I am looking at getting a new (to me) tow vehicle. The ones that I have seen in my price range are late 80's and early 90's dually with the extended cab and 454. Anything in particular to watch out for in these years? Going to try and get an automatic.

My questions Bob would be what are you towing and the appropriate weight? How often would you be towing?

A 454 will absolutely kill you from a mileage standpoint. Also, is there a reason you want a dually?

If your total weight being towed is less than 7K pounds (trailer and vehicle) you can easily get by with a 350 with an automatic and appropriate rear gearing (3.73 recommended along with tranny cooler). I have been towing with this type of combination on 4 different trucks in the past 12 years, works just fine.

Hope this helps.



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TC # 947
69 SS Sedan (http://www.angelfire.com/rock/69ss)

Wish your profile stated where you are located. I am thinking of selling my 79 3/4 ton soon (60 days or so). One load to the scrap yard yealded over 14K lbs gross. I know it was too much but it pulled 60 miles through the Texas hill country, no problem pulling had some touchy stops though going through San Antionio. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

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Harley
69 461 El Camino
69 Chevelle coupe
70 El Camino
71 SS Camaro
72 Gremlin X
79 Corvette (stolen)
A Camel is a Horse designed by a commitee

How far and how often are the 2 questions that come to mind. I tow a travel trailer (5800lbs when loaded) and a car hauler that has seen 5k lbs plus the wieght of the trailer. My truck is a 96 K1500, 5.0L, auto with 3.73 gears. 75% of the time it is driven empty and gets 15/20 mpg. When towing it only gets 10 and will still pull hills just fine. Philip

I am pulling a 28' 5th wheel camper that weighs close to 8000lbs loaded. Currently I am using an '83 chevy C10 regular cab with a 400sb,th350 and 3.73 rear. It gets 10mpg empty and 7mpg when towing. We use it 3-4 times a year and have gone as far as 500 miles one way,but it has been flat land travel. Next year we want to go to N.C. mountains. Don't know if dually is necessary, most campers this size usually have a dually in front of them. I put on a stack of overload springs so it is pretty stable. Also need more room with the little one getting bigger.
I don't want to go into alot of debt since we only use it 3-4 times a year,other wise I take it to the dump once a week,and drive my Chevelle to work. I figure a 454 with TBI should work good, would love to go diesel but can't see spending the money at this point.

[This message has been edited by Bob B. (edited 11-26-2000).]

Hey Bob, my parents are trying to sell an 86 Suburban with only 69000 original miles. Its a 3/4 ton with 454 and has all the heavy duty towing stuff. He only towed with it one time, pulled a 32ft travel trailer from Ohio to West virginia, other than that it pretty much just sits in his driveway.
Its in Ohio, e-mail me if you are interested.
Ron

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70 Chevelle SS396
66 Nova SS 327
95 Z28 Convertible.
Aces 3081, TC #54 Gold