Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Heinz55 · 06-25-2011, 05:59 PM

So, a combination of being laid off, relocating 500 miles away, and having a currently non-running 55 chevy truck requires me to get it to my brother in laws to store it for the next 2 years. He is about 200 miles away, all flat terrain, no hills or mountains to speak off. My brother has a full size, V8 Toyota truck (2WD) that he is gonna help me with.

My plan is to rent a U-Haul Auto Transport trailer (not a dolly) and use the Toyota to haul '55 down to GA. Does anybody know how much a 55 chevy weighs (it has a big block 455 in it)? Will the Toyota be sufficient? The calculator on the U-haul site does not seem to think it will be butch enough, but I suspect it will be, I plan on driving slow, strapping it all down, etc. I have pulled a small utility trailer for years with my S-10, this will be my first time hauling a truck on a trailer.

Any advice and help much appreciated.

-Troy

rhodog77 · 06-25-2011, 06:07 PM

Some Uhaul Vendors will not rent the trailer if the vehicle doesn't meet their towing reqs. Have you asked them yet??

Heinz55 · 06-25-2011, 06:13 PM

Have not talked to U-Haul yet, everything is closed Sat-Sun of course. I had a privately owned trailer lined up through a friend of a friend, but of course that fell through at 3:00 pm today. I need to do this move in the next 2 weeks, so I am kinda at the short end of time.

rhodog77 · 06-25-2011, 06:24 PM

I have towed many a vehicles in my time. Im sure you will be fine with the Toyota. Like you said. Just take you time and be sure strap it all down.

sgtusmc · 06-25-2011, 07:34 PM

I have a 07 Tacoma V6 4wd. I've towed s10's, my 59, three Exploders, c1500 long bed, two Grand Cherokees V8's, a Honda Accord from NY to Ca with my flatbed Trailer. You should be fine. Just keep an eye out on your temp.

Heinz55 · 06-26-2011, 12:14 AM

Thanks guys. It seems like a no brainer, just gotta watch out for the other people doing stupid things in traffic, and realizing I have a lot more articulated inertia back there. I'll leave plenty of room and stopping time.

magicoolbus · 06-26-2011, 12:21 AM

I used the same trailer to drag my 57 3200 from san antonio to phoenix a while back. I used my wifes tahoe and it did marvelous. The uhaul trailers come with a brake package that is activated during braking. I really did not feel a dramatic increase in stopping distance. By the way, the tahoe didn't meet their recommended vehicle size either. I think they want a 3/4 ton truck type vehicle. Like others said, you will be fine. Be sure to watch water temps.

meter swinger · 06-26-2011, 12:47 AM

Uhaul will give you hard time so they can talk you into renting one of thier trucks to pull it. A v8 yota should have no troubles hauling it.
Posted via Mobile Device

OrrieG · 06-26-2011, 01:48 AM

short bed weighs just a little under 4K. This is according to the factory information in the spec manual. Short bed 1/2 ton is model 3154.

mr48chev · 06-26-2011, 02:51 PM

I think that the towing capacity of the V8 Toyota equals the towing capacity of a modern C10 or F100 and may exceed it.

According to this http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/...rs_guide1.html a stock second series shortbed V8 truck should weigh right at 3217 lbs so your truck with the big block but minus some pieces should be close to the same. That is fairly light by today's standards.

A 2000/2006 V8 Tundra has a 7500 towing capacity.

**truckdude239** · 06-26-2011, 03:10 PM

the v8 Toyota will haul it no problems

06-25-2011, 05:59 PM	#1
Heinz55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 57	Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... So, a combination of being laid off, relocating 500 miles away, and having a currently non-running 55 chevy truck requires me to get it to my brother in laws to store it for the next 2 years. He is about 200 miles away, all flat terrain, no hills or mountains to speak off. My brother has a full size, V8 Toyota truck (2WD) that he is gonna help me with. My plan is to rent a U-Haul Auto Transport trailer (not a dolly) and use the Toyota to haul '55 down to GA. Does anybody know how much a 55 chevy weighs (it has a big block 455 in it)? Will the Toyota be sufficient? The calculator on the U-haul site does not seem to think it will be butch enough, but I suspect it will be, I plan on driving slow, strapping it all down, etc. I have pulled a small utility trailer for years with my S-10, this will be my first time hauling a truck on a trailer. Any advice and help much appreciated. -Troy __________________ During first and only engine rebuild " That O-ring? It's a spare I think, but lets keep it just in case we discover we need it" 1955 Chevy 2nd series, "Mabel"

06-25-2011, 06:07 PM	#2
rhodog77 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Burlington, KY USA Posts: 338	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... Some Uhaul Vendors will not rent the trailer if the vehicle doesn't meet their towing reqs. Have you asked them yet?? __________________ "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" 1970 P10 Stepvan

06-25-2011, 06:13 PM	#3
Heinz55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 57	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... Have not talked to U-Haul yet, everything is closed Sat-Sun of course. I had a privately owned trailer lined up through a friend of a friend, but of course that fell through at 3:00 pm today. I need to do this move in the next 2 weeks, so I am kinda at the short end of time. __________________ During first and only engine rebuild " That O-ring? It's a spare I think, but lets keep it just in case we discover we need it" 1955 Chevy 2nd series, "Mabel"

06-25-2011, 06:24 PM	#4
rhodog77 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Burlington, KY USA Posts: 338	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... I have towed many a vehicles in my time. Im sure you will be fine with the Toyota. Like you said. Just take you time and be sure strap it all down. __________________ "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" 1970 P10 Stepvan

06-25-2011, 07:34 PM	#5
sgtusmc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 958	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... I have a 07 Tacoma V6 4wd. I've towed s10's, my 59, three Exploders, c1500 long bed, two Grand Cherokees V8's, a Honda Accord from NY to Ca with my flatbed Trailer. You should be fine. Just keep an eye out on your temp. __________________ My build, 53 GMC / S10 swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305723 My build, 59 Chevy / 88 fullsize swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=sgtusmc U.S. Marines - Certified Counselors to the 72 Virgins Dating Club. Last edited by sgtusmc; 06-25-2011 at 07:34 PM.

06-26-2011, 12:14 AM	#6
Heinz55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 57	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... Thanks guys. It seems like a no brainer, just gotta watch out for the other people doing stupid things in traffic, and realizing I have a lot more articulated inertia back there. I'll leave plenty of room and stopping time. __________________ During first and only engine rebuild " That O-ring? It's a spare I think, but lets keep it just in case we discover we need it" 1955 Chevy 2nd series, "Mabel"

06-26-2011, 12:21 AM	#7
magicoolbus Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 513	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... I used the same trailer to drag my 57 3200 from san antonio to phoenix a while back. I used my wifes tahoe and it did marvelous. The uhaul trailers come with a brake package that is activated during braking. I really did not feel a dramatic increase in stopping distance. By the way, the tahoe didn't meet their recommended vehicle size either. I think they want a 3/4 ton truck type vehicle. Like others said, you will be fine. Be sure to watch water temps. __________________ JB from AZ 1969 Chevy Sub K10 1957 Chevy 3200 1962 VW Beetle 1957 Willys CJ5

06-26-2011, 12:47 AM	#8
meter swinger Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kennewick WA. Posts: 1,437	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... Uhaul will give you hard time so they can talk you into renting one of thier trucks to pull it. A v8 yota should have no troubles hauling it. Posted via Mobile Device

06-26-2011, 01:48 AM	#9
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... short bed weighs just a little under 4K. This is according to the factory information in the spec manual. Short bed 1/2 ton is model 3154. Attached Images __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project Last edited by OrrieG; 06-26-2011 at 06:27 PM.

06-26-2011, 02:51 PM	#10
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,404	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... I think that the towing capacity of the V8 Toyota equals the towing capacity of a modern C10 or F100 and may exceed it. According to this http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/...rs_guide1.html a stock second series shortbed V8 truck should weigh right at 3217 lbs so your truck with the big block but minus some pieces should be close to the same. That is fairly light by today's standards. A 2000/2006 V8 Tundra has a 7500 towing capacity. Last edited by mr48chev; 06-26-2011 at 02:53 PM.

06-26-2011, 03:10 PM	#11
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,230	Re: Need "expert" advice on towing my rig... the v8 Toyota will haul it no problems __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube



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