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Can this truck pull a 5th wheel camper?

That truck at one time pulled a drag car all over the United States without trailer brakes, and without OD.

It CAN do it, but nowadays you have to WANT to do it in that old of a truck. Me, fix the AC, add a NV4500, subtract the rear 60 for a 14FF both with 4.56s, and maybe inject the 454 and add trailer brakes to it and run it. Stopping will always be the biggest problem with that rig, it has no weight to slow a trailer down, other than that, it will pull it just fine at the cost of one hell of a credit card bill. But, you will be cooler than any other truck pulling a camper on the road. Its easy to buy a new truck to do it, its unique, but it does have its limits.

Even adding a 6.5 turbo would be reasonable, simple, and easily do what he is asking, just not as fast as a modern diesel of course.
 
Impulse buying = not good unless you're very wealthy. And even then, not good.

The reason why i suggested a bumper pull trlr is that they tend to be lighter than the (now) gigantic 5th wheel trailers you see out there on the road nowadays. (these setups resemble a mini tractor trailer to me......)
i agree that 5th tows and handles a lot better.


3) Aren't there services that will move the trailer wherever/whenever you want?
a) what about renting a truck whenever you want to move the trailer?

Seems like both of these options would be cheaper than buying another truck (or keeping this one for that matter....) just to pull the trailer occasionally.
 
Just a heads up to toss out there if you decide to swap axles someday: get a 14FF out of a true 1 ton truck as the spring perches are the same width on the 67-72 trucks. All you'd have to do is relocate the shock mounts as they both face the same direction rather than mount staggered like the 73 on up trucks have. This is less work to get the 1 tons fitted in these older trucks.
 
thatK30guy said:
Just a heads up to toss out there if you decide to swap axles someday: get a 14FF out of a true 1 ton truck as the spring perches are the same width on the 67-72 trucks. All you'd have to do is relocate the shock mounts as they both face the same direction rather than mount staggered like the 73 on up trucks have. This is less work to get the 1 tons fitted in these older trucks.
Click to expand...


But the 3/4 frame is still thinner than a 1 ton?
 
i just think this whole situation is not in his best interests (the whole impulse buying thing is key here......) and as his friend i think you need to have a "tough" sit down talk with him.
 
Yeah, the camper is 38.5' long and 14k GVW. 2 axle.

I already told him he's pushing the limits (or going overboard) of that truck with that camper. He doesn't want to downsize the camper because it's pretty much his house.

Anyone have a dually for sale/trade that might fit the bill? :D
 
496truck said:
Anyone have a dually for sale/trade that might fit the bill? :D
Click to expand...


The concept should be to STOP buying things unless they are totally necessary.

How often will the trailer be moved? (that in itself may be unnecessary......why not just stay in a warm place?)

i think he needs to watch Suze Orman. Seriously.

Also, ex-military? i'm guessing Marines. (sorry, couldn't resist)
 
Army, actually.

He still needs a vehicle for running around or to carry the bike when needed, hence the need for a truck. Also, the rural roads in western Mass where his family is, a car will not suffice certain times of the year. And because Murica, who's to say he can't have a truck? Certainly not me.

How often will the camper be moved? Not sure. He talks about wanting to see the country he served for, live a simple life pretty much off the grid in a way. Can't pay to have it moved every time you want to get up n go.

I'm not here to justify his life choices. Just trying to help him do what he wants.

I don't have any idea who Suzy Orman is...
 
No, that truck isn't up to the task.
In order to make it up to the task you'd spend more than buying a stock truck that is up to the task.
If he's "seeing the country" that will involve some long hard pulls up some steep grades, we have to keep that in mind.

I've had people say my trucks are overkill but I live where there's some insanely steep and long pulls through the mountains in order to get to the dunes or the trails and I'm happy every time I hit the grades.
 
Yeah too much trailer for that truck. Either he needs a new truck Or downgrade the trailer. He'd be much better off with a duelly diesel. Or a smaller say 24 foot trailer. If he's going to move a lot and constantly Be pulling it around. If it's just him he could do with a lot less trailer. What he's got now is almost as big as a mobile home you'd put out for the summer by a lake or something. Good luck telling him the news.
 
chulisohombre said:
If it's just him he could do with a lot less trailer. What he's got now is almost as big as a mobile home you'd put out for the summer by a lake or something. Good luck telling him the news.
Click to expand...
It's only a 35 footer. Not that big really, but more than what that old GMC could handle. If I was into RV'ing, I'd have a 3 axle 40+ft trailer, they are all actually pretty cramped inside.
 
i wish to formally withdraw input from this thread on the grounds of:

1) buying things on impulse when you haven't thought things thru. I.e., getting a trailer too heavy to be towed with anything you presently have AND don't really have the money for it in the first place is maybe not the most intelligent thing to do.

2) Buying a truck (also on impulse apparently) that WON'T tow the trailer, also maybe not the most intelligent move. All this money spent and you still now have a combo that won't work....

3) Continuing to support/encourage a friend who does the above to keep doing the same, maybe not in either of your best interests.
 
Just tell him to hook up to it and pull it around a few times.

Martin
 
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