1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PugDad · 05-14-2011, 12:09 AM

The data decal on the door is pretty much unreadable.

I want to buy a travel trailer. How do I figure out what weight trailer I can pull?

James McClure · 05-14-2011, 07:31 AM

10,000 pounds with a good reciever type hitch, about half that with a bumper hitch. Either way toung weight will be about 500 to 800 pounds. I don't have a clue what a gooseneck will do, but I imagine it's up there, 15 or 20,000?? jim

PugDad · 05-14-2011, 09:52 AM

Thank you, sir!

*C-10 simplex* · 05-14-2011, 01:54 PM

Which model do you have?

big10ratrod77 · 05-14-2011, 02:36 PM

you realy cant over load a big 10, but you can improperly load one you also wanna check your brakes, shocks ect. before you try to haul that much

PugDad · 05-14-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

Which model do you have?

The fender emblem says Cheyenne 10, so I'm guessing a C-10

Matt Man · 05-14-2011, 06:01 PM

i wouldn't tow 10,000lbs with a half ton regardless if its a "heavy half" trying to stop is going to be your problem i would say 7,000 max.

PugDad · 05-14-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Man

i wouldn't tow 10,000lbs with a half ton regardless if its a "heavy half" trying to stop is going to be your problem i would say 7,000 max.

Ok, that's good advice. I don't want to push it.

I'm actually looking at about a 4000 lb trailer, probably another 1000lbs load, so maybe 5000 lbs, give or take a couple hundred.

76stepsidechevy · 05-14-2011, 08:02 PM

my 76 says 6200 on the door tag, im fairly certain thats the number that makes it a big 10 but I could be wrong.

PugDad · 05-14-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76stepsidechevy

my 76 says 6200 on the door tag, im fairly certain thats the number that makes it a big 10 but I could be wrong.

Well, I know the vin designates mine as the heavy half. So, if yours is 6200, mine probably is, too.

Keith Seymore · 05-14-2011, 09:34 PM

I towed with this setup for years and years; approx 4500 lbs counting the car and trailer.

My truck is a V6, manual, regular half ton - so you shouldn't have any problem with 4000 - 5000 lbs.

K

PugDad · 05-14-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I towed with this setup for years and years; approx 4500 lbs counting the car and trailer.

My truck is a V6, manual, regular half ton - so you shouldn't have any problem with 4000 - 5000 lbs.

K

Thanks, Keith.

*C-10 simplex* · 05-14-2011, 10:53 PM

Which engine you got?

PugDad · 05-15-2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

Which engine you got?

Looks like a 350

Goldfinger · 05-15-2011, 09:43 AM

my 85 c10 with hd suspension from the factory can tow 12 on the bumper with about 1/2 ton of tongue weight. with a goose-neck you can tow much more as long as your brakes and wheels can support it. Remember any more than about 4 tons, its towing you

*C-10 simplex* · 05-15-2011, 12:00 PM

If it's a 350, then the GVWR is 6200lbs. Not sure what the GCWR is.

But the other thing you can do just to be safe is to go to any chevy dealer's parts counter (could be any GM dealer, but probably best to go to a chevy dealer), give them the vin# and they can look up all the pertinent info on the computer----GVWR, GCWR, rear gear ratio etc. etc.

PugDad · 05-15-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

If it's a 350, then the GVWR is 6200lbs. Not sure what the GCWR is.

But the other thing you can do just to be safe is to go to any chevy dealer's parts counter (could be any GM dealer, but probably best to go to a chevy dealer), give them the vin# and they can look up all the pertinent info on the computer----GVWR, GCWR, rear gear ratio etc. etc.

I just found 1977 Chevy build records. It confirms what you just said, 6200 lbs.
Fourth digit in VIN is a 4, which as my understanding is the heavy half designator.
Also, seems to be the 68th unit to roll off the line in Fremont. Where the heck is Fremont?

Keith Seymore · 05-16-2011, 01:21 PM

Californ-i-A.

So the sequence portion of the VIN is 100068-ish?

Be advised trucks weren't necessarily built in VIN order (close, but not quite).

K

Pop's C-10 · 05-16-2011, 02:03 PM

check tha vin in tha motor to see what you realy have

PugDad · 05-16-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

check tha vin in tha motor to see what you realy have

That will be no good...it has a Goodwrench replacment motor in it.

DetroitDan · 05-17-2011, 01:31 AM

Please don't tow 5 or 6 tons behind a half ton truck. Just because people say they have done it doesn't make it safe, legal, or smart.

You have small wheel studs (and less of them). You have little tiny load carrying bearings and you don't have a full floating rear axle. A heavy half might have a bunch of springs in the back, but it does not have adequate cooling to tow 10k, it does not have enough brakes (regardless of trailer brakes), and unless you upgrade your wheels and tires aren't up to it either.

A trailer is on wheels, so of course you can pull on it and cause it to move. But there is far more than that to safe, responsible trailer towing.

PugDad · 05-17-2011, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetroitDan

Please don't tow 5 or 6 tons behind a half ton truck. Just because people say they have done it doesn't make it safe, legal, or smart.

You have small wheel studs (and less of them). You have little tiny load carrying bearings and you don't have a full floating rear axle. A heavy half might have a bunch of springs in the back, but it does not have adequate cooling to tow 10k, it does not have enough brakes (regardless of trailer brakes), and unless you upgrade your wheels and tires aren't up to it either.

A trailer is on wheels, so of course you can pull on it and cause it to move. But there is far more than that to safe, responsible trailer towing.

No worries...I'm looking at small to mid-size trailers. I'm also concerned about length, I don't want to tow over about 17-20 ft, and the ones I've seen are about in the 3000-4000 lb range. I started asking the question because the body tag is not readable, but I have since found out what the GVWR is. But, I do appreciate your advice...good way to break it down. Thanks.

Altec · 05-17-2011, 06:16 AM

Already been covered, but I figured I'd post this information for anyone who finds this thread in a search.

Lowest Rated C10 = 4900lb (With Nothing...)
Highest Rated C10 = 6200lb (With V8)

Lowest Rated C20 = 6400lb (Standard/Regular Cab)
Highest Rated C20 = 8200lb (Heavy Springs/Crew Cab)

Lowest Rated C30 = 6600lb (Standard/Regular Cab)
Highest Rated C30 = 10,000lb (Dually/HD Brakes)

*C-10 simplex* · 05-17-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetroitDan

Please don't tow 5 or 6 tons behind a half ton truck. Just because people say they have done it doesn't make it safe, legal, or smart.

You have small wheel studs (and less of them). You have little tiny load carrying bearings and you don't have a full floating rear axle. A heavy half might have a bunch of springs in the back, but it does not have adequate cooling to tow 10k, it does not have enough brakes (regardless of trailer brakes), and unless you upgrade your wheels and tires aren't up to it either.

A trailer is on wheels, so of course you can pull on it and cause it to move. But there is far more than that to safe, responsible trailer towing.

i've always wondered what was the purpose of this; i have the "heavy duty" springs on my 1/2 ton, but i have 2.56 rear, stock brakes, no aux trans cooler etc. Why bother? i can load the bed with 2000lbs of corn, but i still have to drive it to market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PugDad

No worries...I'm looking at small to mid-size trailers. I'm also concerned about length, I don't want to tow over about 17-20 ft, and the ones I've seen are about in the 3000-4000 lb range. I started asking the question because the body tag is not readable, but I have since found out what the GVWR is. But, I do appreciate your advice...good way to break it down. Thanks.

As you probably know GCWR is different from GVWR.
We need to find out what GCWR is on the truck. i'm not sure where to find it. Do you have your owner's manual handy?
4000lbs trailer with 1000lbs in the bed is actually kind of pushing it for a 1/2 ton, but let's do more research.

P.S. GVWR= Gross vehicle weight rating. How much total can the truck itself, fuel, driver/passengers and load weigh.

GCWR= Gross combination weight rating. How much totally can the truck(including above mentioned load) plus the trailer weight.

Or something like that. There is probably a good link that describes all that, but i don't have time to find one.

PugDad · 05-17-2011, 03:20 PM

No info in the owners manual

05-14-2011, 12:09 AM	#1
PugDad Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 69	1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? The data decal on the door is pretty much unreadable. I want to buy a travel trailer. How do I figure out what weight trailer I can pull? Last edited by PugDad; 05-14-2011 at 12:58 AM.

05-14-2011, 07:31 AM	#2
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? 10,000 pounds with a good reciever type hitch, about half that with a bumper hitch. Either way toung weight will be about 500 to 800 pounds. I don't have a clue what a gooseneck will do, but I imagine it's up there, 15 or 20,000?? jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

05-14-2011, 09:52 AM	#3
PugDad Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 69	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? Thank you, sir!

05-14-2011, 01:54 PM	#4
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? Which model do you have?

05-14-2011, 02:36 PM	#5
big10ratrod77 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: hillborough nc Posts: 410	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? you realy cant over load a big 10, but you can improperly load one you also wanna check your brakes, shocks ect. before you try to haul that much __________________ 77 chevy BIG 10 350/sm465/12bolt w 3.73 bout 240 horse power NO power steerin 79 chevy 1/2 ton 250/three on the tree/3.08s soon to get built 250/floor shift conversion/3.08s 81 mercedes 300d 25 MPG 77 chevy BIG DOOLEY 454/sm-465/14 bolt 4.10s "fully loaded" 73 plymouth duster 225 slant six/230 3 speed/8 1/4 trying to acheve 300 horse six http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3135091 '77 chevy trucks. built to stay tough. life is short build a hot rod

05-14-2011, 06:01 PM	#7
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? i wouldn't tow 10,000lbs with a half ton regardless if its a "heavy half" trying to stop is going to be your problem i would say 7,000 max. __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

05-14-2011, 08:02 PM	#9
76stepsidechevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Windsor Locks Posts: 628	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? my 76 says 6200 on the door tag, im fairly certain thats the number that makes it a big 10 but I could be wrong.

05-14-2011, 09:34 PM	#11
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,178	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? I towed with this setup for years and years; approx 4500 lbs counting the car and trailer. My truck is a V6, manual, regular half ton - so you shouldn't have any problem with 4000 - 5000 lbs. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 05-14-2011 at 09:35 PM.

05-14-2011, 10:53 PM	#13
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? Which engine you got?

05-15-2011, 09:43 AM	#15
Goldfinger Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: laurel hill Fl Posts: 645	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? my 85 c10 with hd suspension from the factory can tow 12 on the bumper with about 1/2 ton of tongue weight. with a goose-neck you can tow much more as long as your brakes and wheels can support it. Remember any more than about 4 tons, its towing you __________________ 1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e

05-15-2011, 12:00 PM	#16
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? If it's a 350, then the GVWR is 6200lbs. Not sure what the GCWR is. But the other thing you can do just to be safe is to go to any chevy dealer's parts counter (could be any GM dealer, but probably best to go to a chevy dealer), give them the vin# and they can look up all the pertinent info on the computer----GVWR, GCWR, rear gear ratio etc. etc.

05-16-2011, 01:21 PM	#18
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,178	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? Californ-i-A. So the sequence portion of the VIN is 100068-ish? Be advised trucks weren't necessarily built in VIN order (close, but not quite). K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

05-16-2011, 02:03 PM	#19
Pop's C-10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: memphis Posts: 2,537	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? check tha vin in tha motor to see what you realy have __________________ 1981 C-10 (Pop's) 1978 Camaro 2006 Lacrosse

05-17-2011, 01:31 AM	#21
DetroitDan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Epping, NH Posts: 605	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? Please don't tow 5 or 6 tons behind a half ton truck. Just because people say they have done it doesn't make it safe, legal, or smart. You have small wheel studs (and less of them). You have little tiny load carrying bearings and you don't have a full floating rear axle. A heavy half might have a bunch of springs in the back, but it does not have adequate cooling to tow 10k, it does not have enough brakes (regardless of trailer brakes), and unless you upgrade your wheels and tires aren't up to it either. A trailer is on wheels, so of course you can pull on it and cause it to move. But there is far more than that to safe, responsible trailer towing. __________________ 1982 Chevy K30 CCLB fleetside. Formerly a cab and chassis, now a fleetside dually with the rear wheels tucked underneath. 454/th400/np205/C14/D60, 6/4 inch LIFT, not drop.

05-17-2011, 06:16 AM	#23
Altec Getcha Pull Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: MD Posts: 691	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? Already been covered, but I figured I'd post this information for anyone who finds this thread in a search. Lowest Rated C10 = 4900lb (With Nothing...) Highest Rated C10 = 6200lb (With V8) Lowest Rated C20 = 6400lb (Standard/Regular Cab) Highest Rated C20 = 8200lb (Heavy Springs/Crew Cab) Lowest Rated C30 = 6600lb (Standard/Regular Cab) Highest Rated C30 = 10,000lb (Dually/HD Brakes) __________________ '81 K10 454/SM465 '86 S10 Blazer '95 H-D Softail '96 Integra Last edited by Altec; 05-17-2011 at 06:16 AM.



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05-17-2011, 03:20 PM	#25
PugDad Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 69	Re: 1977 Heavy Half, what weight trailer can I tow? No info in the owners manual

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