Curb weights for 1973-1987 GMC trucks?

[Caleb1534]

Is there somewhere on this forum that lists curb weights for individual model years of the 1973-1987 generation of GMC trucks?

If not, is there someplace online where can I find this information?

I ask because we may bring my great-grandfather's 1983 GMC Sierra short bed truck from TN to SC at some point. So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to haul it back.

In that vein, I'm trying to determine if our 1994 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado Z71 is capable of towing it back here.

Our Chevy truck is rated to tow 8,000 lbs, but its current towing system (trailer hitch) is only rated for 5,000 lbs. However, its hitch ball is rated for 6,000 lbs. Go figure... U-Haul's Auto Transport trailer weighs 2,210 lbs. I'm guessing that the 1983 GMC Sierra short bed truck weighs a good bit more than 2,790 lbs?

Thanks for any help that y'all can offer!

Caleb

 

[Crispy]

Welcome.

Check out uship.com and see if its just a little more to have someone pick it up and bring it to you. I got a vehicle shipped to me for about $200 more than what it wouldve cost in fuel and trailer rental. My time was well worth that $200 as opposed to being on the road for a few hours.

To answer your original question the reference library may have the information you're looking for, you just have to sift through.

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forums/the-squarebody-reference-library.52/

GVWR should be on a tag in the door opening if it hasnt been painted or replaced. If i remember correctly half tons were around 4,000 lbs + - about 500 for drivetrain, bed size and fuel capacity differences.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Call the closest dump. They would probably let you weigh it.

 

[Charlie]

 

[75gmck25]

I think my '75 K25 longbed weighed at about 4800 lbs with gas tanks near full, and my wife and I in the truck (probably about 350-375 lbs for the two of us). I also had a cross-bed box with about 100 lbs of tools in it. That would put the longbed 4WD at about 4300-4400 lbs. Your shortbed should be a little lighter.

U-haul used to have two types of car trailers, and one of them was rated for up to 5000 lbs and supported the length needed for a pickup. However, most dealers had only the smaller trailer, and it took some searching to find the larger trailer. I was planning to tow it with one of their trucks, so the trailer+truck weight was not an issue for towing.

What about towing it wheels-down? If its a 4WD you can put the transfer case in neutral and use a tow bar to pull it behind your other truck. If its a 2WD its also a quick job to disconnect the driveshaft and tow it wheels down. Just remember to also put it the transmission in neutral with the key on to unlock the steering, and plan to only tow it rolling forward. If you try to back up a truck in tow with all four wheels down its hard to tell what direction the front wheels will go, so make sure you don't into a situation where you need to back up.

I've towed a car with wheels down and the driveshaft connected, and it tracked very well. However, the downside is that there will be no brakes on the towed vehicle, so your truck brakes are stopping full weight.

Bruce

 

[78C10BigTen]

Working at a scrap yard i did weigh my 78 c10 long box big ten with a 350. This is with me and my in bed tool box full of junk in it.

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[Keith Seymore]

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...its/Chevrolet-Trucks/1983-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

I'd have to say somewhere between 3500 and 3900 lbs, depending on option content, fuel level, amount of junk in the bed, etc.

K

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[Keith Seymore]

GVWR should be on a tag in the door opening if it hasnt been painted or replaced. If i remember correctly half tons were around 4,000 lbs + - about 500 for drivetrain, bed size and fuel capacity differences.

GVW is gross vehicle weight, or the maximum the vehicle can support in terms of fuel, passengers and payload.

Curb (base curb, EPA curb, or curb test weight class for brake testing) is the vehicle, fluid, and between two and full passenger seating. There is also a "dry curb" number published which would be the base vehicle less fluids.

K

 

[vkh]

Now far as flat towing with the driveshaft connected I've always heard you can fry the trans (least with an auto) because the pump wouldn't be spinning and it won't get any cooling. Now with a 4wd throwing the tcase in neutral makes this not a concern.

 

[Crispy]

GVW is gross vehicle weight, or the maximum the vehicle can support in terms of fuel, passengers and payload.

Curb (base curb, EPA curb, or curb test weight class for brake testing) is the vehicle, fluid, and between two and full passenger seating. There is also a "dry curb" number published which would be the base vehicle less fluids.

K

Didnt know there were so many kinds of curb weights. I figured the OP can take the GVW and subtract a few hundred pounds and get an estimated weight for hauling the thing.

 

[DirtyDYT]

Now I want to see one of those charts for the K series.

My K30 2 door flatbed sits on a full length frame like you’d find under a 3+3. I’d ballparked it at 5800 lbs but the above chart makes me thing I might actually be underestimating?

 

[bucket]

My shortbed C10 stepside was just a tick under 4k if I'm remembering right. That's with a 454/th400 combo.

I often tow it on my small car trailer with dual 3500# axles. The trailer itself weighs right around 2k. I'd feel perfectly comfortable pulling it behind another 1/2ton truck. Working trailer brakes would be advisable.

 

[foamypirate]

It's not 100% stock (LQ9 6.0L + NV4500), but my 1988 R20 Crewcab weighs in around 5400 lbs. Probably 5500 lbs stock, if I had to guess.

 

[Colin]

My shortbed C10 stepside was just a tick under 4k if I'm remembering right. That's with a 454/th400 combo.

I often tow it on my small car trailer with dual 3500# axles. The trailer itself weighs right around 2k. I'd feel perfectly comfortable pulling it behind another 1/2ton truck. Working trailer brakes would be advisable.

In many states trailer brakes are required for a car hauler.

 

[Keith Seymore]

Now I want to see one of those charts for the K series.

It's not hard to do....

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...its/Chevrolet-Trucks/1983-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

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