Towing Capacity?

[gulffishin]

I have searched, but could not find any information concerning the towing capacity for these old trucks. I have a stock 64 c10 SWB with a 283 and 3spd and was wondering if you think it would be able to handle towing a moderately sized pontoon boat (18-20ft 3000lbs or so) on backroads-not the interstate if the brakes were updated to disk on the front.

Or do you think I would be better off looking for a used 80's model c20 for my towing needs?

[C3Killer]

I'm interested too. I was going to add those spring shocks that auto zone has for an extra 500 lb cap in bed, but what about towing caps? I will be waiting for the truck gods to chime in!

[MikeN]

I have used my 64 C10 SWB to tow a 69 Chevelle several times on an 18' open trailer. I have done it both with the original 230ci 6-cylinder and 3-speed manual, as well as with the 350 V8 I installed a few years ago. I am still on the original non-power-assist drum brakes on all four wheels.

I did not have any problems, HOWEVER...I have a high quality weight distributing hitch, I have electric brakes on both axles of my trailer, including a Prodigy brake controller, and I take it very easy. The big concern is the brakes...you simply can't follow closely at all, under any circumstances.

The stock clutch is also a bit marginal if you have to come to a complete stop facing upwards on a hill, and then take off again. It will work, but it slips a bit before taking off.

As steep as most boat ramps are, I'm not sure I'd attempt pulling that pontoon boat out of the water with a stock clutch. You might experiment on some steep hills first.

Total weight of my trailer plus the Chevelle is about 5300 lbs.

[C3Killer]

That's about the most I would ever haul around. Good info.

[padresag]

I have had mine with trailer going over the scales at 16,000lbs. 500 mi through mountains. did that 4 or 5 times
ron

[gulffishin]

Originally Posted by padresag

I have had mine with trailer going over the scales at 16,000lbs. 500 mi through mountains. did that 4 or 5 times
ron

16000lbs!? That's crazy! I would be nervous pulling 16000lbs with a 3500 HD.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by MikeN

I have used my 64 C10 SWB to tow a 69 Chevelle several times on an 18' open trailer. I have done it both with the original 230ci 6-cylinder and 3-speed manual, as well as with the 350 V8 I installed a few years ago. I am still on the original non-power-assist drum brakes on all four wheels.

I did not have any problems, HOWEVER...I have a high quality weight distributing hitch, I have electric brakes on both axles of my trailer, including a Prodigy brake controller, and I take it very easy. The big concern is the brakes...you simply can't follow closely at all, under any circumstances.

The stock clutch is also a bit marginal if you have to come to a complete stop facing upwards on a hill, and then take off again. It will work, but it slips a bit before taking off.

As steep as most boat ramps are, I'm not sure I'd attempt pulling that pontoon boat out of the water with a stock clutch. You might experiment on some steep hills first.

Total weight of my trailer plus the Chevelle is about 5300 lbs.

you don't want to do any panic stops with those 2 x11" brakes. I had a hydraboost power brake setup on mine and cracked 2 drums. when I changed over to discs and 13 x 3 rear brakes, it make a huge improvement
ron

['63GENIII]

You definitely want the disc brakes. Bigger the better! I've towed with the 2x11 drums and then with the 3/4 axles. You owe it to yourself (mainly your heart!) to at least get the disc brakes. The drums gave me a few white knuckle rides which are no fun much past 18 years of age. The discs take alot of the stress out of towing... seems that out here people in small cars love to cut off people who are towing all the time. As far as the suspension, you could get ride rite bags if the springs are too soft. The clutch may get a little warm too but you will just have to see. I do think I'd need a set as big as churchbells to put 16k behind the '63 though!

[padresag]

16,000 was the gross weight. bare truck and trailer7700lbs
one thing about the detroit is coming down the hills under compression. 283 dosn't hold to much back
ron

[61_FL_Apache]

I would think any 1/2 ton truck can pull that boat.

[gulffishin]

Thanks for the input guys.

So, what would be a good clutch to upgrade to? A centerforce dual friction or something like that?

Also, I was wondering about traction. My rear tires spin on hills in the rain now without a trailer. What would be a good tire to use for traction?

[padresag]

Originally Posted by gulffishin

Thanks for the input guys.

So, what would be a good clutch to upgrade to? A centerforce dual friction or something like that?

Also, I was wondering about traction. My rear tires spin on hills in the rain now without a trailer. What would be a good tire to use for traction?

if you put some weight in the back of that truck, you will see your traction improve
ron

[aerotruk63]

As defined in the 1963 Chevrolet Truck Data Book.

GVW: Total weight of a truck, including body, payload, fuel, driver etc.

Payload: The weight of the cargo carried by a truck, not including the weight of the body.

In 1963, a C10 short box could come with a GVW rating up to 5000 lbs. It's the tire/spring rating that adds up to your max GVW.

The Curb Weight on a C10 shortbox is 1950 lbs front axle, rear 1375 lbs. Total curb weight of 3325 lbs.

Maximum Rated Payload Weight 1550 lbs. GVW 5000 lbs. with 2000lb rear springs
Recommended Minimum Tire Sizes 7-17.5/6pr front, 7-17.5/6pr Single Rear

So the more Accessories you add to your truck, the more you lower your payload capacity.

As far as I can see, there's no trailer towing capacity rating for the light duty trucks. There was no factory Trailer Hitch option but there were step bumpers which might have the load ratings on it.

In the 1963 Custom Feature Accessories book, they list for full size passenger cars a 2000lb. load with a vertical tongue load of 150lbs for the trailer hitch option.

No mention of the truck's towing capacity in the owners manual either.

Link to calculator: http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-...eight-tt.shtml

Draw Tite: http://www.draw-tite.com/content/fitguides.aspx

[gulffishin]

So, can you put the 3/4ton rear springs on the 1/2 ton axles?

[padresag]

Originally Posted by gulffishin

So, can you put the 3/4ton rear springs on the 1/2 ton axles?

mine was a 4 x 4 with leaf spring and they were beefed up to carry the extra weight, esp,\. with the detroit in it. when I pulled the detroit and np 5spd the frame came up 2 3/4". when I put the 283 and t5 in it went back down 1/4"
another reason that I put in the 3/4t axles was for better axle brgs(all timkens)
yes you can install 3/4 t coils in the back of a 1/2 ton, which will stifffen it up considerably. there was an optional overload spring made for a 1/2 t
ron

[aerotruk63]

What tires were you running, Ron?

[padresag]

33x12.5x15 and prior to that I had 36x15x15 when I got it and never liked it with the feel of those tires(always felt like to much tire for 1/2 t axles). they were cepek bias and were they ever terrible on the hwy
ron