girl needs purchasing advice on tow truck/trailer

[outfox]

OK guys, I got such great advice when I bought my Kubota tractor I'm looking to you again.

I want to purchase an older truck (under $10K) and a gooseneck trailer to haul my tractor and possibly tree and nursery stock.

When it comes to trucks, my hubby is a Chevy man all the way. We have a 1990 Chevy stepside with 230,000 miles on it that still runs like a champ but it's only a 1500 so it isn't up to the job of hauling the tractor.

So.....what are your thoughts on this? I just missed buying a Chevy 3500 Dually with a 454 in it, looked at it yesterday, it sold this morning for $6K, I'm thinking I should have bought it, it was clean with 108,000 of easy towing miles on it, only a bumper pull which would mean lighter loads, right?

Also, there seems to be a big jump in price on the Chevy's between 2000 & 2001 models, is that because of the change in body style or what?

Anyway, bring on the comments, I have searched and can't find ANY material to educate myself on towing capacity, dually vs. single axle, etc. not to mention brand dependability and logevity, so I need HELP!

 

[Diamondpilot]

How much weight are you planning on pulling and do you need or want 4X4? I think the reason you see the big price increase is the newer engines which are more fuel efficient. They also have larger components like brakes, trannys, and tow options. And of course the age of the truck.

Bumper pull does not always mean lighter load. I see plenty of guys around here pulling full size back hoes that weigh 16,000# on pintle trailers that weigh 6,000# behind 1 ton trucks.

First figure out what you want to haul weight wise, then look at what the trailers weight empty. That will give you a idea of how much truck you need. Most older 1 tons have about a 12,000#-14,000# tow limit while some of the newer ones have 16,500#-18,000# tow limit. If you are not using the truck for anything other than towing a few thousand miles a year the big gas engine is a good option. Older diesels are good options also but I would stay away from the GM non D-max engines and would lean toward a Dodge 5.9 Cummins or Ford 7.3 PowerStroke.

Chris

 

[laen64]

I'm a Dodge fan myself and would reccommend the Cummins Deisel it will do it all.
Yes that was a wonderful deal you passed on. However what ever is for you is for you.

 

[LBrown59]

That's sorta what I was asking about here.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/137346-truck-trailer-team.html

OK guys, I got such great advice when I bought my Kubota tractor I'm looking to you again.

I want to purchase an older truck (under $10K) and a gooseneck trailer to haul my tractor and possibly tree and nursery stock.

When it comes to trucks, my hubby is a Chevy man all the way. We have a 1990 Chevy stepside with 230,000 miles on it that still runs like a champ but it's only a 1500 so it isn't up to the job of hauling the tractor.

So.....what are your thoughts on this? I just missed buying a Chevy 3500 Dually with a 454 in it, looked at it yesterday, it sold this morning for $6K, I'm thinking I should have bought it, it was clean with 108,000 of easy towing miles on it, only a bumper pull which would mean lighter loads, right?

Also, there seems to be a big jump in price on the Chevy's between 2000 & 2001 models, is that because of the change in body style or what?

Anyway, bring on the comments, I have searched and can't find ANY material to educate myself on towing capacity, dually vs. single axle, etc. not to mention brand dependability and logevity, so I need HELP!

 

[outfox]

OK, I'm wading thru the referred thread now.

I think that I will really need the 1 ton size because of possilbe future requirements, I DO NOT want to buy another truck 2 years from now, I want to buy the right one this time & be done.

possible future needs:
4 or 6 horse gooseneck trailer
up to 30' goosneck flatbed loaded with trees

Just trying to find out from you guys which year/make/axle configuration/dependability/etc. you like or would suggest

 

[Diamondpilot]

Pulling the loads you are talking about I would look into a Dually Diesel truck. You are talking some serious weight. If you are doing these jobs only a few times a year a gasser will do but kill you on mpg when doing these task.

The problem is for your towing requirements to get something decent you are going to have to spend about 2-3 times your original figure. You can get something cheaper but you will either pay now or pay later. Any of the big 3 have trucks that will do the job but for the money you are wanting to spend I would really look at a older Dodge or Ford with the 5.9 Cummins or 7.3 PowerStroke.

Chris

 

[QRTRHRS]

Pulling the loads you are talking about I would look into a Dually Diesel truck. You are talking some serious weight. If you are doing these jobs only a few times a year a gasser will do but kill you on mpg when doing these task.

The problem is for your towing requirements to get something decent you are going to have to spend about 2-3 times your original figure. You can get something cheaper but you will either pay now or pay later. Any of the big 3 have trucks that will do the job but for the money you are wanting to spend I would really look at a older Dodge or Ford with the 5.9 Cummins or 7.3 PowerStroke.

Chris

What he said. But, do some research. There are websites dedicated to the big three. All have had major model year changes with various problems. None are perfect. A little knowledge can save you a lot of grief.

In your favor: it is a buyers market.

 

[chh]

You have rounded out a heavy work list. If you are not going to tow a lot of miles, a gas engine 1 ton will work and do a good job. A Chevy/GMC with a 454 or a Ford with a 460 or you might find a Ford with the V-10. I am using a 2008 F350 with a V-10 for ranch work and heavy trailering. I don't do a lot of long trips so it works very well and the cost to buy is considerably less than a diesel. As mentioned earlier in the thread older GM diesels where not that great. A 7.3 Ford or a Dodge with a Cummins diesel would be good options. I owned a 97 Dodge for 10 years. Great engine, but it is in a Dodge truck. Body on mine was falling apart, but the engine was still great.
You can still find a lot of older trucks of the type you are asking about locally that basically have been semi-retired and more or less sitting for awhile. Before I would start towing much with one though I would want to have it checked out pretty well by a mechanic I trusted. Especially the brakes. Getting a heavy load moving can be easier than getting it stopped at times.

 

[rdbrumfield]

You might consider one of those cabover Iseki or Izuzus' ? I have heard good things about them. You can find one of those much cheaper I would think. With your kind of business, having a flatbed or being able to put up some sides and a cover would be a plus when moving trees and plants.
The other thing I like about these trucks is that for the bed size they are short. Much easier to back a trailer and to get into places that a conventional truck has trouble in.
I have a 30ft fifthwheel and I am pulling it with a ford 460 5sp. I have replace the motor once.
I am considering taking my 72 fire engine/tanker, pulling the tank off and refitting it with flatbed and fifthwheel. It would give me more space for a few toys and be able to pull anything I would put behind it. No, it wouldn't be the best on gas, but it would do the job, have plenty of braking power. In your case having a nice bed with room for hay or other needs would be nice.

 

[outfox]

I am absolutely NOT going to spend $20-30K, I will do without before I do that. So we are back to the older models and which ones are better.

QRTRHRS, can you point me in the direction of another forum or website with more detailed info on older trucks for towing. I would rather do my research now than spend money making a mistake by buying a model with a history of problems.

Hubby would probably divorce me if I buy a Dodge. Mechanic friend has warned me about diesel repair costs, I do know enough to run away from a Chevy diesel they spell trouble.

Keep the commnents coming.