$14k to spend on a tow rig...what should I look for

SkyHiK5 said:
You keep talking about tongue weight but how much can it pull?
What is its GCVWR?
Will it stop his trailer or plow off a montain?
Will the transmission hold up to repeated tow vehicle use?
I mean seriously this weekend we had 25 tow rigs at the race, not a single LR amongst 'em...are ou smarter than all those gusys or are you missing something?
Click to expand...

I think I'm confused, are you guys talking about something to take to truck pulls? I'm just talking about pulling a trailer..... My bro has an 02 Discovery with a 3" lift and 33's and he pulls a 15' trailer full of tools everyday without any issues. But I would take a dodge to a truck pull, I thought he was looking for something to tow with and take on a trail, I'm definitely not saying he should take a rover to a truck pull, although I've been tempted to try it, just to see how it does
 
Your confused, and trying to push your LR on someone looking for something much larger, nobody wants to tow with a rover. Atleast nobody I can think of, hes talking about towing a built YJ to and from the trails on weekends. Most definately a pickup truck would be my choice, Im a bowtie guy myself so I would lean toward the 2500 6.0 vortec, not awful fuel economy and tows very nicely. Towed my XJ home from charlotte with one, pulled great, no issues. I would go pickup instead of suburban/excursion solely because I like to put dirtbikes/4 wheelers in the bed and pull the jeep and all kinds of extra trinkets. Took my buddys van to the last URE trip, stacked toolbox, small generator, mig welder, cooler, microwave, and about as much other random crap you can think of. Suburban would be a close seconds, would just find a way to squeeze my other crap onto the trailer.

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/1731545159.html
http://boone.craigslist.org/cto/1705088827.html
http://boone.craigslist.org/cto/1705791385.html
http://boone.craigslist.org/cto/1749941478.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/1797032491.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/1755514693.html


Couple things I found in your price range...
 
stay away from the powerstrokes with the 6.0 they are known for head gaskets, and EGR coolers. the pre 03' fords with the 7.3 are great, not as much power/milage but that motor never stops. cant go wrong with any cummins longs as you get a manual or an auto that someone has already beefed up. dodges automatics suck.
dont know much about duramax sept the alison is missle proof!
number one thing is dont buy one from someone like 17-25 yrs old, they will have ragged the crap out of it with chips and stuff, and sometimes you can never tell if its had one on it.
try to find and old man or a company truck thats bone stock. stick with diesel, you wont regret it. when you get the coin get an exhaust and intake and it will pay for itself soon.
good luck!
 
GSRswapandslow said:
horrible......you'd suck so much fuel, and it'd run really hot towing with a whipple..... i know guys that tow with lightnings...and yeah, lol...the trucks do not like it much
Click to expand...

Meeh, I dunno. Neighbor has a magnusson on his 5.3 and gets better econ towing than he did before. he's not foot to the floor, but says that towing the 8x20 enclosed, he rarely gets into the boost. Before, it would downshift once or twice and really scream, so it makes sense.

Running hot - have you seen the radiator on a 2500? It'll work just fine. a Ford Lightning is nothing like a Chevy 2500. :rolleyes:

I will say though, if you get your foot in it, your econ will plummet. I average 10mpg on a very hilly, 7 mile (per day) commute, I'd love to drive it with a whipple though!
 
chromerunner said:
FK DDing a diesel...upkeep out the ying yang..wait to start..etc..just a lot of BS if your not useing it all the time.
Click to expand...

You guys all live in Minnesota or something? All this talk about plugging them in and waiting to start... pretty sure this guy said he lives in NC. :flipoff2:
 
saf-t scissors said:
You guys all live in Minnesota or something? All this talk about plugging them in and waiting to start... pretty sure this guy said he lives in NC. :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

kinda my thoughts...

I understand Rich I guess being in PA and all but unless you are North and West of say Waynesville, I can't see the need for aa block heater ever in this state.
 
cburgin said:
Give it up.:gay:
Click to expand...

yeah dude give it up, some of us on here have testicles and want TRUCKS! not Range Rovers. yeah im sure it will tow if you pulling your VW beetle to a hippie convention! :gay: lol
jus bustin your balls man, but i seriously would never consider it for towing.
 
Since when is wait to start a hassle? It might 20seconds in the middle of winter.
 
As much as I hate gmc for their shit quality, there are a lot of times I wish I had a 3/4 ton suburban instead of my dodge. Would make a great place to sleep while wheeling.
 
cburgin said:
what years are best?
Click to expand...
I'd find a 2000-20002 6 speed. I've never plugged mine in to start it. I don't have some crazy ass fuel system, I put a vulcan big lne kit on mine that relocates the lift pump on the frame rail. I carry an extra lift pump in the truck (never had to change it in 65k miles). Install a fuel pressure gauge,a pyro and roll. I like the simplistic, easy to work on design of the CTD over the PSD and Dmax. It'll hold value over a gas truck big time. I'm a cheap mofo where I can be, so I like buying things that don't immediately start losing value.
 
1stgenxxx said:
Since when is wait to start a hassle? It might 20seconds in the middle of winter.
Click to expand...

x2, and anyone whining about not having heat instantly is a :gay:. Put a fucking coat on and some gloves if you are cold.

As far as upkeep and maintenance on a diesel, I've got 211,000 miles on my 2001 Dodge Ram, and the only thing I have replaced relative to the motor is the fuel lift pump. It has been very problem free for a 9 yr old unit with that many miles. Yes, it still has the stock IP too. Now that I said that, it will probably shit the bed tomorrow.
 
My son Josh bought Rich's old 2wd 02 Chevy, with the 8.1 and Allison. Great tow rig!
Going to Harlan, we both filled up, I hold 40 gallons, he hold 25, I put premium in one tank for the hills. My hauler is a 454, and a 4 speed. When we got to Harlan he still had a little less than 1/4 tank, I was empty! I was hauling my Jeep, and pulling a small trailer with camping stuff in it. I'd love to have his engine and tranny in my hauler!
 
BIGWOODY said:
I'd buy a super nice 2nd gen cummins, stick, no auto. If you're going to daily drive it, don't get a dually, if you're only using it to tow, certainly get a dually.. Gas trucks are for people who trade often and don't give a damn about shitty re-sale, that ain't me.
Click to expand...

couldn't have said it better.

SPOA87YJ said:
98.5-2002. 24v. Put an airdog on it.
Click to expand...

thats what i said on the first page.
 
im going to be honest with you man, and this is just my OPINION. if you have 14k to spend on a tow rig and you DONT buy a diesel......you're crazy
 
just worried about the high mileage of a diesel at that price range. I cant afford for something to go wrong on it. I want a diesel but the chevy 6.0 seems so simple.
 
XJfreakHO said:
Your confused, and trying to push your LR on someone looking for something much larger, nobody wants to tow with a rover. Atleast nobody I can think of, hes talking about towing a built YJ to and from the trails on weekends. Most definately a pickup truck would be my choice, Im a bowtie guy myself so I would lean toward the 2500 6.0 vortec, not awful fuel economy and tows very nicely. Towed my XJ home from charlotte with one, pulled great, no issues. I would go pickup instead of suburban/excursion solely because I like to put dirtbikes/4 wheelers in the bed and pull the jeep and all kinds of extra trinkets. Took my buddys van to the last URE trip, stacked toolbox, small generator, mig welder, cooler, microwave, and about as much other random crap you can think of. Suburban would be a close seconds, would just find a way to squeeze my other crap onto the trailer.

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/1731545159.html
http://boone.craigslist.org/cto/1705088827.html
http://boone.craigslist.org/cto/1705791385.html
http://boone.craigslist.org/cto/1749941478.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/1797032491.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/1755514693.html


Couple things I found in your price range...
Click to expand...

Thanks man...Most of those are a bit rough for a DD but a few I will call about.
 
cburgin said:
just worried about the high mileage of a diesel at that price range. I cant afford for something to go wrong on it. I want a diesel but the chevy 6.0 seems so simple.
Click to expand...
You can certainly get a cosmetically "nicer" and lower mile gas truck in this price range. As someone who has dealt in cars and trucks for the last 20 years, one thing I've learned for sure; Don't look at the miles as much as the overall condition. I'd rather have a really nice 350k mile diesel, than a rough 100k one.
As far as one costing you more money to repair than another (gas vs diesel)...unless your buying one under warrenty it's really apples to apples. Anything can fail at any milage. The diesel is a really simple engine to work on in comparison to a 6.0/5.3...gen3 chevy motor. There's just not that much "stuff" on CTD.
 
Well I will say ever guy I know with a diesel loves the heck out of it and there is no talking them out of it. They all got ridicules amounts of miles on there trucks more then any gas motor I have ever had so there must be something right going on there. I would of loved a diesel in my suburban I used as a tow rig.
 
BIGWOODY said:
You can certainly get a cosmetically "nicer" and lower mile gas truck in this price range. As someone who has dealt in cars and trucks for the last 20 years, one thing I've learned for sure; Don't look at the miles as much as the overall condition. I'd rather have a really nice 350k mile diesel, than a rough 100k one.
As far as one costing you more money to repair than another (gas vs diesel)...unless your buying one under warrenty it's really apples to apples. Anything can fail at any milage. The diesel is a really simple engine to work on in comparison to a 6.0/5.3...gen3 chevy motor. There's just not that much "stuff" on CTD.
Click to expand...

yep. extremely simple. no having to worry about ignition parts either.
 
Ok, so this is what I am dealing with..as big woody says, you can get a cosmetically nice gasser for that price...agreed. Diesel have more pulling power, better mileage, and the engine goes forever, agreed. What about the rest of the truck? I know that the a diesel engine goes for hundreds of thousands of miles but what about the drivetrain, interior, etc. I understand that everything fails gasser or not, but If I am dd this thing its more than just the engine and pulling power that I have to consider. Its going to be 90% DD and 10% tow rig. Dodge interior is awful compared to chevy or even fords (in my year range). I never hear someone say my dodge is an awesome all around truck...I normally hear dodge owners say you cant beat a cummins...chevy owners say I wish I had a cummins but you cant beat the ride and quality of my chevy. See my point in what I am trying to weigh out? Its seems there is no solid answer. I guess I should just look for the best deal either way.
 
Back
Top