Picking a tow vehicle/field trip mobile...

[Riverman]

I had a Chevy 6.0 gas and it would lug down climbing the long interstate hills, while towing my travel trailer.

I replaced it with a 5.9 Cummins diesel and it will climb any hill now. What a huge difference.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Horsepower has little to do with towing a heavy load.

 

[Redbearded]

This is kinda interesting even though the mileage is high.

Link

 

[Redbearded]

Looks like this one was a fire chiefs truck I bet it was very well maintained, unless he was an ass, lol.
Very tempting!

 

[B and C]

Listing deleted already. Might have been a cream puff.

 

[Redbearded]

Looks like I grabbed an old listing here is a new one

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/1k-lower-tiv-2003-chevy/6500617014.html

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Looks like I grabbed an old listing here is a new one

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/1k-lower-tiv-2003-chevy/6500617014.html

JD approved. LOL

As you look at all these, you do not talk about which would meet your needs the best.

Pickup/Van/SUV/Cargo truck-flatbed???

WHat are your needs?

The SUV is great because on date night with couples, it is a comfy beast for 6 people...or 9 smaller people.
 Unless you are bringing a ATV with you, I don't see the advantage in a cargo flatbed.
Have you worked this out?

 

[Redbearded]

I just need it to pull the trailer, lol. I figure I have plenty of room in the trailer for about anything given that so far it's just me and the dog I am pretty flexible as to the layout of the vehicle, but I want something that if I need to I could drive for 800 miles in an emergency. I'm only 36 so that is about anything I can fit into, lol (I'm on the far end of the horizontally gifted spectrum, so needs to have room to put the seat back a bit).

I can outfit about any vehicle with whatever I decide I need later (solar, bed, mobile garage, etc). I figure 4x4 and towing a the trailer while not breaking down is a good start

 

[Redbearded]

JD, I keep falling down the hole, lol. Just found this one, http://www.2040-cars.com/chevrolet/...l-whipple-supercharged-550-hp-lowered-411234/

It's not yellow, lol. Plus if I'm lucky I can get the MPG down to like 6, lol. I may even blow a transmission which would be a nice excuse to drop in a manual!!!! Only drawback is that it's so far away, and 2wd... I kinda like the idea of sitting on an ostrich though, lol.

It would cost 1500 to ship it out to CA, and it looks like the supercharger on it is approved for emissions out here

 

[highdesertranger]

I surely hope you are joking? highdesertranger

 

[Redbearded]

I'm only kinda joking, lol. I think I have a flair for the dramatic/eccentric in my vehicles. At this point the choice is between a yellow well maintained truck, and a red souped up well maintained truck, lol. The difference in price is not that bad, but it is still 4k, lol. It might be worth it for the lols. Plus if the red supercharged one blew a transmission, I could get what I want and they didn't make which is a manual

I'm just being playful with this stuff, plus it's fun to think outside the cube

I was kinda also considering this type of vehicle for a while http://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/L...0,c|3467,mode|2&rr=0.33333&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
It would get about 8mpg, but it may be worth it, lol.

 

[RepublicOfTXPatriot]

Stay away from a Ford anything with a V10 (they blow the spark plug out of the cylinder head). I would shy from a 6.0 too..unless you know every detail they did to "bulletproof" it. I had a 2005 F250 with a 6.0. And g/f had a V10 in her ride years ago. Both of them about killed me financially (or should I say the Three of them if you count her..lol..jjk). Also you can consider air bag helper suspension in the rear for extra payload. I have some on my F350. They are easy to install, not too expensive, can let air out if you not going anywhere with towable, you'll have better handling , better braking, better fuel mileage using them. This is because you can air them up and bring the truck back up to standard ride height. This is IMHO.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

I was kinda also considering this type of vehicle for a while http://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/L...0,c|3467,mode|2&rr=0.33333&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
It would get about 8mpg, but it may be worth it, lol.

Not only the MPG.
To drive that on the highway, you would need a kidney belt and a lot of patience.
LOL it sure would be fun to bring on the Rubicon. 
      :        

 

[Redbearded]

If I got the one with the dual rear axles I could just mount the airstream on it, lol. It actually has a cargo capacity of 10k, lol.
https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m1083.htm

Then I could use the towing capacity of 20k to bring some diesel for it...

 

[JD GUMBEE]

LOL up tight on the governor @ 58 whopping MPH.

Rubicon material for sure.

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

. Plus it looks to be able to tow 12k. https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/1k-lower-tiv-2003-chevy/6488674732.html

From what I understand you have to deduct the weight of your tow vehicle from your towing capacity to start with.  If your vehicle weighs 6k you are now at 6k towing not 12k.  Then deduct passenger weight and cargo in the tow vehicle, dry trailer weight and trailer hitch weight (which is generally 10% of total cargo weight loaded into the tailer - water, food, toys, etc.)  And you have to make sure your tow vehicle tires can handle the load.
Just check that.  From what I understand the long bed dual axle diesels are the best towers.

 

[user 423]

From what I understand you have to deduct the weight of your tow vehicle from your towing capacity to start with.  If your vehicle weighs 6k you are now at 6k towing not 12k. 

Do you have a source/link for that info?

 

[JD GUMBEE]

I think you may be confusing the laws about the tags/plates...and towing capacity from the manufacturer.
If your tag says (at least in every state I have been registered in) the weight of your rig is "12,000 pounds" then your truck and trailer needs to be 12,000 total or less.
If the manufacturer says "max tow weight: 12,000 pounds" they mean you can tow 12,000 pounds.

 

[John61CT]

What's the GM equivalent of a Ford F350 dually?

 

[highdesertranger]

GM = 3500 dually.

California lets you derate your GVWR on your registration. many people do this because it's cheaper. just don't get caught overweight, it's a very expensive ticket. don't even ask me how I know. highdesertranger