What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Need to tow/haul more with my Blazer

adamforsythe

adamforsythe

1/2 ton status
Joined
Oct 16, 2004
Posts
1,394
Reaction score
1
Location
Maine
I want to know what I should do suspension wize so I can tow more and haul more. My k5 will be towing around a 12'-14' trailer in the next few months.
I was thinking air bags.....maby add aspring????? Please help
Remember pics and links are nice:D
Thanks
Adam
 
Well first off, if you have the 700R4 tranny I wouldnt bother unless you will just be hauling the trailer empty. Blazers are not well known for their towing ability.
 
I have wondered the same thing. I know some people use their K5's to tow, but I towed a Bronco II on a car dolly to OK a couple of years ago and wasn't even 35 miles from home when we jack-knifed do to the dolly pushing the rear of my truck around. Brakes on the dolly and a different type of dolly (it didn't have steering, you had to drag it around the corners) would have improved the situation. Needless to say, by the time we were back home 1200 miles later I was ready. I would think that due to the short wheelbase and long overhang on the rear, having a trailer setup properly is just as important as the suspension. That being said, I would probably try some sort of air bag setup so I didn't lose flex when I was not towing. Also if your spring bushings are bad I think it could cause problems.
 
hahahaha no I have a Th350 and a 380 horse 350.
Thanks
Adam
cyncrwler said:
Well first off, if you have the 700R4 tranny I wouldnt bother unless you will just be hauling the trailer empty. Blazers are not well known for their towing ability.
Click to expand...
 
I have towed with a stock 305/700r4 Blazer , a Nissan Sentra through mountains . 25 mph uphill kinda sucks .

I have towed with a shackle flipped Blazer with 305/700r4 a Blazer tub , a pickup bed trailer loaded with Moab gear , a camping trailer , and a Ford Bronco that died .
 
adamforsythe said:
I want to know what I should do suspension wize so I can tow more and haul more. My k5 will be towing around a 12'-14' trailer in the next few months.
I was thinking air bags.....maby add aspring????? Please help
Remember pics and links are nice:D
Thanks
Adam
Click to expand...


Several things:

1) Gears-What do you have now for gears? If you have 3.5-3.73 gears; upgrade to 4.10's.

2) Transmission-What kind of transmission? Auto-upgrade cooling capability is paramount. And get a tranny tempt gauge too.

3) Rear suspension-Rear anti-sway bar are in order. Air shocks to add capability/level the load.

4) Brakes-Time for upgrade, if possible. And bleed the system more often than you do now. I change my brake fluid every 15,000 miles.

5) Engine cooling-Make sure everything is in good shape.

6) Tires-Can tires handle the load? Are they in good shape?


Growing up, my buddy's dad had a '72 Toyota FJ 40 Landcruiser with a Chevy 350/TH350/NP205 with a D60/14BFF. They used to tow all kinds of loads with it (2000lbs. to 6000lbs).

It's very similar to how a semi tows as well.

If you're not careful, you'll jackknife.
 
Hijack, well kind of:D

My 78 Blazer Has a 350/Th350 with shift kit and alumium pan 4.56 gears on 33's sway bars front and Rear. Oh and really stiff springs in the rear

Would that be a towing setup
 
1978Blazerk5 said:
kinda of Hijack:D

My 78 Blazer Has a 350/Th350 with shift kit and alumium pan 4.56 gears on 33's sway bars front and Rear. Oh and really stiff springs in the rear

Would that be a towing setup
Click to expand...



As long as everything is in good working order; yes.

Make sure you have a cooling radiator for your TH350 tranny.

And bleed your brakes.


Those gears are perfect for towing: Getting the torque to the ground :D !
 
1. Anyone that syas you can't tow with a 700R4 is a dumb dumb..... It's first gear works well and they tow just fine when at their rating. I won't even go into cooling for it, because ALL autos need adequit cooling.

2. How much will these trailers weigh? Thats very important.

3. 12-14' is a nice length for a blazer, if you are under 4K weight I say you are good to go! There are TONS of guys out there pulling around speed boats and bass boats behind their K5's and they work GREAT. I pulled around a 17' tandem flatbed continuously with my K5 years back, no problem if you aren't heavy and have good brakes.
 
CDA 455 said:
As long as everything is in good working order; yes.

Make sure you have a cooling radiator for your TH350 tranny.

And bleed your brakes.


Those gears are perfect for towing: Getting the torque to the ground :D !
Click to expand...


I got a big ass cooler sitting in my garage, and After the winter months I am gonna put it in with a temp gauge
 
1978Blazerk5 said:
I got a big ass cooler sitting in my garage, and After the winter months I am gonna put it in with a temp gauge
Click to expand...



Excellent!

Here's an idea of what temperatures do to transmissions:

heatchrt.jpg
 
I tow a 2800lb race car on a two axle trailer just fine and I have a 700r4. I'm lifted 6" with 35's, shackle flip. I do have an upgraded tranny and a larger radiator and trans cooler which I'd do regardless of whether you tow or not. I usually adjust my shocks a little stiffer.

I think the biggest thing is to make sure the trailer is loaded correctly, and the tongue weight isn't excessive.
 
Your Blazer will tow a small trailer just fine. I tow a lot with my K5. I haul my 2500 Lb boat around all summer. I have done many 1400 mile tows down to the ocean and back. I tow a 3500lb GVW utility trailer loaded with wood every year I usually haul 4 cords of wood a year out of the hills. My trailer holds a cord. I have towed 22" travel trailer many times
I did a 500 mile tow with a 53 F100 on a car trailer. I have a 89 Blazer 4" lift with overloads. 3.73 gears 700R4. B&M trans and engine oil coolers and trailer brakes. It tows just fine with that combo My 700 has 120K miles on it towing a lot and it is holding up just fine with absoulity no signs of abnormal wear. Blazers tow just as good as any other 1/2 ton SWB truck I have owned as long as you keep within its towing/gvw limits.
Good gears are a must have. 3.73 is the minimum I would use for towing
 
I tow my 27' trailer, which is around 6000 lbs, with my 75' on 40's, 4.88 gears and a 700r4 no problem. I use a weight distribution setup and an antisway on the hitch. Another thing that gets overlooked with overdrive trannys, especially with those who do not tow regularly, is to not tow in overdrive.
 
Hey sorry for not posting up I have been busy. here are my truck specs.......
NEWER 350/Th350/rebuilt Np208/3.73 gearing. Engine/tranni oil coolers I am planning on buying heavy duty springs. The tires will take the weight.
The trailer is going to be a 12'x8' It will be twin axle (The frame and axles are coming off from a 20' stock trailer.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom