Tow Vehicle Decisions-Help

[jason78]

I want to be able to start towing my boat to other areas on occasion. I will probably stay within a 250 mile radius for most trips but would love to tow down to Ft Lauderdale and do a Bimini trip sometime. I am trying to make the decision on whether to buy a high mileage 4x4 Diesel to use strictly as a tow vehicle or to find a lower mileage Diesel to use as a daily driver and sell my 1500 Chevy Z71. I am in a Catch 22 because, I don’t want to pay to insure a vehicle that sits and depreciates most of the time while on the other hand, I drive A LOT and don’t want to pay the extra fuel costs by loss of MPG and Increased cost of Diesel fuel.

I am curious what additional factors others have come up with when considering the options. I know I could always rent but there is only one place I can rent an F250 and it is only a 2WD and it is a pain in the a** to get to and from the rental place. Also, I HATE renting anything because I feel like it is throwing away money and I know if I rent for several weeks in a year I would be close to the cost to just buy a high mileage Diesel.

I would be looking for a GM2500 or a F250 for this. I would probably lean towards the GM for a daily driver but lean towards the F250 for a tow vehicle only. I have seen both trucks endure heavy abuse from friends so I know either is up to the task.

My other concern is that I seem to recall that there was a certain engine/model year combination range to stay away from on the F250 due to a heavy amount of engine problems. I can’t recall what that was if anyone can help.

Thanks
Jason

 

[Gunn]

Jason,

You are in the same boat as me (no pun intended). I currently have a Silverado 1500 4x4 ext. cab and am looking to upgrade to a GMC or Chevrolet 2500HD 4x4 crew cab to pull my 280DA. I have a trailer for it, but had it shipped up here and put in the water after purchase.

I wanted a gas engine as it'd be a daily driver. But a couple of friends told me to go diesel as it was a better choice and better gas mileage towing or not. So I did some research online. The 6.0 gas engines get about 13mpg daily, 6mpg towing our size of boat. The diesels get about 17.5mpg daily and around 13 or so towing. The way I figured it out, until the price difference in a gallon of gas was about $1.00 more for diesel, it'd be more cost effective to go diesel. Right now around here, it's about $.40, so I'd be saving money going diesel. At least that's what I figured...

But diesels are harder to come by in my price range and cost more, obviously. I'm looking to stay under $20k.... but I need one, the sooner the better!

Tom

 

[firecadet613]

Jason I was just in your shoes. I ended up selling my daily driver (Durango) and picked up a Ram 2500 crew cab HEMI. For the added cost diesel just wasn't worth it. For $20k I was able to get pretty much a brand new truck...fully loaded with not even 30k miles on it. A diesel, not as nicely equipped, would have been $23k, but with 130k miles on it. No comparison in my book.

I do pay at the pump though. 11MPG in my daily driving, and down to 7 or so when towing the boat every weekend.

Just something to think about.

 

[floriduramax1]

There is only 1 answer to this question!! 06 and up Duramax with a 6 speed....nuff said!! If you want to be broke down on the side of the road puking coolant or tranny out, buy the Ford 6.SLOW diesel...lol

BTW..It's the "funnest" daily driver ever!! How else can you make 495HP and 950# torque, out run the rice burners, get 14-20mpg (depending on how much fun you have) and then hook to the boat and not break a sweat and get 11-12mpg with a heavy foot ...lol

 

[BlewByYou88]

Wouldn't ever get a Ford, I have 6.7L CUmmins and My friend has the LMM Dmax. I wish I had his truck. Keep in mind...Define High Mileage! Diesel engines have a rated over the road life that averages 500,000Miles.

Good Luck :thumbsup:

 

[chuck1]

Just a thought, Why don't you just rent a truck when needed?

 

[Woody]

Just a thought, Why don't you just rent a truck when needed?

See post #1.

 

[chuck1]

See post #1.

......
I am curious what additional factors others have come up with when considering the options. I know I could always rent but there is only one place I can rent an F250 and it is only a 2WD and it is a pain in the a** to get to and from the rental place. Also, I HATE renting anything because I feel like it is throwing away money and I know if I rent for several weeks in a year I would be close to the cost to just buy a high mileage Diesel.
........

Good point, like I said just a thought.
I would check around and see what other rentals are in the area.

 

[dpvandy01]

Not sure the suspension on a 3/4 ton is up to your load. You're close to 14000 lbs. And do not go gas PERIOD. One ton diesel or don't tow it. Does your trailer have electric brakes? I've borrowed a one ton gas and all I ca say besides the fuel burn is I'm glad my 40 mile move is mostly flat.

 

[jason78]

Not sure the suspension on a 3/4 ton is up to your load. You're close to 14000 lbs. And do not go gas PERIOD. One ton diesel or don't tow it. Does your trailer have electric brakes? I've borrowed a one ton gas and all I ca say besides the fuel burn is I'm glad my 40 mile move is mostly flat.

Not sure but there seem to be plenty of people pulling 280s with 3/4 ton trucks and the weight seems to fall in to the towing capacity of most newer 3/4 ton trucks. As far as I can tell, the towing capacity is about the same between 3/4 and 1 ton but the 1 ton can handle more tounge weight. I am by no means an expert on this just going by what I read and am told by others. There is no way I am going to buy a dually- if I must have a dually, this idea just came to a halt. And yes, it will be a Diesel.

On the trailer- yes, the trailer I have access to has electric brakes however I have talked to two trailer dealers about buying a trailer, one was EZ-Loader and I don't recall the other. Both advised me to avoid electric brakes because they said elec brakes are nothing but trouble after 6 months. The both recommended surge disc brakes on 2 axles. Any thoughts from anyone on this?

Good point, like I said just a thought.
I would check around and see what other rentals are in the area.

There are absolutely NO other rentals anywhere near me. All of the Big guys told me they do not allow ANY towing with their trucks with the exception of U-Haul which only allows you to pull their treilers. There is no way I am going to break the rules and end up on the hook if something happens. :smt009

The more I think about this, it may be a daily driver or nothing. I just dont think I can justify the cost to insure and tag another truck to sit behind my friend's shop 95% of the time.

 

[dpvandy01]

Check your state regs on surge brakes. I wouldn't tow that load with surge. I had my trailer built with electric brakes on all 6 wheels. I can forward you the info on your estimated load vs the capacity of a tandem vs triple axel trailer. Given the numbers I went with the triple axel from Load Master.

 

[jason78]

Check your state regs on surge brakes. I wouldn't tow that load with surge. I had my trailer built with electric brakes on all 6 wheels. I can forward you the info on your estimated load vs the capacity of a tandem vs triple axel trailer. Given the numbers I went with the triple axel from Load Master.

Yes, please forward me any info you have- it would be greatly appreciated.

On the brakes, I am willing to pay more to get a safe trailer if I have to. It was just that I was lead to believe elec brakes on a boat trailer are prone to trouble after the trailer has been dipped in the water a dozen or so times. The "drift" I got from the two dealers was pretty much- better to have surge disc brakes that are more reliable than have a damaged elec brake system fail and either not apply the brakes or apply them at the wrong time.

Like I said, that is just what they told me.

 

[dpvandy01]

I'll shoot you a PM tomorrow. FWIW my trailer is now three years old and gets dipped almost weekly with no brake issues to date. Look for the info in the AM. And again check your state re surges, may not be legal at your size/weight.

 

[sappington]

I too had to buy a tow vehicle,I have a 250 weekender about 8000#,I found a 2500 suburban LT loaded with tow package. its an 03 but got it for $7500 out the door.I insure it from june to end of sept.then the insurance goes to a theft and vandalism coverage 52 bucks a year.If I take it after that I just call and they insure it for the trip.You just cant do that every weekend two or three times a winter is fine.

 

[dpvandy01]

I too had to buy a tow vehicle,I have a 250 weekender about 8000#,I found a 2500 suburban LT loaded with tow package. its an 03 but got it for $7500 out the door.I insure it from june to end of sept.then the insurance goes to a theft and vandalism coverage 52 bucks a year.If I take it after that I just call and they insure it for the trip.You just cant do that every weekend two or three times a winter is fine.

8000 lbs is well within the capacity of a 1/2 ton (1500, f150) we're talking about a 14000 lb load.

 

[dpvandy01]

8000 lbs is well within the capacity of a 1/2 ton (1500, f150) we're talking about a 14000 lb load.

But your point may have been more to the insurance issue. Gotcha.

 

[Windjammer]

You will want 4X4 and the long wheelbase.
Have done some research and here's some of the info I have come up with that pertains to my F250 on towing.
1. Standard hitch is a Class IV (2" receiver).
2. Class V (2-1/2" receiver) aftermarket hitchs are available and top out at 18,500 lb. Cost is in the $400 range.
3. Tongue weight should not exceed 10% of the GVWR (GVWR is the maximum weight of the boat and trailer combined).
4. Next step up would be going with a "goose neck" hitch - maximum tongue weight jumps to about 6000 lb depending on exact configuration.
5. All wheel submersible electric drum brakes are legal in all 50 states and have the ability to operate in reverse (might come in handy with a steep ramp).
Early models of Ford's 6.0 Diesels had some issues with injectors and head gaskets. Starting in '06 there were some changes made that supposedly fixed the problems.

Mine has the 6.8 V10 in it and it is a plain old gas hog, but it is a strong truck. I'm toying with the idea of purchasing a trailer for the 340 to use on some short trips and if they worked out ok, perhaps a longer trip might be in order.

 

[floriduramax1]

You will want 4X4 and the long wheelbase.
Have done some research and here's some of the info I have come up with that pertains to my F250 on towing.
1. Standard hitch is a Class IV (2" receiver).
2. Class V (2-1/2" receiver) aftermarket hitchs are available and top out at 18,500 lb. Cost is in the $400 range.
3. Tongue weight should not exceed 10% of the GVWR (GVWR is the maximum weight of the boat and trailer combined).
4. Next step up would be going with a "goose neck" hitch - maximum tongue weight jumps to about 6000 lb depending on exact configuration.
5. All wheel submersible electric drum brakes are legal in all 50 states and have the ability to operate in reverse (might come in handy with a steep ramp).
Early models of Ford's 6.0 Diesels had some issues with injectors and head gaskets. Starting in '06 there were some changes made that supposedly fixed the problems.

Mine has the 6.8 V10 in it and it is a plain old gas hog, but it is a strong truck. I'm toying with the idea of purchasing a trailer for the 340 to use on some short trips and if they worked out ok, perhaps a longer trip might be in order.

I forgot to mention the factory hitch! On any truck he buys, he should change the factory hitch. I am in the RV biz so my truck is set up for towing heavy. I have a Putnam class V XDR which is now made by Curt. It is 2" and has weight carry of 1500/15000 without bars! 1600/16000 with bars! I also suggest electric over hydraulic with discs. Before summer this pos surge will be converted to E/H!

 

[BonBini]

I too need an upgrade and have thought about all this too. 3/4 ton truck today are pretty bad asx. Typically a 3/4 ton has the same eng, trans as a 1 ton. Ford and Chev have done this since way back.

I've seen some pretty good deals on 1 ton work trucks. Many don't have a box on them and are diesel 4x4's. There are brand new take off box’s available at reasonable prices. Having a separate tow vehicle and a separate daily driver I feel is the way to go. *Multi vehicle ins rate discount. *Lower maintenance cost on tow vehicle. *Lower total fuel costs. *Security of back up vehicle.

The wheel base on that damn suburban is so long it wouldn't fit on my computer screen without scrolling over!

 

[floriduramax1]

I too need an upgrade and have thought about all this too. 3/4 ton truck today are pretty bad asx. Typically a 3/4 ton has the same eng, trans as a 1 ton. Ford and Chev have done this since way back.

I've seen some pretty good deals on 1 ton work trucks. Many don't have a box on them and are diesel 4x4's. There are brand new take off box’s available at reasonable prices. Having a separate tow vehicle and a separate daily driver I feel is the way to go. *Multi vehicle ins rate discount. *Lower maintenance cost on tow vehicle. *Lower total fuel costs. *Security of back up vehicle.

The wheel base on that damn suburban is so long it wouldn't fit on my computer screen without scrolling over!

Funny you mention that. I originally bought the GMC HD for a "tow" truck. After rigging it up and driving it for a while, I turned my cushy riding Avalanche into a parts running "company" truck and drive the Dmax daily. Hell, it even gets better mileage than the Avalanche. For towing the 280, the crew cab short bed is perfect as it will haul the "crew" and I can park the truck in regular parking places at stores. Seems like all the new stores are building parking spaces for Prius':huh: Besides, there's nothing like the sweet smell of diesel smoke to start your day! I was hesitant to buy it because of the diesel smell and pumping it, but it's not been a problem. One word of caution...be careful of letting your wife drive it!! Once she gets hooked on the power, you cant keep her out of it...lol