What's the best towing vehicle ?

[Ms Grumpy]

I have been considering selling my gas mileage vehicle to buy a tow vehicle. I know that I would be buying a used Truck for around 10 grand, don't want a payment.

So I was wondering what kind of vehicles you have/have had that you really liked for towing your trailer. It would have to be able to tow at a minimum of 6,500 towing capacity. Any suggestions ?

[Hank70SS]

Are you looking at a pickup or something like a Suburban, Yukon, Expedition? The last 3 are awesome tow vehicles but gas mileage will suck. The Sub/Yukon with the 8.1L (496cid) will tow just about anything you can hook to it. May actually be more than you need for towing but has lots of seating and cargo capacity.

Any full size PU with a V8 and tow package should be able to handle 6,500 lbs. You'll give up seating though unless it's a crew cab and they can be a huge truck to maneuver in parking lots, etc. as a daily driver.

Avoid 4WD unless you think you really need it. Worse gas mileage and more maintenance/repair issues.

Also consider 1/2 ton vehicles vs 3/4 ton. 3/4 ton usually have truck tires, much more expensive to replace. As are the brakes and other items that may need to replaced.

6,500 lbs is a bit of weight, I would not consider towing that much on a regular basis or for any distance without a full size PU or one of the SUVs mentioned. I don't like the tail wagging the dog.

[Ms Grumpy]

I have an all wheel drive Astro that I love, it just doesn't have the towing capacity. I was looking for something that could seat up to 5, me and grumpy and the 3 teenagers. I would love a Suburban but the gas mileage would be really rough. I was figuring that I probably would be looking more toward a Pick-up.

Being that I am a Chevy girl, I would lean more toward a Chevy. But when it comes to what is going to be more effective I would consider what is going to work the best for us.

I know that 6500lbs is probably pretty close to a trailer and the car, would rather have more towing capacity than less. I don't really plan on towing it a lot of places, I plan on driving it to a lot of them.

[flash]

I think Chuck was considering selling his Tahoe SS which is very nice and should be fine for towing . And no it's not a true SS but its cool anyway.

[fleming23]

Do a craigslist search for an M35A2 although the rear passengers might get a little chilly in the winter time....but technically it meets all your requirements

Easily had for under $6k

[earthquake68]

Eric, ...somehow, I don't think a deuce and a half is the answer here.

I've used just about every vehicle there is for towing. (Including 5 ton Army trucks)

Keep these rules in mind when looking.......

-Ford, Chevy Dodge don't matter. They all have strong points and weak points.
-A longer wheel base will tow better and be less likely to get squirrelly on panic stops and turns.
-Dual rear wheel help TREMENDOUSLY on windy days to keep the truck and trailer stable.
-A small V-8 or big 6 will pull the load, but if you pull a long grade, plan on getting in the slow lane with your four way flashers on.
-A big v-8 or diesel may sound like over kill, but is actually preferable to keep you from being a road hazard.
-4WD is NECESSARY unless you are absolutely SURE your tires will never hit grass or mud. I can not count the times I had to hook my trailer to the 4x4 to pull it out of the back yard because the tow rig couldn't get traction.

If you keep all this in mind, you should do fine. The absolute MOST CAPABLE tow truck I had was one I built. It was a 1981 Chevy 1 ton, crew cab dually with a built 468 big block, TH400 and 3.73 gears in a DANA 70. I used a 1 ton single wheel Ford diesel that could out pull the gas engines, but single wheel truck got blown around on the highway more. I used a lifted 4x4 short wheel base Chevy truck, also. That truck could pull the trailer anywhere on the property, but was down right dangerous on the highway it was so unstable.

Keep the rules above in mind while shopping and figure out exactly how you want the vehicle to perform. Then make a decision based on that. You should be able to afford whatever truck you want.

[shadowgray396]

Are you towing the Chevelle on a car trailer or a travel trailer? The Chevelle on a open trailer is around 3800 lbs . I would also look at the size and weight ratio. For example if you are towing an enclosed trailer that is 24 ft long and you are using a Tahoe to tow it then the trailer will control the vehicle if you get into trouble even though the Tahoe is rated to tow it. For example my 24 ft enclosed trailer I used a F350 Ford 4 door diesel because the weight of the truck, bigger brakes and the mileage does not change even when I was towing or driving around town, plus the torgue it had. If you are using a open trailer for your car a good 4 door pickup F150, chevy 1500, or Dodge short bed (Not a fan of my company Dodge, has a Hemi great power but handle badly on the road) would work great, give room for at least 5 and plenty of room in the bed for all your items needed to carry along. Since you are talking only about 10k, around here that is at least a 10 year old truck, But you have Gary back there who might find you a great deal.

[Ms Grumpy]

Great info Alan. And a lot to think about.

Ray, for the time I am leaning more toward an open trailer. I have been looking at prices for trucks and am probably looking at something that is about 6 years and older. I am still in the thinking stages but everyone is giving me some great information, and a lot to think about.

[shadowgray396]

I plan on picking up a 20' open trailer (steel deck with dove tail) and will be towing it with my 4 door 2005 Tundra. I plan to add air ride bags on the rear to help keep it up when the Chevelle is on the trailer. Should tow the Chevelle just find.

[Derek69SS]

For an open trailer, a 1/2-ton Chevy with a 5.3L is enough. I get 18mpg unloaded, and 13mpg towing with my '00 Z71 ext. cab (with 200,000 miles). I had no complaints at all, even in the mountains towing the Chevelle to TN.

If you go with an enclosed trailer, then I'd step up to a 3/4 ton. Gas mileage will suffer greatly, so then a diesel may be in order...