Tow rigs Pros and Cons

January 31st, 2016

Alright guys. I chat with people but I looking for wider bass answer.

So I looking for a new DD/Tow rig.

The Must:
Short box would be nice but I know long box are good at towing.
4drs
Good gas mileage - I know hard to come by but I don't wanna get 8miles to gallon while pulling
Must but able to tow a two car hauler when need but will most likely be 1 Jeeps.
I plan to have an 16ft Trailer with 2ft Dovetail behind it.
Most be comfy ride for 4 people to and from the trail or long trips.

Concerns/Don't want's:
Diesel or Gas - I hear Diesel is waste of you not hauling either weekly or driving more than 10+ miles in it a day and that they love to pull weight all day.
- With gas am worried am not going to be able to due the weight I wanna tow and keep up with my buddies up a hill climb.
Its not looking to race or anything but I do wanna be able to pass slow cars with full weight back with out any issues.
I don't wanna be paying 1k-15k to repair something that could have been prevent. I want just do regular work on it and thats

Truck's I am considering:
Dodge Ram 2500 either and later 5.9 motors or and early 6.7 motor
Any 5.7 Tundra
Chevy 6.0 Gasser
7.3 Fords

Transmission: Auto

Any thoughts would be great. I will problay have ton's question as things.

**newracer** · January 31st, 2016

The newer Fords gassers with the eco-boost will fulfill most of your requirements.

Mileage is the tough one.

**Spieg** · January 31st, 2016

Probably not going to find anything that fits everything on the wish list. A friend has one of the new aluminum Fords and it's pretty nice (shaving 700 lbs off really makes it handle nice and improves MPG a lot).

FWIW, my Jeep IS my tow rig... not great mileage but better than any truck pulling a trailer rig.

**dieseldoc** · January 31st, 2016

You want a 2nd gen or early 3rd gen dodge.
No 6.7l as the cost to maintain and fuel economy dropped with the emissions crap.
The 05-06 is your best bet to have 4 door that are real world sized for an adult.
The 2nd gen is not bad for an adult in the back seat but the doors are tight.

The Tundra 5.7l is not efficient with heavy loads, and a 2 car hauler is over its GVWR.
Not a bad truck for your 18ft dove tail bumper pull trailer.

The Chevy 6.0l is strong and the trans is a good one. Fuel economy will be single digits.
My work truck with the Welder and compressor was getting 8.5 mpg.

The Ford 7.3l is a good option as well. They have there issues.....
Cold starts are tough for sure.

As Diesel like to work hard they will handle DD duty, as for maintance cost it comes down to your due diligence to keep up on the trucks needs.

**dieseldoc** · January 31st, 2016

Here Brandon,
Read this.
I think you have a option that will fit your needs to the T!
T for Titian the new 5.0l cummins. ISV5 holly crap look out, half ton market is going to blow up.
T for Tundra as well. Toyota has recently signed contracts as well for the cummins ISV5.

http://www.dieselarmy.com/features/h...ns-is-made-of/

January 31st, 2016

My dad drives a 99 Dodge Cummins 2500 (5.9L 24v engine). It has been a great truck. He bought it used about 5 years ago and had to do some maintenance to it. It is a 5 speed manual transmission - he had an automatic first and sold it when he found this truck.

He basically only drives it when towing a 32' long Airstream trailer. The truck unloaded gets just better than 20mpg. When towing he averages about 14mpg, but an Airstream will be much more aerodynamic than towing a car trailer. He does drive it pretty conservatively. Also he does not drive it every day. My parents have a car to use when they aren't traveling with the trailer, and my dad has a 1985 4Runner that he uses for 4wheeling (driven to and from trails). That very much limits the Dodge to the highway road trips with the trailer. Keeps the miles off the Dodge (reduces maintenance) and keeps the fuel bill lower.

As an alternative, I saw a review in a mag last night about the new Chevy Colorado. It will be offered with a 4 cylinder diesel. Will likely get close to 30mpg empty, and still tows 7,500lbs. No way you are going to tow a larger trailer, but it could fit the rest of your requirements.

**dieseldoc** · January 31st, 2016

2.8l VM matori so Chevy is buying a fiat engine.....lol

**BLOODBANE** · January 31st, 2016

I have a 2001 3/4 on Dodge with the 24v Cummins and a 6spd. We average around 22/23mpg. The Cummins is a pulling fool. I also have a 2000 F-350 Sd with the V-10. It only gets around 12mpg. The Cummins will out pull it all day long, but the FOrd is a more comfortable ride (The Dodge has the short box and is a extended cab). Problem is they didnt have the 6spd in the 2001's (our guess is it was built late in the year and custom ordered)

Yes diesel is more expensive to maintain (the Cummins starter lists for around 600), but if you do your maintenance regularly, they will last forever. We do the oil changes religiously (we got the lifetime oil changes when we bought it, only pay 3 bucks for a change at Dodge)
Pic of the Dodge....

Other side of the Challenger)...
My 1 ton....

I dont know if there is a "oerfect" tow rig out there (mine would be to have the Cummins in the 1 ton). Mine work for what I use them for though (they are ranch trucks).

**scout man** · January 31st, 2016

Ill sell you a 2001 7.3L with manual transmission and a freaking ton of work done to it for $10,000. Gooseneck ball already installed and ready to go. Could even do a package deal with a 20' gooseneck trailer with winch for an extra price.

February 1st, 2016

dieseldoc previously posted:

**redneck23ms** · February 1st, 2016

i've been happy with my 2000 f250 7.3 auto so far. tows my jeep on a 18 foot trailer fine. gets ok mileage and rides ok for being leaf springs all around. but truth be told a half ton truck would probably suit my needs better as i don't tow very often but hopefully this year i will get out more.

**redneck23ms** · February 1st, 2016

scoutman can hyou shoot me some specs on your truck. a guy at work is looking for a dually to haul his mega truck camper.

**scout man** · February 1st, 2016

its not a dually. SRW f250

**Chris** · February 1st, 2016

If you guys don't like Steve's I have a Civic for sale!

**dscowell** · February 1st, 2016

At work we had some 2015 2500 Silverados that were gassers. I have never been in a truck that road and handled as well as those trucks. Personal opinion they are ugly and aesthetically do not appeal to me but that's my only complaint. We towed daily while it was only mowers not a offroad rig it could with out a doubt handle it. Hell when we had the trailer (don't remember length but it was just as long as the crew cab long box truck) and everything loaded on it we could probably go faster then most people on the street. I know in a drag race it'd kick my trucks butt. MPGs while towing was around 10-12 so not a whole lot better then what you want but it did have a something like 40-45 gal tank.

**AccordRanger** · February 2nd, 2016

My vote is the 7.3 never had a problem towing anything once I installed the 6.0 tranny cooler on it. I've had up to 12 behind it and it didn't have to work too hard.

**gm4x4lover** · February 3rd, 2016

How much are you looking to spend? One of my customers was talking about selling his 2003 Ford F250 xlt, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, crew cab, short bed truck with 75,000 miles for 18k.

**Brian** · February 3rd, 2016

Been using this set up for about six years and it's been great. 2000 F-350, 7.3L, auto with a 4" turbo back exhaust, prodigy brake controller. Trailer is 18 foot dovetail. A little more trailer than I needed but I got a good deal on it.

February 3rd, 2016

Ideals Budget would be 14k-16k I not looking for anything price but I really want a 4dr(Actual doors)
Would like to have an Auto(Just cause I dont know how I would feel towing with a manual and wrecking the trans.

2000 Ford F350 7.3L Diesel 4x4 6spd manual. 280k miles.
Runs great, passed emissions (however it failed due to check engine light came on for a wheel sensor which will be fixed)
Previous owner said it was taken in regularly for oil changes and clutch was replaced about 8k ago. But have no paperwork.
Starts in cold without being plugged in.
Has rough interior and exterior (mainly the bed)
Nada.com puts the truck at 10k in great shape. Asking $5000.
No payments. Need gone asap.

February 4th, 2016

gm4x4lover previously posted:

Front Range 4x4 Upcoming Trail Runs - Add a New Trail Run

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