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11-13-2018, 02:43 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 44
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68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
Hi all,
I am currently towing my boat with my truck. The boat weighs about 4,000lbs I think. I am wondering what your guyses opinions are. Is this too much for this truck? is it safe? Let me know. Below is how the truck is set up. 1968 C10 Stepside: Motor: 5.7 350 SBC (less than 3K miles on motor) AL Heads, Edelbrock intake, Edelbrock Carb, Comp Cam, Headers, MSD Billet dizzy with MSD Ignition box 6AL(?) Trans: Rebuild NV4500 conversion (5-spd) Added cross member under Trans, also still have the original cross member under the bell housing. Had custom 1 piece driveline built. Rear end: Stock 12 bolt gm truck rear end, completely gone through, every bearing, seal axel etc. Eaton Posi-Carrier. Springs, shocks and Firestone airbags for the towing load. Brakes: Front Disks (all new) Rear drums (all new) |
11-13-2018, 02:44 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 44
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
Ohh the Boat is a 24ft 1969 Tollycraft in case in anyone is curious.
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11-13-2018, 06:37 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Berne IN
Posts: 3,237
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
If you’re not out on the freeway or going long distances, l think you’re fine. Just try to give yourself enough room to stop
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11-13-2018, 06:55 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,366
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
You have a working brake controller and good trailer brakes? Nice truck too.
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11-13-2018, 06:59 AM | #5 |
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Location: Ruskin Florida
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
Yeah, I would say trailer brakes would help a ton or two. If you get sway you could upgrade to an anti sway type hitch. I would like to see your air bag setup! Nice truck!
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11-13-2018, 10:07 AM | #6 | |
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Location: Austin, TX, USA
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
Quote:
But they bring up a good point, a boat that size behind a truck that weighs less than the load needs trailer brakes. A good working surge brake setup changes the conversation as far as traveling at any speed. I pulled my Malibu ski boat with my Jimmy for a long time. It was probably around 4000# boat/trailer total. It does have surge brakes on the trailer. With your overdrive you don't have the same limits that I did without.
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11-13-2018, 10:19 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ca. <-> Ma.
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
I would not tow that boat with a 1/2 ton Shortbed
It can be done, but if I was going long distance or highway speeds, my knuckles would get to white, and my shoulders would hurt from the stress. To me, it needs a 3/4 ton truck. Just because, a truck ‘Can’ pull something, doesn’t mean it is safe |
11-13-2018, 10:53 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
Trailer needs a hydraulic surge break, then you're OK for towing in town and to the marina and stuff (likely) but I wouldn't get much more adventurous than that with one of our half tons. 3/4 or 1T maybe, but suspension has come a long way in 50 years I think!
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11-13-2018, 12:36 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Long Beach, CA
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
Trailer has working surge brake. I have done a few emergency practice stops and I feel okay about them. Currently I only tow it to the marina and back which is only 4 miles round trip. I am curious what you guys think the limiting factors are. If it’s suspension and brakes those can be beefed up right ? Or is it the weight over all ? Posted via Mobile Device |
11-13-2018, 12:37 PM | #10 | |
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Location: Long Beach, CA
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Quote:
Posted via Mobile Device |
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11-13-2018, 01:23 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
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Re: 68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!
I used to pull my boat 200 mile round trip. With speedlimits at 75+, I darn near got run over all the time. My Duramax a better choice for me for what I do now.
But if you only pull 4 miles then it really doesn't matter. My issue was always getting up the ramp in my 70 C2500 2x4. The open diff was a hugely limiting factor. Brakes, tires, and transmissions seem to be the biggest limiter of load. You have upgraded all of those. I wouldn't be too concerned for what you do. I towed nearly 3000# of decomposed granite behind my 69 short step last month. . Good tires, disc conversion, 11" finned drums in the rear. But lowered 4 1/2"-7". And with the TH350 and the 307 2 barrel combined with the 3.07 rear gear, it is horribly underpowered. But I was only going 45 mph for 3 miles. Slower speeds and shorter distances do change the conversation. But I always believe that the tow vehicle shouldn't be any (much at least) lighter than the load. With that said, my Duramax is GVWR at 9500# and tow rated at 16000# so the professionals don't think it's a real issue.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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