hey guys im looking into buying a pickup or suv. i will be doing weekly towing with it picking up vehicles from the auction. a few people i talked to suggested using something like a suburban or tahoe but im not sure if it can take that kind of weekly towing. suprising to me i was told not to use a pickup because its too light. i dont really know much about any of them. any ideas on a mid priced preferably no newer than an 05 truck you guys can think of? thanks in advance!!!
help with picking a new truck/suv
- Thread starter macdole99
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What about an 04-05 expedition with the 5.4L? Towing rating of 8,900lb, comfortable, has IRS, solid transmission.
Sure you can. Get a 2wd with deep axle ratio. The long wheelbase will be comfortable. Also consider old "church vans" and conversion vans that led gentle lives, that you can rip the seats out of.
I take it this will not be your only vehicle?
I take it this will not be your only vehicle?
Unless you are towing a Mack almost any 1/2 ton pickup will be more than enough to tow vehicles from an auction...
As long as it is a 1/2 ton that was set up for reasonable towing capacity from the factory, i.e. tow package, integrated receiver hitch & wiring, etc. The size and type trailer you are considering also comes into play. If you are talking enclosed you may well need a 3/4 ton. Flatbed with two axles? Tow bar? You could probably use a V6 Ranger and pull a car from an auction once a week.
I owned a 1996 F150 SuperCab 2WD with a 351, E4OD, and a limited slip diff and it would just about tow anything I ever contemplated with ease. This truck is still seeing daily commercial use in Rochester, NY, and because of the 1st decade of use being in the PacNW (no salt) is one of the few of its era I've seen back there without body rot.
Finding one in your neck-o'-the-woods might be a challenge, though.
Trucks, Suburbans & Tahoes, Expiditions, etc. were (originally?)designed to work. If equipped with factory towing capability they'll be more than capable for "weekly towing". I would hate to imagine how many SUV's & 3/4 ton trucks never even had anything bigger than a U-Haul trailer attached...
Cheers!
p.s. "Mid-priced" is a term that means different things to different people: $20K is mid-priced to some and probably won't get you a low mileage 2004 Escalade, either.
But it surely can buy one heck (are we allowed to say "heck"?) of a used truck, especially around here!
As long as it is a 1/2 ton that was set up for reasonable towing capacity from the factory, i.e. tow package, integrated receiver hitch & wiring, etc. The size and type trailer you are considering also comes into play. If you are talking enclosed you may well need a 3/4 ton. Flatbed with two axles? Tow bar? You could probably use a V6 Ranger and pull a car from an auction once a week.
I owned a 1996 F150 SuperCab 2WD with a 351, E4OD, and a limited slip diff and it would just about tow anything I ever contemplated with ease. This truck is still seeing daily commercial use in Rochester, NY, and because of the 1st decade of use being in the PacNW (no salt) is one of the few of its era I've seen back there without body rot.
Finding one in your neck-o'-the-woods might be a challenge, though.
Trucks, Suburbans & Tahoes, Expiditions, etc. were (originally?)designed to work. If equipped with factory towing capability they'll be more than capable for "weekly towing". I would hate to imagine how many SUV's & 3/4 ton trucks never even had anything bigger than a U-Haul trailer attached...
Cheers!
p.s. "Mid-priced" is a term that means different things to different people: $20K is mid-priced to some and probably won't get you a low mileage 2004 Escalade, either.
But it surely can buy one heck (are we allowed to say "heck"?) of a used truck, especially around here!
If you're specifically looking for something to tow other vehicles with, I would definitely look only at diesels, and I would second the suggestion for a slightly older Dodge with the Cummins. You will appreciate the extra power AND mileage when you tow.
and pick the service dept that goes along with the truck.
Is this vehicle primarily going to be used for transporting other vehicles, or does it just need to be able to?
If you are going to be hauling vehicles frequently, maybe you should look into a smaller rollback truck? A rollback would allow more versatility with what you buy at the auction. No worries about flat tires or damaged suspension parts on vehicles you are towing.
I don't see how a pickup is too light. I see pickups towing things all the time, mine included. They usually have higher payload and towing capacities than similar SUV counterparts because they are lighter. Car transporters often use 1-ton pickups with 2 or 3 car gooseneck trailers.
If you would prefer an SUV though, an Excursion would be perfect for this.
If you are going to be hauling vehicles frequently, maybe you should look into a smaller rollback truck? A rollback would allow more versatility with what you buy at the auction. No worries about flat tires or damaged suspension parts on vehicles you are towing.
I don't see how a pickup is too light. I see pickups towing things all the time, mine included. They usually have higher payload and towing capacities than similar SUV counterparts because they are lighter. Car transporters often use 1-ton pickups with 2 or 3 car gooseneck trailers.
If you would prefer an SUV though, an Excursion would be perfect for this.
How about a Chevy silverado with the 5.3 or a 2500 . They're nice trucks perfect for what you need . And they get decent fuel mileage for a truck. And they are the longest lasting most dependable. Yes I do believe the last part to. A Chevy will truck will run forever.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
If you are going to be towing that often I would suggest a 3/4 to or up. They have full floating axles, larger brakes, better frames and better transmissions. Any of the big three will do. If you can swing the extra cash a diesel would be ideal. If you are looking at a 6.0 Ford diesel do a real quick google search on them so you can the facts about them before you buy one.
I tow an 8,000 lbs 5th wheel with a 2002 Silverado 2500 6.0 gasser. It does just fine and would do alright towing some weekly, but if I were towing weekly I would have looked for a Big block, V-10 truck or diesel.
You are going to realy beat up any half ton towing every week.
I tow an 8,000 lbs 5th wheel with a 2002 Silverado 2500 6.0 gasser. It does just fine and would do alright towing some weekly, but if I were towing weekly I would have looked for a Big block, V-10 truck or diesel.
You are going to realy beat up any half ton towing every week.
My towing career recently got serious when we started using a camper to go on trips. Each one got bigger and bigger.
At first my Silverado 5.3 was fine. It has 3.73's and is equipped with the HD towing setup from the factory.
But as weights climbed it became a joke. The poor thing really struggled and my wife was uncomfortable driving it.
I strongly advise a bit of research on the RV boards. I also asked everyone we met for years. The results of my informal survey are my 09 Dmax.
Good luck to the OP.
At first my Silverado 5.3 was fine. It has 3.73's and is equipped with the HD towing setup from the factory.
But as weights climbed it became a joke. The poor thing really struggled and my wife was uncomfortable driving it.
I strongly advise a bit of research on the RV boards. I also asked everyone we met for years. The results of my informal survey are my 09 Dmax.
Good luck to the OP.
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