Community Forums

daddioRick · 08-14-2021, 10:16 AM

I want to tow a bit heavier than my 2006 tundra dbl cab will allow. She is rated at just 6200lbs. More than 4500lbs back there and I can feel it way too much Want to comfortably tow actual weight up to about 7500lbs. Working with a $20k budget what would you recommend in today's used car market? No preference as far as makes and comfortable with appropriate odometer miles. Located in southeast. Thanks in advance

puttin · 08-14-2021, 10:30 AM

Personally I'd try to find a 3/4 ton truck. Anything less than 4 or 5 years old might be tough with your budget though. Do a search for them locally and see what's out there. People want a gold mine for these now.

Roy-c · 08-14-2021, 10:44 AM

as has already been said 3/4 ton but a lightly used, dependable unit in that price range may ( read " most likely " ) be a tough find.

tuffr2 · 08-14-2021, 12:36 PM

I would seriously look at a Nissan Titan XD. This truck has a longer wheelbase and a thicker frame. Not sure how long Nissan used a 7 speed but now they use a 9 speed. TFL Truck liked the way it handles a bigger trailer over the F-150. The Nissan Titan XD comes with 4,900lb capacity rear axle, LT tires, and more towing stuff.

A lot more difficult to find is a F-150 with the HDPP option. This truck, like the Nissan Titan XD has a unique thicker frame and extra long wheelbase. The extra long wheelbase really helps control the trailer. But again, this truck is difficult to find. The F-150 HDPP (Heavy Duty Payload Package) comes with a 4,800lb. capacity rear axle and LT tires.

daddioRick · 08-14-2021, 12:45 PM

Thanks folks .. seems consensus is gasser... Would love a diesel but here in SC 90% used market diesels are Ford's with 6.0 or 6.1 diesels... All the talk of bulletproofing scares me off... Never thought of Nissan though I otherwise love my Tundra. Folks tell me tundra properly equipped rated max 10k but I suspect that is more a marketing number. Thanks again. The search continues...

tuffr2 · 08-14-2021, 01:18 PM

Those big towing numbers are 110% marketing.

A comfortable towing experience for the and 150/1500 series truck including the Tundra and Nissan normal titan is about 6,000 and maybe 6,500lbs.

The two trucks mentioned before - Nissan Titan XD and F-150 HDPP are good to about 8,000lbs

I would look for an old 2011 or newer F-250 with the 6.2 Boss gasoline engine or an older Nissan Titan XD.

Dave Pelletier · 08-14-2021, 02:45 PM

Do yourself a favor and just get a 3/4 ton gasser in good condition, 7500 lbs is well into 3/4 ton territory IMO and you'll have a much easier time finding one than some specially equipped half ton that still won't tow as well. 2 cents

Dave

KD4UPL · 08-14-2021, 05:49 PM

A GM 2500 truck with the 6.0 gas engine is about as simple and reliable as you can get. The engine and entire drivetrain are well proven. The difference in towing with a 2500 is significant. The frame, axles, brakes, springs, U-joints, etc. are all bigger and stronger.

xc-mark · 08-15-2021, 04:30 AM

in your price range a 5 year old 3/4 ton is your best bet. Find a good clean southern truck that is rust free with a reasonable amount of miles , I have a few buddies that pushed the newer GM trucks past 400,000 miles on the original motors.