towing with our trucks question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 04-16-2005, 04:15 PM

i know with a burb or a long wheelbase truck towing isnt usually a problem as far as trailer length. what about a short box truck...how long a trailer can you safely tow with them be it, utility, boat, or car trailer. does the short wheelbase make them a little squirrely?

CG · 04-16-2005, 11:15 PM

ttt...anyone? curious if you can pull and 18ft car trailer safely.

krue · 04-16-2005, 11:25 PM

I pulled an 18 foot trailer with a lwb truck with no motor or tranny on it and had no problems.

BobbyK · 04-19-2005, 02:19 AM

Well it wasn't much but my 104" wheel base Blazer towed this 4'x8' Uhaul no problem.

inline6Bill · 04-19-2005, 10:43 AM

The length of the vehicle does not matter in towing that much; its the load capacity of the suspension and axles that matters. Where the length matters in towing is in how the vehicle reacts to bumps in the road, and in manuvering, especially in backing. A shorter vehicle does help when backing trailers, as the shorter wheelbase is quicker to react to input from the driver.

71swb4x4 · 04-19-2005, 01:14 PM

I towed a Blazer on a standard size car trailer behind my SWB 4x4. I hit one patch of road that was really bumpy and I couldn't go faster than 35 mph, it sucked huge. It was a horrible road though, Crew70 lives on it, no idea how he deals with it everyday.
Other than that it isn't terrible, but I would rather pull with a larger vehicle.

NPilot1975 · 04-19-2005, 02:22 PM

I hope you can. I just bought an 18ft H&H MX trailer, I plan to pull with my 2wd 71 GMC SWB.

SCOTI · 04-19-2005, 08:03 PM

I've pulled several vehicles w/the heaviest being a swb truck (my 74) on an 18ft car trailer w/my 68 swb that's equipped w/disc brakes, a 6cyl/3spd, & 3.73's. A bigger engine would work better but my old 6 got the job done.

Would I want to haul that combo around daily? No.
Did it get the job done w/o drama? No prob. Just be 100% sure you have fully functioning electric trailer brakes. When there's more weight w/the trailer/cargo combined than your tow vehicle, the stock brakes won't do squat.

71swb4x4 · 04-20-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Just be 100% sure you have fully functioning electric trailer brakes. When there's more weight w/the trailer/cargo combined than your tow vehicle, the stock brakes won't do squat.

I agree with Scoti 100% here. I pulled with no trailer brakes, it was NO fun, and dangerous for everyone on the road.

stickshift_or_walk · 04-20-2005, 05:54 PM

I bought my 16ft flatbed to pull behind a 4x4 Blazer (cuz it was a Blazer - no bed). I pulled it thousands of miles hauling everything from household goods to trucks. As others have said, trailer brakes are not an option - they are a must.

The other thing that is really important to watch on SWB pull vehicles is your tongue weight. A LWB is pretty forgiving, since there is more leverage to keep the front wheels weighed down. SWB's can get really squirrely if downforce on the hitch lightens the front end too much.

But, the other extreme won't work either (having the tongue pulling up on the hitch). You need tongue weight to keep the trailer tracking straight. If my hitch is rated at 500 lbs tongue weight, I shoot for 300-500 lbs.

So your options are to either use a weight distributing hitch (best choice) or very carefully load your trailer. On mine, for instance, we backed cars & trucks on so the engine weight was not on the tongue. Helped balance the whole trailer/cargo distribution front/rear.

Set up right, you will have no problems at all.

SSOW

Eddie H. · 04-20-2005, 07:52 PM

I towed a complete 71 GMC LWB on a 18 ft trailer with my 69 LWB.
Other than the fact that I had no trailer brakes and the original 4 wheel drum brakes that came on my 69 leave a lot to be desired, I had no problems

Kid · 04-20-2005, 09:33 PM

my experience is only with a lowered 71 LWB & 18' car hauler, as noted above, trailer brakes are mandatory. The best thing I ever did was put air assist air bags on the rear. Towed like a dream after that. Everyone I have talked to that installed air bags feel the same.

68C15 · 04-21-2005, 07:17 AM

it also matters where the axle(s) is (are) on the trailer. closer makes for easier turning.

NPilot1975 · 04-21-2005, 08:43 AM

Here is the trailer I just ordered.

Blue4x4 · 04-21-2005, 08:51 AM

no problems with my swb. look at the avitar pic.

junkyardjohn · 04-21-2005, 01:10 PM

I TOWED A 75 FULL SIZE CHEVY PICKUP WITH A 78 BLAZER ON A CAR DOLLY. IT WAS THE WORST 35 MILES I'VE EVER DRIVEN. IF YOU HAVE THE PROPER EQIPTMENT (I DIDN'T) YOU'LL PROBABLY BE OK. ONE OF THE 71 SHORT FLEETS THAT I BOUGHT HAD A 5th WHEEL HOOKUP IN THE BED. HOW CRAZY DOES THAT SEEM???

JOHN

04-16-2005, 04:15 PM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,019	towing with our trucks question i know with a burb or a long wheelbase truck towing isnt usually a problem as far as trailer length. what about a short box truck...how long a trailer can you safely tow with them be it, utility, boat, or car trailer. does the short wheelbase make them a little squirrely? Last edited by CG; 04-16-2005 at 04:16 PM.

04-16-2005, 11:25 PM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	I pulled an 18 foot trailer with a lwb truck with no motor or tranny on it and had no problems. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

04-19-2005, 02:19 AM	#4
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Well it wasn't much but my 104" wheel base Blazer towed this 4'x8' Uhaul no problem. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

04-19-2005, 10:43 AM	#5
inline6Bill A classic GM kinda guy Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 296	The length of the vehicle does not matter in towing that much; its the load capacity of the suspension and axles that matters. Where the length matters in towing is in how the vehicle reacts to bumps in the road, and in manuvering, especially in backing. A shorter vehicle does help when backing trailers, as the shorter wheelbase is quicker to react to input from the driver. __________________ Old school rap music: a dual exhausted GM 6 with no mufflers. "If you can find a better vehicle, buy it" Lee Iacocca, Chrysler commercials of the '80s. "I did. They are called Classic GM pickups !!!"

04-19-2005, 01:14 PM	#6
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	I towed a Blazer on a standard size car trailer behind my SWB 4x4. I hit one patch of road that was really bumpy and I couldn't go faster than 35 mph, it sucked huge. It was a horrible road though, Crew70 lives on it, no idea how he deals with it everyday. Other than that it isn't terrible, but I would rather pull with a larger vehicle. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

04-16-2005, 11:15 PM	#2
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,019	ttt...anyone? curious if you can pull and 18ft car trailer safely.

04-19-2005, 02:22 PM	#7
NPilot1975 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Plymouth, MA Posts: 891	I hope you can. I just bought an 18ft H&H MX trailer, I plan to pull with my 2wd 71 GMC SWB. __________________ 1972 Blazer body...need to get a thread started for the rest of the story

04-19-2005, 08:03 PM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	I've pulled several vehicles w/the heaviest being a swb truck (my 74) on an 18ft car trailer w/my 68 swb that's equipped w/disc brakes, a 6cyl/3spd, & 3.73's. A bigger engine would work better but my old 6 got the job done. Would I want to haul that combo around daily? No. Did it get the job done w/o drama? No prob. Just be 100% sure you have fully functioning electric trailer brakes. When there's more weight w/the trailer/cargo combined than your tow vehicle, the stock brakes won't do squat. Attached Images __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

04-20-2005, 05:54 PM	#10
stickshift_or_walk Left Foot Functioning Join Date: May 2004 Location: Duncan, OK Posts: 350	I bought my 16ft flatbed to pull behind a 4x4 Blazer (cuz it was a Blazer - no bed). I pulled it thousands of miles hauling everything from household goods to trucks. As others have said, trailer brakes are not an option - they are a must. The other thing that is really important to watch on SWB pull vehicles is your tongue weight. A LWB is pretty forgiving, since there is more leverage to keep the front wheels weighed down. SWB's can get really squirrely if downforce on the hitch lightens the front end too much. But, the other extreme won't work either (having the tongue pulling up on the hitch). You need tongue weight to keep the trailer tracking straight. If my hitch is rated at 500 lbs tongue weight, I shoot for 300-500 lbs. So your options are to either use a weight distributing hitch (best choice) or very carefully load your trailer. On mine, for instance, we backed cars & trucks on so the engine weight was not on the tongue. Helped balance the whole trailer/cargo distribution front/rear. Set up right, you will have no problems at all. SSOW __________________ 69 C10 (#1 son's ride) 72 C20 (Dad's farm truck) 82 K30 (Ex - brush pumper project)

04-20-2005, 07:52 PM	#11
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	I towed a complete 71 GMC LWB on a 18 ft trailer with my 69 LWB. Other than the fact that I had no trailer brakes and the original 4 wheel drum brakes that came on my 69 leave a lot to be desired, I had no problems __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

04-20-2005, 09:33 PM	#12
Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 702	my experience is only with a lowered 71 LWB & 18' car hauler, as noted above, trailer brakes are mandatory. The best thing I ever did was put air assist air bags on the rear. Towed like a dream after that. Everyone I have talked to that installed air bags feel the same. __________________ The kid Build threads: 51 Jimmy http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219902 http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 68 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50348

04-21-2005, 07:17 AM	#13
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	it also matters where the axle(s) is (are) on the trailer. closer makes for easier turning. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

04-21-2005, 08:43 AM	#14
NPilot1975 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Plymouth, MA Posts: 891	Here is the trailer I just ordered. Attached Images __________________ 1972 Blazer body...need to get a thread started for the rest of the story

04-21-2005, 08:51 AM	#15
Blue4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 790	no problems with my swb. look at the avitar pic.

04-21-2005, 01:10 PM	#16
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	I TOWED A 75 FULL SIZE CHEVY PICKUP WITH A 78 BLAZER ON A CAR DOLLY. IT WAS THE WORST 35 MILES I'VE EVER DRIVEN. IF YOU HAVE THE PROPER EQIPTMENT (I DIDN'T) YOU'LL PROBABLY BE OK. ONE OF THE 71 SHORT FLEETS THAT I BOUGHT HAD A 5th WHEEL HOOKUP IN THE BED. HOW CRAZY DOES THAT SEEM??? JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST



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