Tow vehicle? For a cardolly/full trailer...

[george graves]

I'm getting close to buying a decatied truck, just for a parts/car hauller (400 miles a week at the max)

I *have* to admit, I'm clueless in regards to american trucks. Can anyone point me toward a soild 1/2 ton (or 3/4 ton) that will be VERY cheap to work on? Older, and cheap to do basic matience?

Year make and model?

Thanks!!!

[MR 325]

Chevy will probably be the cheapest bet. Pick up like a 96 with the 350 in it and you're good.

[george graves]

Ohhh, 96 is way out of my budget....

[express_wagon]

how much do you need to tow? how much do you want to spend?

[BimmerTom]

'88 or later GM truck. That is the new body style with a few more ammenites and FI. You'll get either a 700-R4 trans or the later 4L60E (93's came with them I believe) which are all a dime-a-dozen to replace if needed.

No real blaten problems with these trucks, other than rust and the lack of maintainace by previous owners. I'd stick with a 350 in anything you find. The 4.3 is really gutless and why get a 305 - Same mileage as the 350 and less power.

Tom

[JasonC]

You could get a 92-93 Dodge Ram. Look for one with a 360. Since the 92+ have the magnums in them(MPFI) The only problems with them are the overdrives go out in the automatics cause the P/O's don't have enuff since to take it out of O/D when their pulling, and that they have a ugly front end on them 92-93. Or if your looking to get a smaller truck that can pull, a 91+ dakota since they where offered with 318's. 91's had TBI and the 92+ has MPFI, it's the same with the Ram's. We have a 97 Dakota with a 318 and it pulls a full trailer. It does fine till it goes up a mountin. But it's only a 318 auto. My cousin had on with a 318 5spd and he said that the hill's was no problem. Or if you go with a older Ram 91-86. Has TBI, and is better looking then the 92-93's. And if you get one with a 318 (91 and back), find a 360 throttle body and stick it on it. It's way bigger and gives the little 318 some more power. Cause the 3.9V6 and the 318V8 have the same throttle body. Plus the V8's had the 727 trans which is a good unit. If you do get a V6 truck, i dont know you you would but just incase. Get a GM since the 4.3's are 350's with two less pistions, where the Dodge's are 3.9's which are 318's with two less pistions. Allthough we had a 93 Dakota with a 3.9 auto and pulled a full trailer and a tow dolly with it and it held up for 2 years till the transmission finally gave out. I'd say stick to a GM or Mopar product, i don't know much about Ford trucks but i do here alot of complaints about them.

[AlarmedBread]

'73 dodge ram FTW!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/AlarmedBread/325is/parkingspot.jpg

I'd get a diesel for alot of towing tho, gas sucks. My dad has a 98 dodge cummins diesel. Not only can it tow my car, but while towing my car, can out drag my other car. :(

[JasonC]

Hey is a extended cab too :up:

[hugh jass]

if you really want to tow properly, plan on towing a lot, and not have it be a white knuckle experience, get a 3/4 ton diesel. i tow for work and we tow a lot of stuff from atvs to tractors and we only run diesels. the torque, drivetrain, brakes, rear suspension are all meant for towing on a regular basis. you can tow with a 1/2 ton gasser, but if you're pulling more than 5000 lbs, it won't be easy - acceleration, mileage, and especially stopping will all be harder.
if you're on a limited budget, try to find an older second generation dodge with the 12 valve cummins motor. it is absolutely bulletproof and very easy to work on. the older ford superduty trucks with the 7.3 diesel are also good. the newer ford diesels are a nightmare. i have a 05 dodge 2500 diesel and love it. you can pull 12,000 lbs all day long and not wear the truck out.

[AndrewBird]

Look into an older Dodge Dakota. Some came with a 5.2L V8 that has tons of power for towing.

[ColdAccord]

not sure if it has to be a pickup, but jeeps are pretty straight. cherokee and grand cherokee. i've towed many e30's on full trailers, also use it to tow mine and my buddy's trackbikes. inline 6 leaves you plenty of room tow ork, and if you want you can get the v8 but i thought the i6 is enough.

[euroshark]

I have a '91 Chevy 2500 you can have for $900 even.

[mrsleeve]

Chevy's are the way to go. If you need to put a tranny in a 1/2 ton ditch the 4L60(E) aka 700r4 they are crap for towing, never ever pull in OD. swap it out for a 4L80(E) out of a 3/4 or a 1 ton. Its basicly a turbo 400 with OD an you cant hardly kill em an you can pull in OD.

BTW I have an 04 colorado I will sell you, I pulls E30's on a full trailer no problem.

[BDSax]

if i was to get a truck id go with a Toyota Tundra. American manufactures just do not know how to build cars. Now if i had to go american, Ford F350 turbo diesel.

good luck with the find

[Jscotty]

I've pulled my E30 many times on the dolly with my 92 Blazer that has a 350 in it.. and it was done effortlessly. I also attempted to tow it with my Ford Ranger. It did the job, however it had that "tail wagging the dog" feel. So I say that anything that weighs 5000 lbs. or better with a V8 is the way to go.