Towing capacity of 56' Laurentian with 265/Powerglide
AShkolny said
Sep 29, 2020
Hello everyone, I'm not new to the forum but haven't been here in many years. Currently I own a 56' Laurentian and just recently picked up a 62 GMC 4x4 pickup. I've owned this car since 2015 but haven't done much to it other than general maintenance. It's currently got the original 265 and powerglide(atleast I think it's original) and I would assume 3.55 gears in the 10 bolt diff in the back going off some online digging I've done. I'll verify this sooner than later.
What I'm currently wondering is what the towing capacity of the car would be in it's current state. I'm looking to possibly relocate from Manitoba to Vancouver island and would like to take both vehicles with me. The GMC being a project will likely not be ready to do any hauling next year.
What would be some suggestions to get more power and reliability out of the car to haul me and my truck out there?
Here's a few things I can think of off the top of my head:
Swap out the powerglide with a TH200-4R I picked up for the car
Upgrade the front drums to discs(possibly rears too)
Power brakes
Electronic Ignition
Possible addition of adding Holley Sniper EFI return system and electronic fuel pump
Possible upgrade of rad with electric fan and trans cooler
Possible power steering
Trailer brake(?) I would eventually install this on the truck anyway
I would be willing to spend a bit of money to get this thing tow ready but don't want to go too in depth if it wouldn't get worth the time or effort. I am not much of a purist mechanical-wise(body and interior originality is more important for me)and I know that doing some of these upgrades may negatively impact resale value. I do not plan to sell this car ever so this isn't a big issue for me. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
I've attached a picture of my car and truck beside eachother
-- Edited by AShkolny on Tuesday 29th of September 2020 01:32:34 AM
That's a really long Laurentian! Sorry, just couldn't resist that one.
Being more serious and hopefully a little more of my friendly self, assuming I'm right in saying the 265 is an original and therefore one of the first small blocks, I'd consider keeping it completely stock (save perhaps for Pertronix points and a thorough engine service, including a compression check and filter inspection). That's one very very important and historic V8 engine.
If the powerglide is still good it should be more than capable of the task (if not an overhaul would be a good idea for the future anyway) with one proviso. Please buy or rent a trailer for the GMC, I'd never try to do it with an A frame.
Of course my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it and others, probably professional, will be bound to follow shortly!
I hope you and yours stay well and that your plan succeeds, sounds like a great trip to me. If only I had the dosh I'd offer to follow along as a support......
dualquadpete said
Sep 29, 2020
You "missed " trailer hitch?? you will need a good welded to frame "Reese" style hitch for tandem axle trailer!! What's the truck weigh as you don't want the load heavier than tow vehicle!!! Definitely need good cooling system, trans cooler a must & electric fan. Mountains are going to be your "downfall" I personally wouldn't attempt it with the Poncho as tow vehicle in that situation!!! If your renting a U haul truck to move I'd put the trailer behind that or get a better tow vehicl for trip IMOP
4SPEED427 said
Sep 29, 2020
dualquadpete wrote:
You "missed " trailer hitch?? you will need a good welded to frame "Reese" style hitch for tandem axle trailer!! What's the truck weigh as you don't want the load heavier than tow vehicle!!! Definitely need good cooling system, trans cooler a must & electric fan. Mountains are going to be your "downfall" I personally wouldn't attempt it with the Poncho as tow vehicle in that situation!!! If your renting a U haul truck to move I'd put the trailer behind that or get a better tow vehicl for trip IMOP
I agree totally with Pete. I would say it's a setup for many things to go wrong, including serious things.
66 Grande guy said
Sep 29, 2020
Just to chip here, I towed an Old Airstream (about 3200 lbs) to Winnipeg and a few other places behind my 396 powered TH700r4 66 Grande. I had to get a receiver hitch custom built to handle the Airstream (at about $800 if I remember correctly) along with setting up the controller to activate the trailer brakes. It was a fairly easy tow for that car as it weighs around 4500 lbs, has lots of torque and has heavy sway bars front and rear, but even so it still wasn't that much fun as you are always totally focused on what is happening in front, beside and behind and can't ever really relax.
Its sounds like you are planning to pull a vehicle that is heavier than your car using a fairly small engine and marginal brakes though the mountains. Stability considerations alone should preclude this.
If you survive and the car isn't worn out from the trip it will still be a nerve wracking and unsafe experience for others as well as you so my advice is to find a way to use a heavier vehicle to tow the GMC and just drive the 56 by itself. It will be a much more enjoyable ride and you won't have thrashed the car on the way
AShkolny said
Sep 29, 2020
Thank you for the responses everyone. I may just end up having to rent a uhaul truck/trailer eventually and bringing the truck out separately later on unless I can get it driveable in the next few months.
I will proceed with swapping the power glide out with my 200-4r as I would enjoy driving it across the country more and getting better mileage too. I will likely do the front disc brake swap too especially if Ill be driving in the mountains. All other upgrades Ill consider later on when the budget permits.
timbuk said
Sep 30, 2020
we will need more pictures of truck island may be full lol welcome!
Hello everyone, I'm not new to the forum but haven't been here in many years. Currently I own a 56' Laurentian and just recently picked up a 62 GMC 4x4 pickup. I've owned this car since 2015 but haven't done much to it other than general maintenance. It's currently got the original 265 and powerglide(atleast I think it's original) and I would assume 3.55 gears in the 10 bolt diff in the back going off some online digging I've done. I'll verify this sooner than later.
What I'm currently wondering is what the towing capacity of the car would be in it's current state. I'm looking to possibly relocate from Manitoba to Vancouver island and would like to take both vehicles with me. The GMC being a project will likely not be ready to do any hauling next year.
What would be some suggestions to get more power and reliability out of the car to haul me and my truck out there?
Here's a few things I can think of off the top of my head:
I would be willing to spend a bit of money to get this thing tow ready but don't want to go too in depth if it wouldn't get worth the time or effort. I am not much of a purist mechanical-wise(body and interior originality is more important for me)and I know that doing some of these upgrades may negatively impact resale value. I do not plan to sell this car ever so this isn't a big issue for me. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
I've attached a picture of my car and truck beside eachother
-- Edited by AShkolny on Tuesday 29th of September 2020 01:32:34 AM
Being more serious and hopefully a little more of my friendly self, assuming I'm right in saying the 265 is an original and therefore one of the first small blocks, I'd consider keeping it completely stock (save perhaps for Pertronix points and a thorough engine service, including a compression check and filter inspection). That's one very very important and historic V8 engine.
If the powerglide is still good it should be more than capable of the task (if not an overhaul would be a good idea for the future anyway) with one proviso. Please buy or rent a trailer for the GMC, I'd never try to do it with an A frame.
Of course my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it and others, probably professional, will be bound to follow shortly!
I hope you and yours stay well and that your plan succeeds, sounds like a great trip to me. If only I had the dosh I'd offer to follow along as a support......
I agree totally with Pete. I would say it's a setup for many things to go wrong, including serious things.
Just to chip here, I towed an Old Airstream (about 3200 lbs) to Winnipeg and a few other places behind my 396 powered TH700r4 66 Grande. I had to get a receiver hitch custom built to handle the Airstream (at about $800 if I remember correctly) along with setting up the controller to activate the trailer brakes. It was a fairly easy tow for that car as it weighs around 4500 lbs, has lots of torque and has heavy sway bars front and rear, but even so it still wasn't that much fun as you are always totally focused on what is happening in front, beside and behind and can't ever really relax.
Its sounds like you are planning to pull a vehicle that is heavier than your car using a fairly small engine and marginal brakes though the mountains. Stability considerations alone should preclude this.
If you survive and the car isn't worn out from the trip it will still be a nerve wracking and unsafe experience for others as well as you so my advice is to find a way to use a heavier vehicle to tow the GMC and just drive the 56 by itself. It will be a much more enjoyable ride and you won't have thrashed the car on the way