While there are no dues or fees for membership at El Camino
Central, we do rely upon member contributions to keep the site and server running smoothly. As membership grows, so does
site usage. Recently we have seen a huge jump in server load and bandwidth. As a result, at times we notice extremely
slow page loading. Many of you may have also noticed the new member rankings used to recognize supporting members.
Become a supporting member today and get your own cool rank!
Every little bit helps.
Show your support by making a
donation here:
Supporters
page
Necoa #: 4224
Location: 12(MO,OK,KS)
Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 243
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: Who tows with their Camino?
Sorry, wasn't sure where to post this, so mods if you know a better spot, please do what you do...
I'm hoping to build a frame mounted 2" receiver for my Camino, and I'm sure it can handle anything I put on my 5x10 trailer, but I'm wanting to possibly pull my Belvedere on a trailer. Don't know the exact weight, but I'm sure it could be found...
I've got a 10-bolt rear with 3.73's and an Eaton posi, 200-4R tranny, otherwise pretty much just another 4th gen Camino with a 350...
Any ideas on what the max towing should be? _________________
as for towing a small trailer that is no problem. towing that belvedere though is. as i recall the max towing weight for the elco is around 5000lbs, which means a tongue weight of 500-750lbs. your belvedere weighs in at around 4000lbs, and i doubt you will find a trailer that can handle that weight that weighs in at less the 1200lbs, so you would be over the max towing weight for the elco. on the other hand you could use a tow dolly for the plymouth with no problem. you will need a class 3 hitch, a large trans cooler(on the order of 26,000lbs capacity), an upgrade in braking, top quality pads and shoes at the least. i would also upgrade your radiator to a three core unit, four would be better though, and i would add a shift kit to the trans for firmer shifts and longer life. i would also upgrade to a load range D tire as well. _________________ 64 falcon
66 mustang
76 el camino
a mans fate is a mans fate
and life is but an illusion
You would have to do some serious upgrades to tow a car that weighs more than your Elky . We are talking air ride,upgraded brakes,a better transmission and I can continue for two more paragraphs .. Its not a good idea if you like your Elky .
Necoa #: 631
Location: 11(IA,NE,ND,SD)
Joined: Feb 16, 2003
Posts: 222
Year: 1981
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:40 am Post subject:
I would say you would be fine as long as...
1. You keep your max trailer weight within the limit of your hitch. However you get there, I think 5000 or 5500 is the limit depending on hitch/my of your elco..
2. Your trailer has brakes and they work (I had an electric brake controller rigged into my 85)
3. You load the trailer to achieve the proper tongue weight and your airshocks (airbags are better) are loaded appropriately to it.
4. Strongly consider an extra tranny cooler if you tow any significant distance. 200's aren't the strongest tranny's out there so don't expect to get 100,000 out of your current tranny if you tow.
5. Make sure the allowable loads on your registration for your tow vehicle and your trailer meet the actual weights of what you are towing.
My opinion is that most vehicles can handle a lot more weight than manufacturers and the government let on. The problem is that those who make vehicle specifications have to factor in the lowest common denominator, as in, the worst possible driver out there that has no idea about how to tow, how to load the trailer, how to distribute the load, how drive more cautiously when towing, how to handle emergency situations. Some opinions claim that you can only bumper pull something up to the same weight as the tow vehicle but not over, yet most pickups don't follow that according to the manufacturer. Some opinions claim that you have to be able to accelerate at some arbitrary level in order to be "safe" towing...yet no one seems to remember how fast (or slow) 3/4 ton and commercial trucks were decades ago. I would go so far as to say your brakes have more capability than full size trucks of 40 years ago. But, these are just my opinions, you will be held by how much risk you are willing to take in going further than the Chevy's recommendation, the hitch manufacturers recommendation, and the governments recommendation in how much load you can take before either being unsafe or being illegal (mostly for road tax).
I think you would find that a properly set up trailer with brakes and load equalizers would pull a lot better than anything on a dolly.
I think you would find that a properly set up trailer with brakes and load equalizers would pull a lot better than anything on a dolly.
i agreed with everything you said to this point. my opinion is that if he were towing a much smaller and lighter car, my 64 falcon for instance, i agree that a trailer is the way to go. but in this instance he wants to pull a car that is about equal in weight to his elco, and adding the weight of a trailer to the mix would overload his elco. a tow dolly in his case is the best way to go as it minimizes tongue weight without hurting the tow ability of the elco. most tow dollys are about 400-500lbs where as the lightest trailer that can handle the load runs about 1200lbs. that extra 700lbs of mass will cause problems when towing. _________________ 64 falcon
66 mustang
76 el camino
a mans fate is a mans fate
and life is but an illusion
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Staff Site
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
as for towing a small trailer that is no problem. towing that belvedere though is. as i recall the max towing weight for the elco is around 5000lbs, which means a tongue weight of 500-750lbs. your belvedere weighs in at around 4000lbs, and i doubt you will find a trailer that can handle that weight that weighs in at less the 1200lbs, so you would be over the max towing weight for the elco. on the other hand you could use a tow dolly for the plymouth with no problem. you will need a class 3 hitch, a large trans cooler(on the order of 26,000lbs capacity), an upgrade in braking, top quality pads and shoes at the least. i would also upgrade your radiator to a three core unit, four would be better though, and i would add a shift kit to the trans for firmer shifts and longer life. i would also upgrade to a load range D tire as well.
