Used truck to tow with trailer\tractor 7K#

[Highbeam]

Sorry Lbrown, I thought we were talking about 3/4 ton and up full size trucks and not toyotas. I have not seen a crew cab long bed toyota.

I will agree with Alan that even though my empty driving mileage is really good at upper teens to just over 20, if I tow 7000 lbs the mileage drops to 10-11 which is no better than his 460 and we both know that the 460 is more capable. BTW I tow with a chevy 350 from 1998 in a half ton truck.

Oh on duallies, it is not just the capacity, stability, and durability but also the availability. It seems that the duallies are less in demand so your purchase price should be lower. I have never driven one and wouldn't want one for daily driving in town. However, my trailer is as wide as a dually so the width would be no trouble plus the truck's rear tires would plow snow for the trailer tires.

 

[jayhaitch]

"I would definetly go big block in whatever you get. I get around 10 mpg pulling heavy, about 12 or so empty / pulling light."

With a 460? That blows me away! I get around 11-13 US mpg city driving and ~18 US mpg pure highway in my 2001 5.4 Expedition. It drops to ~15mpg with the overdrive off towing my boat. It has an always at the ready instant 4WD lock up feature, without the ability to leave it in 2WD alone, so I assume the worse milage is due to the transfer case always being turned waiting for the electric clutch to lock up the moment the computer senses rear wheel spin. My Expedition weighs 5300 lbs curb weight.

 

[777777]

Hi,

Yup, Canuk and no 4wd anymore. Been there, done that, didn't like some of the repair bills even though toughened up a bit. Of course was a bit of off roading involved. Also found gas mileage less even when not in 4 wheeling.
Will be doing things at my own rate, own time frames so no rush. Snow, well can wait for a day for roads to clear so not a big deal.

Meet the guidelines in Ontario and actually most provinces. Just kinda towing on my own and should have no problems. May pass thru Quebec customs to avoid some tax. Loads will only be 1 way so rest will be dead heading.
Will be making sure safe with brake controllers, and anything else I can think of to make it easy.
As I said, prefer deisel but not the repairs and don't have the expertise. Stick to gas and get a big block for the torque. Just saw a Chevy 2500 with a 454 and heavy duty package so going back to look it over. Older truck but looked like ok shape.
I find that pricing goes Dodge as most expensive, Ford next and Chevy the least. Got a bit of time so going to be looking hard but figure will be a Chevy or Ford, 3/4 but would prefer 1 ton. Only cheaper Dodges I see are the V10's and that is why I wondered about reliability. Ford V10's also seem to go a little less price wise.

You guys have a wealth of experience and I appreicate your sharing it with me. Will keep you up to date as to how it goes.

Have a great evening and thanks again.

Tom

 

[Bill_C]

Well, as far as diesel repairs, I've got 104 K miles on mine without engine repairs, and expect to go another 100 or 200k without any engine work.

And as far as measuring my bed...it's been "measured" many times with 4' x 8' sheets of plywood laying flat between the wheel wells and the tailgate closed. Yep, it's a full size 8 foot bed, with the extended Supercab. Of course, this is a Ford, not a Toyota....

For me, one advantage of this diesel is the turbo. At high altitudes, I don't lose power like a normally-aspirated gas (or NA diesel) engine would.

 

[777777]

Hi Again,

Can I just clarify a couple of little things.

Long bed or short bed recommended and why ?

How much of a " towing " advantage is there with 4wd ? Stronger better frame or is just the 4wd can get you out of some awkward spots.

Thanks

Tom

 

[jayhaitch]

Bed length has a few pros & cons.

Long bed:

Pros: longer wheelbase means better ride, less hobby-horsing, which is why luxury cars were all really long in the old days before all the modern high tech suspension wizardry was invented. Longer wheelbase is more stable, better straight line tracking, less sensitive to steering input as the steering gear ratio is unchanged with bed length. Enough bed length to install an auxillary tank and still have hauling space left.

Cons: less manueverable, which may or may not be an issue depending on how and where you're manuevering your trailer. A bit more sensetive to cross winds. Heavier, though not a huge difference.

Of course, all this depends on configuration. Extended cab/short box is around the same length as reg cab/long box.

There is no frame strengthening for a 4x4 model AFAIK, only sturdier suspension bits. Not a big deal for OTR towing as you're planning. The advantage is more traction in snow. I assume you're not off-road trailering

 

[jwstewar]

The advantage is more traction in snow. I assume you're not off-road trailering

But would he ever have to go back through a field to a barn to load a piece of equipment up? Even a little dew on grass can make it pretty slick.

 

[AlanB]

My thoughts from my experiences.

4X4 is darn sure nice when you have to get off the hardball, and as jwester just said, I can visualize it quite easily from what was described as the task at hand. Nor normally, but it does not take too many times of having to get towed out of somewhere to realize it would sure be nice to have 4X4 available. That said, in our mowing business and bike riding, I have probably had to pull my F250 2wd out 10 times where it was stuck and I thought I would be able to drive right through. It is the gettingist stuck vehicle I have ever owned..... When I hook it too the bike trailer, my 10 year old asks if we are getting stuck again and can we take a different truck.

Long bed, may not be an issue, but I believe, (not fully knowledgable) that there are some issues with Goosnecks, 5th wheels and short beds. Although I think a gooseneck would actually be better in a short bed. May not ever be an issue for you as I think you said you were going bumper pull, but I would at least ask the question at a camper place or such. It may not be a decision maker, but it would certainly not be a bad bit of info to know.

 

[777777]

Hi All,

Thanks so very much. Your wise guidance has certainly made some of my decisions a little easier and made me think about some things that I really hadn't. For convenience\comfort ( something I must admit I really hadn't thought about, now figure on an extended cab, short box. Still staying away from goose neck and deisel.
Will check with a trailer place just to make sure I am completely on track. Probably should have though of that myself.

Really appreciate your input. When you think you have thought it all out, better ask some questions of those who know as I have certainly found out.

Have a great long weekend everyone and thanks again.

Tom

 

[Highbeam]

I have had this chevy 4x4 for all but 26 of its 150000 miles. I have used 4x4 on many occasions while towing. It is not when trying to tow a trailer through muddy backroads up to the top of a snow packed mountain. It is the stupid little grassy hills with a little bit of dew or yesterdays rain on them. When towing off of pavement I go slowly, you don't want to go barreling through the grass. As soon as one wheel slips you stop. I have the OEM locking rear diff which really helps but engagement of a locker is a little harsh and I would rather press the little 4x4 button to keep things smooth and easy.

The other time 4x4 is pleasant is when driving on washboarded gravel roads. The 4x4 actually prevents your wheels from slipping and making the truck buck as much.

If you were strictly pavement pounding OTR hauling then 2wd would do the job. If you think this truck will ever venture off the aspahlt then I would really really go for 4wd. You don't really need a fire extinguisher if you don't think you'll ever catch on fire. A little extreme example, but bottom line is to be prepared.

I think even semi trucks have two drive axles, right? The front end is dead though.