Buying a C10/20 and driving it cross country

[filter27e]

So I'm new here, but a long time lurker because I've loved these trucks since my dad had a '70 C20 when I was a kid.

So on with my question: if you were already cross country and realized that there's more low rust trucks out here than back at home, would you ever consider buying a truck and towing your own car home with it? I know that in all cases shipping is cheaper than plane tickets and gas, but I'm already here and I will be driving something home either way.

This is more of an "am I crazy?" Kind of poll. I've worked on my own cars as long as I've owned them, even though no old Chevys are in my stable I'm generally good with anything I've worked on.

I'll be looking for a working truck not somebody's frame off with a mahogany bed so there will be a lot of variability, but I suppose worse case I'll be towing a good car if it does develop catastrophic problems in the middle of nowhere. Trip is 2500+ miles.

[hugger6933]

This was brought up last week in my house [and shop] when on here there was a big block 71 cheyenne that could be bought for a $1000 that was supposed to be a driver. My cousin briefly talked about hopping a plane with a toolbox and a HEI and a Edelbrock and taking off for an adventure. We both decided it was not worth the trouble we were asking upon ourselves to try that, sure they have done it in the magazine articles and made it sound crazy fun that we all should try it but I will leave it up to them with their support staff. There is a reason I test drive all of my trucks/cars around close to the shop or home for a while before going off in them, so not to be off in them and be stranded. Do you really want to be 1800 miles from your toolbox and discover you left something off your go bag list? I say it is not worht the strain. Oh, and welcome to you. Jim

[special-K]

I've driven many old trucks cross country with very few issues,and generally made it back fine. But,I've never driven out and towed back. I am sure flying (bus or train) is cheaper and far more practical. First,it takes less time,which adds up to money if that keeps you from making an income. More reasons are,you won't rack up all that wear and tear on your vehicle in such a short amount of time. I think you'd spend as much or more in gas,food,lodging. The vehicle being driven out could have issues. You'll be asking a lot from this truck you are unfamiliar with by towing another vehicle cross country. You'll get better gas mileage. And,it's much safer and relaxing driving all that way without worrying about what's back there.

A little story:

The last one I bought in Colorado,I had planned to drive back but decided to ship due to not affording the time.I had considered driving it down to Sante Fe and leaving it at my sister's till a later date...and after a chance to go over it. Boy,am I glad I shipped that truck. They knew I intended to drive this truck to Maryland,yet never mentioned a few vital pieces of info. When the transporter showed up,before pulling it off his rig he said,"You're going to need a clutch in this thing". He had a heck of a time loading/unloading with needing to start it in gear. It sat a few days and I decided I'd at least go gas it up (5 miles one way) and get a little drive out of it. Less than a mile up the road the front tires were hopping up and down so bad I had to creep it back below 40. Checked it out and the ball joints were way past shot! I had a shop about 20 miles away and after a couple weeks I decided I'd creep up the back roads up there to start in on the work it needed. About a 1/2 mile in the other direction is a steep hill. I had to shift down to third (the 400 should have pulled right up that hill in 4th and sure felt like it could). When I let off the gas to downshift the truck fell on it's face. I felt the front calipers and they were way hot...froze up! So,I turned around for home. So,in less than two miles of driving I knew the truck needed a clutch,ball joints,and calipers. Woulda been a hella long ride back home from Colorado. And expensive! I would have been paying to have all this done while staying in a motel. That transport money was money well spent.

[72 tigger]

I've bought a truck and towed my car back from TX (1100 miles) with no problems- but it is a roll of the dice. If you do buy a truck try to drive it around a little to see what you have before packing up and heading east.

[Bigdav160]

I've bought cars and drove them home (1200 miles in a '51 Buick and 1400 miles in a '40 ford sedan) but some think I'm a little bit crazy

[Alex V.]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

I've bought cars and drove them home (1200 miles in a '51 Buick and 1400 miles in a '40 ford sedan) but some think I'm a little bit crazy

Nah, I say a role model!

[Ol rusty]

I wouldn't be afraid to drive the truck across country but drive it while towing your car sounds like a sketchy proposition to me. Fuel would be a huge expense. Trailered my 69 c10 back from Vegas with my 2013 powerstroke and I averaged 13 mpg. A gas truck with I assume a three speed tranny towing a car at highway speeds would gulp down some fuel. So once again if you do it make sure to bring a credit card with a high limit. But it would be an adventure for sure.

[lil hoodlum]

Any updates?

[filter27e]

Nothing yet, except I did find out that it would be legally possible to drive it home if I bought it right before I go home in January.

In California, when you sell a car with regular plates, the plates go with the vehicle. Original owner fills out a form and buyer has 10 days to register it. So now I could in theory go back to adventure planning. Either way I won't be getting one until close to time to go home.

[cdowns]

always have a backup plan and a creditcard with a hildollar limit

[rcrahn]

Originally Posted by filter27e

So I'm new here, but a long time lurker because I've loved these trucks since my dad had a '70 C20 when I was a kid.

So on with my question: if you were already cross country and realized that there's more low rust trucks out here than back at home, would you ever consider buying a truck and towing your own car home with it? I know that in all cases shipping is cheaper than plane tickets and gas, but I'm already here and I will be driving something home either way.

This is more of an "am I crazy?" Kind of poll. I've worked on my own cars as long as I've owned them, even though no old Chevys are in my stable I'm generally good with anything I've worked on.

I'll be looking for a working truck not somebody's frame off with a mahogany bed so there will be a lot of variability, but I suppose worse case I'll be towing a good car if it does develop catastrophic problems in the middle of nowhere. Trip is 2500+ miles.

No, do not so it. Do not purchase a 40+ year old truck, hitch a car to the back of it and drive back to VA. The risks as too great.

Having said that I think with some planning you can connect with people living on the west coast to find a good truck and have it brought home for a reasonable cost.

Good luck..

[In The Ten Ring]

You are reading from guys with experience here. Now when you go to look at a truck far away, you could fly out, rent a car to drive to it, then make final shipping arraingments. Not everyone is honest on deals and even fewer people know enough to be honest about what they have. I named my business "On The Level" because I wanted to be both open and honest. I may not make that much money though. LOL

[68Mike]

I know several members that have flown out and driven back with little to no issues. Some have bought more then one truck, towed another with it and stock piled parts from the many salvage yards along the way. With that being said, whatever decision you do decide to do, good luck!

[Mister-B]

I think some folks aren't understanding that you are already in an area where you could buy a truck, and would need to drive back either way.

You'd need to buy one that has passed safety inspection and is registered, and is mechanically sound as much as possible. Get the oil changed, and get a quick inspection, if you're not able to do that yourself, since you may not have all your tools. You'll need the truck to have proper towing abilities with a hitch and wiring. (not a ball on a farm bumper). I recently replaced my farm bumper that had a ball on it, and two of the 4 bolts holding the bumper to the frame broke off very easily. Glad I never towed with it.

So, if you are OK with the above, and have money for unexpected problems, it might just be a good experience

[hugger6933]

In the Ten Ring I am with you. I live in a town of 4500 people and everyone knows everyone else, I depend upon my name and reputation as an honest guy that you can trust. I am even sell now to second generation customers from my shop. I am not rich nor will I ever be and I am fine with that. But I can lay my head down at night and not have to worry about if this deal or that deal will come back on me to bite me in the butt. I also want to be able to see my customers at church at the store at the high school football game and not have to duck them or worry that they are ticked that I ripped them off, you can't do that in a town of 4,500 and stay in long. I have been here since 1987. and just this week I turned down a job fixing an 03 Chevy Avalanche that had a small int. fire and I had most all of the parts but the guy wanted to patch it up and not fix it right. I told him my rep goes with that truck once I work one it and if you want to "dump it off on some sucker" I'm not in that. It is nowhere near cool for some body to work hard busting tail for a year or more to save for a down payment or to pay for a truck and some body has just dumped it off on them. I build every truck and car like my wife or momma may drive them forever cause they might. Jim

[Terry Crist]

I agree with Mister-B.

If you buy one that is very road worthy.

If you have any ?????????? in your head while looking at it, IF, it will make the trip, then go on to the next one or just go ahead and have it shipped.

Also, what do you have to lose? If it does break down have it transported anyway.

Have fun in your search.

[JointTech]

sounds like a bad idea to me. But 10 years ago I probably would have gone for it.

Ive been cross country with nothing but a Chevron card and a $150 for hotels. Lot of gas station food on that one.

i left an 16ft trailer full of my worldly things when the truck couldnt pull it through the mountains.

Ive duct tapes power steering hoses and wired up an exhaust to make it cross country.

None of it was fun at the time but they are a story now. But now it would be less than not very fun. lol.

I wouldnt do it now with my amex and a chase vehicle. ship it or tow it. since you have to do the drive anyway maybe uhaul has something that can pull 2 cars...

[JointTech]

scratch that 15 years ago. im older than i think i am sometimes.

[lil hoodlum]

It's a roll of the dice if you would encounter any problems or not.

At least make sure the brakes work properly, give it a "super" tune-up (i.e. change all fluids and replace common things that wear out), and repack the front wheel bearings.

And as CDowns said, have a back up plan and bring a credit card.

Oh, one more thing, don't forget a camera and take pictures of your adventure!

Keith

[davischevy]

Go for it. The only thing that would stop me would be a deadline getting home or a limit on the credit card. As mentioned, get your new ride checked out and serviced, and don't expect the trip to go without hitches. I have broken down all over the Midwest and South, but with smart phones and the network of parts stores these days it has always worked out. I have met a lot of great people, and have absolutely never been taken advantage of by a repair shop. Most of the time, when people find out about your adventure, they will go out of the way to help.

We want to "see" the trip play by play if possible. In fact, I bet if you keep us posted, there is a member close by every leg of the trip that would help if needed.

[68bowtie]

YOLO! (you only live once) just make sure you have a back up plan...

[zicc1835]

i shipped the blue 67 from Oregon and made a few bucks after driving it for 2 years having fun doing chores with it i don't regret spending that money on shipping rather than rust repairs and oh breaking down some where in bum F .....and the 36 from Auburn ,Ca and the sssb from San Bernardino and the white 67 lwb from east LA for parts I did drive a 73 back from NE that was just stupid but i made it back brake line failed used tranny to stop her last 50 miles or so .....ship from no rust zone .....good money after good money no $hit
jz

[67ChevyRedneck]

Drive a 40+ year old truck that I just bought with a 3500-4000lb car behind it for 2500 miles? No way

HOWEVER... if you're willing to try it, and fail in the middle of nowhere... you unhook your car. Go for help and have it shipped home the rest of the way.

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Drive a 40+ year old truck that I just bought with a 3500-4000lb car behind it for 2500 miles? No way

HOWEVER... if you're willing to try it, and fail in the middle of nowhere... you unhook your car. Go for help and have it shipped home the rest of the way.

OR CALL ME

[wreckedchevy]

a local buddy of mine sold a guy in Alaska an old el camino and when he showed up to tow it back to Alaska this is what he brought for a tow truck. eventually my buddy bought it off of him. beefed up suspension with a 350 under the hood and ford 9" in the rear fun toy hauler.