Can My 305 Tow?

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

This thread cracks me up. Like some other members I am old enough to remember pulling all kinds of stuff with theses trucks, because this was all we had. My dad had a plumbing company and we used to pull a Case back-hoe all over the place with a regular old 1978 C-20 with a 350. That poor old truck was way overloaded. The back-hoe had to weigh 12,000 pounds without the trailer. He is still in business today, but they pull the back-hoe with a 1 ton diesel and whoever is driving has to have a CDL.
Posted via Mobile Device

Being from a family of loggers and farmers...I've seen incredible things towed with whatever is available, been a part of more than a few overloaded situations as well.

[Goldfinger]

hitch up and don't look back

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Redcap

Being from a family of loggers and farmers...I've seen incredible things towed with whatever is available, been a part of more than a few overloaded situations as well.

Yep, I don't think anyone is saying you can't do it, but rather the correct term might be "should" you do it

I'm sure we've all heard the term, "just because you can doesn't mean you should"

But we all have to work with what we have, so long as it doesn't become a safety concern for yourself and others on the road, that's when I disagree.

Much more traffic and faster speeds on the roads today than there was 40 years ago, just not as safe as it used to be.

[slimneverdies]

Well I found out what my little 305/350 combo can do earlier today. It can definitely do the pull but if theres any hills dont even try it unless your 305 is rebuilt and not ready to throw a rod like mine. It pulled nicely on the highway up to 65mph on flat land with no problem. My trans has been acting up for the last month and Im pretty sure todays little escapade has finished it off...

[kustomrust82]

305 will tow fine! i have a 305 in my dually and ive hauled tons of stuff. ive had the bed full of shingles with a duall axle dump trailer behind with 8 ft sides on it full to with plywood and shingles, drove up a steep hill at the dump and bad mud with all that 2wd. itll be fine, just pan ahead to brake and give your self room, just use common sense on distance. it works just not as fast lol good luck!

[billnorman]

Towed with my 85 and a vortec 4.3 with 4 barrel and duals. 3.08 rear. Towed a 3000 pound no brakes trailer, Volkswagen race car, tools and spare parts, up and down hills in Pa. Va. and to N.C. from Maryland. Just drove careful, left room to stop, and hoped it didn't rain. Once towed trailer with my daughters 5200 pound diesel Olds Toronado on it after she chased her boyfriend down the street and halfway through a house with it.
It strained, it grunted but it just towed away, just not fast.
Lied to the toll taker on the Pa. turnpike. He said "Does that thing have brakes", and I replied, "Of course".
Rain can kill you when towing. Once I flat towed the V W racecar with a towbar and V W vanagon to a local race, and it rained on the way back. I looked over to my left and saw the racecar going sideways next to my van. Slicks don't grip in rain.

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

This, however, is not recommended:



I wasn't going far but it was a bit more than I was comfortable with. I won't do it again.

I should reiterate my truck is a V6 rather than a 305.

K

Is this not recommended cause of the size of the truck, size of the motor or a combination????

[406 Q-ship]

Originally Posted by slimneverdies

Is this not recommended cause of the size of the truck, size of the motor or a combination????

Yes
that trailer has got to be a 11,000 GVW 28' enclosed that on its own weights 6000 lbs. The 1/2 ton standard wheelbase truck has a max rating of 7000 towing, a long wheelbase truck will pick up maybe a 1000 lbs over the SWB. I will not have an issue towing a trailer of 7000 lbs with my 74 C10 SWB. Understand that it has the big brakes front and rear and is a heavy half truck with a electric trailer brake controller. No way would I even consider a towing a car trailer with a car on it that did not have trailer brakes.

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by 406 Q-ship

Yes
that trailer has got to be a 11,000 GVW 28' enclosed that on its own weights 6000 lbs. The 1/2 ton standard wheelbase truck has a max rating of 7000 towing, a long wheelbase truck will pick up maybe a 1000 lbs over the SWB. I will not have an issue towing a trailer of 7000 lbs with my 74 C10 SWB. Understand that it has the big brakes front and rear and is a heavy half truck with a electric trailer brake controller. No way would I even consider a towing a car trailer with a car on it that did not have trailer brakes.

Reason I asked is because I just bought a c20 crew cab and want to pull my trailer but would love to go 5 lug and bagged. I figure with bigger brakes then stock c20 I shouldn't have an issue going from 8 to 5 lugs. If you guys are pulling these big rigs with c10 swb should I have an issue.

Pulling this.....


With this...


With these wheels...



Kinda of a mutt but I would be towing probably once a week locally.

[Zane M]

Beyond brakes,suspension, and overall engine power, you have to take tire rating into consideration.
I foresee bad things happening if you do much towing on those tires. They probably do not have an acceptable load rating for what you want to do.

[mrolds88]

I had a 86 K10 with a 305 4 speed and 3.08's. Caught a deal on a 10k home built equipment trailer (read HEAVY). It kind of wanted to be the leader of the convoy. Was better when the brakes got sorted out (brakes on both axles). Also it was real finicky with the tongue height. I put it behind my 93 K2500 and it made a world of difference. Did the 1/2 ton pull it, yes. Was it proficient, not really. A regular car trailer behind a 1/2 ton, yes, with due care. That's the key. The most important component in a towing situation is common sense. Think ahead.

[billnorman]

I may add my rear brakes on my 1985 C-10 and axle (3:70) came off a 1978 "Big 10" they are huge, 11 inch or bigger and I think 3 wide. I don't think the load rating on the tow vehicle tires make much difference, as the tongue weight of the trailer should not exceed 20% of the total towed weight.
It would be nice if everybody had a dually, but we don't.

[cadillac_al]

Those U Haul trailers have automatic brakes on them so armybyrd wouldn't have a problem hauling his car if he had a trailer like that. Uhaul won't rent you a trailer unless your truck is certified for the weight you are hauling. When I use my half ton I have to fib and tell them I am hauling a ford fiesta. If you know of a lighter car, that would be even safer, like a Mini cooper or Cobalt or something.

[nekkidhillbilly]

this thread is odd. you guys do know that there where big rigs that made a 100 hp and had 6 bangers back in the day. ive pulled a car with a 4.3 v6 truck a heavy car at that. i pulled my 66 back with a 01 truck thats a 4.8 from indiana at 65-70 mph. car weighs 3800. your only pulling 5-6k with most cars or trucks on a trailer. now if you trying to jerk 10k around yes you want a hd truck. brakes i do like having but i can still go down the road without them. have many times before. a half ton is a 7k limit your 1-2k under that with anything but a real heavy truck or suv. no you dont need a weight dist hitch either for an open trailer either.

[billnorman]

Like I said earlier I hauled a dual wheel car trailer and my daughters 5200# Olds diesel Toronado 100 miles back from Virginia where she had speared a house chasing her unfaithful boyfriend. At the time I had a 4.3 six in my '85 half ton with a turbo 400. If you're hauling a lot of weight you surely MUST plan ahead and hope no idiot pulls out in front of you.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by billnorman

Like I said earlier I hauled a dual wheel car trailer and my daughters 5200# Olds diesel Toronado 100 miles back from Virginia where she had speared a house chasing her unfaithful boyfriend. At the time I had a 4.3 six in my '85 half ton with a turbo 400. If you're hauling a lot of weight you surely MUST plan ahead and hope no idiot pulls out in front of you.

thats with any trailer with brakes or no. i drive like that with mine unloaded even.

[68post]

With a th350 transmission I'd watch the trans temps or maybe just go ahead and install a small cooler, it will benefit you in everyday driving. A th350 with any mileage on it is something to safeguard against hurting, they don't like much heat - it'll shorten it's lifespan.