Towing vehicle

Hey guys,
I've been looking for good options on tow vehicles and wanted to see what people out there use.

I was hoping for something turbo diesel so it will be reliable and still a bit fun, but for the right price, I may setting with a v6, given it can tow the car (3000lbs) and a open top trailer, and depending on how much I spend, I will keep it for longer and pick up an enclosed trailer (3000lbs) later on for it.

Was mainly looking at either a pickup or a diesel van.

So, what you got?

2007/2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel is what i would be after. Easy to live with as a DD if need be and 7000lb towing capacity out of a mercedes 3.0L turbo diesel.

Shandon Lomoro(member here but no longer has a dsm)has one, seemed pretty decent.

Stay away from the 2001-2002 Rams with the Cummins, they had issues with the blocks cracking. 2003-2006 are complete rust buckets, so watch for the signs of quick sell repairs.

If you can find a 97-98 Ram 2500 CTD, pretty much the most reliable and easily moddable of all the years. The motor speaks for itself(this is before the emissions BS), a few simple mods will make the 47RE trans VERY stout and able handle what 99% of people would throw at it.

Don't touch Ford 6.0's, Ford sued Navistar over this engine and all the problems it has. 6.4's are only marginally better.

Duramax's are pretty decent if the frame of the truck holds together lol.

That's my input.

Awesome. Thanks guys, looking for something late 90's to early 00's to keep it on the cheap side, as at the end of the day it will also be a daily beater.

Thanks for the tip Jason!

Whats your price range? My bud can get any used truck at Queensway Buick for pretty much cost if your interested in a chevy.

As low as possible really. Not looking for anything at all fancy, just something that I can beat on, not care about and tow cars to/from the track really.

Alright. I'll talk to him tonight and see if he has anything in the compound and he can check any of the 10 dealers they own.

Awesome. Thanks!

I'm not much of a "truck" guy but I would lean toward a Toyota Tacoma TRD. These smaller Pick up Truck are rated to haul 6000lbs.

Again; they are not that big, are pretty reliable and should not be that bad on Fuel.

Ghislain

Oh yeah; they are hard to buy used as most of the owners like them and hold onto them.

Ghislain

All diesel trucks are crap. You pick the one that you have more experience fixing, Lol

One may ask why even buy a truck? Like how often are you going to tow? If you wanna tow your car to the track rent a truck and trailer for the odd times and just get some car to get you around.

^ Ding Ding

I don't see you "needing" a truck unless it's something you'll be using for work. Gas gets expensive and the drive is never as good as a car (especially older trucks).

If you need a DD get a corolla/civic(can't believe I said that) and rent when you need to tow (or get a hardcore CAA membership).

Although I love my DSMs, can't say my life would be the same without the Corolla for daily boring stuff. Granted I don't tow my car from places, but I would never see myself buy a truck unless I owned a construction company. Too big, expensive on gas and just not made to be a daily; it's made to work like a horse was to the old farmers.

Thanks Giz, I've actually been referred to look into some of the gas ones, as some of the v6's can tow what I need it to do. Perhaps might get an s10 with the v6 as they are very cheap and parts are very easy to find.

The reason for wanting a diesel is because they seem to last forever. I doubt they are "crap" if you see people with 4-500,000+ Km's on them and still going strong.

I really enjoy going to the track, and even last year, unless I was working, or it was raining, I drove down to the track and plan on doing the same this year as well as competing. With a tow vehicle, I can keep spare parts (tcases, axles, sensors, etc) in the back in case of breakdown while there. Plus, I hate seeing the way some tow truck drivers handle cars.

You fail to see what I am saying. Every person who is into diesel trucks is going to say one truck is the best compared to the rest, but in reality no one manufacturer makes a truck that's significantly better then the rest. They all have their fair share of problems, You buy the truck your more comfortable having certain problems with.

If you are set on a truck I would look at Tacoma's. My brothers good friend had an 06 with 6 speed manual and they made numerous trips to Montreal with a 1500lbs car hauler with an Mr2 on the back and had no problems (Actually had me consider buying one for awhile) He also DD it from Richmond hill to Markham for awhile and got decent gas mileage from it before he moved out west. He even drove his truck to Saskatchewan with a small U-haul trailer and cost him only $800 in fuel.

The older Tundra's before the current style with the 4.7 are really good trucks as well. But the thing about Yota trucks they're worth top dolla!

Also I would highly suggest looking at getting an aluminum car hauler. Lighter load for the truck to get going and stopping all while getting better fuel mileage. Also a winch is a good idea for getting non running vehicles on the trailer, Lol

Renting could be an excellent option but some rental agency do not allow you to tow with their vehicle.

We have about 5 or 6 rental truck at work and had to get a waiver that stated that we were to only tow Aircraft Support Equipment on DND Property only. No towing on public roads.

And might I say we only get the big trucks.

Ghislain

ya.. i agree.. I had a hell of a time trying to rent something to pick up a car before I got my rig.

Normally they won't let you rent just their truck with the intention of using your own or someone else's trailer due to liabilities.

As someone who owns a truck, I would never be without one. In all honesty, since I quit plowing driveways 2 years ago I really don't use it that much, but when I do, it's there and I don't have to worry about borrowing(HATE borrowing people's stuff) or renting. If I damage it, it's my own problem and I won't feel bad about it.

Corte, there's no denying the 6BT Cummins is an extremely reliable engine, far from crap. Sure you have maintenance on the rest of the truck, but you would regardless of it being a gas or diesel. Fuel milage while heavy towing is far superior to any gasser, last fall I hauled 2.5 tons of scrap about 150km for about $50 of fuel, where as my old Dakota took about $30 to go a 75km trip empty.

Lol, GM, Ford, Dodge all make good trucks. Reason I said they're all crap is because how owners rag on the other brands. They all have they're strengths and weaknesses.

This is how I look at it. Talking stock for stock.

Ford has the best truck

Dodge has the best motor

GM has the best trans


That's JMHO. Now my favourite truck is a 2nd gen Dodge, but do I think it's the best? No.
I personally think that the best truck off the lot is the Chev/GMC diesels when you way in all factors. And you know what? I actually drive a 99 7.3, So what does that tell you?

That you drive a 99 7.3

I am done here. Clearly you are oblivious to my point.

Don't even know why I bother posting here..

That the truck you bought is CRAP!

Sorry, had to... carry on

Sometimes its hard to contain that troll inside of me.

Seems to me that dsm'ers do exactly the same thing, hell even within the brand if someone has a 420a.



Agreed. Notice how I had pros and cons on all 3 in my first post.

That's why i like the jeep Cherokee so much. It would be livable everyday but up for the task of towing a car a half dozen times a year.

I would like one to share DD duties with my mini when i need more space or for hauling.

Roman, have your buddy look for a diesel Cherokee. I would get one for the right price and sell my current Toyota Rav4.

I'll have him check what Cooksville Chrysler. He said on Saturday he's going to search the database to see what the dealers have.

I almost bought as low mileage diesel Grand Cherokee a couple years ago, but head tech at a local Chrysler dealership told me to stay away!

i've heard that from every Chrysler tech as well but you have to remember this engine is definitely an anomaly to them. Bring it to a Mercedes sprinter truck shop and they'd be much more comfortable with it. i'm ok with the quirks of the truck. Guys on the forums think quite highly of them once they've been chipped.

A little arrogant, don't you think?

You ask for OPINIONS on your subject, but obviously have formed your own regardless of what others have to say. So in a sense, you're right... why bother posting.

What? This isn't my "subject".