Noob tow rig questions

[sixstringsteve]

I'm at the point in my life where I need a tow rig. I'm selling my tacoma dd for something to pull my 4000 lb toyota pickup. Initially, I"ll only be towing one crawler, but in a few years I hope to build my wife a crawler as well, and I'd like to be able to tow both at once. Will that require a 5th wheel or gooseneck?

What do you recommend? My budget is $15k max. This will also be my daily-driver, so I'd prefer something with 4 doors and 4wd. I don't mind older trucks if they're reliable. I don't have a preference for gas/diesel.

I realize this can get into a pissing match quickly, but I want some real-word advice. Admittedly, I don't know the first thing about tow rigs or trailers, or antyhing of that sort. Any advice would be appreciated, or any direction to where I can find the answers would be great.

 

[Chevycrew]

My vote:

Chevy or GMC 2500HD with the 6.0L. It will handle the weight, and not kill you on initial cost, maintenance, or fuel..

 

[sixstringsteve]

I was thinking a 2000-2007 druamax. How many miles can i expect to get out of one that's been maintained pretty well?

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'd also be open to a van/suv tow-rig if it could handle the weight.

 

[Mope]

An excursion with the V10 or powerstroke could fit the bill nicely. Of course a Suburban with the 8.1 would get it done as well.


This is just my own personal experience and opinion, but I haven't been very impressed with the 6.0 Chevies I have used at work to tow around 9-10k.

However, you did mention you wouldn't be towing really often, so one might suite you just fine.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm thinking a 7.3 excursion would also work.

 

[grandmaster]

IMO I wouldn't buy anything other then a dsl if money allows. There is nothing that compares to the pulling power of a dsl. Plenty of get up and go and decent fuel mileage when pulling a rig. I have a 06 6.0 powerstroke and got about 13 mpg pulling my jeep to moab on a 14k 20' long trailer. And my jeep is by no means light.....AND moab is literally up hill both ways from where I am, no joke.

 

[sixstringsteve]

wow, that's a heavy trailer. thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep 'em coming. If there's anything in the $6-8k range that's decent and reliable, then I'd love one of those. I don't need a fancy rig, I just want 4 doors and something that's reliable.

 

[sixstringsteve]

are there any good rigs from the 90s or 80s? What about something like a 96 F250 with the 7.3.

 

[Jesser04]

I'd try to find a clean 97 four door sb ford with a powerstroke they run good and pretty dependable.

 

[Chevycrew]

I would stay away from the powerstroke f250 trucks, the TTB suspension sucks. But a 7.3L f350 would be about right.

 

[SmokinCamel]

I vote for a 98-2004 dodge with the 5.9 Cummins motor. 6 speed if possible. I love my 01. Im at 178,000 miles and no motor problem or anything. Just the usual ball joints. And diesel all the way. Mine it just getting broken in lol. I will never tow with a half ton or gas again. The 2500 is the best all around truck for the common man and his needs. Also I get about 18-21 mpg around town normally. And about 14 with the crawler to Moab. And about 10 with camper in the bed and the crawler on the trailer. I was still able to do 65 up Soldier

 

[LT.]

I'm at the point in my life where I need a tow rig. I'm selling my tacoma dd for something to pull my 4000 lb toyota pickup. Initially, I"ll only be towing one crawler, but in a few years I hope to build my wife a crawler as well, and I'd like to be able to tow both at once. Will that require a 5th wheel or gooseneck?

What do you recommend? My budget is $15k max. This will also be my daily-driver, so I'd prefer something with 4 doors and 4wd. I don't mind older trucks if they're reliable. I don't have a preference for gas/diesel.

Okay, If you are looking for a rig that will eventually tow two rigs you are looking at a trailer that will hold that much weight. I would think you are looking for a trailer that is around 27 to 30 feet in length. The trailer could be a tag (bumper pull) but, I would recommend a gooseneck. The trailer may also weigh about 6000 lbs empty plus the weight of the rigs say around 7000 lbs. These numbers can vary but, this should put you in the ball park. If you want a truck to pull the weight then I would be looking for a Diesel. A gas motor can pull the weight but, the Diesel will do it easier. As far as a truck goes then you should be looking at any one of the big three. If you want a Ford then look at the 7.3l Diesel, Chevy will do nicely as will a Dodge. Dodge was limited on cab configurations so I would be looking at a Chevy for the 4 door. I am a Dodge fan but, for your situation I would recommend the Chevy.

LT.

 

[Chevycrew]

I didnt notice the 2nd rig part, I would guess your trailer plus 2 rigs would be around 12 to 14,000lbs, plus the truck.

So loaded around 20k i'd get a 7.3L or a duramax 4 door and not look back.

 

[sixstringsteve]

great suggestions, thanks everyone.

one more question... am I crazy to try and tow my 3000 lb toyota behind my 2001 v6 tacoma?

 

[Chevycrew]

Whats the factory tow rating on your truck? 1500lb trailer plus 3000 toy (I noticed it dropped 1000lbs from the first post) is a 4500lb load.

Pretty slow going on a v6. But with trailer brakes and an equalizing hitch, its doable.

 

[sixstringsteve]

when did the 7.3 start, and are there better years for that motor/tranny? Thanks again everyone, you've been most helpful.

 

[Chevycrew]

the 7.3 ran from mid 90's i think up to 2004.

 

[mbryson]

when did the 7.3 start, and are there better years for that motor/tranny? Thanks again everyone, you've been most helpful.

I think '91? maybe '89? They were a 6.9 before that.

HOWEVER, to get the power you'll be wanting, go for a '94ish or newer PowerStroke motor. There's some injection system differences in the '93-older 7.3L vs. the '94-'97 units. The ones you want are CLEARLY labeled "Powerstroke". The other units aren't bad, but are a little lower on power. Reliable as a brick, though.

The '99-'03 trucks are pretty much the same with slight power bumps every year. Good trucks but they are getting scarce as people keep trying to find the 7.3L vs. the "troublesome" 6.0L (2003.5-2007) or 6.4L (2008-2010).

For your price range, I'd just find a CLEAN crew cab (any brand) truck and go from there. Try to get a manual trans if you can find a decent one. You'll be rebuilding an auto that's that old for sure. (which isn't such a bad thing if you know that going in, but it'll add to the price) I own an '04 Cummins after owning a '99 7.3L. There's a lot of difference in the two trucks. I like the Cummins motor but like the Ford truck more (I was a former F*rd hater before the '99). I paid $15K for my Cummins, but had to travel to get it and do a little work to it to make it serviceable.

To haul two rigs, you'll want a deezel, but if you're just hauling one, I'd go for a gasser that you like. So you're slower on the hills. So what? You don't have injector pump, turbo, transmission issues. Worth the trade off for 10 mph slower on the hills the 10 times a year you're towing?

 

[sixstringsteve]

Whats the factory tow rating on your truck? 1500lb trailer plus 3000 toy (I noticed it dropped 1000lbs from the first post) is a 4500lb load.

Pretty slow going on a v6. But with trailer brakes and an equalizing hitch, its doable.

Yeah, the weight dropped 1000 lbs because I over-estimated. I still haven't weighed the rig that will be getting towed, but 3000 should be about right.

This doesn't seem right, but my tacoma says gvwr is 5100. That means I take the curb weight of the truck (3900 lbs), and subtract it from 5100. So I can tow 1200 lbs safely, and that includes cargo and fuel weight. Is that right?