Personally, I think all of you who say you've pulled heavy loads with little trucks and had no problem are lucky not to have had problems.
Very early on, I learned expedience is often dangerous and costly (I once tried towing a '70 Chevelle SS ragtop from Augusta ME to Indianapolis on a U-Haul car dolly behind an S-10 which was insanely stupid and I learned my lesson).
My personal opinion is that even with a frame-mounted receiver hitch, 1/2-tons are just plain inadequate for towing loads like these big old trucks. Sure, you can get away with it if you're an experienced hauler (notice how experienced haulers don't use 1/2-tons???) or if you're just lucky that day, but I think it's irresponsible to suggest to someone new at it that it's okay to put his family in that rig and then overload it for a 400-mile trip.
What's cheaper, paying extra to have it done right, or paying the deductable on that crewcabbed Ford when you total it on the way home?
Row boats, soccer players and groceries are all modern half-tons are meant to haul, gang. Call it overkill if you like (I call it covering my butt), the the official recommendation of the Stovebolt Page is to tow that truck with nothing less than a 3/4-ton truck properly equipped with a heavyduty towing package and electric brake controller. For hauling, we recommend getting all four wheels off the road (do you trust 50-year old bearings?) on a purpose-built, dual axle, brake-equipped car hauler-type trailer.
You could also read Barry Weeks' excellent article on towing in the Tech Tips section (Follow the link above).
Do it right and do it safe -- we don't want to loose any Stovebolters or their trucks!
Thanks,
John
