Tow rig recommendations

YJKrawlin

YJKrawlin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2015
Location
Ayden, NC
Trying to plan out our future krawler hauler plans as things move along, trying to have something in mind to keep an eye out for as we are saving in the meantime. Originally we were considering a bus conversion, but have decided against that as it will sit except for the few times a year we are travelling. Use outside of wheeling is a priority to avoid issues due to sitting. Currently we tow with our 2011 suburban 1500, but we are planning to build a krawler hauler trailer, 26-30' trailer, camper on the front, bronco loaded in the rear. Expecting to be somewhere between the 10k-13k lbs range based on estimations of trailer/camper/bronco weights. (Bronco:4500 lbs, Camper:1500-2500 lbs, Trailer: 4000-5000lbs) Current top contenders are getting a 2007+ 2500 suburban for the time being (seeing them for around $8k-14k with around 200-250k miles) and having a duramax conversion done to it at a later date by one of the reputable converters (Looking at Duramax Specialties) ($50k-65k for the conversion, which hurts to type, but the work does appear to be quality and this would be a few years of saving to do), I worry this will keep us on the lower end of the trailer weight range though, not seeing many towing this much with their suburbans even converted, so I know it may be pushing it. A suburban would stay our secondary daily driver though, so no worries of it sitting long periods of time, but will have plenty of miles put on it. Other option would be a Dually Crew Cab, either 350/3500 or 450/4500 (I've heard they have better turning radius usually). More purpose used, but unsure of what to look at, it would open up the option of gooseneck/fifth wheel trailers though vs bumper pull. Always been told the 7.3 was the end all be all of towing engines, but with most of these at or above 300k miles, unsure if it is wise to invest in one (seeing prices in the $8k-$12k range at that mileage). (Also not a huge fan of the interiors on the older super duties.) Would like to keep heated seats, don't mind the interior on our 2011 suburban besides the cracked dash cracking more. Just not sure what I should keep an eye out for. Probably feels like more of a ramble than a post but just trying to narrow down my thoughts with some outside input. Any suggestions? Vehicles to consider? Vehicles to run away from?
 
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I know nothing, but you can buy a lot of replacement engines for the cost of that diesel conversion. What about a 8.1 powered Burb or truck?
 
What about a last-of-the-line Excursions? 2005 w/6.0 could be configured for 11k. Or if you want to go "truck" with some space a ten-year old4th Gen Ram 3500 Mega Cab short bed minimum is getting you between 11-13k with the smaller 5.7 gasser (3.73 and 4.10), the 6.4 gasser gets 13-15k, and the diesel gets 15-16k depending on output and axle ratio (I used a 2016 as an example). The Mega Cab can also be had with dual rear wheels and that significantly increases the capacity.

The main thing to consider with any "upgrades" to any tow vehicle is that the original GCWR sticker still applies. Increase power? Change axle ratio deeper? Still officially only tows what the sticker says. Change the engine, get heavier axles or springs? Still only officially tows what the sticker says. Get in a wreck or get pulled over and you will not be in a position to win that argument. A few friends of mine have asked if I might regear my ram to 4.10 to tow more and I just say "no" because legally it does not get me anything.
 
I might consider looking into an enclosed that is built out or you could build out. Would allow you to have a hauler, but also potentially take camping or something else too. The open deck option is similar, but not sure how much you will use it other than offroading trips.
 
Honestly it's hard to figure out what price range you are looking for here. I see a lot of numbers around $10k, then I see you talking about a $50-65k conversion. Obviously these are two very different budgets. If you can save up $50-65k in a couple years, I think you'd be much better served to go ahead and save up $30-40k and find something newer with lower miles. Any of these 15-20 year old vehicles will have 15-20 year old rubber and plastic parts everywhere that are going to start failing at a regular rate. Unless you have an affinity for a very particular vehicle it's hard to justify the cost and effort of maintaining an older vehicle as a regular driver. I think FD3S Mazda RX7's are awesome, but owning one would be a labor of love not logic, so I need to have two RX7's worth of cash saved up before buying one, because everything on it is 30 years old and needs to be replaced.
 
I'd lose the thought of a 7.3 right away. I really like the idea of having a gasser these days, but if I was towing that much, I'd buy a diesel. I don't have much other input on the newer trucks.

The conversion is a cool idea, but damn they are expensive.
 
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