How big of a trailer can I pull?

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audrima

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Jul 19, 2012
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Hello,

I own a 1978 GMC c25 hd. 350 qjet sm454 (3 speed with granny) 3.73(I think) ls rear (8lug 3/4-1ton axle) 2wd. how big of a trailer could I pull on a frame mounted hitch?


I own a 1978 Prowler wilderness 20footer right now. wanting to get a 32-36 footer and newer hehe.


thanks
Aud
 
audrima said:
Hello,

I own a 1978 GMC c25 hd. 350 qjet sm454 (3 speed with granny) 3.73(I think) ls rear (8lug 3/4-1ton axle) 2wd. how big of a trailer could I pull on a frame mounted hitch?


I own a 1978 Prowler wilderness 20footer right now. wanting to get a 32-36 footer and newer hehe.


thanks
Aud
How much do you like your 35-year-old truck? The bigger the trailer that you tow, the more you will hasten it's demise.
 
I would hazard a guess that the original tow rating on your C2500 was around 7000-8000 lbs. Whether it is still up to that is anybody's guess.

Late model travel trailers in the 32+ ft range are probably going to have a GVWR in the 10,000 lb range, but maybe you can find one  that is lighter. Older trailers (70's and 80's vintage) will be lighter because they have fewer amenities, lighter flooring, etc., so maybe you can find one light enough to tow.

My advice is to shop for a newer truck.
 
You've got plenty of engine but a 3 speed trans isn't going to work very well for towing. I would suggest you follow Gary's advise and consider shopping for a updated truck too. Most likely a 1 ton possibly a diesel. Like my 31 foot is GVWR at 8,500 pounds.
 
The truck is in Vary Vary good condition. I'm the second owner. My grandfather was the first, I got it when he passed away. all he Towed his trailers with it. so I'm not getting rid of it. :p I <3 it to much. reminds me of my youth going camping with him. I would of thought older trailers would weigh more. I know it can pull my 20 ft 78 with no problem and my dad's 32 (95 fleet-wood) w/o a problem. ya the 3 speed with granny not going any ware fast lol Thinking of upgrading it to a 4 speed w/ grand *Overdrive ver of what I have*. The difference of my truck and the 1 ton, is the springs lol which I am already going to upgrade. already have the full float
14 bolt in the rear lol. I so want to put a diesel in it but the 350 was just rebuilt by GM in 99 and has less than 80,000 miles on it.

Thanks for all the info it helps me out a lot. I will look for a slightly newer model trailer. I would stick to this 20 footer but the rear is all messed up and the front where it was hit (Before I owned it) is not all rotted out.


thanks!
Aud
 
audrima said:
The truck is in Vary Vary good condition. I'm the second owner. My grandfather was the first, I got it when he passed away. all he Towed his trailers with it. so I'm not getting rid of it. :p I <3 it to much. reminds me of my youth going camping with him. I would of thought older trailers would weigh more. I know it can pull my 20 ft 78 with no problem and my dad's 32 (95 fleet-wood) w/o a problem. ya the 3 speed with granny not going any ware fast lol Thinking of upgrading it to a 4 speed w/ grand *Overdrive ver of what I have*. The difference of my truck and the 1 ton, is the springs lol which I am already going to upgrade. already have the full float
14 bolt in the rear lol. I so want to put a diesel in it but the 350 was just rebuilt by GM in 99 and has less than 80,000 miles on it.

Thanks for all the info it helps me out a lot. I will look for a slightly newer model trailer. I would stick to this 20 footer but the rear is all messed up and the front where it was hit (Before I owned it) is not all rotted out.


thanks!
Aud
You didn't really say, "the 350 was just rebuilt by GM in 99 and has less than 80,000 miles on it." did you?

When I think of "Just".... I'm thinkin'.... maybe 2 years ago....tops. You do realize that '99 was 14 years ago and that a rebuild is not as good as new.

Now, I'm not nockin' the old Chevy pick-ups but at 35 years and the service it's performed, she deserves retirement.....
 
Wavery said:
You didn't really say, "the 350 was just rebuilt by GM in 99 and has less than 80,000 miles on it." did you?

When I think of "Just".... I'm thinkin'.... maybe 2 years ago....tops. You do realize that '99 was 14 years ago and that a rebuild is not as good as new.

Now, I'm not nockin' the old Chevy pick-ups but at 35 years and the service it's performed, she deserves retirement.....

True.  I can build a SBC BETTER than the factory did in the right bay of my garage....especially like they did when it was new.  Power = $$$....how much do you want? 

But yeah....we're not partying like it's 1999 any more.  It was a while back.  That build isn't exactly fresh.  ;D

I can understand the nostalgia thing, but if you're wanting a modern 25-30' TT, a new truck would be much better.  Even my "ultra lite" grosses at close to 8000 lbs.  And in the mountains where I tow, you'd need a truck capable of 10K to pull it correctly.  I'd say get a new pickup, and keep the old one and restore it for a fun vehicle. 
 
Thanks for the replies. kind of confusing. guess my truck can't pull any sized trailer by what I understand. thanks for the through tell me my truck is horrible.


Aud.
 
audrima said:
Thanks for the replies. kind of confusing. guess my truck can't pull any sized trailer by what I understand. thanks for the through tell me my truck is horrible.


Aud.

Sounds like your truck is very nice.....it's just not sized and powered correctly for what you're wanting to do with it.  The new ones do everything better than the old ones did. Trucks have come a long way in 35 years. 
 

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