Affordable tow vehicle......

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by oteps

Ok, you chevy guys. 2010 yukon xl 5.3. Im taking it from pa to colorado for an elk hunt. Im going to do the normal stuff, oil change, trans fluid, lube brake caliper pins, new belt, air filter and a general check over. But what normally goes out on these trucks? I havent had it long enough for anything to break.

I don't know if it's the same for your generation Sub/Yukon, but my 2000 Suburban left me high and dry when the fuel pump (in the tank) went out. Once was on Christmas morning loaded with luggage, gifts, dogs and me and my wife. Other time was on my way home from work on a Friday afternoon. No warning signs, it just went. My boss's 2001 did the same thing twice. Bear in mind that mine has done it twice in 375,000 miles and his twice in 450,000 miles, so it's not like it's a frequent thing. But it's not always in stock, and it's a big job (drop the tank) to replace it. After the second time my boss bought and carried a spare.

Happy hunting!

[phatdaddy]

I ve had 3 in my 02 Tahoe, original and 2 replacements. I was able to buy a little time by keeping a rubber mallet in the truck, when it goes out, lay under truck and bang on tank in bottom center. Sometimes this will allow you to go a little farther. My second replacement was still pumping, the gauge went out and it was an O Reilly***8217;s lifetime warranty.

[oteps]

I hope I dont have to drop the tank in BFE at 2 in the morning! Its a 24 hr drive to colorado from here. Fuel pumps never go out on an empty tank either.

[spareparts]

left the house one morning in my 98 2500 Chevy, fuel pump went out about two miles from the house, pulled into a parking lot. Call autozone, had one in stock, called my father in law to go by and pick it up. Had all my tools with me( its a service bed), I had the fuel tank on the ground by the time he got there, had the truck back up and running in less time than AAA would have taken to tow me home

[oteps]

Made it out and back from pa to colorado. Little over 4000 miles. The back loaded to the roof with gear and guns, 4 guys in it too. 18 to 19 mpg. 1 nail in tire and the oil pressure sensor went out. Just drove home with no pressure on the gauge, bought the sensor, screen and tools to replace but looked like i could mess something up doing it in the parking lot in colorado.
My brother took his f250 6.7 diesel with a 7x11ft open trailer with gear and 2 freezers on it. He got 9 to 11 mpg!!!!! But it has 37 inch tires on it.

[bgreene]

Repeating same as original...........can't see $ 20,000 - $ 40,000 for USED Trucks and SUV's with high mileage to tow these boats......


Yeh, I already posted my opinion, so guess I like to type...Used Ford Explorers - $ 2,000 - $ 5,000.....push button 4 wheel drive.......pulls these boats fine.

Then again, I can't see $ 120,000 for a new Cadillac Escalade either.
Guess I'm old school.

[pjbrownva]

Originally Posted by bgreene

Repeating same as original...........can't see $ 20,000 - $ 40,000 for USED Trucks and SUV's with high mileage to tow these boats......


Yeh, I already posted my opinion, so guess I like to type...Used Ford Explorers - $ 2,000 - $ 5,000.....push button 4 wheel drive.......pulls these boats fine.

Then again, I can't see $ 120,000 for a new Cadillac Escalade either.
Guess I'm old school.

Well, @bgreene, I have to agree with you. While I've never owned one, I've always liked the explorers, and you certainly can't argue with $2K - $5K for a good, reliable, tow vehicle.

My 4Runner was also my daily driver for several years, and it's just what I liked, but nothin' wrong with an Explorer... actually I really like them!

I'm assuming that you mean the older style that really are a truck, as opposed to the newer ones that -- if you ask me -- are some newer style, higher tech vehicle that is neither fish nor fowl.

I don't know how much that style costs used, or how good they are, but they've always looked nice when they light me up and the nice trooper pulls me over for speeding. (hehe!).

[bgreene]

Hello there PJ ....mines a 2004 Explorer ...and like most of them had lots of little electrical issues - mostly related to lights that come on but don’t really matter and such .
Back hatch ....crack on the plastic same as most. Heater doesn’t blow out the bottom vents.

The guts of the vehicle’s been solid - V6, transmission , drive train, and that useful 4 wheel drive when needed.

Average to Poor ratings on assorted sites mostly for the quirky minor issues ,but it’s a value
vehicle to tow, haul, carry etc at 20 mpg highway ....9 towing .

When you own a used vehicle for 10 years or so, it keeps on performing, towing 120 miles round trip every time to fish, and doesn’t cost
much over time, it’s a decent machine.

[pjbrownva]

Originally Posted by bgreene

Hello there PJ ....mines a 2004 Explorer ...and like most of them had lots of little electrical issues - mostly related to lights that come on but don’t really matter and such .
Back hatch ....crack on the plastic same as most. Heater doesn’t blow out the bottom vents.

The guts of the vehicle’s been solid - V6, transmission , drive train, and that useful 4 wheel drive when needed.

Average to Poor ratings on assorted sites mostly for the quirky minor issues ,but it’s a value
vehicle to tow, haul, carry etc at 20 mpg highway ....9 towing .

When you own a used vehicle for 10 years or so, it keeps on performing, towing 120 miles round trip every time to fish, and doesn’t cost
much over time, it’s a decent machine.

That makes sense. I thought I'd liven up this thread, with a truly affordable tow vehicle that I used to own.

sunken treasure.jpg

Yep... I was *that guy* at the dock, and a source of entertainment for all.

That's a DC Duck pulling me out... nothing beats an amphibious, 6 wheel drive WW2 military vehicle when you sink your tow vehicle, and need some help!

That 4runner was available dirt cheap to whoever bought it at an insurance salvage auction.

That picture also explains why I got a new 4Runner... (hehe!)

[bgreene]

Wow but it can happen to the best of us .
One mistake and the rigs a submarine .