Inliners International Forums General Discussion Truck Talk 62 C/10, can it tow?

I got a 62 Chevy 2wd 1/2 ton for $50, with only 79k and a great running 235. It also has a 4spd and 3.90 gears. Do you think I could occasionally tow with this setup? We're talking 55-60mph, 100 miles, car trailer? Not alot of hills either. I had an 86 Ford with a 302 that barely did that, but it had an aauto and some real weak gears. Anyway, I want to put a 261 in it, but have to find and probably build one up I'd guess. Any recommendations for parts to do this for either motor? Mostly interested in a cam, Mr. Langdon gave me great intake and exhaust options, 2 2bbls and Fentons. Unless someone has a better combo? I really want to keep that style 6 and no way will it get a small block, they bore me. Thanks in advance for any help, this site is really cool.

Would it be better with a T-5 or a TH350?

It'll haul a car trailer and it depends on whats on it. It's like a lotta trailering, once you get rolling it's easy. I'd stick with your 4sp. or go to a T5 unless you don't want to row the gears, then go with a 700R4 or 2004R with Tom Langdon's tranny adapter and a good cooler.

It'll occasionally have a car on it for demo derby, maybe 5-6 times a year. I'm not out to set speed records, and there's plenty of room to cruise out in MT. I'll baby the 235, but as soon as I get a 261 ready it'll be in there. I'll keep the 4 speed for now, probably do the 261 and t-5 all at once. Thanks for the reply.

Any recommendations for a cam?

They used to tow with those things 'back in the day'. I'd guess most folks would say the rig is too light for serious hauling. I'd recommend trailer brakes. That drivetrain should get the job done if you're just going for utility and not pulling big hills and runnin' the 'fast lane'.

Dear Joe;

Drew & Jerry are right. It's just to small.

To tow safely you need dual rear wheels to stop it and the trailer brakes. Your 261 built to 278" + mods will work with a 5 speed, but it will be working hard at it.

Too much weight to stop/start. Most 'tow rigs' today are using 400 CID + a 1 1/2 to 2 Ton chasis. The 1 Ton cab/chasis ones that I/we used in the 60-70s have proven to small as well.

It would be fine for a boat or M/C trailer.

Good luck, John M.....

I would not fear towing up to 5k lbs behind a good 62 Chev pu if equiped with trailer brakes. A $50 truck may be a different issue. You need to make sure the truck brakes, tires, drivetrain and suspension are in excellent condition. You might also want to consider something along the lines of an Easi-lift hitch and bars for a little added safety.

Drivetrain is great, it was a deal from a family friend. Brakes and suspension are being gone through, new tires ready when that's done. I'm not going to be pulling a huge enclosed trailer or anything like that, just a 18' flatbed trailer with a gutted car. It's an occasional thing. I do already have a trailer brake controller going in it, but what would be a good master cylinder upgrade? It's going to be a daily driver, not just a purpose-built hauler, and I don't want to put a v-8 in it.

I guess if I do this I was looking for a good recommendation on a cam, and what would be a good upgrade for the master cylinder?

I'm not out to tow a huge amount of weight nor set speed records, just seemed to me that the power numbers rivaled that of v-8 1/2 tons from the late-70's and early 80's, and they'd do it. I thought it'd be unique, I'm already going to make a daily driver of it, was hoping to make it dual-purpose...

PS: A "half ton" truck has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of around 5,000 pounds. Subract it's actual weight (around 4,000) and you can carry 1,000 # or 1/2 a Ton.

You can look at the ID plate & subtract the unladen weight listed on your registration to get it exact. That's how the CHP/DMV does it.

Bruce forgot to mention brakes on all 4 trailer wheels (most have only 2). You could "get away" with it with a 'special built trailer' & really wide rear tires on your truck.

It's still way too light. Especialy when you add; people, ice chests, tools, tires, fuel etc.

JM...

Hmmm, hate to have to get two rigs. Might have to do some re-thinking on this...

i tow a trailer with a 79 short bed pick up with a 307 3.25 frist gear trans and a 3.42 rear. lt 235/75/15 tires. and have no trouble stopping or going. the trailer has brakes on both axles per pa. law. i haul cars and trucks and tractors. back when i was younger i had a 62 with 235 low gear 4 speed and 4.10 rear and i towed race cars with it. and had no problems. but with both rigs i did not set speed records.
so i say if you keep everything in top shape you will have no problems.

That's encouraging to hear, since I don't speed to get where I need to be, I always show up very early. I don't like to pull past 55-60 anyway. I plan on going dual exhaust and dual carbs per Langdon's advice, and I will be putting new bushings and shocks and an alignment in it, as well as putting on my new LT235/75R15's. I think I may go to front discs and self-adjusting rear brakes while I'm at it, I have the front disc stuff from a 71, assuming the spindles will work.

A BIG Thanks for everyone's advice!

If your PU is indeed a 62, you will have to do some major changing to upgrade the master cylinder. The 62 has a hydraulic clutch. The brake and clutch master cylinder is a one piece assembly. If you want a better brake master cylinder, you will have to rig a seperate cylinder for the clutch. Although I am a strong believer in a split master cylinder system, on that application, I think that as long as ALL brake lines -including hoses - are new, you will be all right. Of course if you go the disc brake route you will have to change the cylinder to make everything work right.
As far as towing what you described, it will work just fine. It will be slow, but it will get you there. You do need brakes on at least one trailer axle, though. Hope this helps. Joe

Thanks for that info, it is indeed a 62. I will make sure all the braking system is in top shape then, and my trailer does have brakes on both axles. I thought it'd be slow, just wanted to be sure if it could do it. The ol' rig will get some more power in the near future though.

Dear Joe;

All of what these gentlemen are telling you is true & correct. For them (& me)"way back when". Also; I agree in concept, but times have changed.

Today Freeway speeds exceed 70 MPH+. "Road Rage" occurs on a daily basis. Insurance fraud is at a record high in most states. Add to this the 'foreign invasion' and their lack of courtesy on the road, it all just gets to crazy.

If your not in the 'automotive business' It's hard to get insurance for towing as well.

So good luck with your truck project, but realy try to find someone with a Tow Rig to help you out on Derby Day. If you put the Co's name on your car they may do it free.

John M....

Hello to all Inliners. I'm still new here but a Club member 3years, and still collecting parts for my 292 Checker Special, which I hope to tow a small Airstream with one of these years. Really like to visit a few Chapter meetings before (and after) I retire in 10 years. Introduction being said may I suggest to Joe the 292 option, of course, for his What a Great Buy on a Truck, truck, and at the risk of being Blackballed for the thought, will suggest one of the Inlines cousins - a 60-66 Jimmy with the 2 Inline 3 cylinder engines joined by a common crankshaft, for towing duty. You could probably make a very favorable swap and save a lot o'sweat. This site has been on the B Board before I think -www.6066gmctrucks.org They obviously think of us as bretherin. Thanks and 'bye for now /Bob P.

Thanks 292, the truck was a steal I think. I wanted to do the 261 since no one really runs them, thought it would be a neat setup. Guess I'm in for an education, I'm normally a Mopar V8 guy...

Everything that needs to be said has already been said about this topic, I just can't resist getting my $0.02 in. Way back when, when I was a lad and milk was delivered to the door we used to haul horses in the back of pickup trucks and pull horse trailers behind 2door Chevy sedans with 235's and a 2spd. powerglide tranny (and a "real" bumper hitch that was actually ON the bumper). Push mower ment a reel type w no motor at all! Ah, men were men. But back to the topic. You can pull a house with a lawn mower if you have thr right transmission, the trick is getting it stopped. First rule, your trailer weight should never exceed the loaded weight of the towing vehicle i.e. if your truck empty weight is 5000# and your tongue weight is 750# the trailer weight (that is the weight on the trailer axles) should not excede 5750#. Thats all fine in theory but if your going to pull any more than a row boat on a two wheel trailer a goose neck is the only way to go. Get the weight on the rear axles, its much safer when the trailer tries to push you and it will. Secondly slow down, 60 is plenty for anyting that doesn't have air brakes, and preferably, jake brakes. Of course I pull horses and they just HATE to trailer. Well that should be way more than you wanted to know, just had to jump in.

No, that's good info. Thanks guys, if nothing else it saved me from spending alot of money on something that wouldn't have worked well.

Update: gonna keep this 62 with the 235 as a toy, and use something else for towing (76 GMC K25 crew cab with a utility box, $1000 ), it'd be cheaper than modifying and possibly ruining a perfectly good old pickup. It'll be my street cruiser and part runner eventually. But it's still getting dual carbs and Fentons

A few words of advise...when towing USE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT!.Brakes on every wheel, a good quality electronic brake control, a good load equalizing hitch and sway control devices. I tow a 14 foot car trailer behind a 56 Chevy short box and correctly set up I can travel highway speeds and can hardly tell the trailer is there. Just my humble opinion.....