Need your opinion on this tow pig

We're planning on buying a bigger sailboat this summer. Something in the 25' range. Which means my faithful Explorer will be outclassed. I need opinions and things to look for on this Suburban which I will be looking at Saturday:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/5361499068.html

1988 2500 Suburban, 2wd 454 TBI with 120k miles.

I would think $3600 would buy you a newer 'burb than that one....maybe early-mid '90s.

sure it would. with a lot more miles and a lot less cool.

It'll pull what you want. Wouldn't you want 4x4 for boat ramps?

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: It'll pull what you want. Wouldn't you want 4x4 for boat ramps?

In a perfect world, sure. But I've done fine on ramps so far with the 2wd Explorer. Granted, I'm talking a lot heavier boat...but most sailboats run tongue extenders on the trailers, which helps. I would just have to use some extra caution if the ramp is really ugly but all the ones I've been on locally were fine.

Anyone have an opinion on the necessity of 4wd to launch a boat?

You can get an early 2000's Suburban for that much.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/5371485481.html

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5364728460.html

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5317451460.html

At least 75% of the trucks I see at boat ramps are 4WD, but I live in the northeast where 75% of all trucks are 4WD...

I sold a nicer example (same square body style and 454 / TBI) for about $1000 less about two years ago. It could work, but I think he wants too much for it.

Never launched a boat, but seems to me this is a case of better safe than sorry.

I suppose you could check into wheel chocks or something like that. Excuse to put a sweet winch on the front and maybe there will be trees around?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMDKU7NFAu8

Youtube is full of examples like this haha. Looks like I know what I'm watching the rest of the day at work.

Okay, fair enough. So show me what would be better. $4k, tows 8000lbs easily, 4x4, under 200k miles, in ga. Preferably suv, but 4dr pickup acceptable too. Start linking.

I checked the Atlanta CL, SUV's seem to be twice as much as they are here.

Flipped air cleaner lid makes me wonder how hard this truck gets beat on.

YYupididit - and pickups are even more.

Kenny- yeah. Noticed that. Guy sounds young too, but I haven't met him yet.

Probably could talk him down: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/5365779472.html Kinda old, might not be available anymore? http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5312676198.html

got a spare 4L80E sitting around? http://augusta.craigslist.org/cto/5340265826.html

I like that truck in knoxville, but that's too far away. Not that desperate right now. For 8k lbs, small blocks need not apply. No way I'm chasing that truck in Appling if that's all he's willing to post.

Keep em coming

Driving it back from Knoxville is how you get to really know it, and all its quirks!

On the one in Appling, phone call might turn up more info - I've had good luck on finding deals in the past by chasing something without pics or without much info - lots of people just pass it up. Of course, you gotta weed through 9 actual bad examples before finding that good deal.

Tough search though - under 4k with 4WD and 4 doors is hard enough around here, then adding 8k tow capacity makes it real hard!

Edit: Oops, noticed that one of the ones I linked was the small block. Reading comprehension fail.

Last updated on Nov 30th; might be sold? Will get hilariously low gas mileage, and check into plugs - can't remember if these are the years that don't come out or come out with part of the head along with them: http://columbusga.craigslist.org/cto/5319895873.html

Sunk BroDozer..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ2WILl1FVI

HAHAHA

In reply to Brokeback:

Now that's interesting. I'm a Ford guy, generally.

Welcome to the US, we like overkill: http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/5368908815.html not 4 doors though

The rear spoiler and LED lights, along with the air cleaner lid, send up some flags but might be worth looking into: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5352507074.html

Not 4 door, but has racing stripes so who cares: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5367468884.html

Price seems a bit high, but its cool and parts will be cheap. I wouldn't worry about the the lack of 4WD on a boat ramp, just make sure you add an LSD.

ultraclyde wrote: In reply to Brokeback: Now that's interesting. I'm a Ford guy, generally.

Wait for gas prices to rise and get a v10 excursion. They can be had cheapish.

What about this? http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5352369941.html

Expeditions are great but you don't get 9k towing capacity until you get up to 2007 or so. Outside my price range.