Tow machine instead of a pickup.

[JD GUMBEE]

I wonder how many people looking at a 5th wheel would consider something like this instead of a pickup?
4X4 and four doors would be pretty nice.
For less than $5K in fabrication expense, this could be a nice tow machine.

https://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucitsrh/?sl=6EFFFI18635002
(link leads to an auction truck)


With a big TT, you could have a cargo body with ramps that would not only carry a small car...but everything one would need for camping as well.

 

[Rolling BnB]

I wonder how many people looking at a 5th wheel would consider something like this instead of a pickup?

How about this?  You'd need quite the set of fold out steps, but hey...

 

[safarivan]

How about this?  You'd need quite the set of fold out steps, but hey...

Ive seen something like this but it was an old UHaul box body the guy converted on the bed but I dont know if it was just being transported somewhere or if it was his tilt bed it was on.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Class 5, 6, and 7 trucks make excellent trailer toters...in fact Chevy is re-entering this market with a line of 'medium duty' trucks.

https://www.trucks.com/2018/03/07/chevrolet-silverado-medium-duty-trucks/

It's funny to me that the terms 'medium duty' and 'heavy duty' are always relative.

For example, an F-250 is a heavy duty pickup, but in the spectrum of commercial trucking, an F-250 is very light duty.

 

[eDJ_]

There is a large Mall not too far from where I live and it has a huge parking lot.   Sales Rep's and Vendors call on the stores there and in recent years I notice that they don't use the typical Class A's as they once did.  Now days
they are living on the road carrying a trailer full of samples and their rigs are designed to "wine and dine" the customers that they call on. 

So the equipment that they have gone with is more of an RV built on Truck  frames where they have the benefits of Truck grade machinery that can stand up to constant travel with lower breakdown ratios.

So,  if one really wanted to travel the Diesel would stand up to the challenge and Truck (if it could be had reasonably at auction prices) may be the way to go.   Otherwise traveling in the Vans on the 2-2-2 system may be the better way.

 

[John61CT]

Nice Truck, with a capital T!

Do they still pull those big payloads with a gas engine?

I'm trying to avoid diesel, but would love something that could (very infrequently, and keeping speed under 50 is OK) safely pull 13-15k lbs

Yes going to 5th wheel if necessary.

 

[John61CT]

Chevy is re-entering this market with a line of 'medium duty' trucks.

https://www.trucks.com/2018/03/07/chevrolet-silverado-medium-duty-trucks/

> General Motors returned to the medium-duty market after a decade-long hiatus with the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD chassis cab trucks

Is that 10-year gap just for the Silverado line, or that duty-range type truck in general?

What should I consider looking for best value between 2010 and now?

Or should I look at 2009 or earlier only? Hard to imagine many low-mileage units are around that old. . .

 

[Motrukdriver]

Nice tug. Might have to do some mods for 5th wheel height. Says the bed wood is rotten so I'd probably take the entire bed off and make it a dedicated tug with a series of locking boxes for your storage.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

I'd probably take the entire bed off and make it a dedicated tug with a series of locking boxes for your storage.

That's where the $5K would come in.
(Of course, all that would really do, is get the wood replaced with diamond deck and a few tool boxes.)

Good points on the height.

Might have to adjust that also, but I would like to find out if a tire change would be enough. Might have to dig into the frame to lower the hitch point, which would make it pricey.

Also, think about a nice class C that had been totaled in a front end wreck. Lots of them have a perfect camper from the cab-back.
If you took the time to lengthen the frame and mount a sweet C's body...complete with bump-outs, that vehicle would make a hell of a 4X4 super C.
The only ting that could improve it, would be Cummins power...

(Pretty serious gear though. I sure would like to have it even on the cheap, with a 24' cargo box I installed the goodies from a salvage TT in. I think you could do a very nice job of it.)
I am thinking a nice set of leather seats out of a Denali/Escalade, carpeting also...same with the door trim.
You could really go to town on it if you had a little time.
Stripe it up tastefully and you could have something better than you could purchase.
I've never seen a 4 door 4X4 RV like that. If they make one, it has to be huge money.

If the bank account meant nothing, I would love a Lone Star with a niiice 13 speed, big Cummins, and a 40 foot quad-slide done up like a marathon coach.
If anyone has the winning Lotto numbers, please share. If I could still physically do it, I would build my own, but those days are over.

Ah, well, back to the Caravan design LOL

 

[Motrukdriver]

My Prostar was nice but alas it had the Maxxforce engine. The wife demanded I retire after I came down the mountain on the PA turnpike heading towards Somerset PA on fire. Flame on Johnny!!!! It was a thing of beauty.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Wut? ... and give up my Hyundai? LOL!

 

[tx2sturgis]

What should I consider looking for best value between 2010 and now?

Or should I look at 2009 or earlier only? Hard to imagine many low-mileage units are around that old. . .

The secondary market is awash with lots of 4,5,6, and 7 class trucks (vocational and recreational) set up for towing.

Just depends on what you are looking for.

Is this hypothetical or are you really looking at something in that range?

 

[highdesertranger]

yep GM hs not made a medium duty truck since 2009. big mistake IMO. highdesertranger

 

[JD GUMBEE]

yep GM hs not made a medium duty truck since 2009.  big mistake IMO.  highdesertranger

Agreed!
Their absence has allowed foreign companies to gain too much of a hold on the market.