Need a cheap tow pig

Betcha could buy this one cheap:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/lets-be-carefule-out-there-towing/64937/page1/

More boring: http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/3818947990.html http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/3834086334.html

Less boring: http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/3835959785.html http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/3836058489.html http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/grd/3831829074.html

econoline extendeds are just cantilivered farther over the rear wheels.

Which is horrible for towing. Glad you made that distinction.

So, do you absolutely NOT want a pickup or are you saying you don't need one because you already have one, but if one comes up cheap, you'd consider it?

If you'd consider a cheap truck, what about one from a fellow GRM'r? (Not affiliated, just happened to be admiring it today)

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/grassroots-towing-1996-chevy-c2500-hd-pickup-columbus-oh/49393/page1/

If you don't want a truck, what about an E250/350 or a 2500/3500 Express? Cargo vans are usually cheaper than the equivalent truck.

-Rob

1994 - 2003 Dodge Ram Van 2500 has a 8200lb tow rating. Also, they have sort of an odd following that I fully approve of: http://omgpancakes.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/dajiban/

Any particular reason you can't just keep what you have when you get the new truck? The devil you know and all that.

What about Durango's since mpg's aren't a huge deal.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/3822272046.html

Isuzu or Mitsubishi or Nissan Coe truck.

moparman76_69 wrote: Any particular reason you can't just keep what you have when you get the new truck? The devil you know and all that.

Because our current rig is still worth a good deal and we'd like to leverage that toward a new model. New diesel trucks aren't cheap. It's also a 6.0 Ford, which isn't known for its longevity, which means long term plans don't include it.

I'd consider a cool older pickup, but would prefer something enclosed for camping/tool storage.

I actually do like that body style of dodge van used for Dajiban but i hesitate to recommend them based on the fact that trans condition is make/break for a cheap van being worth a crap, and it's sort of hard to judge other than test drive and looking at the fluid. Whereas if i did those same things to a 4l80E vehicle i'd be much more confident about it.

My first thought was a big block Suburban. You can find them for dirt cheap, mileage is lousy, but they'll tow just about anything.

I slept in the back of my Grand Cherokee a couple times when camping in Aspen. Worked well in a pinch, and I really like NOT having to set up a tent.

The WJ Overlands are seriously nice on the inside, and come with the H.O. 4.7 V8, too. I used to tow a 3500-4000lb trailer full of janitorial supplies/marble reconditioning equipment with mine through the Colorado mountains, no problem.

1996 Ford Ambulance Turbo Diesel 126,000 - $3800 (Knoxville)

I like the Suburban idea, but it is too big when you already have a pickup. So get the shorty version:

In reply to Gasoline:

He might even get a folding cot out of that deal.....

yamaha wrote: In reply to Gasoline: He might even get a folding cot out of that deal.....

He might get the wife to wear the "Nurse Good-Body" outfit.....

Something to consider. Since you are so use to a modern truck, well designed for towing, and you haven't really experienced much else, be careful what you choose. I say this because, I'm driven some pretty crappy tow rigs. It says something when you get more stressed towing your race car to the hillclimb, than the actual hillclimb itself. I was reminded of that at Ascutney when I had to put a borrowed truck into service.

Biggest truck i actually OWNED for towing was a 75 f150 extended cab shortbed. I towed with it i think twice, and then sold it and went back to towing with Dakota and Dynasty.

I must preface this question by saying I absolutely hate it when I come on the forums, ask a question, and mention at the outset that I am abolutely opposed to one particular option- after which I receive reply after reply of why I should chose exactly the option I've already said "no" to.

That (very long winded sentence) being said, is there a particular reason why the V10 Ford has been nixed? And the reason I'm asking, before I get a possibly deservedly nasty retort, is that I'm looking for a new tow pig myself, and while I really would prefer a 7.3 diesel, there are some deals out there on the V10 Fords. I don't plan on using this truck for anything but towing 10,000+ pound loads or going to the quarry to pick up a ton of stone, so the fuel economy, while poor, wouldn't be a deal breaker.

Used one to tow a 2-horse trailer into Vermont and at no time did it feel like it was truly up to the task. I constantly felt like I was beating on the engine getting up hills.

I got the diesel version of the same truck (same year too) and it tows three horses without breaking a sweat. Much more relaxed for everybody involved, including the animals.

Yeah, it's kind of funny that it ends up this way, but after 96 until the late 00's, the only F-series motor i liked was the 4.2, and the 7.3 was tolerable (necessary for real towing). Ive always thought the mod motors were horribly underperforming for their displacement/complexity/bulk until the 3v. They're crappy to work on and have crap for power and have some pretty stupid upkeep issues. Fundamentally a v10 is just two more cylinder of the same kind of crap, except now even harder and more expensive to work on.

So i'm totally onboard with the v10 hate.