How good is 67-72 burb for towing?

[hwyix]

I original wanted the 2dr jimmy/blazer, but I searched over there and many people thought the truck was too small to be a good tow car.

Is the 67-72 suburban big enough, strong enough? I know I can upgrade the engine/transmission & brakes to handle anything but is the rest of the truck up to it? I forgot to add this for towing a 3500lb car plus open trailer. I would like to buy an enclosed trailer some day though.

One more question, for you people who lower and c-notch the rear of your truck. Is the frame still just as strong for towing? Or is that something I should just forget about if I plan to tow?

thanks.

[4oldcars]

Mines lowered (springs changed) and I tow a car hauler. Sway bars make it work.

[68396]

A Blazer has a short wheelbase which I've found was poor for towing. The Suburban has become a classic towing vehicle. Countless amounts of Airstream and other RV trailers have been towed all over the country behind a Sub. My father bought his 1968 Sub and an anti-sway hitch to tow a trailer.

[jmbstudios]

I have often wondered this.. I have a 3/4 ton Suburban 3 speed. How do you think that thing would hold up?

My Trailer dry weight is only 4200 lbs. The thing I would worry about is brakes. I guess I would really need to have them checked.

I would figure the 3/4 ton should be fine, the 350 motor is strong, but how would the 3 speed do????

I would be hauling it from Arizona to San Diego. 4 hour trip.

[capev86]

they are awesome tow rigs. a blazer can haul a trailer just fine, but the longer wheelbase is preferable.

it is mostly dependent on engine, trans and gearing. contrary to what they tell you, a manual trans is perfectly fine for heavy towing (the 3spd saginaw is a rugged unit after all). the problem is many people are not competent enough with a manual to work it properly without excessively slipping the clutch, etc. an automatic is certainly easier for regular trailering duties.

my suburban will be a tow vehicle really soon. the 3/4 ton chassis and bigger brakes will be great assets, but a 1/2 ton truck works good too (3/4 ton rear springs and disc front brakes are a good idea for a heavy trailer). on my truck i will be installing big sway bars (1-1/4" front, hellwig 1-1/8" rear) and using a trailer brake controller. i strongly suggest sway bars both front and rear....my truck is kinda wobbly even with 3/4 ton springs. sway bars give more predictable handling and will help control the trailer.

other suggestions would be to keep up with proper maintenance and if you want the best (like me) switch out all fluids for synthetic, especially automatic transmissions as they generate even more excess heat when towing. aux trans and engine oil coolers are added insurance.

my suburban is a '72 2wd 3/4 ton w/ a 307 w/ 3spd manual on the column and i believe a 4.57 rear gear. my dad had a '72 1/2 ton 2wd w/ 350 and 3spd auto and we hauled our '71 holiday 23 footer with it (still have the camper). my dad changed it out with a 305 with an rv camshaft, 3/4 ton coils in the rear, dual exhaust and an aux trans cooler and it hauled that 6,000 pound camper all over the place.

the other issue is that fuel injection is a good idea if you do a lot of traveling with a camper......high altitudes tax carbed engines that are tuned for use on the coast. my family discovered this when we used our '84 suburban with a transplanted 406sbc to haul the holiday out west through the rockies and grand tetons. we were going 6mph up a steep grade on our way to see mount rushmore. good luck to all you suburban nuts hauling campers!!!

[hwyix]

Originally Posted by capev86

they are awesome tow rigs. a blazer can haul a trailer just fine, but the longer wheelbase is preferable.

Thanks guys for all the advice.

The blazer is really the more perfect size truck for the other 99% of the time that I would not be towing my car to the track. Do you think a blazer is big enough/strong to tow 8000lbs ( just a guess, 3200 car, trailer, tools, tires)?

I mean I already know my little 1999 supercharged 4runner can tow the trailer & car, but it was not fun. Around 65mph then a bump or some wind I was all white knuckles. Maybe it was just because it was a u haul trailer or maybe it was because the 4runner is kind of high for such a short wheel base car.

I know with money I can put what ever motor/transmission/brakes into the truck, but I can not change the wheelbase or track width.

Do you any of you guys have your frames c-notched? Seems like if you where towing something you would always be pulling at the weakest link on the frame there.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I'm thinking of rebuilding my '67 K/10 Suburban with a 454/TH700R4 to tow a 20' 1978 Argosy [by Airstream]. I currently have a '71 Jimmy K/5 for a tow rig, but I havn't had much chance to run with it. as I'm still working on the plumbing and electrical systems.

[prairewolf]

My Subs previous owner was said to be an organizer for Peninsula Motor Club,(Air Stream I believe) the Sub has the sticker on bumper, large dealer added Travel Tank, and trans cooler in front of radiator. it still had CB radio antenna whip knob on it and heavy duty hitch when I baught it. so back in the day they were more than capable. 3/4 ton.

Any towing has a lot to do with the driver also, ... a lot of capable vehicles end up in the ditch.

life is good,kent

[72freak]

5.7 throttle body and 700R4...works great!! For sale by the way!

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by hwyix

Thanks guys for all the advice.

The blazer is really the more perfect size truck for the other 99% of the time that I would not be towing my car to the track. Do you think a blazer is big enough/strong to tow 8000lbs ( just a guess, 3200 car, trailer, tools, tires)?

I mean I already know my little 1999 supercharged 4runner can tow the trailer & car, but it was not fun. Around 65mph then a bump or some wind I was all white knuckles. Maybe it was just because it was a u haul trailer or maybe it was because the 4runner is kind of high for such a short wheel base car.

I know with money I can put what ever motor/transmission/brakes into the truck, but I can not change the wheelbase or track width.

Do you any of you guys have your frames c-notched? Seems like if you where towing something you would always be pulling at the weakest link on the frame there.

You can drive your truck with your feet, It is about as stupid as using a short wheel base tow vehicle, Ask me how I know? Never mind, I will just show you:


Imagine a nice 16 foot tandem axle trailer upside down on a nice 1978 Z-28 in the middle of the highway, with a Short wheel base truck hanging from the safety "CHAIN", then ask yourself it you would like to experience it, and please do not say that it can't happen, It does.

[IAFF2407]

can someone post a pic of a sway bar on the rear, coils.

thx,
Al.

[hwyix]

Originally Posted by 72freak

5.7 throttle body and 700R4...works great!! For sale by the way!

You have two trucks that look great. Too bad your 2,612 miles away instead of 50.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by IAFF2407

can someone post a pic of a sway bar on the rear, coils.

thx,
Al.

Sway bar pictures......

[72freak]

Originally Posted by hwyix

You have two trucks that look great. Too bad your 2,612 miles away instead of 50.

Pick one...Ill split the shipping with you.

[IAFF2407]

thx for the pixc's Rob, where did you get yours? ist it 1" or is it more.

Al.

[Frizzle Fry]

Another rear sway option