Tow vehicle suggestions

[rb437]

Back in January my wife was driving my Durango. Some knuckle head pulled out in front of her. She's fine but the Durango is done. I need a tow vehicle. Because of a steep driveway I must back up to park the boat I need 4WD (for the low range) and I want a pick up truck, not a SUV. For the sake of comparision I can tell you the Durango w/4WD & 5.2 V8 worked very well and a F150 w/ 2WD & 6cyl really struggled. So based on my budget I figure I can find a early '90s full size pick up that should suit my needs. I really don't care what make truck I buy. I figure price and condition will be more important than make. My question for all of you is... What should I avoid? Any particular engine, transmission or the like that is known to be troublesome? What would you buy?

[Airslot]

Any chance of getting into a 99 or later Chevy? Thats when they came out with the new 5.3l. If early than that, you never could go wrong with a 5.7l, 350.

[frayed_knot]

Anything with a V-8 or some form of Diesel will do the trick. I'm partial to Fords, so I cannot comment on the other makes. If you decide on a Ford, I would not look at anything less than a 351, the 302 is a good engine, but the 351 is a workhorse. If you get into the newer models, the 5.4L over the 4.6 for the same reasons stated above.

[THEFERMANATOR]

96-98 CHEVY/GMC 1500 with the 5.7L VORTEC is an excellent combo. Gets good milage(better than you DURANGO did) and they have good power, espescially if you find one with 3.73's. I'm partial to GM products in the 90's for comfort and milage.

[rb437]

Gets good milage(better than you DURANGO did)

You ain't kidding

[macojoe]

Well this will be a great fight!! LOL, 1000+ members mean 1000+ answers!!

Any way I am a hard core Chevy man and thats what I would get.

You don't mention anything but your drive way?? How far away do you tow on a normal basic?? Do you have a big dip at the end of the drive way?

A full size Chevy 1500 with a 305 or a 350 will be fine I am sure. Most 4 wheel drive will give you pleanty of clearance for them dips in the road!

Stay away from Fords late 90's when they came out with there Triton V8's they had lots of problems!!

Good Luck!!

[rb437]

1 mile to ramp
3 miles to work
yes there's a dip but I'm sure the truck will clear it

only 996 responses to go!

[randlemanboater]

1972 Chevy shortbed w/ a blown 502!!!!

[Stinky_Hooker]

I have had them all and they all do fine...Got a 97 F150 work truck that has been rode hard and put up wet...still strong@ 120k.

All my GMs have been fine, but I dont like the cushy suspension.


Right now I have a Dakota...its my favorite so far. I like the solid ride of a Dodge and the real "truck feel."


http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/new%20058.jpg


It is an 01 4wd and has the 4.7 V8 that is VERY peppy. I have a buddy with this exact truck (except color) and he pulls a 23' Mako with ease. 8)


Good luck with the fight you just started!!! ;D

[Pipe_Dream]

I would say anything with a V-8.

Stay away from Fords late 90's when they came out with there Triton V8's they had lots of problems!!

See, I've experienced just the opposite with two Tritons I know of. One has 200K miles on it, the other has gone over 500K, and both have had just regular maintenance.

[Bygracealone]

1 mile to ramp
3 miles to work
yes there's a dip but I'm sure the truck will clear it

only 996 responses to go!

Rick, sounds like gas mileage wouldn't be too big of an issue for you ;)

Is gas mileage the only reason you don't want another Durango? I've got an 06 Durango and I love it (though gas mileage is somewhat of an issue for me since it's our only vehicle).

[throwback]

I run a 2000 dodge 4x4 with a 318 and std tranny. Pull a 27 trophy pro on a four wheel loadrite trailer. Sucks it right out of steep ramps and runs right along at highway speeds. Pulls my v20 like its not there.
Chrysler has had problems with auto transmissions but the 318 with a stick is bullent proof

[rb437]

Gas milage is not the issue. The Durango was great. I would have another Durango but I really don't need all the seats now and would rather have a pickup bed. Actually Stinky if you or your buddy want to send me one of those Dakotas I'm sure they fit in the driveway perfectly. Throw a bracket in the back and I'll deliver it to Hammer!

[randlemanboater]

Gas milage is not the issue. The Durango was great. *I would have another Durango but I really don't need all the seats now and would rather have a pickup bed. *Actually Stinky if you or your buddy want to send me one of those Dakotas I'm sure they fit in the driveway perfectly. *Throw a bracket in the back and I'll deliver it to Hammer!

Rick catches on quick!

[reelapeelin]

I'd tell ya to stay away from anything w/ a carb or throttle-body...go w/ something that has multi-port fuel-injection...MORE TORQUE!! ;) 8) ...

[msbhammer]

Reel, what ya doing up so late for. Figure you to be in bed by now since your always the early worm on this site before anyone else is awake in the morning. ;D

[reelapeelin]

Mornin' Hammer...sorry I missed ya last nite...just checked in on my way to the POOT-SACK ... :D ...

[Stinky_Hooker]

LOL Wish I could help ya bro!


I say if MPG aint an issue...GO DODGE!! ::)

[bradford]

I like GM myself, but I'd stick to something that they've made millions of and are easy and cheap to get parts for such as GM 350, Ford 351, etc.

[rb437]

The new tow vehicle.

Now all I need is warmer weather.

1988 w/ 5.7l Automatic

PS: MJ thanks for the photobucket instructions, worked on first try!

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s179/rb437/DSC00012.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s179/rb437/DSC00013.jpg

[bradford]

Good find, how many miles?

[macojoe]

your welcome!!

And a man after my own heart!! CHEVY!!

[rb437]

odometer shows 191K but the engine and trans were both rebuilt about 20K ago. The interior looks way to good to be 191K miles. It runs and rides great and I don't need to do anything to it except drive it! I think I did OK price wise @ $3K.

[rb437]

MJ, as I said earlier in the thread, I don't care so much what make truck I find as long as it will pull the V, but as I was buying the truck, it occured to me that you would be pleased.

[bradford]

Ya did good! You can't get any truck that's worth a darn for much less than that. *I've got a 94 GMC sierra with 189,000 on it. *I rebuilt the tranny about 15,000 miles ago, the engine does great. *I keep up on my routine maintainence and replace things early. *My dad has a 94 chevy z71 with 270,000 on it, original tranny and engine.

[cfelton]

Anybody pull there v with a toyota tacoma? Ive got a 97 tacoma ,3.4 v6 auto,4x4 Ill be pulling my boat with. I pulled it home about 75 miles on a single axle trailer. It did fine. I hope to try it on the boat ramp this weekend.