Too high of gears to pull a trailer? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Vanhalen1985 · 02-23-2014, 12:53 AM

I'll be getting out of the military the end of this year and driving back to indiana. The trip is approx. 2000 mile. I have a 72 k10 with 307 diffs. Is it unreasonable to think I can pull a car carrier with Honda civic on it? The car will be crammed pack with my belongings so total weight on trailer will be roughly 3000lbs with about another 1000lbs in the bed. Running 33" tires and a th350/350.

trac209 · 02-23-2014, 01:38 AM

Unless you have a weak 350 I'd say you should be ok.

darush01 · 02-23-2014, 01:42 AM

I'm no expert but I've pulled 6,000 plus pounds with a worn out 305 no clue what gears were in it but I say you'll be fine just use common sense

dbash · 02-23-2014, 01:44 AM

Thanks for your service! Check your brakes prior to your trip, don't get in a hurry and easy on the down grades.....

**leddzepp** · 02-23-2014, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbash

Thanks for your service! Check your brakes prior to your trip, don't get in a hurry and easy on the down grades.....

X2. Nice board name by the way

Wizo · 02-23-2014, 02:13 AM

My two cents; thank you Sir for serving our country. we appreciate you doing that.

hugger6933 · 02-23-2014, 03:15 AM

Thank you for your service. Millions of Chevys and GMC in the 70's and very early 80's did the exact thing you are talking about. All day, every day. You will be fine. Good luck Enjoy the road trip. Jim

**Boog** · 02-23-2014, 07:12 AM

Thank you VH.
See the USA in a Chevrolet while pulling a stuffed Honda.

Mike C · 02-23-2014, 10:25 AM

With stock size tires you should be good to go. Please make sure and use a trailer with brakes!

I had 33" tires on my 3.07 gears for a while (very short!) and you would have problems pulling much of a trailer very far or fast...

Vanhalen1985 · 02-23-2014, 10:57 AM

Thank you for the replies and thank you for paying your taxes

. Glad too hear my plan isn't too asinine. I think I'll do some dry runs in the local area prior to the big day to gain a feel for how she'll perform.

**jocko** · 02-23-2014, 11:40 AM

Good luck on the trip, should work out fine. You might find it a little annoying going uphill, but it's doable. Wish I was moving back to Indiana! By the end of the year, the snow will have melted, maybe. Or be back again. Where in Indy?? VH was indeed the band back in that time frame.

Vanhalen1985 · 02-23-2014, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

Good luck on the trip, should work out fine. You might find it a little annoying going uphill, but it's doable. Wish I was moving back to Indiana! By the end of the year, the snow will have melted, maybe. Or be back again. Where in Indy?? VH was indeed the band back in that time frame.

Scottsburg, 30 miles north of louisville on I-65. One of my favs next to ZZ Top!!!

**bigmac73** · 02-23-2014, 04:33 PM

i would think you would be fine and get a decent MPG with those gears, unless you hit some foot hills or Mountains,

**jocko** · 03-05-2014, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanhalen1985

Scottsburg, 30 miles north of louisville on I-65. One of my favs next to ZZ Top!!!

Nice! Good friends in Paducah and Evansville. I was a "northerner" - grew up in Gary. Ah, Gary... Don't miss it.

JGray · 03-05-2014, 07:40 PM

Thank you for your service! I did something similar a number of years ago - moved from Seattle to Phoenix driving a 72 K10 SWB (350/4 spd/3.07 gears), pulling a 71 K5 Blazer using a tow bar. It worked okay, though we did have trouble overheating when we got to northern Arizona due to hot weather and a tired motor in the K10. We ended up disconnecting and drove both rigs separately the rest of the way.

I've also towed a +/-3000 lb boat with the Blazer (350/350/3.07 gears) and it did okay though was a dog on the hills - usually a second gear pull.

edit to add: 32" tires

lowrollin70gmc · 03-05-2014, 07:49 PM

You should be fine, but you're going to be at more than 3000lbs for a trailer, most car haulers are in the 1500-2000lb range empty. Just make sure to keep an eye on your gauges, and adding a trans temp gauge may not be a bad thing. Also ensure that your cooling system is in good shape for some of the uphills you may have to pull.

FYI: When I EASd I used a 70 El Camino w/ 350/TH350/3.08s with a Sportster in the bed to tow dolly my 63 Chevy II from San Diego to South Dakota. Pulled just fine, but trans temp got a little high in the mountains so I had to stop a few times to let her cool down and I ended up doing a lot of I40's hills during the night when it was cooler.

cheyenne shortstep · 03-05-2014, 07:54 PM

My 72 short stepper with 3:08's was my regular [daily] tow rig, I towed 3/4 tons, 4x4's, big block Impala's, you name it I towed it. Had to get a bit of a run at some grades such as west bound I-8 out of Ocotiilo but always made it.

02-23-2014, 12:53 AM	#1
Vanhalen1985 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tucson Posts: 53	Too high of gears to pull a trailer? I'll be getting out of the military the end of this year and driving back to indiana. The trip is approx. 2000 mile. I have a 72 k10 with 307 diffs. Is it unreasonable to think I can pull a car carrier with Honda civic on it? The car will be crammed pack with my belongings so total weight on trailer will be roughly 3000lbs with about another 1000lbs in the bed. Running 33" tires and a th350/350.

02-23-2014, 01:38 AM	#2
trac209 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: winnipeg Posts: 1,107	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? Unless you have a weak 350 I'd say you should be ok.

02-23-2014, 01:42 AM	#3
darush01 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville ky Posts: 398	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? I'm no expert but I've pulled 6,000 plus pounds with a worn out 305 no clue what gears were in it but I say you'll be fine just use common sense

02-23-2014, 01:44 AM	#4
dbash Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orangevale, California Posts: 323	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? Thanks for your service! Check your brakes prior to your trip, don't get in a hurry and easy on the down grades..... __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509467 2008 Dodge 3500 Blue Tech 2013 Challenger SRT8 392 1972 Landcruiser Rock Crawler LS1 1969 4X4 Resto Mod

02-23-2014, 02:13 AM	#6
Wizo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 274	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? My two cents; thank you Sir for serving our country. we appreciate you doing that.

02-23-2014, 03:15 AM	#7
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,277	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? Thank you for your service. Millions of Chevys and GMC in the 70's and very early 80's did the exact thing you are talking about. All day, every day. You will be fine. Good luck Enjoy the road trip. Jim

02-23-2014, 07:12 AM	#8
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,391	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? Thank you VH. See the USA in a Chevrolet while pulling a stuffed Honda. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

02-23-2014, 10:25 AM	#9
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,723	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? With stock size tires you should be good to go. Please make sure and use a trailer with brakes! I had 33" tires on my 3.07 gears for a while (very short!) and you would have problems pulling much of a trailer very far or fast... __________________ 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

02-23-2014, 10:57 AM	#10
Vanhalen1985 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tucson Posts: 53	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? Thank you for the replies and thank you for paying your taxes. Glad too hear my plan isn't too asinine. I think I'll do some dry runs in the local area prior to the big day to gain a feel for how she'll perform.

02-23-2014, 11:40 AM	#11
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,972	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? Good luck on the trip, should work out fine. You might find it a little annoying going uphill, but it's doable. Wish I was moving back to Indiana! By the end of the year, the snow will have melted, maybe. Or be back again. Where in Indy?? VH was indeed the band back in that time frame.

02-23-2014, 04:33 PM	#13
bigmac73 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 1,275	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? i would think you would be fine and get a decent MPG with those gears, unless you hit some foot hills or Mountains, __________________ Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks

03-05-2014, 07:40 PM	#15
JGray Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Helena, MT Posts: 21	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? Thank you for your service! I did something similar a number of years ago - moved from Seattle to Phoenix driving a 72 K10 SWB (350/4 spd/3.07 gears), pulling a 71 K5 Blazer using a tow bar. It worked okay, though we did have trouble overheating when we got to northern Arizona due to hot weather and a tired motor in the K10. We ended up disconnecting and drove both rigs separately the rest of the way. I've also towed a +/-3000 lb boat with the Blazer (350/350/3.07 gears) and it did okay though was a dog on the hills - usually a second gear pull. edit to add: 32" tires Last edited by JGray; 03-05-2014 at 08:00 PM. Reason: tire size

03-05-2014, 07:49 PM	#16
lowrollin70gmc Too many projects Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fargo, ND land of the flat hills Posts: 1,147	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? You should be fine, but you're going to be at more than 3000lbs for a trailer, most car haulers are in the 1500-2000lb range empty. Just make sure to keep an eye on your gauges, and adding a trans temp gauge may not be a bad thing. Also ensure that your cooling system is in good shape for some of the uphills you may have to pull. FYI: When I EASd I used a 70 El Camino w/ 350/TH350/3.08s with a Sportster in the bed to tow dolly my 63 Chevy II from San Diego to South Dakota. Pulled just fine, but trans temp got a little high in the mountains so I had to stop a few times to let her cool down and I ended up doing a lot of I40's hills during the night when it was cooler. __________________ Andrew 84 GMC C1500 SWB 6.2 Diesel/700R4/3.42 "Grandpa's odd duck" 70 GMC C1500 LWB My first truck: shaved, bagged, and more: the lowrollin70gmc 68 K20 Suburban 12V Cummins/NV5600/NP205/D60/11.5AAM 3.73s "Dakota Cadillac" 63 Chevy II Nova Coupe 250 I6/T56/4.56s "Economy car" 53 Willys Wagon 350/NV4500/BW4401/HP D44/9inch “Winter Wagon” 30 Model A 16 Focus ST

03-05-2014, 07:54 PM	#17
cheyenne shortstep Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vista Ca. Posts: 2,405	Re: Too high of gears to pull a trailer? My 72 short stepper with 3:08's was my regular [daily] tow rig, I towed 3/4 tons, 4x4's, big block Impala's, you name it I towed it. Had to get a bit of a run at some grades such as west bound I-8 out of Ocotiilo but always made it.



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