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Old 01-19-2021, 11:19 PM   #1
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Recommendations on a used tow vehicle

A couple years ago I bought a 29' travel trailer and an 06 f150. Well come to find out I'm maxing out my trucks tow capacity when my trailer is dry. So it really doesn't like it when the trailer has all my stuff in it. I live in it full time so I don't move it often. But the truck has turned into a money pit and I'm ready for something new, used but new to me. Can anyone give me some advice on a good tow vehicle that can handle 8,000lbs that I should be able to find around $10,000 give or take a few $1,000? I've been looking at crossovers and SUVs and I would prefer 4wd or awd verses 2wd.
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Old 01-19-2021, 11:59 PM   #2
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Well forget about the crossovers. Your going to need a full size SUV or a half ton+ truck. Skip the “tow rating “ and look at the payload numbers. You will need a well equipped suburban/Tahoe/expedition. If you don’t move it much and really want a crossover, get a crossover and just rent a 3/4ton truck whenever you need to move it.
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Old 01-20-2021, 01:54 AM   #3
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Humm - to tow a 8,000lb trailer.

If you need a daily driver, maybe try a newer 2011 F-150 when Ford introduced new more powerful engines. Prior to 2011 Ford engines were terrible. I would pick a 2011 F-150 with the 5.0 Coyote engine. I think I would stay away from the early Eco-Boost engines. 8,000lbs will max out any F-150, Ram 1500, GM 1500.

But if you don't move much I would try hard to stay with a half ton truck.

If you don't care what fuel economy you get then a 2011 F-250 with the 6.2 litre boss gas engine.

Another option would be a Nissan Titan XD. The XD is a lot different than the normal Nissan Titan. You will want the XD to tow 8,000lbs

The GM 2500 series trucks with the 6.0 litre gas engine is reliable. This is a good option. GM used a much improved stiffer frame starting in 2011.

Ram 2500 series trucks with the 5.7 litre hemi would also be a option. In 2013 Ram started using a more powerful 6.4 litre hemi in their 2500 series trucks.

One thing to think about - would a 2WD truck work if it had a locking rear differential?
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Old 01-20-2021, 04:40 AM   #4
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The suggestions tuff are good. The 6.0 Chevy and 5.7 dodge usually sell for cheap. Staying near 10k for your truck will be a challenge.
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Old 01-20-2021, 08:44 AM   #5
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get the lowest mileage 3/4 ton truck you can buy within your budget. An 8,000 lb, 29' trailer is beyond what I'd tow with any 1/2 ton pickup......in fact, faced with the same decision I have decided its best to stick with a 3/4 ton for my 7,100 GVWR, 25' trailer.

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Old 01-20-2021, 05:59 PM   #6
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Fyi - I checked car gurus: Nationwide

I did find a few Dodge (yes Dodge) Rams 2500 trucks years 2006 and 2007 that were $9,000 - $17,000.

Chevy trucks the same years were more than Dodge as I expected. $12,000 - $25,000.

You might need to hang onto the ole F-150 or spend a lot of time looking for a diamond in the rough and be ready to jump on it if found.

Use Car.Gurus.com to help find a truck. I have the car guru app on my phone

I really don't know that much about trucks prior to 2011 when I started towing a travel trailer then a big(ish) 5 the wheel in 2012.
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Old 01-20-2021, 06:53 PM   #7
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Easy to find a truck in price range. https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/1FTNW21S0YEB74729
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Old 01-20-2021, 08:43 PM   #8
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Thanks everyone for the advice. Now I have a direction to look in. Before I was in cargurus looking through the trucks and looking up each trucks info I thought might work. Very time consuming especially not knowing what the different trims mean, xl, xlt, s, ect. As for keeping the f150 I have, I've put more than 3x what I paid for it into it and have only had it for 3 years. The majority of the coming from replacing the engine right after buying it. Since then it's been one thing after another with the current issue being my flex plate slipping when I try and start it. Not to mention the various electrical issues going on. I want to sell it before i have to replace the transmission or something as costly.

Thanks again.
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Old 01-20-2021, 08:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuffr2 View Post
Humm - to tow a 8,000lb trailer.

If you need a daily driver, maybe try a newer 2011 F-150 when Ford introduced new more powerful engines. Prior to 2011 Ford engines were terrible. I would pick a 2011 F-150 with the 5.0 Coyote engine. I think I would stay away from the early Eco-Boost engines. 8,000lbs will max out any F-150, Ram 1500, GM 1500.

But if you don't move much I would try hard to stay with a half ton truck.

If you don't care what fuel economy you get then a 2011 F-250 with the 6.2 litre boss gas engine.

Another option would be a Nissan Titan XD. The XD is a lot different than the normal Nissan Titan. You will want the XD to tow 8,000lbs

The GM 2500 series trucks with the 6.0 litre gas engine is reliable. This is a good option. GM used a much improved stiffer frame starting in 2011.

Ram 2500 series trucks with the 5.7 litre hemi would also be a option. In 2013 Ram started using a more powerful 6.4 litre hemi in their 2500 series trucks.

One thing to think about - would a 2WD truck work if it had a locking rear differential?
What would you recommend for a 2wd with locking differentials?
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Old 01-20-2021, 08:50 PM   #10
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99-07 gas super dutys are usually dirt cheap and will pull that no problem.
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Old 01-20-2021, 09:15 PM   #11
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https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

2014 Ford F250 XL.
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Old 01-21-2021, 12:45 AM   #12
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That 2014 looks like it would work. The 6.2/6speed is supposed to be a very reliable combination. Of course with a truck with that many miles, you don’t really know the history, and don’t know exactly what repairs will be needed. One thing for sure is that truck would pull your trailer no problem!
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Old 01-21-2021, 08:31 AM   #13
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In Ford trucks you have trim levels of XL (which is a Work Truck) XLT, Lariat, King Ranch in the years you will be looking at.
XL being the more base model. And XLT with the XLT ultimate package wouid be a nice truck.

Agree that Car Gurus is very time consuming. Take a look at cars.com. I think that might work out better.

I do not know as much about Ram and GM trucks trim levels but they are ok trucks also. A GM 2500 truck will have a reliable 6.0 litre gas engine and Ram will have a 5.7 hemi engine. They will be more powerful than the old Ford F-250's with the 5.4 Tident engine.

And just an FYI a 1/2 ton truck weighs about 5,200lbs and a 3/4 ton truck will weigh 7,200lbs.

I have watched videos of 2WD trucks with a locking rear differential vs dumb 4x4 trucks (with open axles) and came away impressed with 2WD/w locking rear diff. I am thinking all 2WD GM 2500 HD trucks will have a locking rear diff. Most Ford F-250 2WD trucks will have a locking rear diff. I do know more current 2WD Rams 2500 trucks use a limited slip rear axle. I do not know the older Ram 2WD trucks.
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Old 01-21-2021, 10:19 AM   #14
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Our 05 dmax 2wd we had at work didnt have the rear locker. That truck would light up that one rear tire rolling at 50. Way too much power for one wheel peal.
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