Drum Brakes Question...

[Ripley Bryant]

I test drove a '69 C10 longbed last week and was disappointed with how poorly the brakes worked.

The truck had 4 wheel drum brakes and had been sitting for the winter.

Is this normal for these trucks with drum brakes?

I am looking for something I can haul occasional loads with (Firewood, runs to the dump, bark, etc..). I was concerned that as poorly as this truck stopped when it was unladen, it would be suicidal to try driving it with any kind of load in it.

So... Is this 'normal', or does it just need new brakes? The owner said the brakes weren't that old, and that it tended to go through brakes quickly.

Thanks from a newbie.