Am I crazy or do others tow with an old truck?

[buggy5872]

As I was coverd in gear oil last night from a leaking rear axle seal I started to wonder if towing with 56 year old truck is the smartest decision. The wife was getting nurvous because we are camping this weekend and I had the rear axle all apart. I built the truck specificly to tow our 5th wheel. Its a 1957 chevy 5700 series Low Cab Forward. I am an old truck nut so wrenching is nothing new to me. We towed all last year with out any major problems. It does have a modern drive train, Vortec 454 with a 4l80E tranny. I wonder how much maintenance do others do on newer trucks? IS it really worth it to move up to a newer truck. We have most of the new truck comforts inside....A/C, leather seats, power windows, DVD player. Are there any other "nuts" like me out there that tow with and old truck?

[PDR John]

I'd say keep it alive. Everything breaks down. Yours is truly one of a kind.

[topdownman]

You serious Clark? That's the coolest tow vehicle I've ever seen. Keep her running! And yes, you are crazy. Everyone (like me) that loves old vehicles is crazy. Three years ago I finally sold my 65 Studebaker, miss her everyday.

Originally Posted by buggy5872

As I was coverd in gear oil last night from a leaking rear axle seal I started to wonder if towing with 56 year old truck is the smartest decision. The wife was getting nurvous because we are camping this weekend and I had the rear axle all apart. I built the truck specificly to tow our 5th wheel. Its a 1957 chevy 5700 series Low Cab Forward. I am an old truck nut so wrenching is nothing new to me. We towed all last year with out any major problems. It does have a modern drive train, Vortec 454 with a 4l80E tranny. I wonder how much maintenance do others do on newer trucks? IS it really worth it to move up to a newer truck. We have most of the new truck comforts inside....A/C, leather seats, power windows, DVD player. Are there any other "nuts" like me out there that tow with and old truck?

[ParTheCourse]

Often see old trucks and dream of just what you have done. However, at my age don’t have the time, money or ability to do it. Hang in there she’s a beaut.

[buggy5872]

Ok maybe I just had a bad week.....Had one of my 59 chevy trucks go down, my daily driver 74 Elcamino went down, this one sprung a leak and I had to ride my harley to work in the rain one day last week because it was the only thing still working....I guess I just need this long weekend camping to recharge.

[D M]

You have done a nice job restoring the old Chevy. I bet when you stop it sparks a lot of conversation, and when you drive a lot of thumbs up. That is the best feeling when you restored it yourself. Awesome ride! And yes you are Car Crazy! Keep it on the road.

[336muffin]

That's so cool! I admire you for making such a tow rig! More pics please!

[Blag]

I think you're crazy to consider such a thing. That truck is awesome!!!

Fix that leak and drive on sir...

[Old Scout]

OK--like many of us old car nuts, you are a bit crazy and a lot of show-off [smile]. With a new drive train, you have eliminated the main concern. Keep driving and showing--just dont open the hood.

[buggy5872]

Thanks everyone....Think it was the bad week with all my old relics that had me wondering....It was back together about 12:30 last night and ready fro another round.

D M, It does get a lot of attention.

336muffin, Here is a build thred and a video....
Big Bertha Build thread x2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1957 Chevy LCF Big Bertha - YouTube

[Road Ranger]

OK, I'll bite.....how much do you want for it?! Come on.....you just cost me most of the morning going back and forth through the pics in that link you gave us. Seriously, with that beauty, I'd be king of the trailer park! You are not just a mechanic, m'friend. You have at least two superpowers to be able to pull that off from what I see at the beginning of your project pics. You are, at the least, an artisan. I am an, as yet uncertified, gun nut and I had a piece years ago that I could do magic with on the shooting range. It was a 1950's vintage that suited my body ergonomics just right, maybe because I have a 1940's vintage body. I've not been happy with anything else and I've been kicking myself ever since for selling it.....which may account for my back problems. Ditto for the motorcycle I sold years ago. Seriously, wouldn't you miss that truck if you sold it? As you may suspect, I'm more words than dollars to actually buy your truck but I'm sure you'd rather put a bit o' work back into it every so often than wish later on that you had. Congratulations on a fine, fine beauty of a truck!

[buggy5872]

Road Ranger... thanks for the kind words. I don't have a price for it but have turned down 6 figures more than once. Wife would of sold it already. I do not think I could part with so much but have something newer without giving this one up. I am an accountant by trade and it is just a hobby until I can afford to give up the day job and build custom one off vehicles full time.

[Muddypaws]

You're towing a fifth wheel with a $100,000+ truck? That's crazy! Very cool, but still putting a lot at risk. I'd have that puppy covered in the garage and only driven to shows.

[TheJeep]

That is a cool truck. Don't give up on it.