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If you had $15K what tow rig would you buy?

Positive Vibes

Elite Explorer
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City, State
Santa Cruz, Ca
Year, Model & Trim Level
'94 XLT
I'm getting rid of my lexus and I was wanting to buy a truck that could tow the X and the Sammy. Also would want to put a pop up camper on the back like Rick has done. The camper would be in the future but I want to keep that in mind. So what would you guys buy or should I save more $$$ and get something else?? This isn't your "ideal tow rig" but something feasible and affordable. Thanks!
 



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You can usually find some smokin' deals on '99 PSD for around $15k. That's what I would do. Or even a mid ninties cummins if you don't mind wearing ear plugs. :D
 






well one good Ford deserves another... why not get one of those new Super Duty F-Series with all the cool tow features. i think they start at around $24K
 






For $15k i would look at 12v Cummins with a manual tranny.
 












Keep 'em coming guys these are the ideas I need so I can start looking.
 












How much do you plan to daily drive it?

Personally, I feel the best tow rigs are either the Dodge Cummins turbo diesel or the Ford Power Stroke Diesel, both with manual transmissions. The automatics behind both engines SUCKED. Stay clear of the older chevy's diesels; I doubt you can find many duramax's diesels in that price range.

You'll want at LEAST a 3/4 ton truck if you plan to run a slide-in camper. The Superduty F250 is the same vehicle as the F350, except for a sticker (yup, that's right, IDENTICAL except for weight ratings). If your a GVW sticker person, find a 1ton truck. Duallies are even better for handling the wieght of a camper.

Diesels are good for 300k to 400k miles, gasser's, anything over 150k I'd be suspect of.

I did find a nice, cheap F350 Superduty with the V10, 6speed in Livermore once.. but the guy didn't take trades, so I had to pass.
 






My mom use to have a '89 4x4 crew cab (single)with the 460. That thing halled ass! You could jump on it and light up the 33" BFG AT's It had a gibson exsaust and a chip in it. It was F-N Killer. She sold it and now has '99 Super Duty 4x4 Crew cab Dully with the Power stroke. It's pretty cool and probbaly woth abuot 15k now. I still mis the old gas 460 though. It really sucked on Gas milage though! :thumbdwn: If I had money I'd try to find a old 70's Crew cab 4x4 and restore it. There was a guy around us that still has one I think. It's on 33's and Canary yellow. It's pretty Bad Ass ;)
 






Thanks people for your advice and input. Well the Lexus may only be worth around $10k so is there anything out there for $10k that is worth the investment. I may just try and save some more cash???
 












So Tom you think that would be a good rig for my purposes (towing and a camper)? All the good deals seem to be back east. Wonder how long of a drive that would be?? Thanks for keeping your eyes open for me.
 






That exact vehicle was just traded in (in another thread on P4x4).

I'm told the best deals are in Texas, and it does appear so from what I've seen.

I would NOT buy a F250 (pre-Superduty) from the 90's, with it's TTB front end. I would buy a F350 w/PSD engine, or a Dodge w/Cummins engine. Chevy? No thanks - I do like chevy engines, I just hate the rest of the vehicle.

2wd vs. 4wd - 2wd means more load capacity, 4wd means less chance of getting stuck someplace.

I've been looking at what my F250 can carry load wise (esp. after dropping 5300 lbs of gravel in the bed), and have found some interesting things, including some upgrades to help it handle loads. Yes, I'm considering a slide-in camper, and finding them to be just PIGS in the size/functionality I want.

The drive from the midwest back to the SFBay area is 2 days (10 hours each day). The drive from Texas back would probably be about the same, and boring as all hell.

Have you looked in Autotrader or other online auto sites?
 






tdavis said:

That truck has been to my house. I know the guy who owns it, and its a nice truck... he takes very good care of it, and he told me when he was at the house (this was about 4 months ago) that there's nothing wrong with it.. I would say get it.

--Ryan
 






CarFreak I think its already gone.

Tom, no I haven't checked the auto trader yet. I'm still considering everyones input. But after your comments it sounds like I've narrowed it down unless anyone else has some thoughts?
 






I'd say post 96 Super Duty. They "bettered" the PSD, it WAS a dog before 95, and also, post 96(?) like stated above is a solid axle front end D60. PLus they've got a strong Tranny. (compared to older models). You can usually get a 2000 or 2001 off ebay for around $10-15K

--Ryan
 






Since you're going to be towing: 12v Cummins.
 






tdavis said:
That exact vehicle was just traded in (in another thread on P4x4).

I'm told the best deals are in Texas, and it does appear so from what I've seen.

I would NOT buy a F250 (pre-Superduty) from the 90's, with it's TTB front end. I would buy a F350 w/PSD engine, or a Dodge w/Cummins engine. Chevy? No thanks - I do like chevy engines, I just hate the rest of the vehicle.

2wd vs. 4wd - 2wd means more load capacity, 4wd means less chance of getting stuck someplace.

I've been looking at what my F250 can carry load wise (esp. after dropping 5300 lbs of gravel in the bed), and have found some interesting things, including some upgrades to help it handle loads. Yes, I'm considering a slide-in camper, and finding them to be just PIGS in the size/functionality I want.

The drive from the midwest back to the SFBay area is 2 days (10 hours each day). The drive from Texas back would probably be about the same, and boring as all hell.

Have you looked in Autotrader or other online auto sites?

Actualy Tom Pre SD there are Light Duty 250's and Heavy Duty 250's
 






Stic-o said:
Actualy Tom Pre SD there are Light Duty 250's and Heavy Duty 250's

Yes that is correct. One was/is based on the "new" F150 frame/body style (like, 1997-1999, then it become the F150/7700LB payload), and the other one was based on the older F250/F350 body style.

I'd avoid both like the plague for towing/camper duty. One is IFS SLA front (the F150/F250LD), the other is TTB. The F350 4x4 is D60 front end, and never was TTB. The dodge 4x4 front end was also a solid axle, I think it was a D60 too (but hubless) The F250/F350 2wd versions was coil spring TTB (pre-superduty).

For the $$$$ my bet is the mid-90's vehicles. The tow rating of F150 was ok, the F250LD was not much better. The Cummins 12V in a dodge would be my first choice (good power, decent truck). The next would be a F350 with PSD (from around 95-98), then a Dodge w/Cummins 24V.

Chances are good, any truck with an automatic you'll be having to pay money to fix the tranny. They all hard problems in that time frame.
 



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Tom your right, all the good deals are in Texas. Can't find crap in Ca.
 






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