I have a '72 Chevy pickup with a 350/350 which feels under-powered pulling a
truck on a trailer. I've not pushed it past 60 doing towing anything and
have never towed anything more than maybe 75 miles in a day. The truck only
shows 53,000 miles on the odometer so it can't have anything to do with
being old. I think I decided it has 3.57 gears or something like that. Its
a half-ton and I feel like it really would need bigger brakes if I did very
much towing.
Tomorrow's plan includes using the '72 to tow a buddy's '54 Chevy from a
shop to his house on a dolly. The dolly reduces the total load by a 1000
pounds, which means slowing down is easier.
My '55 1st suburban has a GMC 270 inline with a 4-speed and 3.08 gears (not
original). I've used it to tow stuff too, and don't really like to do it.
With modern brakes (disks in front) stopping isn't scary, but unless your
trailer has brakes, you're going to want big brakes on the tow vehicle.
I think the gear ratio and brakes are pretty important when thinking about
towing. If your trailer has brakes you may not be as worried as I am....
The 250 is a different motor than the 235 or my 270. There was a 292
version that would probably do a much better job at modest speed. If you
want to make time going down the freeway an upgrade might be in order.
Maybe a 454.
FYI, I'm also moderator of the ole-burb list on yahoo, if you want to join a
suburban specific group you might check us out. This list has more volume
most days than that one does in a week.
Steve@OldSub.com
www.OldSub.com
'54 Chevrolet 3100
'55.1 GMC Suburban
'72 Chevrolet C10
----- Original Message -----
From: <GremlinGTs@aol.com>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2003 4:22 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] Question - can a Chevy 250 inline be used to tow cars?
Power enough? ( '72 Sub )
I've been thinking about replacing my '74 Chevy 3/4 ton truck with a
cross-purpose vehicle, the wife needs a medium-sized reliable Van or
something
similar for her craft show use, and I want a vehicle that can tow cars ( or
old
trucks. :) ). I'm not sure I like using Vans to tow cars, I did it a few
times years ago, but I think I prefer using a "truck" like a pickup or panel
/
suburban. The problem with the "new" Suburbans ( '74 and up ), is that that
are
too plush, and just not plain utilitarian enough for my liking. Don't want
to
have to remove seats all the time. Anything way earlier is a little TOO
rough
for my wife's liking, I think. I'm looking around for a '67-72 Chevy or GMC
Suburban or panel ( 3-door sub prefered ), and I found one advertised
locally,
but it has a 250 inline and a 3-speed ( column or floor shift unknown,
probably
column). It'll work for craft show use, but can it handle towing a '55 Chevy
Suburban that weighs almost as much as the driving vehicle? I think it'd be
a
great compromise vehicle, being part truck, part van, and for $1,500 it
wouldn't break me. Just wanted to see if anyone out there tows with a '70's
inline
250 engine and trans, and can give me some real-world info on drawbacks and
pluses. Thanks,
Jerry in Virginia
'55 TF Sub project
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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