Would a 292 6cyl be OK for towing?

[77c10diesel]

I currently have a 77 C10 with an Olds Diesel in it and I can not use it to tow. I am wanting to add another truck to my corral and I want a 4 door. I have looked at everything from 2 of them with 292 6 cylinders to ones with 454's. I know that I could tow anything with the 454's, but was wondering about the 6's. I have a smaller 5th wheel. Its a 23 foot and fairly light (maybe 5K, not sure). I also have a light car trailer and a tow dolly that I use to tow cars with.
I tow something (car or 5th wheel) about 6-8 times a year. I don't mind having to go slower up hills and slower starts it it will pay off in MPG in the long run. I need this truck as a daily driver. Would the 6 cyl be OK for this or should I look for something in the middle with a 350?
Thanks
Scott

[Da67goatman]

It depends on gearing, if you run like a 5.38 rear gear and a t56 6 speed with 50% overdrive you can pull all the above.

[77c10diesel]

One of them has a THM400 and the other is a 4 speed(SM465?). I think both are 4:10s, maybe 4:56.

[zieg85]

I had a 250 in my 72 K20 with 4:10's/4 speed granny and had no problem hauling my stock car on an old "heavy" home built car trailer and had no problems at all.  Didn't have any hills to contend with but she did the job.  I would think a 292 would do even better...

[Jim Rockford]

Long as you have the axles and gearing  you can tow anything.

[DnStClr]

I don't know if I agree- and here's why. a light  23 ft. long fifth wheel is going to weigh  about 7000 lbs dry and by the time you add 1500 lbs of "stuff" in it, you're towing 8500 lbs. The tow vehicle is also pulling its own weight- approximately 4500 lbs. Now add that up and ask yourself the question again.
I don't think it's an adequate set-up.

[1980c10]

I think the 292 would be able to tow, if needed, given that it produces 215 ft pound of torque while the 350 is rated at 255 and the 454 is rated 340(1980 specs).
I don't think you'll see a lot of mpg improvement vs a 350.
also parts and modifications are easier and cheaper for a 350.
for mpg sake i would look for a manual trans if you don't mind the shifting.
For a good rounded out engine that can do what you want I would look for a 350.

[Layne]

I hauled my parts truck with my 250 / 700r4 and a 3.08. It didn't like it but I was able to go with the flow of traffic.

[Jim Rockford]

People seem to forget that 6ers have towed plenty of heavy duty stuff in the past and even station wagons where a popular option for towing the family camper and have done so with no problems  I do however highly recommend a trailer brake controller, I just towed my 80 home with my neighbors newer full size ford truck with a 5.4 and it struggled with a short steep grade, Mainly due to a rear gear that didn't give the engine the leverage  it needed. so even with a v8 you can still have a bad combination.

[bake74]

     Everyone has mentioned good points, but I haven't heard anybody mention compatibility and wear and tear issues.  It is true, I could tow a diesel pusher motor home with my daughters tricycle is I geared it right and had enough leg strength, but I wouldn't.  Point is you need to make compatibilities with capabilities.  I have hauled everything everything from a motocross to a 40 ton earth mover one time or another in my life, I have always picked the right tow vehicle for the job.
     To get back to the original question, the 292, geared right, and with some type of overload capabilities on the truck should be able to tow a 5000 lb trailer, maybe it would help to have a self leveling hitch also, I would be careful to guess it is only 5000 lbs, when in reality it might be muck more.

[Jim Rockford]

Something else alot of folks don't comprehend, You are towing rolling weight, Its not like you are trying to drag 5,000 lbs with your truck. Tongue weight is a factor too but loog as you have the right springs, you are good there, a 5th wheel is a good choice if you are going to tow alot , but if you did I would recommend stepping up to at least a 3/4 ton truck, but just every now and then you are fine.

[Canadian 4X4]

All four doors were 3/4 or 1 ton so the truck would be capable of towing