Good daily driver?

I saw a 72 Commando with 304/auto trans/power steering for sale. It looks to be mostly original and in fairly good shape (minor surface rust - solid). I pull a 3500lbs trailer everyday for work. Would a Commando in good shape be able to handle the trailer?

 

It's not really a good idea to pull much trailer weight that narrow of a axle width and 104" wheel base. Check the springs out really good since most are sagging and broke. Stock springs do not have much capacity for added tongue weight. A medium size single axle trailer would be ok if you had quality springs and trailer brakes. Commando's have only marginal brakes to begin with.

 

A '72 Commando has Bendix 11x2" brakes, just like a CJ. I think they are better than marginal, especially since many 72-73 Commandos came with power brakes. Upgrading to disks is easy, just like on an intermediate CJ.

I'd like to say more about your question, but I don't have a very good concept of how big a trailer 3500# represents. The main problem I'd see is that 3500# is likely more weight than the Commando without the trailer. With the proper setup, I think you could do it though. I've seen people tow 25' dual axle Airstreams with a V6 CJ-5...

 

It is a 6x10 enclosed trailer with electric brakes. It weighs closer to 2500lbs most of the time and maxs out at 3500lbs. I pulled it with a 4cyl Toyota which felt safe, just not enough power.
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I just spotted an '81 Cherokee, that might make a better tow vehicle.

 

It would be marginal for occasional towing, You should not tow a trailer more than 75% of the weight of the tow vehicle, I don't know how much the Commando weighs but I would not plan to tow a 3500 lb load on a daily basis with it.
The 81 Cherokee might be a better choice. the FSJ's were bigger/heavier vehicles, more sutiable for towing.

 

The Comando has a curb weigt of 2800 lbs and a GVW of 3550 std with an optional 4200 available.