pulling a 73 nova on a car trailer in my 94 gmc. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

05-02-2003, 12:45 AM	#6
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	we used my dads crappy 95 cheyenne short wide with a 305 v8 to pull my c/20 home after i wrecked it and it didnt do bad but it did have trouble but i think that has something to do with teh engine size and the weight of my truck __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

05-02-2003, 09:19 AM	#12
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I have a new Duramax/Allison GMC. I use the mirrors to know there is something back there on a trailer, otherwise I wouldn't know! LOL __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-02-2003, 10:49 AM	#14
andyr354 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mahaska, KS Posts: 82	Why is it so many people misspell Cummins ? Sorry had to rant. I would investigate gear ratio, but still my 70 C10 is geared high and I pull trailer + 3700lb jeep all the time and don't even know its back there. Need to know how it runs the rest of the time, I think you have some mechanical or ignition problem. Gotta love those Cummins dodges though. Dads got a 02 cab and chassis. Pull a loaded 24ft stock trailer in overdrive down the highway and gets 18mpg. Set the cruise and go. __________________ 1970 C10: 2WD, LWB, 350, 350 auto, Headers, Duals, Edelbrock 1406 with 2101 intake, and optional rust.

05-02-2003, 08:25 PM	#15
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Never pull in overdrive!!!!!

05-04-2003, 12:40 AM	#16
Chevyguy111786 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Garland, Texas Posts: 1,127	Quick question. I've got a 70 lwb with a 350/350 and am goin to get my grandpa's 70 lwb in indiana. i'm in texas. my truck has about 6000 miles on a rebuilt engine, tranny, and brakes. do you think it will make the trip pullin either an 18' car hauler or a 20' goose neck? let me know...cuz i'm runnin out of ideas, thought of everything but it's all too expensive. gotta go the first week of june. THANKS



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05-04-2003, 08:49 AM	#17
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	If the crate motor came with a big CAM and big carb/TBI jetted for big cam you can never get into your torque range to get it up to speed. Most towing engines are low horse high torque in low RPM's. Do you know what RPM you were running at 50mph? Check the spec on the engine find out where the Max Torque comes in, If it hits at 2800rpm or less it should have no problems, If it comes in a lot higher it will burn rubber well but not haul well. In the 80's big blocks peak torque for towing came in around 1600rpm-2600rpm. Torque gets you going HP keeps you moving If the spread between torque and horse power is to great you have a big dead spot. JMHO __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

05-04-2003, 01:42 PM	#18
meathead95 computer illiterate Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 6,446	well guy i dint know whats up with it but i did tow it in d and not od my name may be meathead but im not a dumb@ss lol........ im not sure though it runs and sounds awesome by its self and gets about 22 miles to the gallon (just got back from pf) it just doesnt like the trailer ill investigate it more and let yah know what i find out __________________ 72 2wd blazer 72 swb 4x4

05-04-2003, 07:17 PM	#19
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	Like we were talking up at PF Kieth, I'll bet you ghot a real high gear...3:08's or who knows maybe higher. I know they stuck some 2's in the 2wd, not sure about 4wd. But considering those 33's and hearing you pull away I'd say its around a 3:08 and those tall tires just kill it that much mor. I think You aught to yank that crate and put the one from the S10 in it (soon as the wife gives up her dibs on it )...You can let me use the measly underpower crate in my 70....I'm only use to a 6, so it should seem powerful enough for me __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

05-04-2003, 09:32 PM	#20
meathead95 computer illiterate Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 6,446	i gotcha palf i dont think momma is letting loose of the s10 anytime soon lol......... __________________ 72 2wd blazer 72 swb 4x4

05-04-2003, 09:56 PM	#21
Jackal2k9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 171	something is up with it. It's got gearing issues or somthing. We put my stepside on a huge car hauler and hooked it up behind my dads z-71. I cuoldnt even tell it was there until i wanted to slow down. We did 80 the whole way back getting 14 mpg... shait.... the truck we pulled only gets 10 moving it's own ass. It did have 3.73 gear ratios though so that might help it out. but if you have a 4x4 jimmy it shold have a steep gear in it. atleast a 3.42 and thats plenty.

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