Opinions Please... Mish mash tow vehicle

[Metal Twister]

Ok guys, I am in the process of building a tube rock car that will not be street-able. I also have a Bastardized vehicle that I am considering turning into a tow / recovery vehicle.

I have a 74 GMC Jimmy with an 2.5 inch extended frame. It has a 3" spring lift on it. Im thinking about finding a cheap Burb and swapping a 454 d60 /d70, tranny and t case into the rig. Id like to throw some bags in the back for towing that can be removed fairly easy for recovery if needed.

The reason I want to keep this vehicle and not get another is that this vehicle is smog exempt and Im really digging that here In California.

With the upgrades the brakes should be ok and I do have trailer brakes as well. Is it going to be too short? Ideas suggestions? The rig...

 

[ktmoutfront]

Is this for short or long distance hauls?

Tandem axle trailer with good brakes. Weight distribution hitch with anti sway would work. Stopping and down hill will be the issue.

 

[Metal Twister]

Is this for short or long distance hauls?

Tandem axle trailer with good brakes. Weight distribution hitch with anti sway would work. Stopping and down hill will be the issue.

Basically short hauls 300 miles round trip. All hwy with a few good grades. It is a tandem trailer with breaks as well. Ive seen those guys pulling trailers with short tow rigs when the trailer starts to dance then leads to whipping around. I'm under the impression it is probably do to not enough tongue weight? But it always seems to be being towed by a short wheelbase vehicle so I'm not 100% sure?

 

[ktmoutfront]

It's usually not one thing that causes the whipping then crash issue. It is a combination. So if you get rid of all but one, and pay attention, it would be OK. Are you going over El Cajon to the high desert?

As I said before, brakes on both axles, checked before each trip. Weight distribution would drop the need for air bags on the tow rig. Anti sway is the best thing they ever invented for ball towing a trailer. Loading a trail with the correct tongue weight is vitally important. Too much can be as bad as not enough.

I saw a Ford TTB ruck with an over loaded trailer going up Cajon once. Left front tire was commoing off the ground going up hill. I went by and kept going.

 

[Metal Twister]

It's usually not one thing that causes the whipping then crash issue. It is a combination. So if you get rid of all but one, and pay attention, it would be OK. Are you going over El Cajon to the high desert?

As I said before, brakes on both axles, checked before each trip. Weight distribution would drop the need for air bags on the tow rig. Anti sway is the best thing they ever invented for ball towing a trailer. Loading a trail with the correct tongue weight is vitally important. Too much can be as bad as not enough.

I saw a Ford TTB ruck with an over loaded trailer going up Cajon once. Left front tire was commoing off the ground going up hill. I went by and kept going.

Thanks for the info. Im Close to El Cajon and go to the southern lower deserts most often. I don't do Cajon pass! LOL

 

[imiceman44]

So I am confused...
Are you building a 77 k5. a burb, or this FSJ for towing?
Or is the FSJ going to be the rig on the trailer?
If you are building the burb for towing, it's not really short, if it's the K5, then yes it's short but load leveling hitch is your friend.
I know your FSJ is smog exempt, but the 77 isn't right?