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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AL
Posts: 180
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Towing Capacity?
I have searched, but could not find any information concerning the towing capacity for these old trucks. I have a stock 64 c10 SWB with a 283 and 3spd and was wondering if you think it would be able to handle towing a moderately sized pontoon boat (18-20ft 3000lbs or so) on backroads-not the interstate if the brakes were updated to disk on the front.
Or do you think I would be better off looking for a used 80's model c20 for my towing needs? |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Leavenworth KS
Posts: 36
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Re: Towing Capacity?
I'm interested too. I was going to add those spring shocks that auto zone has for an extra 500 lb cap in bed, but what about towing caps? I will be waiting for the truck gods to chime in!
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 788
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Re: Towing Capacity?
I have used my 64 C10 SWB to tow a 69 Chevelle several times on an 18' open trailer. I have done it both with the original 230ci 6-cylinder and 3-speed manual, as well as with the 350 V8 I installed a few years ago. I am still on the original non-power-assist drum brakes on all four wheels.
I did not have any problems, HOWEVER...I have a high quality weight distributing hitch, I have electric brakes on both axles of my trailer, including a Prodigy brake controller, and I take it very easy. The big concern is the brakes...you simply can't follow closely at all, under any circumstances. The stock clutch is also a bit marginal if you have to come to a complete stop facing upwards on a hill, and then take off again. It will work, but it slips a bit before taking off. As steep as most boat ramps are, I'm not sure I'd attempt pulling that pontoon boat out of the water with a stock clutch. You might experiment on some steep hills first. Total weight of my trailer plus the Chevelle is about 5300 lbs. Last edited by MikeN; 10-20-2010 at 02:33 PM. |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Leavenworth KS
Posts: 36
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Re: Towing Capacity?
That's about the most I would ever haul around. Good info.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Towing Capacity?
I have had mine with trailer going over the scales at 16,000lbs. 500 mi through mountains. did that 4 or 5 times
ron |
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#6 |
Who Me?
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 4,067
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Re: Towing Capacity?
I would think any 1/2 ton truck can pull that boat.
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![]() 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold) |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AL
Posts: 180
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Re: Towing Capacity?
Thanks for the input guys.
So, what would be a good clutch to upgrade to? A centerforce dual friction or something like that? Also, I was wondering about traction. My rear tires spin on hills in the rain now without a trailer. What would be a good tire to use for traction? |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AL
Posts: 180
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Re: Towing Capacity?
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Towing Capacity?
that was the reason that I changed over to 3/4 axles for larger brakes and discs. 64 4 x 4 panel. I did have a detroit diesel and 5 spd in it then. It just purred along and I got 24 mpg loaded
ron |
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#10 |
Check The Champ, Demonstrator
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Location: Montreal,Quebec
Posts: 6,627
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Re: Towing Capacity?
As defined in the 1963 Chevrolet Truck Data Book.
GVW: Total weight of a truck, including body, payload, fuel, driver etc. Payload: The weight of the cargo carried by a truck, not including the weight of the body. In 1963, a C10 short box could come with a GVW rating up to 5000 lbs. It's the tire/spring rating that adds up to your max GVW. The Curb Weight on a C10 shortbox is 1950 lbs front axle, rear 1375 lbs. Total curb weight of 3325 lbs. Maximum Rated Payload Weight 1550 lbs. GVW 5000 lbs. with 2000lb rear springs Recommended Minimum Tire Sizes 7-17.5/6pr front, 7-17.5/6pr Single Rear So the more Accessories you add to your truck, the more you lower your payload capacity. As far as I can see, there's no trailer towing capacity rating for the light duty trucks. There was no factory Trailer Hitch option but there were step bumpers which might have the load ratings on it. In the 1963 Custom Feature Accessories book, they list for full size passenger cars a 2000lb. load with a vertical tongue load of 150lbs for the trailer hitch option. No mention of the truck's towing capacity in the owners manual either. Link to calculator: http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-...eight-tt.shtml Draw Tite: http://www.draw-tite.com/content/fitguides.aspx
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1963 Chevrolet Truck Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original Chevrolet Truck Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1 Last edited by aerotruk63; 10-20-2010 at 08:09 PM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AL
Posts: 180
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Re: Towing Capacity?
So, can you put the 3/4ton rear springs on the 1/2 ton axles?
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#12 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Towing Capacity?
Quote:
another reason that I put in the 3/4t axles was for better axle brgs(all timkens) yes you can install 3/4 t coils in the back of a 1/2 ton, which will stifffen it up considerably. there was an optional overload spring made for a 1/2 t ron |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Towing Capacity?
Quote:
ron |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
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Re: Towing Capacity?
Quote:
ron |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Carlos, Ca.
Posts: 3,048
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Re: Towing Capacity?
You definitely want the disc brakes. Bigger the better! I've towed with the 2x11 drums and then with the 3/4 axles. You owe it to yourself (mainly your heart!) to at least get the disc brakes. The drums gave me a few white knuckle rides which are no fun much past 18 years of age. The discs take alot of the stress out of towing... seems that out here people in small cars love to cut off people who are towing all the time. As far as the suspension, you could get ride rite bags if the springs are too soft. The clutch may get a little warm too but you will just have to see. I do think I'd need a set as big as churchbells to put 16k behind the '63 though!
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Chris '63 k15 long step Vortec 7.4 - L29 Blackbear tune, Five 0 Motorsports injectors, Chris Straub Cam, NV4500, divorced 205 ![]() 52" front and 63" rear spring swap D44 / 14bff - disc axles Milemarker 9K and 10.5K hydraulic winches 63" & B52 Spring Install http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ng+swap+thread NV4500 Reverse Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=reverse+build L29 - 7.4 Vortec Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=L29 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Towing Capacity?
16,000 was the gross weight. bare truck and trailer7700lbs
one thing about the detroit is coming down the hills under compression. 283 dosn't hold to much back ron |
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#17 |
Check The Champ, Demonstrator
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Location: Montreal,Quebec
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Re: Towing Capacity?
What tires were you running, Ron?
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1963 Chevrolet Truck Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original Chevrolet Truck Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1 |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Towing Capacity?
33x12.5x15 and prior to that I had 36x15x15 when I got it and never liked it with the feel of those tires(always felt like to much tire for 1/2 t axles). they were cepek bias and were they ever terrible on the hwy
ron |
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