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Towing and hauling with a k5

adamforsythe

adamforsythe

1/2 ton status
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Oct 16, 2004
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Location
Maine
How much can a 1986 K5 blazer tow/haul?
Will just adding leafs with a 3800LBS up my towing and hauling cap.?
1986 k5 silverado newer 350/Th350/Rebuilt Np205
Thanks
Adam
 
I'm not sure, a little confused...are you planning on towing up to 3800 lbs or is that how much you think your rig weighs? It will all depend on how much and what you're planning on towing...a couple of four wheelers or a small boat, yes. Another rig or a big boat? If so, I'm not sure if the th350 will be up to the task, you'd also have to consider upgrading your axles if you already haven't done so.
 
The th350 can handle it just fine. I've had 4000 lbs in the bed of my '64 with a th350, then I hauled a '65 mustang on a U-haul trailer from CA to KS via I-40/I35. It did it all just fine. That was 33-12.50's and 4.56's too, so that would be a player.

I wouldn't like hauling a whole bunch of weight in a blazer just because of the steering. Too much weight in the back would affect steering quicker in a Blazer than in anything with a longer wheel base. But like RGV72BLAZER said, a small boat would be fine.
 
Adding leafs to your springs will keep the rear from sagging under load, but will NOT increase your safe load capacity. The load capacity has a lot to do with steering, brakes, axle stregnth, etc. Adding leafs may help the truck handle better as you approach the factory load limits, but they will not allow you to load teh truck over rated capacity.
 
what are the "load limits" of a stock k5. I want to tow a 12' cargo trailer with it. The trailer will mostly hold tools.
Thanks
Adam
dhcomp said:
Adding leafs to your springs will keep the rear from sagging under load, but will NOT increase your safe load capacity. The load capacity has a lot to do with steering, brakes, axle stregnth, etc. Adding leafs may help the truck handle better as you approach the factory load limits, but they will not allow you to load teh truck over rated capacity.
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The trailer weight limit for a Blazer is around 5000 Lbs if properly equipped with Tow package, equalizer hitch, trailer brakes ect.
My owners manual says my GVW including the weight of the 1989 K5 with tow package, trailer, passengers, and gear should not excede 12,000 lbs.

The GVW weight limit with no trailer is 6300 lbs Including passengers gear ect. Blazers weigh around 5200 LBS. So you can haul 1000 lbs of people and gear.
 
I could not imagine pulling 5000 lbs. with a blazer or even 3800. I am sure it can be done but I dont think it would be fun. With a cargo trailor, one thing to look at is how tall it is. The one I have is really tall and it catches a lot of wind, even unloaded I dont think I could pull that down the highway with the k5 unless I slowed way down. As said before, the springs dont allow for more weight, but with the k5 being so short they might help it from "bucking" as much and of course keep it from sagging as bad. A tranny cooler and temp guage would bring some peace of mind too.
 
What if you did a 3/4 ton axle swap (14bff in the rear) and added a set of k-20 rear springs? Do you think a 3/4 ton blazer could tow another blazer?
 
do you have a trans cooler and temperature gauge? if not dont even bother, you could silently be killing it.. the th350 will see a little work but not too bad

what rear do you have and what type of gear/tire combo

and whoever said k20 leaf springs, he is right, they are strong, and i'm trying to get rid of mine :)

either way make sure your prepared and evreything is strapped down..you know what happens when a 1/2 ton truck tows too much? my dads avalanche with 480le and 1/2 ton rear goes BOOM first gear is the only working gear and everything in the rear went boom!
 
I regularly haul in excess of 3000 pounds with mine. I have the 700R4 (rebuilt to HD specs) but I tow in third instead of OD; an open 14BFF with 4.10's, a regular class III hitch and no trailer brakes. My total weight with my load is about 10k. I notice that braking is an adventure (unloaded front end resulting in somewhat squirly steering) and longer brake distances. Taking that into consideration, it works fine. I would add air bags, make sure your diff. is strong and geared properly. Adding trailer brakes would make the trip much nicer also. Hope it helps.
 
My truck is all ready has trailer brake system the trailer that i'm building has breaks so thats all set. I was planning on adding a class III hitch with upgraded rear and front springs to the truck does not sag under the load of a trailer or a plow. I would love to add bags but I can't find a kit. While i'm under there i'm going to add all new shocks. I am planning on buying a Newer 2500 or 3500 some time next year if I stay busy work wise. But for now the Blazer will have to do.
Thanks
Adam

K-5 Bomber said:
I regularly haul in excess of 3000 pounds with mine. I have the 700R4 (rebuilt to HD specs) but I tow in third instead of OD; an open 14BFF with 4.10's, a regular class III hitch and no trailer brakes. My total weight with my load is about 10k. I notice that braking is an adventure (unloaded front end resulting in somewhat squirly steering) and longer brake distances. Taking that into consideration, it works fine. I would add air bags, make sure your diff. is strong and geared properly. Adding trailer brakes would make the trip much nicer also. Hope it helps.
Click to expand...
 
Adam,

You said that you are adding springs and can't find bags. Les Schwab carries the air bags and online. They would maintain your nice soft 1/2t ride until you need 1t capacity. Just a thought.
 
muddermilitia said:
What if you did a 3/4 ton axle swap (14bff in the rear) and added a set of k-20 rear springs? Do you think a 3/4 ton blazer could tow another blazer?
Click to expand...

I towed a 3/4T Blazer a little over 200mi with a 1/2T Blazer not too long ago. I wouldn't recomend it if you can avoid it, but I didn't have any major issues. I left LOTS of room for braking and had to pay attention and react quickly to keep it behind me a couple times. I topped the one big hill at about 35mph in 2nd gear with hazards on, but it worked.

P1010001.JPG

P1010001.JPG
 
Got a link?
Thanks
Adam

K-5 Bomber said:
Adam,

You said that you are adding springs and can't find bags. Les Schwab carries the air bags and online. They would maintain your nice soft 1/2t ride until you need 1t capacity. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
 
Biggest limitation on blazer towing capacity by mfg. is the length of its wheel base. Period. The Drive train is the same as the 1/2 ton pickups. Yeah u could tow 10K gross but its not a fun trip, then throw big lift and tires in and your in for a real fun ride!
I have no problems towing my boat (21ft trailer. double axle no brakes. its pretty light though, 2500-3000 lbs. i have 8" of lift with 36" swampers) You def. dont want to tow anything with a lot of tongue weight. just my $0.02
 
I figure the trailer that I will be hauling is going to be around 3,000-3,500 pounds empty. Tools might bring it up to 4,000 pounds....but I doubt it.
Thanks
Adam
 
short wheel base does make for a slightly harrier ride, but it doesnt mean its that bad.

A very stiff rear will make ALL the difference. So will a weight distribution hitch. I did that with my k5, with shackle flips, the WD setup made ALL the difference. The WD acutally made the truck drive like an arrow since the rear wasnt allowed to pogo so much.
 
K-5 Bomber said:
I'll try to see what I can find. You might check Firestone for distributors. 4wheelparts.com carries the bags. There are also other manufacturers, but I'm drawing a blank right now. Air Ride, or Air Lift...or something like that.
Click to expand...

Nope.... the short wheel base is what limits a K5's capacity by far. A K5 chassis is too short to physically handle long trailers and/or heavier weights. There is NO way around this, no springs, axle swaps, or ferry dust will chnage that. The only thing that could would to be add length to the frame, which no one is going to do.

A 14BFF, adding leafs, and changing brakes only help a K5 control it's FACTORY rated 5,550lbs tow rating better, those additions DON'T let you increase weight or trailer length.

K5's are GREAT for towing the following IMHO....

1. short two place open snowmobile trailers
2. Same style 2 place ATV trailers/motorcycles/jet skis
3. A Cute bass boat
4. One of those landscaping type or size enclosed trailers, like an 8x12'.

Stay under 5K, but mainly keep the length down. Long trailers like to sway on rough roads and windy weather. THAT is what will throw around a short wheel base truck like a K5.
 
rjfguitar said:
Stay under 5K, but mainly keep the length down. Long trailers like to sway on rough roads and windy weather. THAT is what will throw around a short wheel base truck like a K5.
Click to expand...


Sounds like sound advice...oh, no. I'm repeating myself. 5K pounds sounds like a good load limit. For the stuff I tow, I can't imagine needing to haul more than that. The key is to provide a wide enough safety margin up to that limit.
 
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