Towing with a 1/2 ton

[Dingfodgy]

OK here's the situation; we (the wife and I) are looking into getting a small camp trailer for weekend excursions to the coast and whatnot. We'd like to get a vintage 18-22 foot Airstream or Argosy to pull behind my vintage '67 C-10 LWB. Currently, I'm rollin' with an original 327, TH400 and open 3.07 diff. I also have stock drum / drum brakes (power) and PS.
A. Will the beast handle the load?
B. Should I put helper bags / springs in the rear?
C. Do I need to upgrade the front brakes to discs?
D. Would dropping the rear diff. ratio to 3.73 be adviseable.

Any experience fellow members have towing a trailer (camp or otherwise) with their half-tons would be appreciated.

[71SWBChevy]

the truck should handle the load, the big problems you will have are squat and stopping. A weight distributing hitch would help the squat and some brakes on atleast one trailer axle and a brake box in the truck should help the stop. 3.73 would help but I wouldn't say they are required, and the helper bags or springs in the rear would be really helpful. I haven't towed with an older half ton but I have done a bunch of towing with a newer 1/2 ton with the 305 in it and it did pretty good.

Is the 327 in their stock? I don't know how much power the 327's made but you may be a little underpowered. Not really sure what the trailers you are looking at would weigh.

Anyway I hope this was some help, and if anything seems off it is late so please forgive me

[mrein3]

I would worry more about stopping than pulling. Those drums will be good for one big stop then they are toast until they cool down again.

Do a quick search on disc brake upgrade. I believe it is an easy swap with junk yard parts from 73-87 1/2 ton trucks. The people stopping in front of you will be glad you upgraded as will your front bumper.

[brianthelion02]

Good trailer brakes with a good controller is the key here!!!!!!!!Disc brake upgrade is not a bad idea but drum brakes in good shape work great too!!!!!!!