Need a cheap tow pig

Thought of a (first world) problem over the weekend. As Tracey ramps up horse shows next year and I continue to ramp up my racing schedule, we only have one tow rig...

We'll always have a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pickup in the lineup for the gooseneck horse trailer. Here's the current model: We plan on upgrading next year to a new(er) model. Likely an F350 (800 lb-ft of torque!)

Ideas on cheap tow-pigs that can handle around 5k pounds (RX7 on trailer plus gear)?

Don't need a second pickup and it will sit unused most of the time so fuel economy isn't a top consideration. No V10 Fords.

Budget of less than $10k (much less if possible).

Expefition with 5.4. Just sold mine with 240k on it. Bought it for $1600 towed cars to Florida and Atlanta regularly

99-04 Grand Cherokee with a 4.7. Preferrably the H.O. dudes.

There are smoking deals out there right now on 2001 and newer Suburban 2500s. They will pull like crazy and are nice inside. Other than gas, they don't take much care and feeding.

Expedition, tahoe, etc ring a bell....

I'd say suburban. 2500 if you can find it.

I'd be going with a Suburban of almost any flavor.

Pedovans work too......plus you can keep things locked up if you don't have an enclosed trailer or sleep at the track in them.

Excursion with the v10. HORRIBLE mileage, 3/4 ton chassis. Will tow a house.

mndsm wrote: Excursion with the v10. HORRIBLE mileage, 3/4 ton chassis. Will tow a house.

And fails horribly at the "No V10 Fords" requirement.

Otherwise, that was my thought as well.

Suburban is an option but I understand the transmissions are a bit weak in the older models. Same with a similar vintage Chevy/GMC trucks.

I tow a miata on an open trailer with a diesel Excursion that I got for under $9k. It's a heavy beast of a truck so it needs the diesel or V10. The V8 is not up to the task on this truck. There are other diesel Ford F250 from 96+ and 99+ for under $10k as well.

For that light of a load the F150 and Expedition work as does the Nissan and Toyota trucks.

Hey at least we got 7 replies before a v10 ford was brought up!

I recommend an early 2000s 3/4 ton GM with 6.0/4l80e.

From my local CL, $2,500 both Tow and Pig

Mid-80's quad-cab GM dually with the 454 and TH400 tranny.

I just looked, there were several econoline and express pedovans on autotrader with diesel power for under your price range.....IIRC, the express extendeds are longer wheelbase, while the econoline extendeds are just cantilivered farther over the rear wheels.

Doesn't need a second pickup and no V10!!!

How about a V10 pickup?

Seriously I'd go Jeep suv or van for as much as you're willing to spend.

1999 FORD F350 LARIAT 7.3 DIESEL DUALLY 4x4 169K MILES - $10900 (COVINGTON)

How about 1500 series avalanche? Plusher and roomier than the equivalent crew cab truck, coil springs in the rear for better ride, dirt cheap as the style is quite polarizing, and a great drivetrain. Just budget some cash to rebuild the tranny and you are good to go (tows 7k pounds).

Only 5 grand!

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/3793373663.html

In reply to 1988RedT2: You could probably adapt a jerrdan rollback to that frame there

Join the dark side that myself, Aussie, and Cutter have gone......it'll be fun.

Cheap RV as was quasi joking on facebook. Given most of the auto events you do involves some sort of primitive camping, it really makes sense to have something you can sleep in. Allows you to store stuff inside out of the weather. I'm very happy with our conversion van. I'd happily upgrade to a smalll class c or class b if a decent one was found. Vans are better if you think you might need to drive it around for other stuff. Since you'll already have a awesome truck if you really ever need it, an RV or Van might serve you well. You get a lot of tow rig for the cost, as you aren't paying the premium of getting something with a 4wd transfer case.

If you are thinking winter daily driver, than SUV is the way to go. Lots of things fit the bill there, get something you won't hate if you aren't trailering. Grand cherokee, v8 explorer, tahoe, subarban, avalanche, acadia.

I love our van. Once get over the stigma of a van, they are damn comfy, hold a lot of stuff and the parts are cheap. Hold out for a 3/4 ton if you can find one though.

icaneat50eggs wrote: I'd say suburban. 2500 if you can find it.

QFT

2500 don't have the tranny issues, just do it!

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/3836918979.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/3836630219.html

Swank Force One wrote:

mndsm wrote: Excursion with the v10. HORRIBLE mileage, 3/4 ton chassis. Will tow a house.

And fails horribly at the "No V10 Fords" requirement. Otherwise, that was my thought as well.

Who doesn't read whole posts like a BOSS before replying?

<------this guy.