What tow truck?

mikemounlio · Oct 21, 2014

I am looking for a cheap tow truck. I would like to have a cab with back seats to take friends and or extra clothes and a cooler or whatever. I will be pulling a buggy that is about 3300 pounds on a 1700 pound trailer. Mabye have an side by side ever so often as well. So i would need 5000 pound towing or mabye 6000 pound.

What would be a nice truck for the job? Again im going for cheap so mid 90's mabye ($3000-3500$)

zukimaster · Oct 21, 2014

there is a dude with a 2500 ext cab 4x4 in the for sale section for 4000

mikemounlio · Oct 21, 2014

I dont know crap about trucks. The truck i buy will be used to pull my buggy on the weekends, and mabye moving simple stuff from time to time. So itll be used only when towing most of the time. i wont daily drive it at all.

mikemounlio · Oct 21, 2014

I have been looking on craigslist for mid 90 early 2000 basic trucks like f150 1500 z71. would something like that work for me?

slravenel · Oct 21, 2014

since you arent looking to DD it... and dont need anything fancy; i would look into mid-late 90's gasser Chevy's

You can get a 2500 with the big block and 4L80E all day for under 5K. Gas mileage wont be the best (I got about 8-10 in my 96 2500 suburban) but it will pull a house down and it was REAL cheap to buy and even cheaper to fix.

Since you are needing it for tow only duty, i would get something bigger than an f150...but thats just me.

TacomaJD · Oct 21, 2014

99 model 2500 burban with the 454BB on CL right now with only 75k miles in immaculate shape I would like to have, for $6,500. Worth every dime of that.

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4697486015.html

TacomaJD · Oct 21, 2014

Another one in great condition with a new motor for $6,000

http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4708000396.html

I want one of these to use as a camping machine.

untchabl · Oct 21, 2014

Another vote for a 3/4 or 1 ton gasser. I personally agree with JD and would go with a big block Suburban. I pull my buggy with a 1/2 ton Burban and it does ok. For how much $ I've got in it, it's great. The girlfriend and I really like being able to camp in it. All the stuff stays in the truck, can crank up the heat or a/c if needed and all we gotta do is load up the buggy when it's time to leave since there is no tent to pack up.

TacomaJD · Oct 21, 2014

untchabl said:
All the stuff stays in the truck, can crank up the heat or a/c if needed and all we gotta do is load up the buggy when it's time to leave since there is no tent to pack up.

That is EXACTLY why I want one. I have a crew cab 2500HD with the 6.0 gasser in it, and have contemplated a camper shell, but I want access to heat, a/c, radio, and just the cab in general.

untchabl · Oct 21, 2014

Here is mine

TBItoy · Oct 21, 2014

I think any mid 90s ford or Chevy 3/4 or 1 ton gas burner will fit your bill.

A good friend of mine bought a 91 f250 351w 5spd 4x4 for $1700 and it pulled just as good and got the same mileage as the new 2005 Chevy 2500hd 6.0 gas I had at the time...

onepieceatatime · Oct 22, 2014

1/2 ton would pull your buggy just fine. Mine pulls my 1 ton jeep around great i get 10-12 towing and 17-20 empty on the highway. You can find a decent one cheap and get a cheap camper shell. I always thought they were for pawpaw trucks but I put one on mine this year and I love keeping my **** dry and sleeping in it. Hoping to make it a little nicer inside next year. Also look for the L33 HO 5.3 motor in a half ton, thats what mine has and theyre awesome. Got a little bit more power than the regular 5.3. Pretty confident mine would pull a hill side by side with a 6.0 gasser and get better mileage doing it.

yankster · Oct 22, 2014

If the ever make a Duramax suburban they won't be able to keep them on the lots.

TBItoy · Oct 22, 2014

Re: Re: Re: What tow truck?

onepieceatatime said:
1/2 ton would pull your buggy just fine. Mine pulls my 1 ton jeep around great i get 10-12 towing and 17-20 empty on the highway. You can find a decent one cheap and get a cheap camper shell. I always thought they were for pawpaw trucks but I put one on mine this year and I love keeping my **** dry and sleeping in it. Hoping to make it a little nicer inside next year. Also look for the L33 HO 5.3 motor in a half ton, thats what mine has and theyre awesome. Got a little bit more power than the regular 5.3. Pretty confident mine would pull a hill side by side with a 6.0 gasser and get better mileage doing it.

I agree on the power/mileage BUT

A half ton will go through brakes/transmissions/rear ends faster than a comparable 3/4 or 1 ton,

And since he is specifically wanting a tow rig, I'd stick to a heavier truck