Tow rigs

iwaxmyjimmy

iwaxmyjimmy

College Web Wheeler
Joined
Mar 10, 2007
Location
Greenville NC
So I feel like I've gotten to the point where I need to get a tow rig. Haven't wheeled my jeep anywhere because I'm in Greenville and I've got a phobia of breaking stuff. Im annoyed with the price of diesel trucks because they shouldn't be that expensive used, to the point I'm looking at a brand new Cummins. I'll pay off my jeep in the next few months, I'm handy with a wrench but I want something reliable as hell. Not something with 300k miles that I'll have to replace this or that and I'm thinking I would use the tow rig as a daily driver too. Any input? It's still a few months out before I can go do something but I like to research and get everything laid out before I buy anything.
 
Not sure really on how much, I'd get financing on anything I'd say over $8k. And how often, I'd love to make a weekend trip at least once every month or two. But spring break I'd love to go link back up with my buddies in CA for some hammers wheeling or Moab. As far as weight, I've got a k5 that I'll be slowly building over the next few years along with my jeep that I go through phases of building. So I'd say 6500lbs plus the trailer weight.
 
Yeah I edited it to include that.
 
I bought a 2008 truck with 300k miles because it was cheap and would leave money in the bank to fix stuff. I know of several people who spent big money on a newer truck or an overpriced one with low miles, and they've each spent more time in the shop than both of my high mileage trucks did combined. Don't buy a ragged out teenager truck, but a well cared for high miles diesel is just as reliable as a new one in my opinion and experience.
 
I've been thinking about a brand new Cummins since I'll have a warranty and I don't do the hot rod diesel stuff. If I did that I'd probably never get rid of it until it had like 500k miles or something.
 
jeepinmatt said:
I bought a 2008 truck with 300k miles because it was cheap and would leave money in the bank to fix stuff. I know of several people who spent big money on a newer truck or an overpriced one with low miles, and they've each spent more time in the shop than both of my high mileage trucks did combined. Don't buy a ragged out teenager truck, but a well cared for high miles diesel is just as reliable as a new one in my opinion and experience.
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^this...bought my F250 off the original owner who was an old guy that used it to tow 4wheelers from NC to WV/KY to hunt and play. Sure I've had to do "wear and tear" maintenance on it and it won't keep up with the newer diesels with 400hp & 800ft/lbs, but I don't have a payment and it should last forever since the odometer just rolled over 110k.
 
It just seems like I can't find an old guy one. I do plan on daily driving this so 4doors/crew cab would be nice, hate riding 4 people in my jeep which has been happening a a lot lately. I guess I'm leaning more towards new because I haven't seen any good deals that aren't $15k+ and bro'd out. I want 4wd just because I'd rather not have to back the jeep or k5 off the trailer to pull out the tow rig lol. That is embarrassing. With my jeep being a 2010 I guess I feel bad about getting a tow vehicle older than that too.
 
Yeah friend of mine uses one to tow his bronco, and they don't seem to have many problems.
 
I know one is on Craigslist with 230k on it for $18k.... I mean I just don't get that it's a 2003 vehicle. Regardless of it being the last year of the 7.3 it's so over priced it's hard for me to spend that kind of cash on one.
 
iwaxmyjimmy said:
I know one is on Craigslist with 230k on it for $18k.... I mean I just don't get that it's a 2003 vehicle. Regardless of it being the last year of the 7.3 it's so over priced it's hard for me to spend that kind of cash on one.
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There are deals out there I bought my 01 7.3 a year and a half ago for 6500 with 180,000 on it
 
Loganwayne said:
There are deals out there I bought my 01 7.3 a year and a half ago for 6500 with 180,000 on it
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What kind of shape was the interior and stuff? I don't want to daily drive a POS, and my jeep is still pretty nice inside so I'd hate to down grade ya know?
 
It was the baseline truck cloth seats rubber floor power windows and locks but no tears strains or signs of ware. Had two decent dents in the bed, getting them fixed this winter and truck repainted since the whole bed side needs to be redone and there wasn't a huge cost difference but the paint is still good on it overall
 
I'll keep looking but man this shit is frustrating when everyone thinks a 7.3 or a 5.9 Cummins is made of gold
 
iwaxmyjimmy said:
I'll keep looking but man this shit is frustrating when everyone thinks a 7.3 or a 5.9 Cummins is made of gold
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Oh I know I was about to buy a gas truck when I found mine. I would also consider a 6.0. Ya ya I know alot of people say they suck but you can find some that have been bulletproofed with low miles with comparable prices to a 7.3
 
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I saw this today still think it's a little high but seems to be pretty nice
 
Yeah I'm to Jewish too spend that much on a 2007 and Im one of those that feels the more stock it is, the better for everything involved.
 
If you spend that $, just step it up to a 6.7 ford. You can find some with 150k-ish miles for under $30k. No warranty but newer power and pretty clean
 
I haven't had much dealings with the 6.7 power stroke, any real issues with them?
 
I've been doing a lot of looking and thinking on this. Really looking to an older 7.3, and go ahead and put some cash and time into it....R&R anything that miles/wear/age/etc will affect that could leave me on the side of the road. Have a lot less money in it than a new-ish truck, and be as reliable, or better.
 
But do I really want to work on a truck to daily drive it or take it to the dealer, and get a rental if it breaks down anymore.
 
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