Noob tow rig questions

[sixstringsteve]

For the record, it's only got 177k, and yes, I'm confident it'll go 300k easily without any repairs. It'll sell soon, I'm not worried about that. I understand a non-toyota person saying that, but the toyota people generally don't bat an eye at 177k. I know i don't.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I know it's not IDEAL for towing, but what do you guys think about a 2005 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi quad cab? I think they're rated at 7.5k or so, and I figure my trailer and truck will weigh about 5.5-6k. Would I be able to tow my stuff to Moab safely every few months?

Here's a pic:

62,XXX miles
6" Fabtech Lift
Cortex Power Programmer

 

[mbryson]

I know it's not IDEAL for towing, but what do you guys think about a 2005 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi quad cab? I think they're rated at 7.5k or so, and I figure my trailer and truck will weigh about 5.5-6k. Would I be able to tow my stuff to Moab safely every few months?

I think you'll be OK with trailer brakes. I'd probably get a trans gauge and keep a good eye on temps. Just get to know what "normal" average temps are and what "normal" average temps are when towing.

That should be a decent daily driver and decent tow rig for what you're towing. I'd prefer a solid front axle, but it's getting quite hard to find those in anything other than Ford and Dodge 3/4 and one tons.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks mbryson.

 

[864runner]

Those Hemi's get horrible gas mileage

 

[jentzschman]

I personally would not want a truck with a lift for my DD/tow rig.

Just my 2 cents. But other then that, I like it.

 

[sixstringsteve]

everything I'm looking at gets horrible gas mileage.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Well, my tacoma isn't selling, so rather than give it away, I figure I'm going to have to give up on the tow rig idea and get some 5.29s for my '81.

Thanks for the suggestions everybody, I've really learned a lot. I'll still be compiling my tow rig for noobs info post for people in the future.

 

[Rot Box]

give up on the tow rig idea and get some 5.29s for my '81.

I think I've towed my Toyota a total of maybe 5 times ever to any trail and that's only because I was worried about the trail rating They are a blast just to drive anywhere imo. I have no desire to tow it nowadays, but again it is not a hardcore rock rig by any means...

 

[sixstringsteve]

I think I've towed my Toyota a total of maybe 5 times ever to any trail and that's only because I was worried about the trail rating They are a blast just to drive anywhere imo. I have no desire to tow it nowadays, but again it is not a hardcore rock rig by any means...

Yeah. Even though I'm on 37's, it still drives better on the road than it did when I got it, so I'm not too worried. I'll just need to save up for the right gear ratio (5.29s), then drive it all over the state. That's probably my best bet.

 

[EB101]

Those Hemi's get horrible gas mileage

Horrible gas mileage is a frame of mind I guess. I am not sure when they went to the multi-displacement in the hemi but mine gets 13 mpg pulling to Moab and the trip last weekend to San Rafael via i70 was the lowest I've seen it at 12.5. Empty freeway is 16.5 to 18.

My bone stock '06 pulls my EB on the 16 foot flatbed around pretty well. It does have to breath real hard to keep up with any diesel. For the at least $5k differense to go with a newer diesel I have a hard time justifying making the jump but will if I can find the right truck. I am cautious of the automatic and don't let it shift too much on big hills. I just recently had to have bushings done on the front end at 35k miles which is a PIA and is a real problem with the Dodges. Other than that it's been flawless. ~12 trips a year towing to Moab or St.George and such I really wish I was pulling with a Diesel. The rest of the time though I am glad I have a gasser.

Just an FYI, I recently sold my '06 Accord daily driver that only got 26 mpg on its v6 while my pickup sat in my driveway rotting in the sun.

 

[pELYgroso]

Steve, one of the reasons I'm sticking w/ a DD/crawler and not a tow rig is just what Rot Box said....It's so fun to drive my 'runner around, and there's something about being able to drive it to the trail, run the trail, camp at the top of the trail, run the trail backwards the next day, and drive home. Do I have to be just a little more careful on the trail?? Sure, but I"m trying to build mine so I can bash on it a little and come out alive. I had trailer queens before, and I had a blast with them, but I realized that since they were always trailered home, I not only broke more stuff, making the sport cost me more $$, but I let the maintenance on some stuff go, which caused more breakage on the trail which equaled, for me at least, less time on the trail than I could have had and more time fixing stupid stuff. Since I DD my 'runner, I'll always keep up on the maintenance, and take it just a little easier on the trail, and in the long run, although my tires will wear a bit quicker, the rest of the rig will last longer, and be straight for a lot longer, and cost me a lot less $$ in the long run!! Just something to think about!

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks for the reassurance Tyler. My only concern is driving the rig to Moab and St. George, but I figure it'll handle it no problem. I can definitely see what you're saying about staying on top of the maintenance when you DD it. I'm just saving up for my detroit and 5.29s, then it'll be a GREAT daily driver.

And if I sas my taco with 37s, I'll have two great DD's that'll handle some great trails.

 

[zukijames]

id say cheap tow rig still.. then you could run some 39 inch sticky crawlers on the yota

 

[sixstringsteve]

if only I could keep the taco and get a tow rig... and a trailer... and 39" stickies, then we'd be in business. But my '81 already sucked up all my spare change.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'd still be willing to sell/trade my tacoma, but I'm not as desperate now. I'm not taking lowball offers, but I'm not against a tow rig sometime in my future.

 

[zukijames]

if only I could keep the taco and get a tow rig... and a trailer... and 39" stickies, then we'd be in business. But my '81 already sucked up all my spare change.

being rich would be sweet lol

 

[mbryson]

Horrible gas mileage is a frame of mind I guess. I am not sure when they went to the multi-displacement in the hemi but mine gets 13 mpg pulling to Moab and the trip last weekend to San Rafael via i70 was the lowest I've seen it at 12.5. Empty freeway is 16.5 to 18.

My bone stock '06 pulls my EB on the 16 foot flatbed around pretty well. It does have to breath real hard to keep up with any diesel. For the at least $5k differense to go with a newer diesel I have a hard time justifying making the jump but will if I can find the right truck. I am cautious of the automatic and don't let it shift too much on big hills. I just recently had to have bushings done on the front end at 35k miles which is a PIA and is a real problem with the Dodges. Other than that it's been flawless. ~12 trips a year towing to Moab or St.George and such I really wish I was pulling with a Diesel. The rest of the time though I am glad I have a gasser.

Just an FYI, I recently sold my '06 Accord daily driver that only got 26 mpg on its v6 while my pickup sat in my driveway rotting in the sun.

Good real world info. It's appreciated by those of us that don't think a deezel is "all that". I could live with the mileage indicated above.

 

[Gravy]

I still vote cheap tow rig. I hate stressing on a trail whether or not I'm going to make it home. I hated wrenching Saturday night and Sunday so I could drive to work on Monday. I love driving my tow rig home with AC and no wind noise after a hard day in the dirt then fixing my junk at my leisure.

Even though my new truck (gasser) only gets 13-14 towing, it's completely worth it.

My last tow rig cost me $1200 dollars. It lasted 2 years. (That's $50 a month) I bought it cash and it got a honest 15mpg towing. It's unlikely you'll crack 20mpg in a wheeler on 37's. Having a trailer is great to move stuff around and it's been a blessing when we've helped family move.

 

[sixstringsteve]

No doubt, I think that would be ideal, but unless the taco sells, I'm going to have to regear that '81.