Time to get something to haul the race car around with. Might also end up being a daily driver for me. <20 miles one way to work for me, so lesser fuel economy isn’t a huge issue. I’m leaning towards SUV, but if a truck comes in at a low enough price, I’ll keep a car for daily driving.
4 wheel drive is a plus, but I don’t think it’s really required
Descent amount of options so it’s somewhat comfortable on long trips
Prefer a GM vehicle (since that’s where I work), but since it’s used I won’t catch too much shit
Prefer ZERO rust
Reliability is huge too
Give me an idea of vehicle, year (range), engine, and anything else important to look for when buying a tow vehicle.
What can you get for a diesel truck for 10k though? I’m guessing a quarter million miles and far from rust free based on what little I know about diesel resale values.
You could probably get a nice Suburban/Yukon for ~10K,I know people that tow race trailers with them and they never have anything bad to say about them.
Asking 11k, but I’m sure there’s some room to negotiate there.
EDIT: I love towing threads, because there’s always the people who come out and say stuff like, “well, you need at least a turbo diesel with a 15000k tow rating if you want to tow that jet ski around and do it right”.
The guy is towing #4500 lbs. Do you guys really think he needs an Excursion with a 7.3?
The distance is the part that worries me. There are a lot of vehicles to tow that weight, but if I’m heading down to NJ and have to navigate the hills of PA, I want something proper. But I agree, not sure I NEED a turbo diesel vehicle, I just don’t want to struggle with an underpowered gas variant if I don’t have to.
I’m not sure about the I6 variants but my SS’ towing capacity is 6700 lbs, which gives more than enough leeway for hills and such. They have a 5.3 V8 version also if you’re looking for a medium.
With that weight, hills or not a modern small block would give you enough power. While a Trailblazer would work, I wouldn’t want the L6 knowing what you plan on towing, I’d look for the 5.3L.
Tow capacities really don’t give you any idea of what the engine can handle as far as acceleration. It’s more of a safety rating.
My 2000 Xterra is rated up to 5000 pounds, but I can guarantee you that my car cannot handle accelerating up hills with 5,000 lbs strapped to the back.
Personally, since towing a boat setup that is 2-3k lbs, I wouldn’t buy ANYTHING with less than 280 ft/lbs of torque.
You talk about the hills in PA… how often? If it’s a few times a year I’d just go 50mph up the hill and deal with it. If it’s 20 times a year I’d want enough power to rip up the hill doing 70 with power to spare.
boardjnky4 makes a good point about tow ratings and actual power too. My Expedition is rated for somewhere around 8k pounds, but doesn’t do as good a job as my old 4.0 Ranger that was rated for 5k towing my 3000lb boat up the hill on 104 out of Lewiston. A full sized SUV, even with a big V8, is still hauling around it’s own huge ass before you strap a trailer to it.
You are considering it as a daily driver, gets decent mileage, maybe a little bit lower than a trailblazer but definately more capability. You will be wishing for a V8 when towing up a grade in the Trail Blazer.
V8 is more than enough to pull around 4500lbs.
Running gear is cheaper to replace. Everyone always talks about how diesel motors last a long time, they do, there is no doubting that. The thing people quickly forget is all the other expensive things that need to be replaced as normal wear items AND how much more they cost for a 3/4 or 1 ton truck compared to a 1/2 ton.
If I had your needs, I would be looking for a 4 door 02-03-04 Chevy or GM with a 5.3, not needing 4wd will net you a really nice truck with quite a few options in your price range.
The only down side to Tahoes or Yukons is their price premium over the pick-ups, you will pay more for a similarly equipped SUV.
To play devils advocate here are the positives to a diesel.
Better mileage, you could easily net low 20mpg in a diesel truck daily driving it. Your towing mileage would also be higher than a gasser.
If it is well sorted running gear lasts a long time, especially if it isn’t being worked hard.
Rolling coal, what isn’t cool about that!
In the end practicality is king, unless you plan to buy a 40’ enclosed race trailer with a goose neck, stick to a half ton chassis.
2nd the half ton. I tow with mine and its fine. I have the weakest truck in the world too.
dodge ram 1500 ext cab off road package with a 5.2. i would tow my car to cali with it and I have towed well over my trailers max weight limit with it with shit in the bed.
