Whadaya need for towing?

[BattleRifleG3]

I never really towed anything but I'm thinking ahead to when I may need to.  Wondering what trucks would hold up to what kinds of equipment.  By trucks I mean truck based SUVs included.

My ideas range from a Ford F-250 to a Nissan Xterra to a Chevy Trailblazer to a Blazer to a Toyota Tacoma to the new Crosslander version of the ARO with a Ranger engine.

Could you guys tell me what in that range would be good for what, and if there are any big reliability tradeoffs?  I pretty much know the specs of each.

[newfalguy101]

What would be the heaviest thing you plan on towing?

good question

for the best deadnuts puller, you should go for the heaviest truck on your list, outfitted with the towing package, tranny cooler, deisel engine, and be prepared to have a relatively rough riding truck.

or if all you may pull is a boat or something like that, go with whatever you want with the optional tow package.

Depending on what you may want to pull, you may want to opt for the biggest availaible engine or something in the middle that will get better  gas mileage when empty.

there now, that should be clear as mud :grin:  :grin:

[bgjohn]

Buy AMERICAN !

The job you save,
MAY be your own.

JM

[southern utah]

I use 99 Dodge 2500 4x4, 59 cummins, 5 sp. std trans, 285 BFG All-Terrins,  60hp power modual, exhaust upgrade, injector upgrade and set of gauges to watch it work.

[BattleRifleG3]

Ok, so say I have a pair of jet skis, or a low end inboard/outboard sub-$20k powerboat.  Would a Ranger/Colorado/Tacoma/Xterra/Blazer/Crosslander/Cherokee serve the purpose (including the margins you guys suggested)?  Or would the step up to a Trailblazer make the difference?  (I'd list the Dodge Dakota and Durango, but I don't dig Dodge, period.)  Or is full size necessary?

See, I don't see the point in most of the 1/2 ton trucks out there because the 3/4 ton ones cost so little more.  In fact, choosing the same options on an F-150 and F-250, the 250 actually costs less.  Only 1/2 ton I'd buy would be an SUV, ie Suburban or Tahoe (probably not Expedition).

My main fear with 3/4 ton is mileage.  What do your 3/4 ton trucks give compared to 1/2 ton?

[WD45]

You also need to think about stopping what you got rolling behind you especially if the trailer you are towing does not have its own brakes and you have to totally rely on the towing vehicle to stop the whole mess so to speak. A Jeep Cherokee my pull a 5000 lb trailer fine but slowing it down on a grade from 55-60 and staying in control is another. I am sure more than one person here has had their experience with that  :shock:
Gasmilage and towing is kind of an oxymoron   You will usually get the best milage towing from a diesel and between the gas versions of 1/2 to 3/4 ton trucks you will not wee an extreme difference.
...... WD

[BattleRifleG3]

Ok, so if price of the truck is so close, and fuel efficiency isn't that different, why do people buy 1/2 ton trucks over 3/4 ton?  Doesn't make much sense to me.

[WD45]

OOGGGGHHHHHH.... That difference in price for parts can be a little extreme....  Check out the price of a water pump or clutch pac or a starter for a F250 power stroke diesel .... CHA  CHING.... Mention the word diesel at a parts counter and the parts clerks eyes light up in dollar signs :shock:

[338]

I don't know about the rest of the manufacturers, but GM 6.6 diesels  are 100% guaranteed for 100,000 miles(6.5 diesels guarenteed 120,000 miles). And trust me, diesel has far better resale value in the future when you reach 100,000 miles. I know from experience. But be careful after warranty coverage, I had to have a injector pump replaced on the 6.5 at about 110,000 miles, and the dealer had to eat a $5,500.00 warranty replacement cost.

[WD45]

YUP... I think its one of those love hate relationships.....diesels..
love em or hate em

Me .... I love em :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

Even though it grinds my gizzard for what they charge fer parts :lol:

[BattleRifleG3]

Ok, here's a crazy question...  What cars out there are competent for towing a thing or two?  I was just looking at vehicle specs and the Ford Crown Victoris seems to have the same engine as the F150.  With a strengthened rear suspension and towing equipment, think a Crown Vic could pull at least as much as a mid-size SUV?

[ihuntbucks]

G3...first things first........buy a 4 x 4 Dodge  :lol:     Rick

[Redhawk1]

I would have to agree with ihuntbucks, You might as well get a truck that is meant for towing. What people forget is, it's not just the towing part, it is the stopping of what you are towing. I have seen smaller cars take a long time to stop and be pushed from the trailer due to the weight of the trailer. I would rather have to big of a truck than to light of a car. JMHO.  :eek:

[338]

I would not recomend towing anything with a car due to their lack of braking and cooling power when towing. Now, if I only had the option of towing with a car then the Crown vic would be a good choice. With the V8 of course. :wink: I tow a race trailer that when fully loaded weighes right around 10,000 lbs, so in my situation a car will not due :-) .