A Good Tow Vehicle and DD

DRaider90

DRaider90

Uwharrie Off-Road Volunteering
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Location
Weddington, NC
Was reading the "What to use as a tow vehicle" thread and came up with a slightly different question. What would most suggest for a decent daily driver that could also tow around 5k pounds trailer and rig combined. Keeping in mind it would be used primarily to drive to and from work, and for towing the once a month or so trip to Uwharrie and maybe a trip to Callalantee once or twice a year.

The thing is my daily driver that doubles as a trail rig is getting to the point where it needs to be towed to the trails and retired from DD use if I want to move forward with the modifications I have planned. And $$$ doesn't allow to buy a new DD and a tow rig. And suggestions/advice appreciated.
 
uhhhhh Cummins :Rockon:
 
A chevy gasser would do you just fine. That 6.0 is pertty nasty. My dad uses his 99 chevy 1500 with the vortec 5.7 to tow his tractor sometimes. It does pretty well. I don't know how much the tractor weighs but I know the trailer is heavy as shit. I'd say the combo is about 5k. Make sure you have good tralier brakes...especially if you get a half-ton tow rig.
 
Duramax = BADASS.
 
"Keeping in mind it would be used primarily to drive to and from work, and for towing the once a month or so trip to Uwharrie and maybe a trip to Callalantee once or twice a year."
Same situation here - DD priority, something nice enough to haul three or four people to the airport at work, but once-or-twice a month tow duty needed. I have a 99 Tahoe and find that the 5.7 is more than capable. No, it's nowhere close to dzl power, but I have towed a 92 4Runner to Tellico and a Toyota pick-up to Crozet and Harlan without problems. The looong climb up that never-ending grade (near Duffield, I think?) on the way to Harlan was a 45 mph 2nd gear climb, and temps got warm - but stayed well within acceptable range (with the factory HD transmission cooler option). I get 14-15 mpg city, 19-20 hwy...but that's what I was getting in my stock 99 TJ with 4 cyl, 5 spd and windows with zippers. The Prodigy brake controller has been by far the best mod - get a good controller whatever you decide to buy. Prev owner owned a custom cabinet shop - pulled an enclosed trailer for delivery/installs. He took care of the intake gasket issue common for this model, and I have put 150k+ on her myself and am close to 200k now. I have replaced the fuel pump, wiper motor, climate control panel, and the biggie...the transmission took a dive at about 180k, but I have a 36 mo replacement warranty, so no worries there. But I'll end on a couple positives: 1) very nice to be able to lock up your gear or drop the rear seats and have a warm, dry place to sleep when you get to Harlan in the rain at 11:30 and just don't want to get out and set up a tent that first night, 2) SUV, so no weighted tag required and 3) there are plenty of well-cared-for Tahoes and Suburbans with a LOT of life left in them for around the $4500 range (one on the board now, I believe). For that, you can get it, try it, and - if you change your mind - just wait for the next round of "cash for clunkers" sure to come before Nov election and get your money back.
 
I dd my tow rig, psd350 six speed. Love it
 
gtrobb said:
"Keeping in mind it would be used primarily to drive to and from work, and for towing the once a month or so trip to Uwharrie and maybe a trip to Callalantee once or twice a year."
Same situation here - DD priority, something nice enough to haul three or four people to the airport at work, but once-or-twice a month tow duty needed. I have a 99 Tahoe and find that the 5.7 is more than capable. No, it's nowhere close to dzl power, but I have towed a 92 4Runner to Tellico and a Toyota pick-up to Crozet and Harlan without problems. The looong climb up that never-ending grade (near Duffield, I think?) on the way to Harlan was a 45 mph 2nd gear climb, and temps got warm - but stayed well within acceptable range (with the factory HD transmission cooler option). I get 14-15 mpg city, 19-20 hwy...but that's what I was getting in my stock 99 TJ with 4 cyl, 5 spd and windows with zippers. The Prodigy brake controller has been by far the best mod - get a good controller whatever you decide to buy. Prev owner owned a custom cabinet shop - pulled an enclosed trailer for delivery/installs. He took care of the intake gasket issue common for this model, and I have put 150k+ on her myself and am close to 200k now. I have replaced the fuel pump, wiper motor, climate control panel, and the biggie...the transmission took a dive at about 180k, but I have a 36 mo replacement warranty, so no worries there. But I'll end on a couple positives: 1) very nice to be able to lock up your gear or drop the rear seats and have a warm, dry place to sleep when you get to Harlan in the rain at 11:30 and just don't want to get out and set up a tent that first night, 2) SUV, so no weighted tag required and 3) there are plenty of well-cared-for Tahoes and Suburbans with a LOT of life left in them for around the $4500 range (one on the board now, I believe). For that, you can get it, try it, and - if you change your mind - just wait for the next round of "cash for clunkers" sure to come before Nov election and get your money back.
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I give grants tahoe props....It towed better than Max's Chevy 3500 with the 6.5Turdbo Deisel. :Rockon:
 
I have been considering getting a diesel tow rig for a while, but after reading this thread, my Tahoe might be able to do the job. I do not have a tranny cooler, or trailer brake module, but those can be added no problem. How has the rear 10 bolt held up?
 
My only complaint with my Ram is gas mileage but when towing the Jeep with the bed loaded with camping gears and the cab full of people it tows just fine.
My vote would be a Dodge, I am biased since I'm a Chrysler/Jeep tech. I have not had any major problems with mine in the 4 years I have owned it.
 
BigClay said:
I have been considering getting a diesel tow rig for a while, but after reading this thread, my Tahoe might be able to do the job. I do not have a tranny cooler, or trailer brake module, but those can be added no problem. How has the rear 10 bolt held up?
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I have the factory rear locking diff with 3.42 ratio - no issues (so far). 3.42 is rated for 5500lb max trailer weight, but rating is 6500lb with 3.73. I do keep a regular schedule on fluids and use the GM rear diff fluid - they have a "special secret recipe" for the locking diff.
My Tahoe came with RPO Z82 Heavy Duty Trailer Equipment Package. I also have RPO KC4 which is the optional engine oil cooler, RPO KNP air-to-oil transmission cooler, and RPO KG9 140 amp alternator.

It's not the power of a diesel or the haul capability of a ton truck, but my key factors are keeping the transmission as cool as possible and making sure the trailer brakes are in top condition. It's plenty for my needs - you just have to pay attention and drive like you're in a half-ton tow rig in the upper end of it's recommended tow capability.
 
my g3500 van gets 17mpg empty and 11 towing (7000#) The 6.0L gasser does a great job. BigJuggy has towed with their 5.3L and he says "it gets the job done" and I'm sure you'd get better DD MPG with it.

The newer gassers put down some good HP and I would get one of those over an older diesel rig.

No matter what you end up with get 2 brake axles and a good brake controller. A weight distributing hitch will greatly help out a smaller tow rig.
 
Ford Expedition 5.4 with the air ride... 192K on the clock, gets 14mpg with mixed driving and still tows without issue
 
6.0 Vortec Suburban. Great occasional tow rig, you can sleep in it, everything stays dry and secure and no weighted tag needed.
 
I have a very similar question. I am currently use as my DD and tow rig a 02 Ford Excursion v10 gasser. I want to go to a pickup truck. I tow at most once a month, my jeep and trailer is about 6k lbs.
I would like to get a little bit better gas mileage than I get now...the X gets about 11 around town and 6-8 towing.

I want to do a crew cab, short bed, 4x4.

With most of my use being a DD, around town, short trips, should I go with a 1/2 ton gasser or a 3/4 ton diesel? Pros and cons to short trips with a diesel?
 
fishgutz said:
F550. Diesel. Gets 20MPG towing a 33 foot trailer.
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RufusTheRam said:
where, off a cliff?
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He must be trying to sell it :flipoff2:


1/2 ton gasser or 3/4 diesel... there's a lot of in between ground... that's like saying ou can't decide on mpg or comfort and you narrowed down your two choices to either a geo metro or lincoln town car.
 
1/2 ton gasser or 3/4 diesel... there's a lot of in between ground... that's like saying ou can't decide on mpg or comfort and you narrowed down your two choices to either a geo metro or lincoln town car.[/QUOTE said:
Agreed..I know the 1/2 ton trucks will ride better, but I am driving an Excursion now with not the smoothest ride...I would like to be in the 14 MPG range around town...and still be able to tow up to 7k every so often. So all though it seems I am all over the board here are my main criteria:

full size pickup (4 door)
tow 7k when I need to (and of course stop 7k behind me as necessary)
drive around town most of the time
get around 14 MPG around town (doesn't matter towing)
ride and creature comforts are secondary...its a truck...

I like the diesel option for towing power and mileage but I have heard they are not great on short trips. How much will you hurt a diesel engine with a bunch of 10-20 mile trips vs over the road driving of 100's of miles per trip?

I guess the bottom line is which one will last longer for the type of driving I am doing. Honestly I would like to get about 10 years out of the next truck (at about 15-20k per year).
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awa0728 said:
Agreed..I know the 1/2 ton trucks will ride better, but I am driving an Excursion now with not the smoothest ride...I would like to be in the 14 MPG range around town...and still be able to tow up to 7k every so often. So all though it seems I am all over the board here are my main criteria:
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I'm honestly not sure anybody here can answer that question for you. A 1/2 or 3/4 ton gas motor will pull the load just fine, and either of them have brakes enough to stop it. Half ton trucks nowadays (the domestics anyway, I can't speak for Nissan or Toyota) have bigger brakes than what got put on 3/4t and 1t trucks just a couple of years ago. I honestly don't see where that's a real concern anymore. You'll run out of motor and tongue capacity before you'll run out of brakes.

The diesel is going to cost more to purchase, it's going to be a bit more work and expense to maintain (not much, but some), but unless it's a 6.0, it should last 250-300k without complaint. The gas motor will likely be cheaper to drive, especially in the winter.

It just comes down to what you want to drive every day and how much you're willing to spend.
 
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