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falconbrother's avatar
falconbrother
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2017

Our first TV, we've come a long way..

We were kids (is what I'm telling) when we started pulling a travel trailer. Our first TV was a 1977 F-150. We towed without fear where ever we wanted to go, coast or mountains. I added an extra leaf to the rear springs and a new AM/FM/Cassette player. That thing had 5 lugs nuts on each wheel and three on the tree. Humanity has come a long way since then. This one isn't ours but it looked exactly like that, add a camper shell. That was about 1991 I guess. That old truck did a really good job of pulling that old Prowler with the steel frame and the metal roof (heavy for it's size).

What was your first TV?

25 Replies

  • BenK wrote:

    myblazer myk5 k5

    Picture was before: the 33" dia commercial tires (load range G), modified tire carrier to hold 4 Jerry Cans, 54 gallon main tank, etc

    Was in my 20's when ordered a 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer. Sold the 1970 FJ40 for this. Towed with the FJ40, but too short a wheelbase and just not a good TV

    Knew better 'cuz uncle Bill taught me so, but had to learn the hard way...thinking am a design engineer...

    Dana 60 front, new front leaf spring pack (positive arched), GM 14 bolt full floater rear and new leaf pack, left the 350 stock internally (but an dual plane high raise intake, worked GM Q-Jet, headers (tried over 3 sets and ended up with long tube), roll cage, rear tire carrier also held four 5 gallon Jerry cans, replaced the OEM main tank with a 54 gallon after market (installed it myself), built auto tranny (ingaged and she didn't like the JF40 nor its manual), full time (took it out with a kit), Audi S5000 leather seats, and a bunch of stuff long forgotten...

    Never wanted to own a trailer, so borrowed many. The K5's wheelbase was not good for towing heavy (learned that the hard way too), but with the beefed up 5.7L and 1 ton suspension...thought it could and it could, but not well...nor safely


    I know what you mean.. I also towed with an FJ60 and didn't like it.

  • myblazer myk5 k5

    Picture was before: the 33" dia commercial tires (load range G), modified tire carrier to hold 4 Jerry Cans, 54 gallon main tank, etc

    Was in my 20's when ordered a 1973 Chevy K5 Blazer. Sold the 1970 FJ40 for this. Towed with the FJ40, but too short a wheelbase and just not a good TV

    Knew better 'cuz uncle Bill taught me so, but had to learn the hard way...thinking am a design engineer...

    Dana 60 front, new front leaf spring pack (positive arched), GM 14 bolt full floater rear and new leaf pack, left the 350 stock internally (but an dual plane high raise intake, worked GM Q-Jet, headers (tried over 3 sets and ended up with long tube), roll cage, rear tire carrier also held four 5 gallon Jerry cans, replaced the OEM main tank with a 54 gallon after market (installed it myself), built auto tranny (ingaged and she didn't like the JF40 nor its manual), full time (took it out with a kit), Audi S5000 leather seats, and a bunch of stuff long forgotten...

    Never wanted to own a trailer, so borrowed many. The K5's wheelbase was not good for towing heavy (learned that the hard way too), but with the beefed up 5.7L and 1 ton suspension...thought it could and it could, but not well...nor safely
  • 1976 Ford F250 'Camper Special' with 460 CID and auto trans
    Got 5 mpg :E :M
    1st year CA required 3/4 ton emissions so 460 was 'detuned' to meet standards.
    I changed timing gear set (cam/crank) to 1974 model, added dual exhaust and Carter AFB 4 bbl carb....woke motor up and got 10 mpg loaded/unloaded

    GF and I went all over CA, UT, WY and MT....ended up getting married in Billings MT during one of our excursions

    One of the BEST trucks I have owned!


    Goggle pic of same year/model. Mine was Blue/White
  • First was a 1978 Chevy LUV, 4 banger, 4 on the floor, pulling a PUP.
  • It was not a tow vehicle but my first camper was a 1953 Chevrolet panel truck. Paid $75 for it. It had a 6 volt battery and a foot starter in the floor. Looked like this one.