tow vehicle help

I opted for a fire truck. $1,500 with only 30K on the odo.

As long as we have an active tow vehicle thread....

I just ran across a 99 3/4 ton Ram diesel for what seems to be an excellent price. Any gochas to look at while I'm checking it out?

I tow an 18' open trailer w/tire rack and a full load of tools, spares and "race pack" over the SanFran to LA "grapevine" pass as well as the entry road to Laguna Seca so I need a little more power/torque than the 5.9L "gas" motor in my Durango could comfortably provide at around 8 mpg.

A diesel is a no brainer for me. I prefer a Dodge because I'm comfortable with it, but a mid to late 90's Diesel Suburban would do the job very comfortably, relatively cheaply and beat the mpg I'm currently getting quite easily. I tend to own for 10 years though, so the long term ROI may be a bit easier for me to realize than someone who goes through cars/trucks more frequently.

Xterra was mentioned as a possible tow vehicle. If it is a first gen, stay away. Although it may be rated for 5000 lbs. it is not comfortable doing it. I attempted to do so with the '02 I had for a while (towing 3800 lbs. of Miata and open trailer), and quickly learned that all of the qualities that make it a very capable off-roader (short wheelbase, good wheel travel, soft springing) are NOT good qualities in a tow application.

The second gen Xterra may be different, no experience there.

-1 on the diesel.

I'm looking to sell my '95 Cummins 4x4 Club Cab LB 5 spd ASAP. It's a fun truck... and will get 22 mpg driven conservatively... which isn't bad for a 6000 lb 4x4... but for the 3000 miles/year I drive it I can't justify the maintenance... which is CONSIDERABLE over a gas truck... plus insurance... and registration - which is over 3x the cost of car registration because of the Class 3 weight rating.. and the fact the thing is always in the way... The fuel solenoid dieing ($1000 repair @ the local Cummins shop) was the last straw...

The next truck I buy... IF I buy another truck.. will be gas powered... and probably older...

Ian F wrote: -1 on the diesel. I'm looking to sell my '95 Cummins 4x4 Club Cab LB 5 spd ASAP. It's a fun truck... and will get 22 mpg driven conservatively... which isn't bad for a 6000 lb 4x4... but for the 3000 miles/year I drive it I can't justify the maintenance... which is CONSIDERABLE over a gas truck... plus insurance... and registration - which is over 3x the cost of car registration because of the Class 3 weight rating.. and the fact the thing is always in the way... The fuel solenoid dieing ($1000 repair @ the local Cummins shop) was the last straw... The next truck I buy... IF I buy another truck.. will be gas powered... and probably older...

My experience with my 95 Dodge diesel is the complete opposite. Registration in my area is the same as a lower weight rated truck. The lift pump went out on mine at 180k and I just put a holley blue electric pump in, which cost me a little over 100. Otherwise I've done balljoints, brakes, and the routine stuff like oil changes and fuel filters. Mine is a 2wd 1 ton.

Cotton wrote:

Ian F wrote: -1 on the diesel. I'm looking to sell my '95 Cummins 4x4 Club Cab LB 5 spd ASAP. It's a fun truck... and will get 22 mpg driven conservatively... which isn't bad for a 6000 lb 4x4... but for the 3000 miles/year I drive it I can't justify the maintenance... which is CONSIDERABLE over a gas truck... plus insurance... and registration - which is over 3x the cost of car registration because of the Class 3 weight rating.. and the fact the thing is always in the way... The fuel solenoid dieing ($1000 repair @ the local Cummins shop) was the last straw... The next truck I buy... IF I buy another truck.. will be gas powered... and probably older...

My experience with my 95 Dodge diesel is the complete opposite. Registration in my area is the same as a lower weight rated truck. The lift pump went out on mine at 180k and I just put a holley blue electric pump in, which cost me a little over 100. Otherwise I've done balljoints, brakes, and the routine stuff like oil changes and fuel filters. Mine is a 2wd 1 ton.

I was really suprised when I registered my 10,000lb ambulance. I thought for sure I'd end up with some kind of commercial truck tag but the lady punched it in and said nope you get regular personal use tags just like a car. Same price too.

I've towed a bunch with the Pathfinder and my 07 Xterra...both are good and with the factory Bilsteins, the Xterra Off Road is not really any worse than the Pathfinder, despite the shorter wheelbase.

I got mine for about 7k off sticker (25k vs 32k...it's loaded)

I'd say the Pathfinder with the better shocks would be even better.....and not much more money.

Per

wreckerboy wrote: Xterra was mentioned as a possible tow vehicle. If it is a first gen, stay away. Although it may be rated for 5000 lbs. it is not comfortable doing it. I attempted to do so with the '02 I had for a while (towing 3800 lbs. of Miata and open trailer), and quickly learned that all of the qualities that make it a very capable off-roader (short wheelbase, good wheel travel, soft springing) are NOT good qualities in a tow application. The second gen Xterra may be different, no experience there.

Cotton wrote: My experience with my 95 Dodge diesel is the complete opposite. Registration in my area is the same as a lower weight rated truck. The lift pump went out on mine at 180k and I just put a holley blue electric pump in, which cost me a little over 100. Otherwise I've done balljoints, brakes, and the routine stuff like oil changes and fuel filters. Mine is a 2wd 1 ton.

It probably depends on the state you live in. For me in PA, registration for a Class 3 is $153/year... a bit more than the $38/year for my cars.

Perhaps if I could drive the truck more often I could justify keeping it.

Yeah, I was hoping it would be the lift pump... but at least it wasn't the injection pump...

Well I went ahead and picked up the diesel. It needs a seal on the powersteering pump but runs great. It should be an adventure driving it home without powerbrakes or steering.

Also in Columbus, and needing a toy toter, I found a cherry '93 4Runner 2WD.

Hauls my steel open trailer and Sonett ( plus extra tires, tools, tents and all the usual crap ) easily. Might not conquer the Rockies ,but the V6 still gives 18-20 mpg and is a nice DD.

If we go to an enclosed ( HUGE ) trailer, I'll be looking bigger .. but still fighting the urge.

SoloSonett wrote: If we go to an enclosed ( HUGE ) trailer, I'll be looking bigger .. but still fighting the urge.

That was my last justification for keeping the Cummins... but I've since decided that won't be something I'll need to worry about for some time and will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Looks like it will be the 2006 Tundra or 2005/2006 F150. I would prefer 2WD but will deal with what I can get. The insurance and registration savings will be a nice help to the payment reduction. ANS, I will have a bonafide tow vehilce for the fist time.

Got the 06 Tundra on Saturday. 24k miles and in perfect shape. Picking up the ballmount soon and will be borrowing a trailer for the NASA event at Mid Ohio on the 16 and 17th this month. Looking forward to the first tow and gas mileage seems OK right now but have to wait until the low fuel light comes on to be absolutely sure.

Putting the tire trailer and hitch for the Miata up for sale soon!

Excellent choice! you'll like it :) the newer Tundras don't have the brake warping issues either.

A friend of mine towed his miata to the track on a UHAUL trailer up the infamous 5-6% Grapevine grade and said it was actually not bad at all. That's the beauty of a light racecar.