CK5 - The Full-Size GM Off Road Community

I am debating on what to do with my 90K5. I am in the process of a new buildup with an '89K5 that is going to be a full blown trial rig.

Would my '90 1 ton be an acceptable tow rig if I lowered it to maybe 4" of lift and ran 33's or 35's?

What is the towing capacity of a stock K5?

Daniel the thing I would worry about the most is the wheelbase of the K5 itself. I think towing 7K plus with a short wheelbase rig would get real squirly (sp?) fast. I think they are alright for short light trailers but nothing like what you are wanting to do. JMHO. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

That was my thinking on it too. Thanks for the input!

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That was my thinking on it too. Thanks for the input!

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My friend used to tow an enclosed race trailer 10k with his blazer, he did a few trips from Sacramento to Vegas, he was a very carefull driver and he made it but after a couple of trips he went and bought a 2wd Crew cab Dually and he hasn't regretted that since.
His blazer was lifted 4" and on 35" tires.
So it can be done but if you can use a longer heavier truck always do it.
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I used to tow other K5's and my Chevelle on top of my 2300lb car hauler. It can be done but you have to take it easy. Now I have my Sub and it's a better ride. The wheel base really does a lot.

BTW, I still haven't heard from Chris.

Well, with my driving style, "taking it easy" is not part of my vocabulary. I am needing something stable at speeds of 70-80 MPH. I guess the K5 is out of the question.
Thanks for the update on Chris. I think about him everytime I drive by the Armory... You said he was in Iraq, right?

I think he's in Germany /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif

Well, atleast that's better than the armpit of the middle east!

Is that Chris's K5 in your side pic?

Here's how I tow a K5:
http://www.socalbigdawgs.com/albums/album11/aad.jpg

Yep, his is the yellow one in the middle. That was @ Disney when we got the 4 Wheeler magazine coverage. It was the MWK5ST.
I am looking at a 1991 K2500 Suburban with a 350 to use for a toe rig and a DD. Do you have any issues with using yours as a tow rig? Is yours a 1/2ton or 3/4 ton? How fast can you drive when towing?

Mine is a '90 K2500. It did a little better without the lift. My trailer has electric brakes. As far as how fast I could go, I cruesed at about 55-75 mph depending on the load. It only swayed hard once when I was towing a friends '89 one ton, extended cab, long bed, big block truck. I could only go 45. It's a lot better than the K5 for towing and I did use it for a daily driver until I moved 50 mile from work. Now I ride a motorcycle everyday.

You should never have anything on a trailer with the weight at the rear, it is way too easy for it to get out of hand in an instant. I know you will say that the weight was distributed more evenly that way when towing with your blazer but if your blazer can't handle the tongue weight then you should use a larger wheelbase rig for your towing.