If you agree it's temp why bother putting money into to make it better. Just keep it the way it is and focus on stepping up to a better rig
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Tow rig upgrade and trailer purchase ideas
- Thread starter gotblazers
- Start date
gotblazers
1/2 ton status
I dont want to have to white knuckle the steering wheel looking at my rear view mirror the entire time. Also the 73 k5 is funded by my dad so tires/airbags/special hitch wouldnt be slowing down my builds financially i would only have to install them. And its all things he wants done to increase its towing capacitys anyways. No reason not to since he wont let me wheel it worth a crap since he doesnt want any body damage on it.
Great, because having tons of HP and a great transmission is the ONLY thing important for towing.
With what little weight you are dealing with, you could get around with a tired 305 and a TH350 with a 100K on it. It's amazing how many people assume they can tow big stuff because they have a big motor under their hood. Brakes, chassis strength, and suspension payload capacity are the ingredients to a good tow rig. HP is the last ingredient, and a lot of it is a luxury, not a necessity. I've towed plenty with my K5, and I know what they are capable of, mainly because I towed a bunch of stuff that was way too heavy but did it anyway because I was young and naive, and thought "It'll do it." You are in a mindset that is bound and determined to make this setup work, regardless of any negative input.As to your doubts of Whether itll do it or not. My uncle who owned it prior to my self has been a truck driver for over 30 years and towed 6500 lbs with it quite a few times without airbags or any of the upgrades i listed and said keep it under 55 and you wont have a problem. So i really have no doubt its going to do it when a guy who makes his living towing tells me it can do it especially when hes done it himself with that vehicle. I admit i do have some rose colored glasses on right now but when a guy who makes his living towing and actually cares about my personal safety gives me the go ahead i dont think im being unreasonable to believe him. I will obviously admit that its not ideal and im sure with someone who is used to towing with a long wheel base legendary cummins. towing with such a inferior towing vehicle is a laughing matter but its what i got for now. Im pretty sure ive said this more than once but i'll say it again, This is a temporary set up. I dont expect to go far this way.
Im on here to find out the best ways to do it, Which blazinuk has pretty much told me how so now we are arguing over whether its possible or not even though its already been done. It would appear this thread is going to become another WHEELBASE!!!! thread despite my best efforts.
Eh.... I give in... have at it.
Get your air bags, WD hitch, and 14BFF ( oh wait dad said the 12 is totally awesome and is staying right?). Let me know how 680 and the Altimont on 580 treats you. Not another peep out of me, I promise.
shovelbill80
1/2 ton status
ditto...........
i've probably been on the scene of more truck/trailer accidents than anyone gotblazers will ever speak to....ya know what most people say? "that never happened before" "it wouldn't stop" or...."he just cut in front of me"........ad nauseum. batches of them drove trucks for 30+ years too. some of them that crashed had a clue about towing in the first place. i won't go into how people react when they realize they just killed a hapless stranger and their kids.
Not another peep out of me, I promise
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gotblazers
1/2 ton status
Regardless of its less than ideal ending. This thread has taught me quite a bit with most of the useful advice coming from blazinuk but thats nothing new hes a damn smart dude 
. Im hoping tohave the 73 k5 running real soon so make sure to watch over there. Again very appreciative of all the input i got here.
. Im hoping tohave the 73 k5 running real soon so make sure to watch over there. Again very appreciative of all the input i got here.
ditto...........
i've probably been on the scene of more truck/trailer accidents than anyone gotblazers will ever speak to....ya know what most people say? "that never happened before" "it wouldn't stop" or...."he just cut in front of me"........ad nauseum. batches of them drove trucks for 30+ years too. some of them that crashed had a clue about towing in the first place. i won't go into how people react when they realize they just killed a hapless stranger and their kids.
Not another peep out of me, I promise
The reason you don't hear more people talking about their really bad towing accidents is that the people who had them are dead.....
The people bragging about getting away with towing unsafe loads are simply the ones who are queued up, but haven't been killed, yet.
Natural Selection is an unsympathetic bitch. The guys here are trying to help improve your chances of becoming a crusty old man someday.... and not just a grease spot on a California highway.
gotblazers
1/2 ton status
Found a few Potentials in my price range, Both will probably need trailer brakes but thatd be a good negotiating point for me to bring down the price. Both say OBO
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2228924915.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/2231510237.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2228924915.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/2231510237.html
I just read through your whole thread and here's what I learned...
You're just like I used to be... thought I knew it all and started threads just to try and convince myself of what I thought I already knew only to backfire.
Sounds like you and your dad have a handful of vehicles, NONE of which are capable of towing more than a pop up trailer or small aluminum boat.
Don't be in such a god dang rush to get everything that you sacrifice the functionality of everything you're buying... as in stop settling because it's what you currently have. Save up and buy stuff that works.
Ok so here's my suggestion. Continue to drive your little truck and put your '76 up for sale. When it sells take that money (and all the money you can save between now and the time it sells) and go buy yourself a real truck. '94+ ford with the turbo'd 7.3, any 12v dodge cummins, a big block truck of just about any era... I don't care, something that has some wheelbase and grunt to it.
THEN daily drive that and sell your little truck you're currently daily driving and use the money to go towards a trailer.
You're just like I used to be... thought I knew it all and started threads just to try and convince myself of what I thought I already knew only to backfire.
Sounds like you and your dad have a handful of vehicles, NONE of which are capable of towing more than a pop up trailer or small aluminum boat.
Don't be in such a god dang rush to get everything that you sacrifice the functionality of everything you're buying... as in stop settling because it's what you currently have. Save up and buy stuff that works.
Ok so here's my suggestion. Continue to drive your little truck and put your '76 up for sale. When it sells take that money (and all the money you can save between now and the time it sells) and go buy yourself a real truck. '94+ ford with the turbo'd 7.3, any 12v dodge cummins, a big block truck of just about any era... I don't care, something that has some wheelbase and grunt to it.
THEN daily drive that and sell your little truck you're currently daily driving and use the money to go towards a trailer.
Found a few Potentials in my price range, Both will probably need trailer brakes but thatd be a good negotiating point for me to bring down the price. Both say OBO
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2228924915.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/2231510237.html
First one is too short, I believe, and the second one has really crappy pictures, but from what I can see, that one looks home made or something and looks a little weird.
gotblazers
1/2 ton status
Many problems with thisI just read through your whole thread and here's what I learned...
You're just like I used to be... thought I knew it all and started threads just to try and convince myself of what I thought I already knew only to backfire.
Incorrect,This thread was made asking how it was going to work. The people commenting on whether it will work or not are doing it of their own accord much to my dismay since i specially included in the first post not to comment on its wheelbase. I have learned alot from this thread. I did not previously appreciate the importance of trailer brakes or sway control. It is a success for its intended purpose. I never asked ''can i tow _____ with _____'' and then said well you guys are wrong im going to do it anyways. Then i would be as you have descirbed. As far as it all backfiring on me, Thats unlikely as this vehicle has already towed 6500 pound loads with no trailer brakes or listed upgrades.
Sounds like you and your dad have a handful of vehicles, NONE of which are capable of towing more than a pop up trailer or small aluminum boat.
Don't be in such a god dang rush to get everything that you sacrifice the functionality of everything you're buying... as in stop settling because it's what you currently have. Save up and buy stuff that works.
If i was to do this, And get my ''ideal'' set up i wouldnt get to wheel for a year or 2 probably more. I'd rather make what i have work if at all possible than spend all my time chasing an ''ideal'' situation. Life isnt ideal. Remember, Im into wheeling. Not working my life away for fun that wont come for years from now. Not to mention i need to get experience wheeling if im ever to make it at a competitive level.
Ok so here's my suggestion. Continue to drive your little truck and put your '76 up for sale. When it sells take that money (and all the money you can save between now and the time it sells) and go buy yourself a real truck. '94+ ford with the turbo'd 7.3, any 12v dodge cummins, a big block truck of just about any era... I don't care, something that has some wheelbase and grunt to it.
THEN daily drive that and sell your little truck you're currently daily driving and use the money to go towards a trailer.
1.The 76 k5 is my first rig and im not selling it until its completely trashed.
2.Im 4k into it right now and i could probably get 1k if i was lucky. I'd rather save up 1k at work than sell this for 1k.
3.I've done tons of work on it so i know its reliable, Having something that you know all the problems with is a HUGE PLUS in my book.
4.The little dodge was bought by my dad and is a shared vehicle even though its my DD so i couldnt sell that even if i wanted to, Although i never would. Its a perfect DD and i plan to run it till at least 300k miles after the motor gets rebuilt (burning oil ATM at 189k).
5.Gas prices are going up and i dont need a tow rig/DD combo to break my bank not to mention if i sell my 76 and dodge then if the tow rig/DD breaks im focked. Right now if either of my rigs dont start right up i can get out, walk 10 feet and get to whereever im going without missing a beat (although i've never had to). Once the 76 gets green stickered the 73 will take over its use as back up vehicle/tow rig until i can afford a tow rig then i will have 2 back up vehicles/tow rigs. I would never want a tow rig/DD unless it was one of those awesome newer ones i cant afford.
You will probably write me off as a stubborn ignorant kid, But i do have a little bit of method to my madness
. I Dont think i know it all, But the people i trust most due to their experience and knowledge have told me itll work so im going to believe them and if 1000 other people i dont trust as much tell me it wont work its not going to change my mind because the people i trust the most that have the most experience and knowledge have already told me it is very manageable. And as i previously admitted i do have slightly rose colored glasses but again, Their is a method to my madness. Listen to the people i trust the most. Meaning im not saying itll work because i think i know so much about towing and have so much experience, But because the people i do know do have that much knowledge and experience and gave me the go ahead.P.S i would really like this to be the last wheel base related comment, Its very counter productive to the purpose of the thread.
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gotblazers
1/2 ton status
Yeah my k5 is 12' long and the first one is only 15'. I know it would fit but when your cutting it that close i can imagine proper weight distribution may be impossible
On the 2nd I would have to ask for more pictures for sure. Usually when pictures are that far away its for a reason
Great! I know the complete history and everything that's been done to my mom's '07 Santa Fe'.... that doesn't make it a tow rig.
Ok reading this just hurts my brain. You say backup to the backup to the backup so many times I can hardly keep up. How about instead of having 3+ vehicles to do the same job because you know at some point they'll break down just get one vehicle that you maintain that's designed to do what you're asking of it and then you won't have to have a backup to the backup to the backup.
Not to mention less vehicles = fewer registrations, fewer dollars spent on maintenance and less on insurance each month.You will probably write me off as a stubborn ignorant kid, But i do have a little bit of method to my madness
P.S i would really like this to be the last wheel base related comment, Its very counter productive to the purpose of the thread.
So if you already have people you trust more than us why start a thread like this? I can tell you know it's going to be a mess towing with k5's but you have some people in your family that tell you otherwise so you are going with it. If you want this to be the last wheelbase related comment go get a tow rig with some wheelbase.
Other than wheelbase you still haven't solved the problem of k5 not having a high enough weight rating. So besides being a squirrelly tow, it's still not gonna be legal. And if something happens and you injure someone else, your insurance will say your S O L. So instead of working to buy a tow rig, you'll be working o pay someones medical bills.
I know you trust Scott, have you asked his opinion on this subject
Why not just focus on keeping the 76 street legal for a year or so and keeping the money pile growing. You'll get to be a better wheeler buy taking extra time and choosing lines with care since you kno you have to drive back vs just bouncing into anything cuz you can tow it home.
It kinda seems like your family who should be the most concerned about keeping you safe is willing to look a side to let you do what you want now. You admit there's rose colored glasses, dude take em off. Blindly trusting 5 people over 1000 doesn't make you right.
It'd be one thing if we were arguing over perfect setups cuz that mostly opinion. But this is about safety. Both for you and anyone else on the road at the same time as you.
I know you trust Scott, have you asked his opinion on this subject
Why not just focus on keeping the 76 street legal for a year or so and keeping the money pile growing. You'll get to be a better wheeler buy taking extra time and choosing lines with care since you kno you have to drive back vs just bouncing into anything cuz you can tow it home.
It kinda seems like your family who should be the most concerned about keeping you safe is willing to look a side to let you do what you want now. You admit there's rose colored glasses, dude take em off. Blindly trusting 5 people over 1000 doesn't make you right.
It'd be one thing if we were arguing over perfect setups cuz that mostly opinion. But this is about safety. Both for you and anyone else on the road at the same time as you.
I couldn't even get through this whole paragraph... what are you trying to say? Quit shooting yourself in the foot tying to keep around 37586 vehicles in your front yard. It is ALWAYS better to have ONE SINGLE GOOD vehicle than it is having 2 junkers. It will cost you much more in the long run trying to keep all that stuff in usable shape. Ask your family, if they know anything they can explain this to you. It's super simple, sell the 76, sell the Dodge, and buy a good truck and trailer. Buy one of those late model square body Burbs you were talking about, 1/2 ton is fine. It will tow better than the K5 and a TBI350 burb probably would get as good or better mileage as a carbed 76K5. Now you are paying tags/insurance/maintenance on one vehicle instead of two, big cash savings, especially since you live in the land of Commyfornia. Ok, so you eventually have a problem with said new Burb..... do like what most people do. Bum a ride to work, and use some of the cash you saved and just get it fixed, now you are back on the road. Pretty simple, right? It's what 90% of the driving population does, not many people can actually afford multiple cars just for themselves (spouse vehicle doesn't count), especially here in Cali.
I see, so this was basically just a big waste of time for many of us. Maybe next time you want to ask a question that you only want to hear one answer to, ask pop instead of the interweb.You will probably write me off as a stubborn ignorant kid, But i do have a little bit of method to my madness
P.S i would really like this to be the last wheel base related comment, Its very counter productive to the purpose of the thread.
gotblazers
1/2 ton status
I have had one of IMO the best fabricators on ck5 pm me to tell me he will be towing with his k5 as well and he is incredibly annoyed by your guys illogical commentary against it. He pmed me instead of posting here because he was too annoyed to respond to you guys.Great! I know the complete history and everything that's been done to my mom's '07 Santa Fe'.... that doesn't make it a tow rig.
I like how you ignored the fact im going to lose 3 grand on this deal. Oh and if i sell the 76 i have nothing to wheel good plan!!!
Ok reading this just hurts my brain. You say backup to the backup to the backup so many times I can hardly keep up. How about instead of having 3+ vehicles to do the same job because you know at some point they'll break down just get one vehicle that you maintain that's designed to do what you're asking of it and then you won't have to have a backup to the backup to the backup.
My vehicles can be put on historical insurance and registration is dirt cheap for them compared to ur 95 and up vehicles which cost a focking fortune in insurance Maintenence/repairs and insurance cost a shetload more for newer vehicles, Oh yeah and a tow rig/DD combo would add onto my gas bill to. Also im not paying insurance or registration so those cost dont really apply to me. Another great idea of yours
So if you already have people you trust more than us why start a thread like this? I can tell you know it's going to be a mess towing with k5's but you have some people in your family that tell you otherwise so you are going with it. If you want this to be the last wheelbase related comment go get a tow rig with some wheelbase.
If i follow your advice i will end up paying at least the same for insurance/reg. if not more,I will have nothin to wheel and as gas prices go up i will not be able to enjoy the 25+free way mpgs and 20mpgs my dodge provides. Oh yeah and the dodge isnt even mine to sell.
I didnt ask if it would do it or not. You guys just decided you'd answer a question i never asked and now i cant get you guys to stop answering this question i never asked. I posted up my goal very clearly in the first few lines of this thread. WHEELING a rig that i can do anything i want and still know im going to get home at the end of the trip which requires a tow rig/trailer combo.I couldn't even get through this whole paragraph... what are you trying to say? Quit shooting yourself in the foot tying to keep around 37586 vehicles in your front yard. It is ALWAYS better to have ONE SINGLE GOOD vehicle than it is having 2 junkers. It will cost you much more in the long run trying to keep all that stuff in usable shape. Ask your family, if they know anything they can explain this to you.
Interesting, our 2000 heep grand cherokee has cost and continues to cost us as much as all our other vehicles combined. Not sure how you figure that. My dad and i regret purchasing that vehicle for the price (almost 20k when paid off all said and done) and its a constant financial drain. We could have gotten a frame off resto'd old chevy for half that price that would have been cheaper and more reliable and one hell of alot cooler.
It's super simple, sell the 76, sell the Dodge, and buy a good truck and trailer. Buy one of those late model square body Burbs you were talking about, 1/2 ton is fine. It will tow better than the K5 and a TBI350 burb probably would get as good or better mileage as a carbed 76K5. Now you are paying tags/insurance/maintenance on one vehicle instead of two, big cash savings, especially since you live in the land of Commyfornia. Ok, so you eventually have a problem with said new Burb..... do like what most people do. Bum a ride to work, and use some of the cash you saved and just get it fixed, now you are back on the road. Pretty simple, right? It's what 90% of the driving population does, not many people can actually afford multiple cars just for themselves (spouse vehicle doesn't count), especially here in Cali.
Great now i have a good tow rig and trailer but im getting such ****ty mpg's all my money is going to gas just like it did back when i used to daily drive my k5. This is sweet!! Oh and i sold my 76 k5 so i dont get to wheel anymore but at least i have a totally sweet tow rig and that trailer will look great in my driveway
I see, so this was basically just a big waste of time for many of us. Maybe next time you want to ask a question that you only want to hear one answer to, ask pop instead of the interweb.
Im absolutely annoyed endlessly that i come with a simple goal of wheeling and your final answer is sell my only wheeling rig. What the hell are you guys smoking.
I think everybody is saying that they don't want to be on the same highway as you, as you go down the road in a k5 towing a k5. (flip off smilie here)
You'll do what you will, and we'll be here to say we told you so, hopefully you'll still be here to hear us say it.
You're other option is to build a dependable rig that you can drive to the trail, wheel, and drive home. All while you stash money for a decent tow rig.
I have friends in my club out east that drove their k5's 8 hours to Tellico wheeled all weekend, and drove them back. I've been 4 hours from home and rebuilt a rear end with spare parts to get home. It sucks, but it's what we got to do sometimes.
Btw, the wife's Envoy has a longer wheel base than a k5, more hp, and higher tow rating, and the thought to use it as a tow rig never crossed my mind, even on half tons and 33's.
You'll do what you will, and we'll be here to say we told you so, hopefully you'll still be here to hear us say it.
You're other option is to build a dependable rig that you can drive to the trail, wheel, and drive home. All while you stash money for a decent tow rig.
I have friends in my club out east that drove their k5's 8 hours to Tellico wheeled all weekend, and drove them back. I've been 4 hours from home and rebuilt a rear end with spare parts to get home. It sucks, but it's what we got to do sometimes.
Btw, the wife's Envoy has a longer wheel base than a k5, more hp, and higher tow rating, and the thought to use it as a tow rig never crossed my mind, even on half tons and 33's.
gotblazers
1/2 ton status
I understand if you dont want to be on the freeway with me. I'll be easily visible and you are more than welcome as well as anyone else who feels im unsafe to stay away from me. Ill be going 55 in the far right lane and maintaining 1/4 mile space in front of me whenever possible so if i am to have an accident it wont affect anyone else. I've considered the idea of a reliable street legal rig but it wont work for a variety of reasons. Something to remember is my ultimate goal is to compete offroad so anything i buy for the 76 k5 has to be able to be used on the new buggy or else its pretty much a waste of money.
1.Full hydro steer wont be street legal and its the first steering mod im doing
2.Im pulling the front fenders to replace them with a narrower tubing front end in hopes of fitting 42''s on a 4'' lift.
3.pulling the windshield to give me another exit/entrance in case of a roll over. The full EFI conversion will never pass smog.
4.My drivetrain has almost 180k miles on it, I Dont want to rely on that to get me home when i got another rig with 0 miles on its brand new drivetrain.
I did a quick estimate and it will take about a year to get the 76 k5 the way i like it with trailer cost included not including engine/tranny mods. So at that point i will save up some cash for the long wheel base tow rig. Until then i will be easy to see and you all are free to keep as much distance from me as you like. With your cummins and duramax tow rigs im sure you will have no problems passing me up
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shovelbill80
1/2 ton status
now why would he post his annoyance here when you can do it for him
wisdom comes from experience and experience usually comes from making mistakes.
You're being so god dang stubborn with this crap it's annoying. If you want to tow with a freakin' blazer be my guest but when you have the biggest white knuckle ride of your life I guarantee you that you'll re-think things.
One of the first times I went wheelin' I didn't have my truck positioned so it put enough tongue weight on the trailer, that combined with a high COG (I was using a deck-over) made for one hairy situation when it got up to 55. It was about all I could do to get that train wreck stopped and I KNOW one of the reasons I was able to get it under control was because I was towing with my K3500, a crew cab long bed with some weight. It still tossed me around but I was able to take care of business and get it stopped, good luck doing that with your blazer at half the wheelbase and weight.
So you wanna race competitively huh? Then start looking around at some teams you think have their act together and see what they're towing their junk to the races with.
One of the first times I went wheelin' I didn't have my truck positioned so it put enough tongue weight on the trailer, that combined with a high COG (I was using a deck-over) made for one hairy situation when it got up to 55. It was about all I could do to get that train wreck stopped and I KNOW one of the reasons I was able to get it under control was because I was towing with my K3500, a crew cab long bed with some weight. It still tossed me around but I was able to take care of business and get it stopped, good luck doing that with your blazer at half the wheelbase and weight.
So you wanna race competitively huh? Then start looking around at some teams you think have their act together and see what they're towing their junk to the races with.
Interesting, our 2000 heep grand cherokee has cost and continues to cost us as much as all our other vehicles combined. Not sure how you figure that. My dad and i regret purchasing that vehicle for the price (almost 20k when paid off all said and done) and its a constant financial drain. We could have gotten a frame off resto'd old chevy for half that price that would have been cheaper and more reliable and one hell of alot cooler.
Great now i have a good tow rig and trailer but im getting such ****ty mpg's all my money is going to gas just like it did back when i used to daily drive my k5. This is sweet!! Oh and i sold my 76 k5 so i dont get to wheel anymore but at least i have a totally sweet tow rig and that trailer will look great in my driveway
Clearly, I'm not interested enough to sort through what it is that you own and plan to do with them.
It's simple, sell one K5 (the one you were going to tow with) and keep the one you want to wheel, which is clearly what I meant.
And thank you for clarifying that you don't actually pay for anything yourself, that explains so much. It's not just insurance and registration that a vehicle costs, maintenance is just as expensive in some cases. For example, have you priced out a set of tires lately? And lets not forget about depreciation, but that is auto economics 202, I'm afraid it's a little soon for that.
But I'm going to end it here on my end, I don't mean to pick at you. You do whatever you'd like. Get yourself a trailer and go for it, let us know how your setup works, good or bad. And heck.... I'm over in the central valley, if you happen to be over here and have a problem, I'll help you out if you need it.
