Car hauler

[Bubba1]

Hey guys. I have an unusual truck Dano thought you might like to see.
I own a 350Z which most of you know has very little luggage space, so trips to the track can be a challenge for packing stuff. Since I did not have a trailer or SUV/Pickup with a tow hitch, I decided to go for an all-in-one tow vehicle.

I bought an 86 GMC Sierra "beavertail" car carrier off Ebay.






I went with a beavertail over the hydraulic bed type of car carrier due to the simplicity. I also went with GM over Ford of this vintage as I noticed the Fords seem to have more of a corrosion problem on the frame rails.

Here's what she's got so far:

350 V8 crate motor
4 barrel Holley
accel ignition
dual flowmasters
4 speed
10K capacity electric winch
tire rack (holds 10)

It's a very simple truck mechanically. It gets about 13 mpg with a car loaded. The outside looks better since I had it painted one color. The inside is still needs TLC. I seem to get more interest in the truck at the track than the Z. The ride is pretty good considering it's 30' long.

A friend of mine liked the ol beavertail so much he bought one himself, though his is nicer overall than mine, and his has a big block chevy motor in his. Here are the two together...

[seang]

13mpg seems pretty good to me.

[longtooth]

Very nice and a darn good idea.

[RT22]

Did those come in diesel? Much more reliable over time and built for hauling, but that is very cool stuff. watch out every one of your buddies will call you when he breaks down as to avoid tow truck charge LOL

[Bubba1]

Did those come in diesel? Much more reliable over time and built for hauling, but that is very cool stuff. watch out every one of your buddies will call you when he breaks down as to avoid tow truck charge LOL

Diesels were an option back then, but it's not that heavy a truck. A diesel is not necessarily a big advantage. You're right about buddies wanting to get at it. It's a fun truck to have and costs very little to operate/insure.

[Dano]

That is so rad! Do you have storage bins on the side? Time to add some on board air!

[Bubba1]

That is so rad! Do you have storage bins on the side? Time to add some on board air!

Oh yeah. It has three large built in lockable storage bins (2 on one side, one on the other) It also came with a large full width lockable cabinet that bolted to the bulkhead just beneath the tire rack. I removed that to get some rear visibility without a car loaded.

[Dano]

Very nice, that's awesome! Did the ramps come with the truck or did you have to make them? I've heard of a couple guys having to make some, and they're usually pretty long

[Bubba1]

Very nice, that's awesome! Did the ramps come with the truck or did you have to make them? I've heard of a couple guys having to make some, and they're usually pretty long

The ramps came with it and slide into two slots in the rear when not in use. The ramps are pretty long and made of steel, maybe 8' each. they are not that heavy if you lift 'em from the middle. Its true the ramps have a tendency to rust out over time. My ramps were pretty far gone when I bought it. But Instead of replacing them, I simply had a 1/16 diamond plate sheet welded on top and painted black to match. An easy fix.

If I were to change anything on this truck it would be going away from the Flowmasters. Evil sounding but very loud. Though it is amusing firing it up early in the morning outside a hotel. You can watch all the room lights turn on in the hotel.

[Dano]

Bahahahaha, nice! I request a a couple rear pics of bed and ramps. You have no idea how bad I want to build an old beavertail. lol It's gonna be a long time before I can, but it WILL happen. I love it!

I love this one, but so much money in it!

[RT22]

Dano that is a cool truck, but as much as that would cost, imagine the cost of the car you would have to buy or build to haul on such a classic hauler LOL

[Bubba1]

Bahahahaha, nice! I request a a couple rear pics of bed and ramps. You have no idea how bad I want to build an old beavertail. lol It's gonna be a long time before I can, but it WILL happen. I love it!

I love this one, but so much money in it!

That is a beauty. Worth a lot more than mine. I paid very little for mine.

Here are a few more shots.

There is a small rub rail along the rear, and the edge of each ramp drops into the gap. In the pic, my car sits low, so I added a piece of deck wood so keep the exhaust from scraping the ground. The winch (for non running cars) is sunk into the deck centered below the bulkhead. It has a long wired remote that allows you to walk around the rig to make sure it goes up straight. Most times, I just drive it on/off.



Here's a rear view from when I first bought it (pre-paint). You'll see the bulkhead mounted cabinets before I removed them.. The ramp's storage slots are between the taillights. There is another slot in the middle. That middle open slot was to gain access to the Tow hook. I don;t use it, so I mounted the license plate frame and tag light there.



Another early shot (before I painted it). I anchor each wheel with tie downs. There are many "bullrings" sunk into the floor. I also use 2 sets of big rubber wheel chocks for the rears, plus the wood I use to extend the ramps get used as front chocks. I also use the winch as a back up, so I usually keep the tow ring mounted in the cars grill. I know the newest fad is for kids to mount them to look cool. Mine actually get used. I guess I'm in fashion.

[RT22]

Nice Z I had a 90 TT and I want a 350 or 370 so bad I can taste it. Perfect color also, now where do you park that at night LOL

[Bubba1]

Nice Z I had a 90 TT and I want a 350 or 370 so bad I can taste it. Perfect color also, now where do you park that at night LOL

Thanks. The truck? Since my wife had told me she didn't want to have to look at the truck, I store it at my mechanic's shop, a few miles from home.

[Dano]

Dano that is a cool truck, but as much as that would cost, imagine the cost of the car you would have to buy or build to haul on such a classic hauler LOL

Yeah I know, but a guy can dream... haha.

Bubba, I dig your rig