can a swb 4x4 tow?

[Wildstreak]

Hey guys I'm new to the site and this is my first thread. I have owned a chev pick up my whole life, after selling my 85 blazer(and then losing my license for a year, which is still half way through) I have a few options. I have a 68 swb fleetside 4x4(picture enclosed), at the time the build looks to be extensive, pretty much a total frame up resto, including a new motor and tranny and transfer case, and axles as well because it has a closed front end and I suspect that parts will be hard to find for it when it brakes. To me it would cost like 10-15k to get it just in a primer state(seeing as I have a spare body that is perfect with no rust). Another option is that I have a friend selling his 71 blazer 4x4 350 4sp running in mint condition and cost less than 10k. I would love to buy this blazer and save my 68 for a time when moneys not so tight so I could put every bell and whistle on her. And here's where we come to the problem, I was just reading on another thread that blazers and swb pickups shouldn't tow. Now all I would ever be towing is maybe a quad trailer or my sled on the trailer. Is that possible or should I think about building a lwb 4x4, which defeats the purpose of a trailer because I can just put a sled or quad in the back. Any info will be greatly appreciated!!

Might I add this site rules!!!
thanks
Joe

[dammitmitchell]

if you have a 4500 lb truck witha big arse 8 cyl...
you can handle a trailer with a jet ski or quads no problem..
dude if a in80's caprice classic can be towing around uhauls and quads... your truck can to it..

[Jtrux]

I wouldn't hesitate to haul a trailer in my blazer or my swb. I don't see an issue as long as you don't get too long or heavy. I don't think a trailer under 16 feet and 4000 pounds will give you any trouble as long as you keep your speed reasonable and give plenty of stopping distance. I vote buy the blazer and build your truck as you go. I have a 4 speed 1971 blazer as well and love it. BUY IT!!

[Wildstreak]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

dude if a in80's caprice classic can be towing around uhauls and quads... your truck can to it..

funny you say that last year I saw a 90 honda accord towing a 15 foot sail boat lol

[LILRED66]

Towing is not an issue with a swb truck or SUV as long as you are not overloaded or too long. I used to tow a 21' Baja boat on a dual axle trailer with a '93 Chevy S10 Blazer with no issues. It had trailer brakes and the towing package on the SUV.

I suggest a tranny cooler, a Class III reciever hitch, a good tranny and a moderate power plant, for best results.

Buy the K5 and fix up the truck as time and your budget permits.

[thirdstreettito]

I haul/tow anything I feel like with my 84 K10 SWB, last week I hauled a 12' utility trailer with about 3000lbs of debris on it, no problem.

[Mudder]

I found that it is harder to haul with the larger tires and that placement of the weight on the trailer is very important as to the tongue weight on the truck. If you don't get the weight right it can be very dangerous. Good working trailer brakes and a stablizer would be nice.

[dgfreeze]

larger tires do make a difference, that's for sure. more (softer) sidewall to flex, and weight distribution is critical. rule of thumb is a 60/40 split. you want 60% of weight front of center, and 40% of weight rear of center. not as crucial on smaller loads, but will help prevent trailer sway at higher speeds. but you will never have any problems with i'd say 3500lb(without trailer brakes), or 7000lb(with trailer brakes). i've hauled well over 7000lb without trailer brakes with my lwb, but that's not really the smart thing to do.

[ghettoluxury]

with a trailer brake have no fear I pull my goose neck with my 7000 pound 82 chevy on it with a 92 swb silverado

[nyncompute]

The PO of the truck you see below had used it as a 5th wheel hauler for years. It made the trip from Tuscon to Mexico several times a year. I welded up the mounting holes and frame. You name it .. it probably has and is being done to these rigs.

[74 C-30]

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

with a trailer brake have no fear I pull my goose neck with my 7000 pound 82 chevy on it with a 92 swb silverado

no fear
my dad used to pull a 16 foot gooseneck frieghted right up to 15,000 lbs with a 78 swb 1/2 ton ....but then he got older and wiser

[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by 74 C-30

no fear

Nope it's just a "junk 1/2 ton" and when it breaks say hello to solid axles

[gator2511]

I tow a 6,000 lb. 25' travel trailer with electric brakes with my 72 swb. I have a good Reese load distributing hitch (anti-sway bars) with a good trailer brake controller. I set up the rig to specs on towing forums. It tows pretty good but not like my long wheelbase trucks. It still is affected by passing trucks and wants to wiggle the tail of the trailer. The longer wheelbase helps stabilize the trailer. I don't tow to any place more than a couple of hours away, I never tow over 60mph and leave plenty of room for stopping. So You can do it but its not as comfortable as a long wheelbase. I have no experience with smaller loads. I would think they are fine.

[msgross]

welcome to the board, shame that they changed the nose on your 68 though, you sure it's not a 67 since I don't see rear marker lights? There are less than 1500 of those trucks made including mine and yours...

towing small stuff has no issues as stated, do it smart though.. no overloading, upgrade to front disc brake axle, power brakes, trailer brakes...

[Wildstreak]

You nailed it Mike, its a 67. After assuming it was a 68 I did a lil lookin around to see no bump in the frame for powersteering, and I was told that it was only like that in 67, and then there is the no marker lights. I really wish it still had the original front end but I have a grill and some bashed fenders I might try and save or just order some up from lmc. Just trying to figure out which project to start first(always a problem when you got to many). I would like to build something that could be sold, and I doubt I'll ever want to sell this one. To me some vehicles are worth being kept till death or passed down to sons or daughters, my first 72 Cheyenne that I got when I was 15, my 04 gsxr750, my 70 camaro ss 454 and now this shortbox.

[vtblazer]

It's more about the set up than the wheelbase IMO, go tow.

If thing's get heavy, good 8/10 ply tires, trailer brakes (for anything over 2K GVW) & a load leveler set up make life way better.

[special-K]

Ever see one of these on a Blazer?I have...


Ever see a Tahoe that didn`t have a reese hitch?

[msgross]

Originally Posted by Wildstreak

You nailed it Mike, its a 67. After assuming it was a 68 I did a lil lookin around to see no bump in the frame for powersteering, and I was told that it was only like that in 67, and then there is the no marker lights. I really wish it still had the original front end but I have a grill and some bashed fenders I might try and save or just order some up from lmc. Just trying to figure out which project to start first(always a problem when you got to many). I would like to build something that could be sold, and I doubt I'll ever want to sell this one. To me some vehicles are worth being kept till death or passed down to sons or daughters, my first 72 Cheyenne that I got when I was 15, my 04 gsxr750, my 70 camaro ss 454 and now this shortbox.

My 68 has the flat frame too.. est bet is the VIN and frame SN's. The bed though is a 67 so I assume the rest of it is. The ingition bezel (part right around the key on the dash) is a dead give-away for a 67 too. I think the 67 was smaller and thicker than 68-72.

[Wildstreak]

@ msgross
Well I know the PO had been in an accident and replaced the front end and Im not sure if the box is original either, its got a gmc tailgate. Where would i find the VIN and serial numbers on the frame?

@ special-k
That blazer must of come with some special features, what year was that off?

[msgross]

your frame SN is on top of the drivers side frame rail just back from the steering box, below the alternator if it's a V8. It won't have the entire VIN, just the last six of it for the SN of the truck.

[Wildstreak]

I cant seem to see any sn on the frame where you described, is it a tag or pressed numbers? And how do you decipher the sn and vin #'s?

[Wildstreak]

I found the sn on the frame and it seems like its had a cab swap, how can I tell what year my frame is?