Towing with a swb?

[ItsNotABlazer]

I was curious as to how these trucks (mines a 64 and is apart at the time) do as far as towing bumper pull type trailers. I was trying to decide whether I can make this 64 into the truck i need to pull a car hauler or utility trailer and tractor or if I should look into buying something new. I hate to spend $30k plus when I can put the money into slowly building this truck into something that can do the same thing and still have the class an older vehicle has. Any input on towing experiences would be helpful. And its not like I would be towing a trailer that often just want to make sure it would handle it ok when I did do it.

Thanks

[fchava]

my truck is the second hidden hitch on this page. http://www.persh.org/pickup/body1.htm#hiddenhitch
It pulls great. I have a 5 x 10 utility trailer and have towed it loaded down with no problem and with the a/c blowing. This truck does everything that I want and that is how I built it , to be used. [IMG][/IMG]

[ChiefRocka]

Why not tow with your SWB ?? Just set it up correctly. I always go over-kill when I set up my tow rigs. Always use a high Class hitch....(or build a beefy one)....keep that tranny COOL !!!!

Run some nice bags, or some beefy springs in the rear. If your doing a body-off, it wouldn't hurt to beef up the rear section of the frame.

Just some of the things I have done.

Use the money on your truck !!!!

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I'm planning on the same thing for my 64 short. My 63 is lowered, but the 64, I've left stock ride. It also has the factory (I think) overload leafs which I left on. I'd like to pull a landscape trailer with it. I'm gonna install a Reese receiver after I'm done with the bed wood. I really never thought there'd be any problem since it's a 350 w/ 3 on the tree and aluminum cross flow rad. Probably be next spring before it's actually pullin' that trailer.

[rodnok1]

I haul a 24ft enclosed car trailer with my swb panel and it is hard to handle without sway control when loaded. I have 3/4 ton springs and overload springs on shocks, so it's not the susp that's the problem, it's just too short of wheelbase for it. If I hauled it more I would put sway control on it and maybe weight distribution. I keep my speed down and have a good brake controller.

[ChiefRocka]

For a 24ft trailer??....ya mabey a little short

[72freak]

I have pulled all types of loads all over the country with a SWB. 1966 and a 1972

Make sure you have trans cooler, brake controller, trailer brakes and good mirrors. In some states they will pull you and not let you go on untill you have towing mirriors or clamp ons. (TN)

[71swb4x4]

I used to pull a lot with my old 71 SWB. I won't be doing it again if I can avoid it. The SWB made it a real challenge. Like the others said, trailer brakes are a must. If it's a heavy trailer an equalizer hitch will help a lot too.

[ItsNotABlazer]

Thanks for the replies fellows. The short wheel base I know would not be idea for pulling much. I might just decide to use one of the ext cabs for this duty. Fchava I love the stance of your truck. Nice rake and just the right amount of low Another concern I had was how the trailing arm setup and coil springs would handle the weight of a trailer tongue. Again thanks for the replies and hopefully I can get started on this truck no matter whether I decide to use it to pull a trailer with it or not very soon. Dad bought it new and it has only had two owners before me (dad and my uncle lol).

[Tomsriv]

Nobody has commented yet on brakes. Sure a chevy V8 or even a 6 can pull just about anything, but the brakes on these trucks can barely stop the truck unloaded. Make sure you have disc front brakes at least before you do towing in hill country or on the freeway.

[ItsNotABlazer]

Yeah I was definitely doing the later model front end and switching to 5 lug also so braking shouldnt be a big problem. my main concern was the stability of a shorter wheel base truck. I know the few times I pulled a trailer with my Jimmy it was an adventure but its even shorter of course though.

[Frizzle Fry]

Front and rear swaybars wouldn't hurt.

[fchava]

Originally Posted by ItsNotABlazer

Yeah I was definitely doing the later model front end and switching to 5 lug also so braking shouldnt be a big problem. my main concern was the stability of a shorter wheel base truck. I know the few times I pulled a trailer with my Jimmy it was an adventure but its even shorter of course though.

if you look at the picture of my hitch, you will see that we ran the draw tube almost to the differential. I think this helps with stability. I have disc brakes and a 700r4. All 1/2 tons have limitations, but my truck will do anything a new truck will do.