C10 - 307 - Manual - [TOWING QUESTION{ - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BrianStep72 · 11-10-2002, 01:41 PM

Friends,

I have just bought an 85 IROC Z for road and drag racing and the such. I'm going to be towing this to the track with my 72 C10 Stepside. I think a 2" receiver hitch and anti sway bars with eletric brakes will be ok, BUT, I want to know what you guys think.
I will be taking as much weight out of the race car as possible, SO it will be much lighter than a stock Z.

Will this tranny (3 on the tree) handle such a load? I haven't bought a trailer yet, but I'll be going for 1 with electric brakes, AND my C10 has power brakes and rotors.

Anybody do this? Experiences, before I buy a trailer and hitch setup?

Am I just crazy? (well, my wife has already answered that). Help me convince her otherwise!!!

Brian

Gordo · 11-10-2002, 04:02 PM

If the whole set-up with car and trailer weighs more than the tow vehicle, it could be a "white knuckle" ride. I tow a trailer that weighs as much as the truck (71 swb) and if trailer isn't balanced just right, it lets me know by "tail waggin". I use one sway control bar and a pair of load levelers on a 2 5/16" ball attached to a class three hitch. I also run my electric brakes on the agressive side. It's been 10 years and about 6K trailer miles.

*Fast68Chevy* · 11-10-2002, 04:20 PM

tranny will be fine its an SM326, and you have 11" clutch unless has been changed by previous owner, you have nothing to worry about, cas eis iron and gears and shafts are steel

LeRoy · 11-10-2002, 05:17 PM

I'll second GORDO and recommend getting some load levelers and a sway control bar.

ty1295 · 11-10-2002, 06:11 PM

trailer balance has been the key in all my towing adventures. As mentioned when trailer weighs more than tow rig, it becomes criticial.

If balance is right, you will forget trailer is behind you. If you get it wrong, the trailer will forget you are in front of it.

Towed a full size HEAVY car trailer, with ~1200 lb load on it, with a 70 chevy blazer, 35's, body lift, etc. When load was off, we ended up doing 3 180's on freeway at 55mph. Got load right, traveled ~400 more miles, not a single issue, even at up to 70mph or so.

Don't be afraid of a little tongue weight, that is WAY better than no tongue weight. Of course you don't want to front tires on tow rig to be airborne.

500lbs or so of tongue weight usually works great for me.

Truck Hippy · 11-10-2002, 09:46 PM

Hey. You may want to look at adding air bags to the rear springs to help with the added tongue weight. They may also help with the ride. Also make sure you load the trailer the correct way. I would experiment with where you put the car on the trailer. When you get it where it does the best, mark the trailer floor so you will know when ever you load it where to put the front tires. Good luck!

11-10-2002, 01:41 PM	#1
BrianStep72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 163	C10 - 307 - Manual - [TOWING QUESTION{ Friends, I have just bought an 85 IROC Z for road and drag racing and the such. I'm going to be towing this to the track with my 72 C10 Stepside. I think a 2" receiver hitch and anti sway bars with eletric brakes will be ok, BUT, I want to know what you guys think. I will be taking as much weight out of the race car as possible, SO it will be much lighter than a stock Z. Will this tranny (3 on the tree) handle such a load? I haven't bought a trailer yet, but I'll be going for 1 with electric brakes, AND my C10 has power brakes and rotors. Anybody do this? Experiences, before I buy a trailer and hitch setup? Am I just crazy? (well, my wife has already answered that). Help me convince her otherwise!!! Brian __________________ 1941 Chevy Coupe Streetrod 1964 Chevy Nova SS 1964 Chevy C10 Stepside Pickup 1972 Chevy C10 Stepside Pickup 1987 Chevy IROC Z28 Camaro 1LE+TPI - racecar 2004 Chevy Tahoe 2013 Chevy Silverado Tow Rig -------------------------------------- http://www.bowtieracing.org

11-10-2002, 04:02 PM	#2
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	If the whole set-up with car and trailer weighs more than the tow vehicle, it could be a "white knuckle" ride. I tow a trailer that weighs as much as the truck (71 swb) and if trailer isn't balanced just right, it lets me know by "tail waggin". I use one sway control bar and a pair of load levelers on a 2 5/16" ball attached to a class three hitch. I also run my electric brakes on the agressive side. It's been 10 years and about 6K trailer miles. __________________ 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.

11-10-2002, 05:17 PM	#4
LeRoy Registered truck nut Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mt. Vernon, Washington, USA Posts: 1,584	I'll second GORDO and recommend getting some load levelers and a sway control bar. __________________ MOUNT VERNON, WASH. STATE Need a part? Just PM me

11-10-2002, 06:11 PM	#5
ty1295 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: jeffersonville, IN Posts: 99	trailer balance has been the key in all my towing adventures. As mentioned when trailer weighs more than tow rig, it becomes criticial. If balance is right, you will forget trailer is behind you. If you get it wrong, the trailer will forget you are in front of it. Towed a full size HEAVY car trailer, with ~1200 lb load on it, with a 70 chevy blazer, 35's, body lift, etc. When load was off, we ended up doing 3 180's on freeway at 55mph. Got load right, traveled ~400 more miles, not a single issue, even at up to 70mph or so. Don't be afraid of a little tongue weight, that is WAY better than no tongue weight. Of course you don't want to front tires on tow rig to be airborne. 500lbs or so of tongue weight usually works great for me. __________________ Jeff Scott '70 GMC Stepside, Short box '63 Nova '92 GMC typhoon '95 Tahoe

11-10-2002, 04:20 PM	#3
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	tranny will be fine its an SM326, and you have 11" clutch unless has been changed by previous owner, you have nothing to worry about, cas eis iron and gears and shafts are steel

11-10-2002, 09:46 PM	#6
Truck Hippy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hickory, NC. Posts: 776	Hey. You may want to look at adding air bags to the rear springs to help with the added tongue weight. They may also help with the ride. Also make sure you load the trailer the correct way. I would experiment with where you put the car on the trailer. When you get it where it does the best, mark the trailer floor so you will know when ever you load it where to put the front tires. Good luck!



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