The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What do you reccomend

I am looking to purchase finally my long desired bolt. Here is my thoughts. I want something I can use on a regular basis. I will occasionally( maybe 2-3 times per year) use it to tow a travel trailer. Need to be able to tow around 8500 lbs. I will in the future like to put in a diesel. What should I be looking for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton?

If you go by what the factory designed the bolt for you need a bolt with gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 12,000 lbs. That's 3,500 for the bolt and 8,500 for the trailer, my C20 weighs 3,500. According to my 63 manual the C30 (1 ton) with optional heavy duty springs is only rated at 10,000 pounds. The CL50 (2 1/2 ton??) GVW starts at 10,000 and goes up to 16,000 with optional springs. Beyond the spring rates, I think the big factor here is brakes. I would definitely figure putting disks on the front. I have a friend that has 1998 Chevy 2500 with big block vortech that pulls a race trailer that weighs 17,000 pounds. He is watching the traffic way in front of him all the time.

Larry

The Gross Vehicle Weight is only the truck plus cargo, it does not include any trailers. That would be gross Combined Vehicle weight Rating. A 3/4 ton or 1 ton will be more than capable of towing an 8300# trailer, however, anything that you can do to improve the braking system, especially if you plan on a Deisel, will help.
Don't expect much in the line of good road speed with either, though. Or at least not without changing the rear gear and/or adding an overdrive.

Longbox, Your right it was explained wrong to me. GVW does include the trailer tongue weight though. An approximate for tongue weight is 10-15%, so that would be 4775 GVW. A 3/4 ton starts at 5,500 and a 1 ton at 6,700. The 1 ton would have bigger brakes.

Larry

Well, there can be some confusion on those terms, especialy since the older shop manuals and owners manuals didn't include trailering info like they do today.
Hey, justmeok, what year range were you thinking? To be honest, IMOP, I would look for a '64-'72, preferrably with the Camper Special package. Those generally have the heaviest springs and larger brakes.

If you're hauling off the bumper the weight is more of an issue than if you use a 5th wheel. 5th wheel offers a MUCh better load capacity there as well as towing stability and overal vehicle control.

Brakes are the real killer there & it'll depend on the rig you get as to how much of a PITA it is to upgrade. More recent models are easier to upgrade, but then if you really wanna do it right swap in newer axles & springs that are rated for a higher weight with modern brakes already installed.

My old bolt of choice is the mid 60's Chevy 3/4 ton, anything before '69 when they started to lose those flowing lines. The Apache is a beutiful truck. They are tanks in stock rig, & the one I used to have was a mean ol' '65 with a 327 with TBI and custom exhaust, TH400, and 5.31 rear. Pulled weight like nothin, cruised at 70 with ease, and wes a joy to drive. I'd love to have a 3/4 or 1 ton flat bed now!

I am looking for a 47 to 54 year range