Need info on a truck to tow a trailer and car

[GhettoRacingKid]

I am starting to look for a truck to tow my car and trailer to the track.

The closest track is about 3 hours away. I am only starting to look but got a few questions.

What kind of pay load do i need? the car weighs about 3500 (over guestimate) and the trailer i think its at like 1500lbs i think

Can I use like a chevy 1500?

I am thinking of either a somewhat new truck like late 90s early 2000s

or

I am thinking of buying like a late 60s early 70s chevy pick up. (i love those things)

any suggestions or recommendations? I am all ears

 

[FE3X CLONE]

You can use just about anything you want. I'd stay away from the short wheelbase trucks like an S-10 even though they're rated to tow up to 6000lbs.

The biggest issue with towing is making sure you have really good brakes as well as a transmission cooler.

My '08 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated at 6700lbs with the 5.3L and 3.42 gears. It works perfectly fine pulling an open trailer and a loaded G-body.

 

[chevy2480]

I have been towing my car trailer with a 97 f150 for years and also with a chevy 1500 took trips up to 8hrs away with no issues. Car weight is around 3800lb and trailer is 1750. Like i said no problems.

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

hahah yeah. no way would i hook that trailer up to an S-10.

ok so I can go with a 1500.

now the hunt will begin.

Im thinking something older. I tend to get board often and need something to rip apart.

 

[kornball426]

You can go with a 1500 but I personally wouldn't I prefer a 2500 anyday... It'll have either a 4L80E or TH400, or a C6 or Ford AOD version of the C6 or whatever Dodge uses so it's a tougher trans won't get burned up as easily pulling a trailer. And they have heavier duty axles and gears and heavier duty suspension.

I've have a couple 1/2 tons/1500's and the only difference in their favor (in my opinion) is they ride better when they're unloaded than a 3/4 ton/2500.

 

[dogsht]

I always wanted to tow one gbody with another gbody on a dolly. Naturally it would need good trailer brakes and a good transmission cooler. Could you see a 442 pulling a GN to a car show or something. I always thought it would turn some heads. If you got a drag car that had to be trailered on a simple open trailer nothing wrong with a 1500. A bigger truck tows nicer but it is overkill. Then again dont most of us like overkill.

 

[megaladon6]

newer 1500/150's will do it easily, however if you go to a 60/70's truck, not so much. old heavy duty work trucks are totally outclassed by new light duty "toy" trucks. mid 90's GM had the vortec headed GEN1 engine--cheap simple basic with very good power and MPG, later ones have an LS engine

 

[RockSS]

I have an 05 chevy silverado ex-cab 4x4 5.3 all aluminum block w/towing package bought new I tow a 20' enclosed trailer empty weighs 3415lbs loaded at the time it was 6000lbs ... I recently converted the trailer to haul a car. My concern was not trucks ability but trailer. I weighed truck it was 5,400 lbs the whole combo with tools nitrgen tank winch battery ect. was 12,360lbs but it pulled just fine even on the hills but i dont use overdrive it has 3.42 rear gear (3.73 would be better) so yea 1/2 ton trucks are just fine ... I wouldn't mind a little bigger tho... I converted over to ceramic brakes in the front and have 4 wheel brakes on trailer with a digital controler. 😀
Good Luck but if you can get a 2500 for the same price for towing bigger is better 8)
that being said if you plan on driving it when not towing my 1500 ... cold air and good exhaust and toneau cover I get 18 mpg around town and 22 plus on the hiway my dealer sticker says 15 - 19 ...

 

[Dr. Rudy]

Definitely Gbody to tow a Gbody. I knew guys who towed their drag camaros to the track with chevelles. drop in a good 350, get a transmission cooler and some better gears, and be way more badass than the guy hauling the same car with a turbo diesel pickup.

 

[MR442]

Good luck on search . For occasional hauling just get the 1500 . The MPG rest time is worth it .

As for year . They can say what want . But I have several truck to tow with . My old trucks outperform the newer ones everywhere but MPG . And its close as most 3/4 ton have The Larger motor and 10 MPG around here.