Older Tow Rigs

KPatterson · Feb 27, 2016

My buggy build is nearing completion. I`m looking to buy a dedicated tow rig that may get driven 35 times/year at most. My daily driver is a 2010 HHR Panel version that I used for my company. Its comfy, drives good and averages 27mpg. I thought about getting a new truck to double as both, but I don't want to finance anything. Lets hear your thoughts and opinions on say 2004 and older trucks. Doesn't have to be perfect. Reliability is more of a concern towing out of state. Pics would hurt either :dblthumb:

MoparMan · Feb 27, 2016

02 Dodge Cummins w/ 6-speed manual, end of story. :****:

jccarter1 · Feb 27, 2016

I have a 2001 f350 great trucks but hate to tell you just bc you looking at trucks 10-15 years old the price doesn't reflect the age bc they are high as hell

mckeddie · Feb 27, 2016

I've got an 00 f350 6 speed power stroke. I love this truck to death. I wouldn't own anything else as a dedicated puller.

NOVI FED COUPE · Feb 28, 2016

I've got a really nice 99 F250 Ex Cab 6 speed that will be for sale soon. 4x4 low miles.

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jimbo0076 · Feb 28, 2016

Surely I'm not the only one that when you say "older tow rig" that thinks early 90s at the newest....hell the newest vehicle I've ever owned was a 2001 laughing1 Maybe I'm just a poor SOB :JRich:

Any "diesel truck" right now is higher than **** because all the cool kids want them :

Look into a big block Chevy or Ford in the late 80s and 90s and you'd get something fairly priced. They drink gas faster than you can shotgun a beer but big deal if you ain't gonna use it often.

mdo817 · Feb 28, 2016

Should have bought my '98 12 Valve!
I have a friend that might be looking to sell his '96 or '97 12 Valve 4x4 2500, extended cab.

Bronco72 · Feb 28, 2016

Iv got a 95 350 powerstoke with a 5 speed. Good ol truck. Its not the nicest but it does the job. And its never let me down.

fabricator1 · Feb 28, 2016

I've had a lot of Cummins 6 speeds and really like them for towing. But i always put them up for the winter here in the rust belt. I have a 92 Chevy 4x4 454 5 speed nv4500 that I run in the winter. Isn't as good on fuel but I would tow across country with that old truck in a second

94xjsport94 · Feb 28, 2016

Love my 96 F250 5 speed

y2knole · Feb 28, 2016

an 8.1 2500 suburban :****:

They are cheap now on CL man...

y2knole · Feb 28, 2016

I also know of a v10 excursion that will be available cheaply if you want me to dig into it for ya...

poolman · Feb 28, 2016

Find a older ford van with a 7.3 in it. Then you have a tow rig and a place to sleep out of the weather

lowbudgetjunk · Feb 28, 2016

270k on my 7.3 and it still runs out alright. Cummins are good too. I'd do a 5 or 6 speed if I wasn't going to drive it daily.

Skrmbld · Feb 28, 2016

I tow with a 92 Suburban. 3/4 ton 4X4 with the 7.4 L big block. It tows what I need to pull. Will not win a towing race against a diesel and drinks a lot of gas but it has always been reliable. Start it up only once or twice a month but it always starts. I like being able to haul camping gear and tools secured in the back and out of the weather. You can find great deals on older big blocks since everyone is wanting diesels.

onepieceatatime · Feb 28, 2016

Re:

I got a pickup with a 8.1 and I think it makes a great cheap tow rig. Super reliable, cheap, and more than enough power to pull a rig. I'm heading back from HPO in a 36ft motor home pulling a rig grossing 25k and doing 80 through Kentucky. Yeah they get bad mileage but if you're not towing or driving it a lot I don't think it matters that much. I'd rather pay a little more at the pump then she'll out money for diesel repairs if something goes wrong with them.

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KPatterson · Feb 28, 2016

I`m starting to like the idea of a 2500 Avalanche. You can get one for 8-9k with about 125k miles on them. Seems like a lot of bang for your buck.

slravenel · Feb 29, 2016

for something that isnt getting used a ton and is going to be pulling a single rig...look at the OBS chevy trucks with the 454 in them.

Tough as hell, super cheap (you can get a "nice for its age" truck for under 5-6K all day long), and you can replace the entire thing with off the shelf parts at autozone on the side of the highway.

I used to have a 2500 7.4 suburban and sold it....and I have been giving thought to buying another one soon...I just want 4wd on this one laughing1

Neal3000 · Feb 29, 2016

KPatterson said:
I`m starting to like the idea of a 2500 Avalanche. You can get one for 8-9k with about 125k miles on them. Seems like a lot of bang for your buck.

That would be badass with a 8.1

pholmann · Feb 29, 2016

I have my newer row rig but occasionally I have the need to have multiple things pulled to the same place. Here's the truck I'm building for my wife. It was her dads 78 f100 2wd truck. We are doing a 4wd conversion using super duty axles, 35's, a divorced np205, and an aod trans. Hoping it can pull a camper or boat at least.