[capev86]

my 72 burb brochure says 5500 pounds for 1/2 ton and 6000 for 3/4 ton. that's with 2wd, at least a 350 v8, automatic and good towing gear (3.73, 4.10 or better). i would say 7,000 pounds is a good number if you have the 350/auto/3.73 setup and drive on level grades. a 383 build up might be a good idea if the engine is worn out. you NEED 3/4 ton (1/2 ton option) rear coil springs if you will be towing anything heavier than a small boat or utility trailer and i also strongly recommend a front sway bar. some of the 73-87 generation 3/4 and 1 ton trucks had a 1-1/4 inch sway bar vs the 1-1/8 inch unit on our trucks. very cheap bolt on upgrade if you source from a junk yard. and don't forget trailer brakes too!

this summer, my 72 burb 3/4 ton 2wd will be towing a 6,000 pound camper with the stock 307, 3 on the tree manual and 4.10 rear gear. as it sits right now in original condition it has a 2 barrel and 4.57 rear gear. i have a big aftermarket sway bar on my truck from CPP and will be installing the matching rear bar eventually. i also have poly track bar bushings already installed and a pair of poly bushings for the trailing arms ready to go on. i want that rear end as tight as a drum while i'm towing and nearly 40 year old rubbber ain't gonna cut it on a trailing arm system.

i am in the process of swapping in a 4 row radiator and installing an edelbrock performer intake manifold (idle-5500 rpm range) topped by a remanufactured quadra jet carb. i won't have a ton of power, but it will do the job for the short term. some day i may be towing much larger and heavier trailers with the truck after i swap in my 406sbc and put the 3/4 ton HD option rear coil springs on. no reason it can't haul 10-12,000 pound trailer if properly equipped because it is a 3/4 ton truck.