Opinion's...?

[DeBlk3Rulz]

My first posting...I am appreciative for the help I am to recieve!

First off, I lost my Brother to cancer almost 4 years ago. He truly was something...My earliest memories were "assisting" on the MANY projects that he had taken on...My first lesson was the proverbial "Holding The Flashlight"

That said...His FINAL Project is my reason for subscribing, and this first post.
The Project is a ' 72 Chevy C-20 Longbed 402/400. I do not have much trailering experience except with Military Vehicles...and my question is the safety of towing this project with a Well Conditioned Mid 90's F-150 Supercab with a 5.8...a Tandem Axle Trailer with Brakes...and a distance that is a tad over 1200 miles. While I know the wheelbase...I am unable to find the weight of the truck...as that would answer the question of safety...
The Tow Vehicle has a Class 3 Hitch, and the trailer is close to 1800 lbs alone...

In consideration of the sheer distance...I ALSO have recieved bids to transport the truck to my home...the price almost rivals the value of the truck. (although my personal opinion in value is priceless!)

I simply wish to solicit opinions/encouragement...and NOT trying to gain assistance in the haul!

My family appreciates any help that we can get.

Johnnie

[Jerry Jones]

Welcome to the board from Calif. Sorry for your loss.

I am not sure of the f150's towing capacity, but I would say that 1200 miles towing a truck that outwieghs it plus the tandem trailer might be abit too much for that f&rd.

Good luck and get us some pictures... (the folks here go crazy without pics)

[stope4]

I don't know the towing capacity either. With that being said, I don't think it will be a problem. Just keep the 150 in third when in hilly country and overdrive when on the flat plains. Remember, it's a truck. I tow boats all the time with my 95 Chevy and my 71. I have never had a problem. As for the trailer, you need to find it's axle capacity. There should be a name tag somewhere that will give you that information. Sometimes the trailer registration will have that info. but I think I would look for the name plate.

By the way, I am sorry for your loss. Looks like your brother left you with something that will always remind you of him. In my world that's the perfect complement from those who have left us. Them leaving something behind for us to remember them by.

[alf1096]

My .02
Just take it easy and don't drive to fast...you can tell me and stope4 are from TEXAS because we think a truck will haul anything. If it will fit on the trailer the truck will pull it. But seriouly I do not think it will be a problem I have pulled lot of boats and trailers with a 1/2 ton.

[ChevyCrazy67]

3 peat for me too, if ya can get it on the trailor the jobs half over. like stope4 said watch your transmission when your on the hills bump back in od in the flats don't let it overheat with ya and you should be just fine.

[Longhorn Man]

Technicly, you'll be overweight.
If this trailer is a U-Haul, they won't rent it to you unless you tell them it is a geo going on the trailer.

With that being said, I'd do it...I've done worse. You've driven military stuff, so you know all about not trusting your equipment, treat your F-150 like a M-35, and you'll be fine. Down sift on hills and conserve your brakes, don't over heat your brakes, enter turns wide and slow, and back up only when needed.
The truck you'll be towing will probably be over 4000 pounds. If it has junk/parts in the bed, it could get to 4500 quite easily. So in all reality, this is well more than your truck is built for, and out weighs your tow vehicle, so don't get cocky, esp in the rain.

But, as long as you are carefull, it'll do it. (I'd stay out of overdrive all together if you plan on keeping this F-150 for a long time, Automatic overdrives like blowing up when overloaded and used in O/D)

[krue]

Welcome to the board. Sorry to hear of your loss. I would do it, but I'm not the most careful person around.

[TugOwar]

Howdy Johnnie and welcome from South TX; thank you for your service.
Sorry for your loss.

Good luck with the tow and as Longhorn Man mentioned, CAUTION should be the word of the day while on this trip. No doubt it can be done.

Be safe and we'll be needing pics ASAP!

[VetteVet]

I'll add my condolences and also I agree with the above posts. I have pulled trailers like the one you mention with my 88 F-150 300 I-6 and the four speed works great. I hauled a 68 parts truck on one with no problems but it was all flat highway. Just be careful and you'll be fine.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Again, sorry for the loss, but the momory will live on with the 72.

My uncle hualed my 67 from southwest NY to Columbia, SC (about 730 miles) back in 2003 with a '96 silverado ex cab 2wd shortbox with a 5.7. He used a trailer like you're using a tandem axle 24' car trailer with trailer brakes. No problems on the way down, just a slow, long trip. My 67 weighs about 3,700 pounds and the 71 longbed probably weighs in the low 4,000 range with the 402. I'd do it. Just take your time and be safe

[BigMike]

Like all the prior posts I am sorry for your loss, it is a tough thing to have lost a sibling.

I also agree with those above that say you shouldn't have too much problem towing it. Make sure your radiator is capped off and keep an eye on the temp gauge just in case. Take it easy, stay in the slow lane on hills and watch the downhill speed because a long down hill will surely get the brakes hot. Be safe.

Also, welcome to the board from Southern California! You will find all the information you need to finish the project right hear with our incredibly knowledgeable members. More than likely one of us have done it, seen it, or heard about it

Good luck, I hope you keep us informed on the process...we are project process junkies

Mike

[Yukon Jack]

Glad to read you trailer has brakes. That will be a big help safety-wise. I've pulled similar loads with a GMC Yukon 4 door without problems. Like said, keep that tranny out of overdrive. Heck even with an unloaded trailer it is wise to keep the tranny out of overdrive.

Good luck and be safe.

[57sailplane]

well,

i tell ya what we did. my buddy bought a 68 firebird with motor and tranny from a guy on ebay who lives sanantonio california.. my friend has a guttless 96 chevy tahoe. i think they are heavier than you pickup. oh by the way we live in nebraska so we had to pull the car plus parts over the mountains (continetal devide). what we did was drove out there then rented a car tote. you know just the axle and hitch then you put the front wheels of your vehicle on the tote. save a bunch of weight and you don't have to pull it there. we made it with only one problem. the ac clutch broke just as we got into nebraska, but all in all it went rather well. we drove out which was 1500 miles one way piked up the car that morning and drove back. we got home the next after noon. 2 1/2 days 3000 miles is to much without a break, but we did it. anyway i would consider the car tote. the one we rented was from u haul and was pretty heavy unit. just tell them its a camaro your pulling. you should be just fine. cause a pontiac motor is pretty heavy.. anyways good luck....

[Longhorn Man]

sailplane, the tow dolly you are recomending doesn't have brakes, on an F-150, he's more in need of brakes than hauling capacity. Otherwise, I'd have said go with a tow bar.

[roughedup72]

Hello, Sorry for your loss.
I recently hauled a 72 lwb small block from virginia to s.c. on a trailer like you are describing except without trailer brakes and was in an 2005 f-150 crew cab the one with the short box. We drove 70mph on the way back and didnt have any problems except for the stomach virus I had The truck did fine, I on the other hand was a different story. Where are you pulling it from anyway? Maybe somebody here could help out. Just a thought. Theres alot of great guys and gals on this board so it never hurts to ask.

[Long Roof]

I say do not use OD, make sure the trailer brakes are working and take it easy. Everything should be fine.

[TugOwar]

Also, take a buddy along. One likes to talk or one who is a good driver or both. When the road gets long and the eyes get heavy its good to have someone along to help make decisions and keep you awake. It'll be a fun adventure, best to share it with a pal.

[_Dick_]

speed will kill you or your truck ,add a couple days so you dont feel pressured

check your trucks cooling system ,its a extra hot summer your system needs to be near perfect

the board has a safety system of sorts ,you need to get the phone numbers BEFORE leaving The idea is if you get in trouble along the way ,the members of the board maybe able to come help you ,theses are special numbers to special people you need then with you

a 2nd way is calling a member you know on your cell phone so they can post the problem in detail (people that understand trucks ) maybe get help to you

my point is there are 22,000 members willing to help you along the way if they can ,you just need to inform them ,have faith they will try there best

to sum up

Go Slow
Stay Cool
Be Safe

We all do Care
Goods Luck

[Longhorn Man]

tire pressure... add that to the list.

[Skruffy]

I too am sorry for your loss, but I'm going to dissent from the others on the towing.

I know the trailer has brakes but, still, that's an extra 1800 lbs you're pulling.

Having made a two-way trip pulliing a 71 shortbed with a 70 longbed w/350 using a U-Haul trailer one way and a tow bar on the way back, I much preferred the towbar. Just my .02.

[Gray Ghost]

Sorry about your brother....my 70 longbed half ton weighs in at 4060. Your 3/4 ton should tip the scales at 4800-5000 depending on how it's equipped.

The normal car hauler weighs in around 1000-1100 lbs making your total 6100. Most half tons are rated at around 5600 GVW. You can check the numbers at F150.com in their forum from what I hear [not a Ford guy, but I've heard they have a forum there].

You should have no trouble if you do as the others have suggested and take it easy. Check on the vehicle's tiedowns every 100-150 miles even if you chain it down [recommended].

Good luck and hope you enjoy the project!

[PanelDeland]

Other than the above the only thing I think you should consider is adding a tranny cooler to the ford.It may help keep the tranny alive all those miles with the extra weight=heat.