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04-27-2002, 09:50 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Springville, UT, USA
Posts: 1,010
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Toweing with a shortbed sucks!!!
I pulled a trailer today with a shortbed and I could tell right away the difference a longer wheelbase adds....The longer wheelbase helps out a ton.....I am actually rethinking(again) on keeping my truck a longbed since I like to towe trailers, boats, and RV travelers.....don't know what it is but the longer wheelbase just seemed more stable and I could control what ever I am toweing.
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04-27-2002, 10:06 PM | #2 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,690
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This is a very good point. I have towed with my old Longhorn, my GMC, and longhornjeff's Blazer. The GMC by far is the worst one out of the bunch. The Longhorn was so stable it was unreal. Byt my GMC is just plain nasty to tow with. When I towed the old Longhorn to the junk yard, it jacknifed me at 15 MPH going into a light turn. I was able to pull out of it with only damage to my pride. The K/5 was squirley, but not as bad as the GMC. I have since toed the new Longhorn with my GMC and it is truley a white nuckle experiance.
I wonder if it is the coil spring rear that makes it so bad? Any longbed coil trucks on here used to tow with? ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio [This message has been edited by longhornmail (edited April 27, 2002).] |
04-27-2002, 10:52 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Brandon, SD, USA
Posts: 1,292
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i guess ill find out this summer i have a 69 longbed with leafs and just put a trailer hitch on to pull my lawn mowing trailer with. i hope it isnt that bad.
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Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04 |
04-27-2002, 11:17 PM | #4 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IL
Posts: 0
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no, my stepdad and a friend of his and I almost all died on the freeway going 45mph with about 4200lbs loaded on a heavy ass homemade trailer being pulled by stepdads 82 K10 pickup, dman thing about dumped everything and rolled, it kep careening frmo one side of the freeway to the other, about lost it, dman near, its not cuz of style of suspension, its with wheelbase i believe, his is a shortbed. never seen that happen with a longbed, ive pulled trailers with ocil spring rear trucks and that does not happen, i dont think GM would have made coil spring rear under work trucks if it couldnt haul a trailer....i hauled way more weight in the bed of the 68 C10 coil truck than I have ever hauled in any leaf truck, i put 4,440lbs in the bed and hauled it 45 miles south ofd here, tires were 16" goodyears from late model chevy pickup and were looking like they were gonna blow at any second. waayyyyy overloaded and it took it without a problem, i grossed on the scales at over 8,000lbs, over 2500lbs over the GVW of the truck(5500), i woulda busted leaf springs if it was a 1/2 ton leaf truck, i havent had a 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck since that could do that, thats why i wanna swap the 71 rear leaves to coils,. i may just do it. its possible,,
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04-28-2002, 12:10 AM | #5 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,690
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I was thinkin it was the wheel base too, but Jeff's K% 4X4 did pretty well dragging the Longhorn. *well considering the weight behinde it*
------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio |
04-28-2002, 02:41 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: poreterville, calif......
Posts: 116
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towing is all in the trailer and how the load is distributed. get the tongue weight right and you shouldnt have any trouble. i tow boats, race cars and motorcyles all over the west with a short bed and haven't had any problems. one time had to redistribute a load but thatwas it. good luck to ya.....
------------------ formerly kfc282000 http://communities.msn.com/bad71chevy/shoebox.msnw 71 c10 fleetside a/c ps pb 305 700r4 hooker super comp headers,mild z28 cam, frt sway bar, kyb/air shocks, new stereo, painted gm white, 3;73 posi, 27 5/60 15 rear 245/60 15 frt, dropped 3 1/2" frt 4" rear interior is next. if gas stays like this the big blocks goin back in....
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formerly kfc282000 http://communities.msn.com/bad71chevy/shoebox.msnw 71 c10 fleetside a/c ps pb 305 700r4 hooker super comp headers,mild z28 cam, frt sway bar, kyb/air shocks, new stereo, painted gm white, 3;73 posi, 27 5/60 15 rear 245/60 15 frt, dropped 3 1/2" frt 4" rear interior is next. if gas stays like this the big blocks goin back in.... |
04-28-2002, 04:55 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: TN/VA
Posts: 6,388
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I agree with bad71chev on this one I tow with my shortwheel base 67 all the time no problems here.
------------------ 67 GMC Stepside(UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 67 GMC Custom 67 Chevy C-30 |
04-28-2002, 07:07 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Fullerton,NE
Posts: 380
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Tim and bad71 are right, it's all in how you distribute the load. I have pulled about everything with the 69 and the 2wd Blazer, and balance is everything!! Yes you do sacrifice some in the ride dept, a long wheelbase is smoother, but never felt handling was any better.Tire sidewall strength is important ,too.A tire may blow if the vehicle begins to sway back and forth. Longhorn, dragging a vehicle like in the pic is much more difficult than on a trailer, even a dolly would have towed it easier. I towed TWO 50 Buicks, one on the trailer, the other tagged on behind with a dolly from central ILL to Ashland,VA using the 69 step. Averaged 55 mph all the way(a little slower up and down the mountains of course), but made the trip no problem. Once again, balance.
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69 short step 68 50th Anniversary Gold/ White lwb 72 2wd Blazer 63 Studebaker Avanti 85 Avanti 66 Studebaker Cruiser 49 Studebaker pickup 3-49 Studebaker 1 1/2 truck 94 White/ GMC coe (cabin hauler) 95 chev 2015 chev Duramax 2500 |
04-28-2002, 08:23 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: prophetstown,IL.
Posts: 40
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Years ago I had an expirience of wagging the dogs tail at about 45 MPH. these guys are right, load your trailer properly and make sure the toung has enough weight on it to allow the tow vehicle to control the mass. buddy of mine towed for years with a short wheelbase truck, he had heavy springs on it and heavy load rating on the tires. that was about as good a rig to handle as I have ever driven. Coil springs don't make a truck inferior to load handling. but, I think, the condition of the bushings may make a bigger difference. I tow my trailer with 3 different
OT trucks 1 with 4800 GVWR- empty trailer only. I have had my car trailer get squirelly on a gravel road just driving it with this truck. 2 has 5700 GVWR and will handle a light car or smaller truck fine 3 has 7600 GVWR with ton overloads and this truck can make you forget you are hauling a loaded car trailer, good gears, good tires, tight front end. What this, way to long, post comes down to is, The condition of your truck and how heavy it's built, means a lot more than how long it is. IMHO, dave
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Prophetstown, IL. The ark was built by amatures the titanic by professionals |
04-28-2002, 08:53 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Killingworth, CT. USA
Posts: 3,378
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Same here,,,I tow a 22' camper with my short step C10 and comfortably cruise at 55 or more depending on road conditions. I find that if your experiencing tail wagging, a little more weight on the tongue will cure it.
------------------ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi Killingworth, Connecticut
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1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. |
04-28-2002, 08:59 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Killingworth, CT. USA
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By the way,,,,,longhornmail,,,,,nice pics! Who's the dude in the pic?
------------------ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi Killingworth, Connecticut
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1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. |
04-28-2002, 09:54 AM | #12 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,690
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Gordo, that's me drivin Jeff's Blazer.
I do know using a tow bar prety much sucks. Maybe alot of it has to do with my GMC...it is Junk. Even towing a small U-Haul trailer, properly loaded, it was waggin it's tail. ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio |
04-28-2002, 10:18 AM | #13 |
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA
Posts: 2,033
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Helped a friend move yesterday. When I got there at 7:30, they had a trailer loaded top to bottom, front to back. Nothing there could even hold it up. All late model 1/2 ton shortie stuff. Backed my 1 ton longhorn under it, hooked it up, it barely dropped the rear end. drove down the road smooth at 45. Needless to say, it did the towing the rest of the day.......just an old work truck.
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Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com |
04-28-2002, 10:57 AM | #14 |
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Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 1,036
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I towed my car from FL to WI with a 70 LWB. Has a coil rear. Drove about 80 all the way with not a problem. 12 MPG. Not to bad for a BB.
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1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters |
04-28-2002, 01:31 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Geneva, FL USA
Posts: 64
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I pulled a big 'ol 81 Caprice 400 miles with a towbar behind my '68 C20 LWB with coil rear. Didn't even know the car was back there - except for the heavy overcharges at the toll booths! LOL.
------------------ '68 C20 - fresh 355,CH465,Dana 60, front disc brakes, rough body '71 C20 parts truck '68 Chevelle ragtop project '57 Belair hardtop project tons of ambition
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'68 C20 - fresh 355,CH465,Dana 60, front disc brakes, rough body '68 Chevelle ragtop project '57 Belair hardtop project '00 S10 pickup daily driver '00 Chev Malibu the wife's car tons of ambition |
04-28-2002, 04:43 PM | #16 | |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,690
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Quote:
------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio |
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04-28-2002, 07:55 PM | #17 |
Recovering Truck Driver
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Orleans, NE USA
Posts: 1,883
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I've pulled pickups on tow bars, cars on trailers, a 400 gallon water tank in a pickup box trailer and a 17 and 1/2 foot boat on a 2 wheel trailer and had no handling problems with my shorty. I did pull a 16' livestock trailer behind an 84 blazer on interstate a couple times, that was a back and forth, wobble and shimmy tighten my cheeks everytime i looked in the mirror experience, but that trailer pulled bad behind a lwb pickup.
------------------ Ol' Buck: '72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84 ralleys and 31/10.5s Angel girl: 67 Cutlass convertible 330, 3spd stick Greener: 90 GMC Jimmy 350/auto Chad Stephens Orleans,NE no name yet: 72 442 under serious construction
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67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska |
04-28-2002, 08:32 PM | #18 |
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Greens Fork, IN
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Weight distribution is important. Trailer brakes will stop that wagging too. If it starts wagging, touch the trailer brakes and it will straighten up. No problem with coils.
------------------ 70 GMC C-10 72 GMC C-10 Super Custom 70 GMC Suburban 4x4 69 Chevy C-10 CST 72 GMC C-10 Sierra Grande www.geocities.com/allgmcs
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