sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
great, thanks for the help everyone.
Noob tow rig questions
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. That's the truck's payload. Basically it's a half ton. You'll want to find your GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) to get the number you're looking for. You'll need the curb weight of your truck (weigh it, don't guess), the curb weight of your trailer and the curb weight of whatever you're towing. Add 1000 lbs for peeps and gear and you'll have your actual towing weight. If you're under the GCVWR of the truck, then you're OK. Personally, I'd be a little sketchy with towing more than 3500 lbs with the Taco but I'm not much for towing with mid-size stuff. It's possible it could be done safely?
ricsrx
Well-Known Member
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
good advice, keep it coming. (not like I'm in a hurry though, I don't see my taco selling overnight)
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Quote: Originally Posted by ricsrx
...
As for trailer a bumper pull will get you started but for towing 2 rigs a gooseneck is the only way to go...I'am biased though.
I tow two rigs quite frequently with a bumper pull. It's not that big of a deal to use. Just watch your load center and tongue weight. Would I rather have a gooseneck? Likely Do I need one? Not really
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
SLC97SR5
IDIesel
- Location
- Davis County
Totally agree, a bumper pull is doable and safe. To me it's the difference in leather bucket seats over a vinyl bench seat...same end result, just a little nicer.
In my experience the longer gooseneck/5th wheel's are built beefier and are easier to find with heavier axles.
BCGPER
Starting Another Thread
- Location
- Sunny Arizona
The longer wheelbase will tow better, Keep in mind, Ford's turning radius sucks. Add to that four doors, and a long bed, and you'll feel like you're trying to park a blimp.
Everything Mbryson said is true. I'd really think twice about a diesel as a commuter though. Every diesel shoud come with the optional $1000 Honda attached, so you can commute in that and leave the diesel parked till needed.
Everything Mbryson said is true. I'd really think twice about a diesel as a commuter though. Every diesel shoud come with the optional $1000 Honda attached, so you can commute in that and leave the diesel parked till needed.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I'm ok with the smaller doors in the rear, the suicide facing ones. It's just my wife and I. I'm thinking either the 2500 duramax or 250/350 7.3
Smaller is better for me as a DD. Granted, I only commute 1 mile to work, but it'd be nice not to have to park a monster when I go get groceries.
Smaller is better for me as a DD. Granted, I only commute 1 mile to work, but it'd be nice not to have to park a monster when I go get groceries.
SLC97SR5
IDIesel
- Location
- Davis County
Versatility, a 5th wheel eats up room and I like the tracking/stability afforded by the length.
You do need to consider parking arangements, sticking a F-350, LB, CC and 34' gooseneck is a real exercise in patience.
I DD this and love it!
BCGPER
Starting Another Thread
- Location
- Sunny Arizona
For this reason alone, DO NOT get a diesel!
If you do, get a cheap commuter too. That diesel wont last long being driven that way.
If you do, get a cheap commuter too. That diesel wont last long being driven that way.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
buy a pedal bike to commute to work....seriously
The resale on the ext. cabs is a little sketchy. That can work in your favor if you're willing to make a commitment to the truck, though. Ilean has an ext. cab '01 7.3L and it's been an awesome truck for him. It's not horrible for kids, but the crew cab F*rds are NICE and roomy.
I don't mine the '03 newer Dodges. Kind of the best of both worlds but it's still a compromise. The kids are back there, they're small. They'll get over it. I've ridden in the back of a Dodge from West Valley to St. George with no stops. I didn't die and I wasn't in that bad of shape by the time we got down there. I'm 6'0" and about 225 at that time. Semi-functional crewcab with decent turning radius (esp. vs. the '99 Ford F250 short bed it replaced) and comfortable driving.
Personally, I've not been overly impressed with the later GM trucks. I was trying to buy one instead of the Dodge, but didn't find one I was comfortable with.
He's right on the distance driving. If I'm running to get milk or whatever, I drive the Lincoln or the Jeep item. The deezel stays home unless it's still warm from the commute.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
maybe I just need a beater tow rig for the monthly wheeling trip... then get something else to commute with (or commute in my '81)
BCGPER
Starting Another Thread
- Location
- Sunny Arizona
This is kinda what I was thinking. When I was commuting in mine, it was far more reliable on the trail. The stupid little things tended to show up on the street rather than on the trail.
Only issue I see in your logic is that 81 is a ticket waiting to happen. You'll need to make that more UHP happy, or plan on a lot of time seeing red and blue in your mirror.
And on a side note, make sure where you park it at work is secure. Toyotas are worth thier weight in parts, and that one would probably walk away in no time.
Only issue I see in your logic is that 81 is a ticket waiting to happen. You'll need to make that more UHP happy, or plan on a lot of time seeing red and blue in your mirror.
And on a side note, make sure where you park it at work is secure. Toyotas are worth thier weight in parts, and that one would probably walk away in no time.
My current tow rig, Is a 96 C2500 with a 350 and a 4l80e. Yep, std cab long bed 2wd. Was dirt cheap. I can leave it in storage with the trailer and not worry. Its a little slow on the hills, but really doesnt do that bad with my 20+ foot trailer and fullwidth toyota pig on it. Once I add a shell it will have plenty of sotrage and even room to sleep. The 4.10 gears really help the 350 get the weight moving.
That being said, I cant wait to have my crew cab back for tow duty!
That being said, I cant wait to have my crew cab back for tow duty!
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Yeah, i've got some work to do to keep the cops off my back. I've passed three cops on the road so far and they didn't even look twice, but I do need quite a few things (mud flaps, seatbelts, and more) to get it street legal. I wish I didn't have to worry about it getting stolen, but I'm afraid that's the reality of driving such a fun truck.
So a diesel likes to be driven for long periods of time, not stop and go? I'm sorry I'm so new to this arena, I'm learning a lot. Sounds like I just need a beater 350, or a friend who has a trailer big enough to haul my rig around
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
maybe I just need something like this:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=3103453
'82 ford F350 for $1200.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=3103453
'82 ford F350 for $1200.
Id look for something newer, carbed 400, not solid axle, etc.
You can find late 80's early 90's f350's with fuelie 460's and the 5speed for pretty good deals.
(80-84? or 85? f350's had the f250 front suspension)
jentzschman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Sandy, Utah
Its the trailer that will make or brake the deal from what I have heard on the boards and ppl I have talked to that do tow.
You figure at least 1.5-2k weight it a good trailer, maybe im way off, and your right at the tow limit for our little truck, which is 6k if im not mistaken.
But me personally, I would not fell comfortable maxing out my tow limit for regular tows.
As for a new tow rig, I say go diesel 100% With wanting to tow two rigs in the future, you will like the power and easy the diesel offers.
I have a buddy who wishes will everything that he bought one when he got his f250 triton v10.....
SLC97SR5
IDIesel
- Location
- Davis County
Diesel's like to be kept warm and worked regularly. Stop and go is brutal on them, it's often said that the harder you beat them, the more they love you...our diesels at work sure run good!
The cheap tow rig seems to make sense but the whole point is to go from point A to B with no trouble. You don't want to break the Toyota on the trail and limp it to the trailer just to have the tow rig take a dump...the same thing goes for trailers. Buy what fits the bill the first time.
The toyota could be used as a daily with a cheap set of 33's and some getto bumpers thrown on it.
The cheap tow rig seems to make sense but the whole point is to go from point A to B with no trouble. You don't want to break the Toyota on the trail and limp it to the trailer just to have the tow rig take a dump...the same thing goes for trailers. Buy what fits the bill the first time.
The toyota could be used as a daily with a cheap set of 33's and some getto bumpers thrown on it.