What to use to tow?

rooftrussman · Nov 18, 2007

I have a 4000# tractor(includes BH and FEL). I need to transport it about 100 miles every once in a while. It's about $ 300 to hire it done. I'm close to retiring(soon as my wife lets me) and figure the best arrangement for a 2 car family is a little high mileage car and a big (good for towing, carrying several people) vehicle. The little car gets most of the miles. We probably could survive with one car so the big one wouldn't get used much. It's been a while since I've owned anything big and am out of touch with models etc. Trailers seem to be easy to find for that weight requirement. SUV seems like the obvious choice (w/70 or 80K miles) but do I need an Expedition sized one or are there Explorer type that are sturdy enough to work. Ford isn't necessarily the only kind, it's just the one I can remember names of. Cheap would be nice. Is a tow package necessary on any of these or are some able to handle it without upgrades? Any thoughts or guidance would be a help. Thanks

asylum575 · Nov 18, 2007

Well, considering your situation as normally a one car family and the "big vehicle" only for occassional use for towing and people moving. I'd consider a full sized pickup in either an extended cab or crew cab. We here on the board believe that pickup trucks and tractors are equally useful and necessary. Ask around. Once you have a full size truck, it's hard to imagine life without one. There are plenty of choices and trim levels in trucks. If you are really going to have it for occassional use, you can get a "Work Truck" trim level to do what you want. With a 4000# TLB plus occasional extras, you'll need a dual axle 7000# trailer. Not many SUVs can "legally" pull that. The ones that do are larger with bells and whistles, in other words expensive. I'm partial in GM, so that's what I'm familiar with. I've priced out a brand new 2007 Silverado with a sticker of $28500 for $22500, that's including a $3500 rebate. If you have a GM card with points, even lower. The rebates may be going up soon. You would be hard pressed to find a SUV that can pull 7000# under $30000. Consider it. If you never saw yourself in a pickup, go check one out. They have come a long way.

Diamondpilot · Nov 18, 2007

I agree that a half-ton truck is what you need. You can pick up a good used F-150 4 wheel drive truck with 40,000 miles or less for around $18,000. A truck goes hand and hand with a little tractor like yours. I would get something with a factory tow package. Just putting a hitch on a truck is ok for a light load but a tow package usually have tranny cooler, lower gear ratios, pre-wired for brakes and trailer lights, ect.

Chris

hemiguy · Nov 22, 2007

Yes, to haul a 4000# TLB (same as what I have) you need a tandem axle, 7000# GVW trailer. They usually weigh 1500-2000# empty and need brakes on at least one of the axles. As the others have said, to tow that (farther than the end of your street) you need either a 1/2 ton PU or one of the largest SUV's. The SUV can transport 5-7 people but is going to cost way more than a basic PU truck. I'd even say if you went for a basic regular cab PU and didn't need 4x4 you could find a nice used one for as little as $10,000. What ever tow vehicle you get will need a V8 motor, and yes, will need a tow package (auto transmission cooler, frame mount receiver hitch , and trailer brake controller and wiring)

For the other vehicle, nice midsize sedans (4-5 seaters) can get 25-35 mpg or maybe consider a 7 passenger minivan most of which get around 20-25mpg. Any PU truck or large SUV will get no better than 10-16 MPG.
Good luck.

davitk · Nov 22, 2007

I have a '99 Ram 1500 2WD extended cab long bed with the 360 and tow package . I just recently sold a '99 Suburban 1500 4WD with the 350 and tow package, 127K in excellent condition, for 6,000.00. The Suburban was 200% nicer in every way - 16 mpg vs 13 mpg, nicer, quiter ride, handled better with/without a trailer, much more torque and stability all around. If I needed a vehicle that sat in the garage most of the time, and was called out just for hunting, snow, pulling a trailer, etc., that would be it.

Don't even consider a Explorer-sized SUV, the short wheelbase creates the tail-wagging-the dog feeling.

And by buying used, the tow package adds very little, if anything, to the cost of the vehicle (trust me, try trading one in to a dealer once!). Good luck and happy shopping.

Egon · Nov 22, 2007

Suburban or a P/U.

An older P/U in decent shape may be the cheapest way to go.

rutwad · Nov 22, 2007

Not making a recommendation for or against it, but I had a 2004 Ford Ranger rated to tow 5500 lbs. and I think the new ones are rated up to 6000lbs if properly equipped.

I think the Ranger is one of the only compact trucks still made. A mid-size Tacoma or dakota should tow more. These are just some ideas to broaden your search so you are not limited to full size trucks/suv's.

WTA · Nov 22, 2007

I wouldn't recommend and explorer, ranger or even a newer F-150 for towing anything. My older F-150 with the 5 litre and trailer towing package as fine but these newer 4.6 and 5.4 engines irritate me past my breaking point way too often. Just get the motor wet and you'll see what I mean. If it's got that aluminum rear diff, or front one too, you better really watch out for water puddles! Boy I got sick of rebuilding them things! As much as I hate dodges I'd sooner recommend one of them for towing. Just change the oil often.

I'm trying to figure out what kind of trailer to get for towing my tractor too. My truck can handle it. It's a 97 F-250 with the powerstroke. My tractor weights right at 9000 pounds by itself though. It's a new NH TD95D. I'm scared a trailer that can take it safely will be way over my weight limit. I haul a 16000 pound loaded horse trailer all the time with this truck and it drives great. It can't take a lot more though since that tractor will be getting hauled on a 12 hour trip and through a couple of mountain ranges.

bigdad · Nov 22, 2007

rooftrussman,

I get about the same milage with my F150 4X4 w/tow package, 4.6 than my wife gets with her Cherokee 4.0. My point ..... With $3.00 to $4.00 gas you're not going save anything with an SUV.

Like the other fellas stated, a tow package is essential. I read recently that adding all of the stuff needed for a tow package to an existing vehicle is cost prohibitive. Look for one with the factory installed option. Get something that will let you tow your equipment with confidence and above all, something that insures yours and others personal safety.

I pull a 7k tandem trailer with the F150 and wouldn't think of pulling it with anything smaller.

Best of luck BD