Who tows boats with lowered trucks?

flyspec14 · Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 3

I've seen some kids around here towing with some lowered rigs. I'm just curious what sort of advice you may have. I'm running an 01 GMC 1/2 ton, with a 4/6 drop and towing my new Supra 21V Laughing

I'm definitely gonna run helper air-bags & probably going to do a hidden hitch instead of my stocker to give me more clearance. ANY help is appreciated!!!

Bowen · Posted: Feb 22, 2005 3:10 pm Post subject:

I believe Zook tows his Xstar/205v w/ a lowered tahoe. He has said it actually tows better, you'll have to talk w/ him though...

wakeboarder89 · Addict Joined: 15 Jun 2003 Posts: 637

i know a kid who tows w/ a ford lightning .... not sure if its lowered or jsut has a body kit but it tows pretty good

Swass · Guest

Two words: air bags.

vawakemonster · Posted: Feb 22, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:

flyspec14 · Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 3

All depends what kind of bags you're talkin. I'd love to fully bag it, only problem is I need to roll this thing in the winter in Minnesota. Too many problems with fully bagged vehicles in -40 degrees Embarassed

I may just have to raise it up a bit...

Bowen · Posted: Feb 22, 2005 6:34 pm Post subject:

flyspec14, why would there be problems with the bags in the winter?...all you'd use it for would be towing the boat?...or am I missing something.

Chad H · Posted: Feb 22, 2005 6:36 pm Post subject:

what are airbags?

Hyperryd · Addict Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 604 City: Central Cali

Here is a couple of pics of my old truck and boat. No problems towing. The only problem was traffic stopping when gawkers stared at it when it was parked.

138jobe · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 174 City: Calgary

Someone has some bling bling....you should donate to the WBPAF (White Boy Poor Apprentice Foundation)I accept money order, credit, no cheques unless ceritified.

Smile

Now with the business out of the way, that is a very very sweet, like sugar combo.

Laughing

Hyperryd · Addict Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 604 City: Central Cali

One more pic just for the fun of it. The source of my user ID is obvious.

138jobe · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 174 City: Calgary

all of a sudden my keyyyyboard beccame sticky. Im a sick pig...hahahahaha

marlinempress · Outlaw Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 112 City: Murray

I'm usually against defeating the nature of trucks by lowering them....but used as a tow vehicle that is a very nicely appointed setup.

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

love the board racks in the bed...

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

flyspec14

I used to own a S10 that was fully bagged and I drove it around in the winter. I live in North Dakota so I was in the same situation. I had electric solenoids and a reserve tank, compressor, switches, blah, blah.....the only thing you need for your bags to work well in the winter is compression fittings. Don't buy those PTC(push to connect) fittings, they leak horribly. I got all my fittings from a local truck(semi) supply store. Remember most of the semis on the road rock airbags and most truckers swear by them. They are fully reliable if done properly.

ps I never hit switches in the winter time.....I just left if aired up.

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

Hyperryd, what year is that truck?

Here's a pick of my '98. Not quite as low, but still a little shorter than stock. I've never had any problems towing with it....except for the v6 under the hood, but that's a whole other story. Evil or Very Mad

Zook · Posted: Feb 24, 2005 8:32 am Post subject:

Yes, My truck is low..But not as low as that red one.
I roll with a 2/4 drop and I do feel like it drives better when I have the trailer on the back. It just might be me though because I'm on the way to the lake. Smile

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Juice75, that truck looks really nice. How much did you lower it and what size rims are those? I've got a '95 black Tahoe so the front end should look pretty similar.

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

Wakebrad, Thanks. I lowered it with a 2/4 drop, using lowered coils in front and lowered leafs in back. Although, if I had it to do all over again, I'd spend the money and use drop spindles up front for a better ride. Oh well, you live and learn.

The rims are 20x8.5 with 274/45/20s. I love the setup, and it still turns a few heads. Not bad for a 7 year old truck.

138jobe · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 174 City: Calgary

Juice75, she looks good, original paint?

Hyperryd · Addict Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 604 City: Central Cali

Juice75, It was a '96. I sold it about two years ago. I decided to go up and bought a four wheel drive and a B-52. They are both red too though.

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

138jobe, yep, that's the original paint. I've had her since 99, and I use a wax called Race Glaze. The stuff is incredible. I highly recommend Race Glaze, but it's hard to find sometimes.

Here's a couple more pics after a good waxing.

logan · Posted: Feb 24, 2005 10:15 pm Post subject:

I have a lowered truck, haven't towed with it but the guy i got it from towed his sanger with it no problem, but then again i think our SAN may outweigh him, thank god for the invention of the 5.7...

Zook · Posted: Feb 25, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

here is a pic of mine

wakejunky · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 147 City: Cal.

Just wait til you get to that first slippery launch. I'd love to watch.

Chris

Hyperryd · Addict Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 604 City: Central Cali

Chris- Our ramp is always muddy late in the season, because the lake goes down so fast. We never had a problem pulling out. I had posi which helped a lot and you had to ease into the throttle, but nothing that a little talent behind the wheel couldn't handle. I have watched plenty of idiots with stock trucks roast the tires and throw tons of gravel at their new boats thinking power would get up the ramp. I will admit, I don't think my lowered truck would do too well pulling out my b-52 on the same muddy ramp (hence the 4wd), but the 20' Tige was easy to tow.

Zook · Posted: Feb 26, 2005 6:56 am Post subject:

you also have to think that 20+inch tires are alot wider so they catch more traction when pulling out of the water. I have pulled my boat out in many storms and even had to get someone to unhook
their trailer to get their boat out of a slippery situation.

He said " DAMN!?!? Is that thing 4 wheel drive??"

I said ,"no just really wide 20x10 inch tires."

138jobe · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 174 City: Calgary

Juice75, looks good man, Just think, if you decide to sell it, you can still get a buck for it.

Any engine mods?

Zook, Nice house Smile

.....oh the truck looks good to!

Zook · Posted: Feb 26, 2005 9:22 am Post subject:

thanks!

logan · Posted: Feb 26, 2005 12:49 pm Post subject:

I just put Street Scene Cal-Vu Sport Mirrors on the other night, i'll get a pic up sometime soon. Now i have those humungous gay things off of my truck thank god...

SMFB8 · Posted: Mar 01, 2005 11:15 am Post subject:

Hyperryd, Thats a damn nice set up..

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

138jobe, Thanks! Unfortunately, the only thing I've done to the engine is a K&N and a Hyperteck Power Programmer. The Programmer didn't do much for power, but it stiffened up the shift points nicely. The transmission actually feels like it shifts now, instead up just feeling like one big mushy gear. Although some more torque wouldn't hurt. That v6 struggles a little on some hills when pulling the boat.

138jobe · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 174 City: Calgary

Juice75, just means you should floor it harder!!! hehehe.

if you want a little more torque for towing and such, maybe think if investing in a mild RV Camshaft. they are not to expensive, if you do decide to do that, have someone makesure your hydraulic lifters are still in good shape.

Chad H · Posted: Mar 01, 2005 5:45 pm Post subject:

nice rides...

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

138jobe, Floor it harder? That's what I've been doing wrong! Twisted Evil

Yeah, it's a toss up. I only plan on having her for 2 more years at the most, so I'm trying to limit the amount of cash I put into it. She already has 135K miles. But then again, for a Chevy, that's just a pup.

Wakeboarddrumma, Thanks.