Used truck to tow with trailer\tractor 7K#

[777777]

Hi,

So if you were looking to buy a used truck, that would not break the bank, to tow a tractor on trailer that would weight " up to " 7000lbs, what would you look at. Year doesn't really matter but let's try to keep it under 1999 model year to try and keep more reasonable in price. This would be a tempory solution for maybe 18-24 months and then could upgrade

Issues are price, safety, ability to tow. Price is almost as big an issue as safety.
Make is not an issue.
Gas or diesel but diesel ups purchase price but a bunch and gas could be serviced by me or my buddies.

Consider would start out towing up to 2000 miles once per month, after a few months up to 2000 miles every 2 weeks.

Do you start looking in the " 2 " series like Chevy 2500, Dodge 2500 or Ford 250 ?
Or do you look at the "3" series ? Duallies ( if yes why ).

When you start looking at pickups, you see that then Chevy 2500 and 3500 series seem the most inexpensive. At least less expensive than the Dodge or Ford.

Any thoughts ?

Thanks

 

[Bird]

Yes, personally I'd be looking at the "2" series as you call them; i.e., 3/4 ton trucks. You can tow that much weight behind most half ton trucks, but it's certainly more comfortable with the 3/4 ton. And the one ton dually is even more stable and better tow rig, but is actually a bit of overkill for that much trailer.

Until I moved back to town nearly 4 years ago, I had an old 1981 F250 Ford standard cab with the 351 V-8 and 3-speed automatic that towed a 6' x 16' trailer just fine, sometimes with my B2710 and implements on it.

Like you said, diesel is even better, but will cost more. And when it comes to gas powered pickups, I'm one of those who has owned Fords, Chevys, and Dodges (never owned a GMC, but that's only a coincidence). I'd buy any of them; just depending on the price, condition, and how they're equipped.

 

[LBrown59]

Hi,

So if you were looking to buy a used truck, that would not break the bank, to tow a tractor on trailer that would weight " up to " 7000lbs, what would you look at. Year doesn't really matter but let's try to keep it under 1999 model year to try and keep more reasonable in price. This would be a tempory solution for maybe 18-24 months and then could upgrade

Issues are price, safety, ability to tow. Price is almost as big an issue as safety.
Make is not an issue.
Gas or diesel but diesel ups purchase price but a bunch and gas could be serviced by me or my buddies.

Consider would start out towing up to 2000 miles once per month, after a few months up to 2000 miles every 2 weeks.

Do you start looking in the " 2 " series like Chevy 2500, Dodge 2500 or Ford 250 ?
Or do you look at the "3" series ? Duallies ( if yes why ).

When you start looking at pickups, you see that then Chevy 2500 and 3500 series seem the most inexpensive. At least less expensive than the Dodge or Ford.

Any thoughts ?

Thanks

I don't see where the full size pick ups are what
they're cracked up to be.
Case in point.
I have a 1986 Dodge D 50 import P U that will haul 1400 pounds.
It is a 4 Cyl automatic and weighs 2700 pounds.
I was looking at a new Chevy 1/2 ton pick up.It will only haul 1900 pounds and weighs 4200 pounds.

The Chevy weighs 1500 pounds more than my dodge D 50 but I only gain 500 pounds of payload with it over my D50.To lug the extra 1500 pounds of chevy weight I have to go with a gas guzzling V-8 engine and lug around a bigger bulkier cumbersome vehicle with tires that are much more expensive to replace than they are for my Dodge.
Seems to me the Import Pick Ups are tougher for what they are.
The Chevy is a pretty costly expensive method to haul 500 pounds.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Keep dreaming there buddy, granted it is a Chevy but it is moving an extra ton down the road over the Dodge D50. I'd bet that Chevy handles it's 1900 lbs. better than your D50 handles your 1400 lbs. Think bigger brakes, heavier suspension, heavier axles, etc etc. The day the imports make a truck that wil out tow a real truck (Ford, Dodge, Chevy) it will be a very bad day!

77777 I tow about that weight with my 2006 F-150 supercab 4wd with a 5.4, actually it's closer to about 8000 lbs often but 7000 lbs is about a normal load whenever I have the tractor behind it. Would a 3/4 ton do it better? yes it would, there is no doubt about it it would, with the heavier suspension it would carry the load better, a 3/4 ton will have bigger brakes but my F-150 does it fine. My next truck will be a 3/4 ton, probably not a deisel as I can't justify it.

I'd look for a Dodge with a Cummins, the 360 may be ok but I don't know much about it as a towing rig as I've never been around one. On the Ford's I'd go looking for a Powerstroke, 7.2 IDI (non turbocharged powerstroke), a 460, 351, 5.4 or the V10. In fact I wouldn't completely run away from a 3/4 ton with a 300 I-6, they are hellaciously durable motors and they will lug a full load around as well as an V-8 gasser and some deisels. In a Chevy I'd shy away from a deisel unless it was the Duramax, the 6.2's and 6.5 turbo deisel were junk, you'd be better off with the 350 (5.7L) or the 454.

 

[LeadPoison]

I have a 1996 1500 Dodge Ram with the 360. It is rated to tow 8000 pounds. It's a pretty stout vehichle. Gas mileage on the highway is about 17-18 on flat ground at 82 mph. I get 16 at 74 mph and 18 or so at 82 mph. Don't ask me how but it does. Tested and verified it three times.

The 360 puts out 330 ft. lbs of torque. Gas as expected goes real quick with a load behind it, but it does perform well.

We recently acquired a 10K plus trailer and tractor so we use diesels to pull that one.

 

[RayH]

Wow! 2000-4000 miles a month is alot of towing. Honestly, I dont know anyone that tows their tractor that much. Fuel alone would cost $1000 per month, diesel or not. What in the world are you planning? Im guessing the tractor delivery business?
Anyway, if you were only talking occationally towing I would say a good 1/2ton would be sufficient. With the amount of towing you are doing, you need a 3/4ton minimum. A diesel will be more expensive initially but with the amount of miles you plan, it will pay for itself in the long run, and resale will be better.
Or, if you are lucky enough to find one in decent shape, you could go all out and get a Dodge D50 and be done with it.

 

[roxynoodle]

I would also go with a 3/4 ton, that's a lot of towing.

By the way, on the older Dodge 1500s the 318 engine has a slightly higher towing capacity than the 360 (more torque) and gets slightly better gas mileage. Wish it still been available when I bought my 2003 Dodge because I would have gotten another one.

 

[LBrown59]

.

Keep dreaming there buddy, granted it is a Chevy but it is moving an extra ton down the road over the Dodge D50. I'd bet that Chevy handles it's 1900 lbs. better than your D50 handles your 1400 lbs. Think bigger brakes, heavier suspension, heavier axles, etc etc. The day the imports make a truck that wil out tow a real truck (Ford, Dodge, Chevy) it will be a very bad day!
======
1*1500 pounds of that is it's own weight; so the payload gain is still only 500 pounds.
2*maybe so maybe not but the trade off to gain that little bit is to great for me.
3*My D-50 will already handle more payload per pound of it's weight than the Chevy will handle per pound of it's weight.
As payload increases efficiency decreases.
The more you beef up the truck the lower the ratio of vehicle weight to payload goes.
----->> ......>>>

 

[Spark_man]

For that amount of towing, you'll be much happier with a 3/4 ton diesel from Chevy/GMC, Dodge or Ford. Period.

 

[AlanB]

For that amount of towing (I am assuming highway) then I would definetely look at a diesel. I would also look at a 1 ton if If I was going to be near that weight for that distance regularly.

I would go Dodge Diesel if I was looking for an earlier truck, Ford 2nd and I would not take an earlier Chevy or GMC diesel.

The only problem I have with the diesels is that when they break, and they will break, bring the checkbook!

We currently have a 96 F250 that we tow a 16' open mowing trailer with regularly (daily) around town (460 gas) and it is fine for that, but guessing from your post you are looking at OTR driving.

I am looking at a dually for myself for the extra stability when towing the bigger trailers.

Good luck, I keep looking and have not found one yet where condition vs price was something I could live with yet.