Towing with a 305
 

I have often wondered how our trucks with a stock CI motor would handle towing. I was thinking of looking for a small travel trailer, this truck is the only thing I have that could tow anything. I realize speed would be low, distance I would tow would be under a 100 miles.
So any feedback of towing tails would be helpful.

thanks,

Re: Towing with a 305
 

Someone asked this not too long ago. The brakes aren't super heavy duty, but as long as it's just a couple of thousand pounds you should be OK taking it slow. What are you thinking about getting?

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ab/60...ca1eb1fd14.jpg

Re: Towing with a 305
 

I towed a '70 Chevelle Drag Car with my '66 1/2 Ton Short Bed with a 305, 3-Speed, twice back in the late 70's. Did just fine. They were roughly 150 - 200 Mile round trips. No problems at all.

Re: Towing with a 305
 

[QUOTE=FetchMeAPepsi;69812]Someone asked this not too long ago. The brakes aren't super heavy duty, but as long as it's just a couple of thousand pounds you should be OK taking it slow. What are you thinking about getting?

I haven't picked out anything yet, finding smaller trailers in decent condition is not that easy anymore. Plenty of 24' units out there, but they are approaching 2 tons so that is out of the question.

I just was seeing if using this as the tow vehicle was an option. Wonder how worse the mileage will get?

thanks,

Re: Towing with a 305
 

I "Super-Tuned" my 305 once before a long trip and got 15 1/2 MPG. That is pretty good for engines known to "drink". When towing the Chevelle, I did not figure it, but I don't remember the Mileage dropping a whole lot.

Re: Towing with a 305
 

Towed 10,000 pounds with mine a few times. Double axle tilt trailer and a tractor with a back hoe and bucket. She got up to 55 and stopped from 55 as well. Never had issues. Hauled loads like this wood more often though. Power brakes for the win. We won't speak of fuel mileage with that kind of weight, but she was doing what she does best. WORK and no complaints. Yes that wood was green.

Re: Towing with a 305
 

We could give lot better suggestions on towing capability if we had more info, like 305 or 351? 3 or 4 speed, or auto trans. Long or short wheelbase, numerical drive axle ratio, manual or power brakes, half ton or Heavy Half.

It's kinda funny, 35 years ago I drove a tandem axle semi-tractor, 903 cid V-8, 6 speed manual trans, 320 hp, governed to 67 mph. Typical load was 70,000 to 75,000# gross, sometimes more. My new pickup has 395 hp, 8-speed trans, and is rated to tow 16,000# gross! Either my old truck was WAY over-loaded or my new truck is way under rated.

Re: Towing with a 305
 

Truck specs: 305D with a 4 speed, 3:54 posi rear end, SWB, manual brakes. It has a barden bumper, running stock 3 piece rims, 8 ply rear tires.

Re: Towing with a 305
 

That sounds like a pretty solid truck to tow with. I wore out two Ford 300-6's with NP-435 4spds, 3.50 or 3.55 gears, mine were both 4wd so had a 2 spd transfer case. Creeper low gear and direct 1:1 4th. I would think you could tow 3000-4000# pretty well. Probably tow 5000# on level roads if the trailer has a small frontal area. Wind resistance from a tall and wide trailer will tax your truck the most. Both my F-150's had frontal area restrictions on their trailer towing recommondations. Both my trucks had power brakes, with your manual brakes plan your stops well in advance. I've had BIG trucks with less than good brakes, had a stop light change on me, stood on the brake pedal with both feet, yelled Whow, and blared my air horn to warn cross traffic I was coming, 50 or 55 mph speed limit, I was doing about 20 when I went thru the red light, still on the brakes, slowed to a stop, pulled off the road and set up the slack adjusters on all 4 trailer brakes. Whoever had pulled the trailer last really abused the brakes.

You'll be the envy of everyone at the campground. My son traded his 2014 Ram 2500 CTD for a 2018 Mustang GT 6-speed with Performance Pac #2, Recaro seats, Brembo brakes, Wide sticky Pirelli tires, and all his car guy Buddys like my old 1996 F-250 reg cab long box 4wd with Alcoa wheels I gave him. He's shined it up, fixed a few things to make it reliable.