68 Step-Side, Should I be towing this? Seeking opinions!

[benw88]

Hi all,

I am currently towing my boat with my truck. The boat weighs about 4,000lbs I think. I am wondering what your guyses opinions are. Is this too much for this truck? is it safe? Let me know. Below is how the truck is set up.

1968 C10 Stepside:

Motor:
5.7 350 SBC (less than 3K miles on motor)
AL Heads, Edelbrock intake, Edelbrock Carb, Comp Cam, Headers, MSD Billet dizzy with MSD Ignition box 6AL(?)

Trans:
Rebuild NV4500 conversion (5-spd)
Added cross member under Trans, also still have the original cross member under the bell housing. Had custom 1 piece driveline built.

Rear end:
Stock 12 bolt gm truck rear end, completely gone through, every bearing, seal axel etc. Eaton Posi-Carrier. Springs, shocks and Firestone airbags for the towing load.

Brakes:
Front Disks (all new)
Rear drums (all new)

[benw88]

Ohh the Boat is a 24ft 1969 Tollycraft in case in anyone is curious.

[72 tigger]

If you’re not out on the freeway or going long distances, l think you’re fine. Just try to give yourself enough room to stop

[Boog]

You have a working brake controller and good trailer brakes? Nice truck too.

[jjzepplin]

Yeah, I would say trailer brakes would help a ton or two. If you get sway you could upgrade to an anti sway type hitch. I would like to see your air bag setup! Nice truck!

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by Boog

You have a working brake controller and good trailer brakes? Nice truck too.

Can't say that I've ever seen electric brakes on a boat trailer...

But they bring up a good point, a boat that size behind a truck that weighs less than the load needs trailer brakes. A good working surge brake setup changes the conversation as far as traveling at any speed.

I pulled my Malibu ski boat with my Jimmy for a long time. It was probably around 4000# boat/trailer total. It does have surge brakes on the trailer. With your overdrive you don't have the same limits that I did without.

[Chevyland]

I would not tow that boat with a 1/2 ton Shortbed
It can be done, but if I was going long distance or highway speeds, my knuckles would get to white, and my shoulders would hurt from the stress.
To me, it needs a 3/4 ton truck.
Just because, a truck ‘Can’ pull something, doesn’t mean it is safe

[davepl]

Trailer needs a hydraulic surge break, then you're OK for towing in town and to the marina and stuff (likely) but I wouldn't get much more adventurous than that with one of our half tons. 3/4 or 1T maybe, but suspension has come a long way in 50 years I think!

[benw88]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Trailer has working surge brake. I have done a few emergency practice stops and I feel okay about them. Currently I only tow it to the marina and back which is only 4 miles round trip.

I am curious what you guys think the limiting factors are. If it’s suspension and brakes those can be beefed up right ? Or is it the weight over all ?
Posted via Mobile Device

[benw88]

Originally Posted by Mike C

Can't say that I've ever seen electric brakes on a boat trailer...

But they bring up a good point, a boat that size behind a truck that weighs less than the load needs trailer brakes. A good working surge brake setup changes the conversation as far as traveling at any speed.

I pulled my Malibu ski boat with my Jimmy for a long time. It was probably around 4000# boat/trailer total. It does have surge brakes on the trailer. With your overdrive you don't have the same limits that I did without.

Thanks for the reply. What do you mean when you said that I don’t have the same limits as you do with my overdrive ?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Mike C]

I used to pull my boat 200 mile round trip. With speedlimits at 75+, I darn near got run over all the time. My Duramax a better choice for me for what I do now.

But if you only pull 4 miles then it really doesn't matter. My issue was always getting up the ramp in my 70 C2500 2x4. The open diff was a hugely limiting factor.

Brakes, tires, and transmissions seem to be the biggest limiter of load. You have upgraded all of those. I wouldn't be too concerned for what you do. I towed nearly 3000# of decomposed granite behind my 69 short step last month. . Good tires, disc conversion, 11" finned drums in the rear. But lowered 4 1/2"-7". And with the TH350 and the 307 2 barrel combined with the 3.07 rear gear, it is horribly underpowered. But I was only going 45 mph for 3 miles.

Slower speeds and shorter distances do change the conversation. But I always believe that the tow vehicle shouldn't be any (much at least) lighter than the load.

With that said, my Duramax is GVWR at 9500# and tow rated at 16000# so the professionals don't think it's a real issue.