Anyone have any suggestions as to what could be reliable enough for a dd but still plenty strong to tow a decent sized boat on a double axle trailer whenever? Been looking around and need to find something very reliable in good condition for under 15k and not having alot of luck.

11/24/2005 7:04:27 PM

chevy astro

11/24/2005 8:39:53 PM

^not a bad choice. Or a late '80's to early '90's Suburban diesel.

I prefer diesel, and Chevy has the cheapest ones around. Granted, they aren't the best in the world for hauling heavy loads or towing, but can hold together if you baby them. I like their fuel mileage...the 6.2's and 6.5's have some of the best, believe it or not.

11/24/2005 8:49:45 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-Ford-F250-4x4-Turbo-Diesel-5sp-Reg-cab-3-Lift-NR_W0QQitemZ4592824107QQcategoryZ39415QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

11/24/2005 8:59:05 PM

i need something that doesnt have to be babied and definately not a lifted truck with problems...thats just asking for more problems and spending more money...

11/24/2005 9:09:06 PM

i have an astro for sale

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/113512942.html

it only needs a hitch and maybe an upgrade to a limited slip rear to be a solid hauler

11/24/2005 9:13:26 PM

haha doh i didn't read it ...

yeah but the 7.3 is indestructable if you can find one in a van you'll be set

11/24/2005 9:13:57 PM

definately thought about something like that for that reason, but really would like something more practical to drive every day as a dd too, that would be the tits if i had enough to get 2 cars..yeah it needs to have the 4wd too and be comfortable and shit.

[Edited on November 24, 2005 at 9:19 PM. Reason : 1600? oh shit]

11/24/2005 9:16:07 PM

You don't have to baby the 6.2/6.5...it's just not made to haul 10k lbs.

11/24/2005 9:32:20 PM

someone help me find one of the 2500 suburbans, been looking at those and cant find a good 4x4 one for the price...also would take a truck but the suburban would be the first choice

11/24/2005 9:34:19 PM

cummins
[/thread]

11/24/2005 9:49:43 PM

^5 speed...../thread

11/24/2005 9:51:14 PM

i know that...help me find one for under 15k thats in decent condition and thatd be nice

11/24/2005 9:51:32 PM

If the 135 hp and 240 ft-lbs are correct for the 6.2, then my truck with the 5.slow has more hosepower and torque than that diesel. Vans in general are usually pretty good tow vehicles.

11/25/2005 1:01:57 AM

But does it have the fuel mileage? Also, keep in mind that the diesel develops that at a lower speed.

11/25/2005 1:24:08 AM

I've been pretty damn happy with my PSD Excursion. You should be able to find one in about that price range.

11/25/2005 9:02:01 AM

there are usually a few tow vehicles for sale here:

http://www.thsccforums.com/viewforum.php?f=25

11/25/2005 11:21:35 AM

Give me figures on the boat, trailer, equipment etc. Then we can make a better decision

11/25/2005 11:50:34 AM

Quote :

"But does it have the fuel mileage? Also, keep in mind that the diesel develops that at a lower speed."

what's the fuel mileage of the 6.2? I get about 13 mpg towing a 4000 lb trailer around town. I know the power is likely in a better rpm range, but still awful weak for a diesel. I wouldn't be surprised if the 6.2 got around 10 mpg or worse towing a decent load.

11/25/2005 1:51:44 PM

18-20 with the right gearing isn't unheard of. Especially if your injector pump and injectors are in good condition.

You can get that with one of the IH diesels too, if you're geared right. There's nothing wrong with the indirect-injected engines, though it's true they don't have the stump-pulling power of direct-injection. They are slightly more efficient at speed, though.

11/25/2005 2:14:59 PM

I have a 99 z71 with the 5.3L. I get 18 to 21 mpg DD, and get 13 to 15 pulling my car trailer with the car on it (both car and trailer together are 5850 lbs)

11/25/2005 2:34:15 PM

touché.

Go with gas if you want...

11/25/2005 2:55:41 PM

gas is junk for a tow rig if you're pulling over 5k. 6.5's are junk as well. 6.2's are solid motors (just weak), but why bother when you've got IDI fords to choose from? not to mention cummins by the late 80's/early 90's... it should be easy to find a 94-98 12v in good shape for sub 15k.

11/25/2005 3:22:10 PM

I didn't pay much more than $15K for an '02 4x4 PSD Excursion with 80K miles. There's deals out there. And the Excursion market is pretty slack...so you can definitely find some good deals on them.

They're not making them anymore, and if I had the $$$ laying around, I'd buy a warehouse full to sit on and drive them the rest of my life.

11/25/2005 3:28:26 PM

^^ hit the nail on the head

11/25/2005 4:34:30 PM

4runner

good for passengers and towing and reliable

11/25/2005 5:05:49 PM

ha... if you tow under 1000lbs

but really, under 5 or 6K, gas is all you need. any 6.0 GM truck w/ a 4l80e will pull that just fine. and if you disable the torque management system they'll fly

11/25/2005 5:35:21 PM

My dad's got a '89 Ford F350 Gas Dually for sale... it tows pretty damn well (he pulls a car trailer and flat trailer regularly)

he doesn't need two... a diesel and a gas lol


he's outside HKY btw

11/25/2005 10:28:18 PM

why dont you define decent sized boat? 3k lbs? 8k lbs? If your trailer has working brakes you can tow with a lighter duty vehicle. Nice thing about vans is that they were meant for heavier loads, have a lower cg, and handle better than you average suv.

11/26/2005 10:38:56 AM

you could hire those monk dudes that pulled the 747 with their penises, that'd be kinda funny going down the highway

11/27/2005 10:24:15 AM

Towing weight isn't much of a problem... its STOPPING it that becomes a problem and THATS why you want a big vehicle... not to mention you don't need a 4x4 to tow unless you incompetent on a boat ramp... only time you need a 4x4 truck is if your roving farms or pushing a snowplow, leaf springs suck for offroading/4wheelin type things

hence:

Quote :

"if your trailer has working brakes you can tow with a lighter duty vehicle."

11/27/2005 3:16:44 PM

Quote :

"leaf springs suck for offroading/4wheelin type things"

they do?

11/27/2005 3:56:15 PM

yeah...they do, ive heard of people going from leaf springs to a 4 link but never 4 link to leaf, because leaf springs ultimately do suck

11/27/2005 6:20:32 PM

Quote :

"never 4 link to leaf"

sure they do... lots of people convert 4 linked jeeps over to leaves. not 4 links, but many a ford coil front has been converted to leaves also. with the exception of the best executed link designs, a well put together leaf pack will work just as well at a fraction of the cost, and with minimal effort torwards design/geometry.

11/27/2005 6:27:42 PM

ive seen some 99-newer PSD's for 13-14k

11/27/2005 6:53:29 PM

oh yeah, i dont need any more "advice"... this thread made me laugh

[Edited on November 27, 2005 at 8:09 PM. Reason : ]

11/27/2005 8:09:18 PM