how much pulling weight?

[71chevc10]

Hey All,

I have a 1971 chevy c10 with 350 engine th350 automatic transmission

can i pull a 3800 pound boat and trailer with it safely?
thanks

[71chevc10]

bump

[trac209]

Id say so yes

[71chevc10]

thanks

[ranger danger]

The truck was rated from the factory to pull 6000 lbs so you will be fine!

[Coley]

Yes...but:
-You'll need a proper correct frame hitch.
-You'll need a trailer brake system....the truck brakes won't be enough on their own (or legal).

Also recommended:
-Add a transmission cooler if you don't already have one and have your trans serviced prior to any significant amount of pulling/trailering.
-Upgrade the radiator to a minimum 3 row/core radiator (a 2 row/core probably won't cut it unless you tow short distances and not uphill).

Do you know if your rear diff ratio is a 3:73 ratio...or the stock V-8 ratio of 3:07?

Coley

[coreyjhen]

Here is the 1969 towing capacities, from the dealer manual: http://bit.ly/2kkD2pN

[71chevc10]

Originally Posted by Coley

Yes...but:
-You'll need a proper correct frame hitch.
-You'll need a trailer brake system....the truck brakes won't be enough on their own (or legal).

Also recommended:
-Add a transmission cooler if you don't already have one and have your trans serviced prior to any significant amount of pulling/trailering.
-Upgrade the radiator to a minimum 3 row/core radiator (a 2 row/core probably won't cut it unless you tow short distances and not uphill).

Do you know if your rear diff ratio is a 3:73 ratio...or the stock V-8 ratio of 3:07?

Coley

it has the 3:07 and 4 row radiator new calipers on the front discs and new rear brakes just installed

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by Coley

Yes...but:
-You'll need a proper correct frame hitch.
-You'll need a trailer brake system....the truck brakes won't be enough on their own (or legal).

Also recommended:
-Add a transmission cooler if you don't already have one and have your trans serviced prior to any significant amount of pulling/trailering.
-Upgrade the radiator to a minimum 3 row/core radiator (a 2 row/core probably won't cut it unless you tow short distances and not uphill).

Do you know if your rear diff ratio is a 3:73 ratio...or the stock V-8 ratio of 3:07?

Coley

the boat trailer should have surge brakes

[Alex V.]

That sounds like a load I'd feel pretty comfortable pulling with your truck. I towed a VW type 2 bus (almost exactly 3,000 lbs.) on my single-axle 14 ft. trailer with the 'Burb and the only real shortcoming was the 4-wheel drum brakes that need new shoes badly. Just don't tailgate and make sure your trans. stays cool, otherwise it's well within the realm of what these trucks were built for.

[72kool]

Question,when did it become illegal to tow without trailer brakes?? Serious question with no offense meant.

As far as the weight of the boat, I wouldn't hesitate a minute to tow it. I have pulled some heavy loads with mine and no regrets. Sounds like you covered the brakes and cooling system so no worries. Trans cooler is a good addition but don't let it stop you from using your truck. I have not added one yet and no issues

[Ken B]

Do yourself a favor and take a good look at your brake lines and rubber hoses going to your front brake calipers....

[Coley]

I'm not sure of all the U.S laws state by state....in terms of (trailer) brakes.
In Canada, I believe anything over 1500 lbs, by law, has to have its own brakes and thus you have to have a trailer braking system to activate them.
It's worth doing a quick check on your particular state to see if anything like that exists in the U.S.
That said...on a personal note I would never tow anything with a 1/2 ton truck that weighed over 1500 lbs without trailer brakes....unless I was towing on the flat in the country a few miles. (Google B.C or British Columbia and you'll see why...lol)

All good
Coley

[coreyjhen]

You can look up state trailer towing laws on trailers.com. Here is a link to the Florida laws: http://trailers.com/state-laws/florida.php. You will need trailer brakes to tow that 3,800 pound boat.

[Coley]

Originally Posted by coreyjhen

You can look up state trailer towing laws on trailers.com. Here is a link to the Florida laws: http://trailers.com/state-laws/florida.php. You will need trailer brakes to tow that 3,800 pound boat.

Yep....good find right there.
Most 1/2 tons weigh close to 4000 lbs so 40% of that gross vehicle weight would be 1600 lbs max. in terms of an allowable trailer weight.
It's not that it can't be done...but if you get into trouble you are out of luck not only for safety, but also for your insurance and perhaps if you hit someone due to not being able to stop.

C.

[B Myers]

I'm glad this thread came up, I am finishing my '71 C10 up with all new parts or rebuilt parts so the base truck is perfect. I tow my 29' camper with an Expedition that empty is 6200 lbs, loaded up another 1000 so 7200 lbs. With appropriate frame mounted hitch, load bars, trailer brake controller how do these trucks do with campers. I don't travel far, usually no more than 40 miles .

[trac209]

Originally Posted by Coley

Yep....good find right there.
Most 1/2 tons weigh close to 4000 lbs so 40% of that gross vehicle weight would be 1600 lbs max. in terms of an allowable trailer weight.
It's not that it can't be done...but if you get into trouble you are out of luck not only for safety, but also for your insurance and perhaps if you hit someone due to not being able to stop.

C.

Wow in BC thats pretty strict considering plenty of truck canada wide tow trailers in excess of vehicle weight all the time. 1600 pounds for a half ton truck is a joke

[Coley]

Originally Posted by trac209

Wow in BC thats pretty strict considering plenty of truck canada wide tow trailers in excess of vehicle weight all the time. 1600 pounds for a half ton truck is a joke

I'm not saying they can't tow it....I'm saying that can't (legally) tow it without the trailer having its own trailer brakes.
You don't see a lot of (professionally built) trailers these days over 1500 lbs without trailer brakes...unless they are home made or very old.
1600 lbs is not really a joke behind a vehicle if you are coming down a long (B.C) hill or mountain.
To my recollection the 'old school' rule of thumb is to try to say with a trailer weight that is about 1/2 of your car/truck's weight....noting that a trailer braking set up changes this up in a good way.
You should check with D.O.T regulations as relating to Manitoba....might be different, or not.
...all of this tho' begs the question...why would anyone want less braking ability instead of more, particularly when 3-4 tons (or more) worth of momentum is underway at 50 mph? Its not like a trailer brake is a big deal or even expensive.
Personally, I like the trailer brakes I have on our small camping trailer (approx. 1800-2000 lbs)....I just touch those from time to time and everything settles down coming down a hill.

C.

[Alex V.]

Originally Posted by B Myers

I'm glad this thread came up, I am finishing my '71 C10 up with all new parts or rebuilt parts so the base truck is perfect. I tow my 29' camper with an Expedition that empty is 6200 lbs, loaded up another 1000 so 7200 lbs. With appropriate frame mounted hitch, load bars, trailer brake controller how do these trucks do with campers. I don't travel far, usually no more than 40 miles .

Your 29' camper is 3/4 ton territory in the 67-72 world. I sat my '31 footer (mostly stripped interior, at that) on my '67 C10 Suburban (HD springs + overloads) to move it across the yard and the 550-lb. tongue weight squatted the 'Burb down pretty bad. Not to mention the weight + drag (which travel trailers have a lot of) will need at least a very healthy 350 to keep it moving - a C20 with 402 and a lot of HD options would be well matched to your camper.

[B Myers]

Yep I have my doubts, motor is there but with no stabilizer bars and a lighter truck it is pushing it. I was curious if folks are towing campers with these and what they experienced though, it seems like the 1/2 tons in this age range are a little light as far as sturdiness and stability but that goes for most vehicles from that era.