Towing Capacity

[Shawn F.]

I have a 1980 El Camino and am trying to figure out how much weight I may be able to tow with it... I plan to upgrade the rear suspension with new springs, airbags in the springs and new shocks. I am wanting to pull a small 6 foot trailer with a 100 gallon water tank, pressure washing and a handful of pressure washing tools (residential pressure washing).
Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I would love to be able to use this vehicle for work but not sure if it's going to do the job or not.

 

[shotgun]

What engine, trans, rear gear, tire? etc etc

 

[RockSS]

I didn't have anything else to do so I looked it up this is what i found for factory recomends.. hope this helps


What is the towing capacity of a 78-88 El Camino?
(Author: Ernie G. from http://www.malibunirvana.com)
According to the Chevy Recreation and Trailering Guide there are three possible trailering configurations for an El Camino. All require a deadweight hitch bolted to the frame through pre-punched holes. Equalizing and antisway assemblies were also required and were available through outside sources.

Light towing (class 1 hitch):
An El Camino equipped with a 3.8L (LC3/LD5) motor, automatic transmission, and a 2.73 rear can pull up to a gross weight of 2000 pounds with 200 pounds tongue load.

Medium towing (class 2 hitch):
An El Camino equipped with a 5.0L (LG4) motor, automatic transmission, and a 2.41 rear can pull up to a gross weight of 4000 pounds with 500 pounds tongue load.

Heavy towing (class 3 hitch):
An El Camino equipped with a 5.0L (LG4) motor, automatic transmission, and a 2.73 rear can pull up to a gross weight of 5000 pounds with 600 pounds tongue load.

 

[joe_padavano]

I have a 1980 El Camino and am trying to figure out how much weight I may be able to tow with it... I plan to upgrade the rear suspension with new springs, airbags in the springs and new shocks. I am wanting to pull a small 6 foot trailer with a 100 gallon water tank, pressure washing and a handful of pressure washing tools (residential pressure washing).
Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I would love to be able to use this vehicle for work but not sure if it's going to do the job or not.

100 gallons of water is 834 lbs. With the trailer, tank, and equipment, you're probably looking at about 2,000 lbs total.

 

[oldtinsmith]

Does anybody still make a class III set up for the g-body el camino?????

Doug

 

[pontiacgp]

I think you'd have to get a class III custom made. I have a class II and upsized and upgraded the bolts to mount it.

 

[Shawn F.]

Thanks guys. It's soon to have a 355 with vortec heads and low torque cam along with a th350 trans. Gears are 2.56 I think? I can't remember the number exact sorry.