No Garage

[Eye of the Tiger]

With all of these accessories, the 4.3 no longer has enough power to pull it all. So now the engine must be upgraded to a 350. Hmm ... $Texas and $Alaska.
And now it needs an upgraded 700R4, and 1-ton axles. A longer wheelbase wouldn't hurt, either. Umm ... 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Even Dakota could tow a 21' trailer with empty weight 3031#, GVWR 4000#. Dakotas are rated for 6800# towing, but only 2000# for the 4cyl. However, my Dakota has been upgraded to have the the larger rear end with larger rear brakes, and I installed a yoooge radiator. It will just be slow AF.

[Soup DeVille]

Army is going to start selling off MTVRs next month, which means the Stewart & Stevenson LMTV prices are dropping like rocks. I wouldn't mention it to just anybody, but you're enough of a weirdo and good enough with a wrench to make them an option.

https://www.govplanet.com/jsp/s/search.ips

(type LMTV in the search bar)

[Eye of the Tiger]

Army is going to start selling off MTVRs next month, which means the Stewart & Stevenson LMTV prices are dropping like rocks. I wouldn't mention it to just anybody, but you're enough of a weirdo and good enough with a wrench to make them an option.

https://www.govplanet.com/jsp/s/search.ips

(type LMTV in the search bar)

This is overkill. I prefer underkill.

[Soup DeVille]

The "L" means light!

Besides, This would be overkill:

http://midwestmilitaryequipment.com/oshkosh-m1070-8x8-het-military-heavy-haul-tractor-truck/

[Soup DeVille]

Oh, screw the HET. Get an arctic rated oil field rig.

https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Bed-%26-Rig-Up-Trucks-2007-Western-Star-Bed-Truck-Alberta/1937644?h=5000%2Cct%7C3%2Cc%7C4126&rr=0.5&hitprm=&pnLink=yes

[Eye of the Tiger]

The "L" means light!

Besides, This would be overkill:

http://midwestmilitaryequipment.com/oshkosh-m1070-8x8-het-military-heavy-haul-tractor-truck/

I think I would prefer a normal sized vehicle, like an M1008. You know, something that I can change a tire on.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Oh, screw the HET. Get an arctic rated oil field rig.

https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Bed-%26-Rig-Up-Trucks-2007-Western-Star-Bed-Truck-Alberta/1937644?h=5000%2Cct%7C3%2Cc%7C4126&rr=0.5&hitprm=&pnLink=yes

And I am instantly refused admission to every campground and RV park east of the Mississippi.

[Soup DeVille]

Those can still be found at reasonable prices. But the value goes up when you go to bigger trucks, because people are unwilling to deal with the hassles- as you noted. But these are relatively minor problems.

[Soup DeVille]

And I am instantly refused admission to every campground and RV park east of the Mississippi.

You Are the RV park.

(I don't even know if that will fit on normal roads)

[Eye of the Tiger]

GM 6.2L diesel V8 that came in the GMT400 in 1988:
140 hp @ 3,600 rpm / 247 lb⋅ft @ 2,000 rpm

Now look at my 4.3L gas V6:
160 hp @ 4000 RPM / 235 lb⋅ft @ 2400 RPM

I can tow like a diesel with this pile of crap 4.3. I just need to watch the transmission, and probably not exceed 60 MPH, ever.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Those can still be found at reasonable prices. But the value goes up when you go to bigger trucks, because people are unwilling to deal with the hassles- as you noted. But these are relatively minor problems.

I like serviceability, and parts availability. Spare parts for GMT400 trucks can be found on the side of any American highway.

[Soup DeVille]

I like serviceability, and parts availability. Spare parts for GMT400 trucks can be found on the side of any American highway.

Most the parts for the LMTVs can be found too. The problem with the CUCVs is they're a dual-voltage setup and electrical problems are common.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Most the parts for the LMTVs can be found too. The problem with the CUCVs is they're a dual-voltage setup and electrical problems are common.

I can't find parts on AutoZone or RockAuto.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I could potentially swap out GMC's 3.42:1 gears, front and rear, for 4.11:1 gears, for about $300 in parts and a giant headache of labor. That would take stress off the drivetrain.

Or, I could swap out Dakota's 3.73:1 rear gears for 4.88:1. That would probably be mandatory for 4-cyl towing.

[Soup DeVille]

I can't find parts on AutoZone or RockAuto.

Well, thats true, but firms like Memphis Equipment can ship just like Rock Auto can.

[Soup DeVille]

Lower gears would be smart.

[Eye of the Tiger]

GMC is best idea. I am whimsically heading in that direction. Must sell the Fords and go camper shopping.

[68_427]

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/fayetteville-1995-chevy-3500/6782268173.html

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/asheboro-1990-ford-f250-with-original/6815315381.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/wake-forest-1998-chevrolet-z-truck/6823880629.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-chevrolet-2500-ext-cab-4x4/6816170910.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/holly-springs-chevy-g30-1ton-van-v8/6822273606.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-gmc-sierra-sle-extend-cab/6810476890.html

[Eye of the Tiger]

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/fayetteville-1995-chevy-3500/6782268173.html

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/asheboro-1990-ford-f250-with-original/6815315381.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/wake-forest-1998-chevrolet-z-truck/6823880629.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-chevrolet-2500-ext-cab-4x4/6816170910.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/holly-springs-chevy-g30-1ton-van-v8/6822273606.html

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-gmc-sierra-sle-extend-cab/6810476890.html

You seem to think I need a V8. Bah humbug.

[Submariner]

I really don't think GMC is up to the job, TBH.

The two trailers you linked to have weights between 7,500 and 10,000lbs.  Doing a bit of reading, a 92" 3500 C/K with the 454/4 speed maxes out around 10,000 lbs.  I don't think the 4.3 and 1/4th ton suspension on GMC is anywhere near up to handling that.

[BimmerM3]

Yeah, but I still need to get around, and I'm not towing a tow dolly behind a trailer .

I don't understand how renting a truck for a day to move a camper makes getting around any more difficult.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I really don't think GMC is up to the job, TBH.

The two trailers you linked to have weights between 7,500 and 10,000lbs.  Doing a bit of reading, a 92" 3500 C/K with the 454/4 speed maxes out around 10,000 lbs.  I don't think the 4.3 and 1/4th ton suspension on GMC is anywhere near up to handling that.

Yeah, so those trailers were too big. I need to keep it under 5000# GVWR.
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=177&Image=5038&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2845#Main

I don't understand how renting a truck for a day to move a camper makes getting around any more difficult.

I don't understand why I'm renting a truck when I already have three. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

I am already prepping GMC for a 5000# trailer. Transmission cooler, transmission service, spider gears, axle seals, and a brake controller.

[FoMoJo]

I don't understand why I'm renting a truck when I already have three. 

You'll need all three of them to pull the trailer.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You'll need all three of them to pull the trailer.

Not a bad idea, actually.

[BimmerM3]

I don't understand why I'm renting a truck when I already have three. 

Well, this was a hypothetical scenario where you deemed your current trucks to be unworthy of towing.

In other words, it seems silly to buy giant truck just to move a camper every now and then.

[68_427]

You seem to think I need a V8. Bah humbug.

I had the Vortec version of your engine, and it sucked for towing a 18' boat, but If you're only going to tow the camper once your truck might be fine.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Well, this was a hypothetical scenario where you deemed your current trucks to be unworthy of towing.

In other words, it seems silly to buy giant truck just to move a camper every now and then.

Well yeah, but ... I like trux. Hypothetically, I would tow the camper from where I bought it to a campground and stay there for a year. Then maybe tow it to LAND. If I get a little crazy, I might take it on a trip to Maine.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I had the Vortec version of your engine, and it sucked for towing a 18' boat, but If you're only going to tow the camper once your truck might be fine.

Vortex? That's your problem. You need the TBI for maximum TBITBITBITITTIBITS. I don't know what your towing expectations are, but I don't expect to keep up with all the lead foot soccer moms texting in their v6 minivans. I expect to be happy with 60 MPH on a flat interstate.