tow vehicle

[cowtipper]

have about a 4500 pound pulling tractor and I would guess my trailer weighs about a ton...give or take plus pulling weights so I would guestimate like 6500-7000 pounds I can buy a decent used ford f150 2004 with a tow package for ab out 12K...but similarly I can buy a nissan titan with a 9500 towing capacity for 21K...I'm looking for the cheapest way out...hard to find anything used around here with a tow package...looking for it to double as a commuter truck or backup commuter truck too...worried about burning up the f150
I can get get a 1 ton truck around here with 100,000 miles on it plus diesel for like 20K or I can get a new titan with a 9500 pound towing capacity for 20K...any thoughts

 

[dan m]

i tow a 1900lb. trailer with 2 tractors weighing about 8200lb. with weights. with a 95 ford f150 super cab. 351 cu.in. gas engine. auto trans. my theory is don't hurry and don't crowd it,keep the brakes in good working order, trailer brakes also. it does alright, drags it's feet a little on long hills. but it gets around 10 mpg towing,and 14 empty. seems fair to me.

 

[Anonymous-0]

get you a dodge cummins 2002 or newer so not to wake up the neighbors when you start it, and pull with ease and get good mileage when running around. The older ones sound like a controlled explosion when started.

 

[slowsmoke]

Keep your tires in good shape, or they go BOOM!

 

[colekicker]

I second the mention of a Dodge w/ Cummins combo. I have one and it gets 21 running empty. Great truck. It's a 2001, so it makes a little noise, but it's not as bad as a 12 valve. Plus mine has a ton of miles.
But if you are looking at new, the new Chrysler owners have a good warranty from the bold print.

 

[AO]

Why have a Cummins if you can't hear it? I love the sound mine generates...Even run a straight pipe to really annoy the neighbors!!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yeah , that's just the way to keep the American economy up and running.Buy everything from over seas and wonder why there isn't any jobs here. It's people like you that make this country the way it is. Keep shopping @ Walmart too, keep on buying them Chinese goods. I guess they're people need the money more than we do , right?

 

[Anonymous-0]

If I was you and you pull that on a regular basis I would find a 3/4 ton truck. Preferably a dodge with a cummins, they are by far the leader in the heavy duty trucks these days, I would recomend a manuel transmission though. They get better fuel mileage and will out pull the chevy's and the fords, just my 2 cents

 

[chickie]

sir.....you have to be out of your mind,I think the problem is you beleave all those TV commercials you watch,for safety sake you need to be in a class 4 or 5 truck for the size load you are pulling!!!!!!

 

[chickie]

sir....Ihave in my fleet eleven 7.3 turbo dsl. ford f350;but you are right cummins is the way to go, the problem is they are installed in a very large piece of crap, the only thing dodge has going for it is that engin.

 

[Anonymous-0]

So what do you drive, Bob.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I'm glad no one has an opionion, here's my 2 cents. That 7000# towing weight plus extras will be in a more comfortable range with a 3/4 ton PU with the right gearing, engine size, etc. diesels are more fuel efficient. A late model Ford F250 , Chevy 2500 , Dodge 3/4 ton PU would be a good choice. Ford and Dodge make good diesel engines. I have towed too heavy of a trailer behind too small of a vehicle and it is a disaster waiting to happen. Be safe.

 

[fhoehle]

Heck, you dont need a new vehicle to tow with, especially if its a second truck, get an older medium duty truck, and get the reward of a straight frame, a good diesel (like a DT466) and the best part, a low or no payment. I bought a 7100 IH with a 466 and a 7 spd trans for 6500.00
good luck and remember the bigger the truck is, the smaller the trailer seems

 

[fhoehle]

Heck, you dont need a new vehicle to tow with, especially if its a second truck, get an older medium duty truck, and get the reward of a straight frame, a good diesel (like a DT466) and the best part, a low or no payment. I bought a 7100 IH with a 466 and a 7 spd trans for 6500.00
good luck and remember the bigger the truck is, the smaller the trailer seems

 

[Anonymous-0]

Not a damn Nissan.

 

[terryjd]

Pull an M, weights and trailer total about 9500 pounds with a 91 Chevy half ton, 305 engine. pulls it with no problem at all. I know you are looking at a newer truck but most of them old trucks couldn't be beat. Make a person wonder whats going on when you have to go to such a big truck now not to mention expense just to get towing power.

 

[Anonymous-0]

ok then

 

[02XLT4X4]

I pull roughly 7000 lbs of tractor/trailer 5-6 times a year with my 2002 F-150 with a 5.4, it pulls it fine. You might add an extra tranny cooler just to be safe but a properly equipped F-150 (especially the 04+ ones) should handle it without a problem.