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#505077 - 04/25/08 12:05 PM
Re: What's a good tow vehicle with outrageous $4 gas prices?
[Re: NTX5467]
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Matt Harwood
Member
Registered: 10/09/01
Posts: 1615
Loc: Cleveland, OH
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At the shop where I used to work, we used a '95 Chevy 3500 dually crew cab to tow an enclosed 2-car trailer. The engine was bone stock and it would run at 80 MPH all day without a problem and pull down around 12 MPG. Not awful considering it was probably pulling 10,000 pounds in a box. I was always astounded by how well it worked with a stock 454.
My Dodge 2500 4x4 is one of the 8700GVW models, and is basically a dually without the double rear wheels. The parts are expensive as hell and general maintenance on the suspension and brakes is a royal pain, but it pulls everything I've thrown at it, even with a (very) puny gas 360 in it. It gets about 11 MPG empty or full, oddly enough. I pulled my Mustang to the track on a trailer and it ran at 65 MPH, still getting its standard 11 MPG. Of course, I don't drive it unless it's earning its keep--no pleasure cruises or commuting in that thing. However, acceleration is horrible; the 360 isn't nearly enough engine for that much truck. Once it's up to speed, it does a decent job. Hills suck, and I often end up grinding along in second gear. It'll move anything and everything, just not very quickly. I often wish for the torque of a diesel and will seek one out for my next truck.
If you can swing it, I'd recommend a diesel, even if it's a reach financially. All things considered, I think the costs will be about equal (more expensive fuel but better mileage, more expensive oil changes but longer life). The towing abilities will be vastly superior. The only difference is the buy-in up front, but diesels last a long time, so mileage and/or age is less of a factor.
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#505573 - 04/27/08 08:19 PM
Re: What's a good tow vehicle with outrageous $4 gas prices?
[Re: Matt Harwood]
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Gary_N
Member
Registered: 10/19/04
Posts: 407
Loc: Maryland
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Pete:
I would never tow anything with a car. It's just not the same. But that's me. I've towed some expensive things around and have had many instances of having to slam on the brakes, etc. You need a truck to tow and the longer the better. And, even with my 3500, I never tow without weight distribution bars.
Worst case, search the race magazines for tow vehicles. You can usually find some good cheap deals.
One thing is for sure, the more you tow, the more mishaps you'll have from flat tires and on. Something always seems to happen. Ask Lamar! Again, I'd rather be in a truck than a station wagon when that happens.
Gary
_________________________
BCA #40969 '50 Special - "Yoda" '54 Roadmaster - "Frankie" '64 Electra Coupe - "Arthur" '48 De Soto S11 Coupe - "Bobo" '01 Z06 SCCA - T1 Racecar "Dragonfire" - For Sale ------------------- http://www.wrenchhappy.com
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#505881 - 04/28/08 10:19 PM
Re: What's a good tow vehicle with outrageous $4 gas prices?
[Re: Gary_N]
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Chacheska
Member
Registered: 04/04/01
Posts: 118
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Pete,
I bought a 1992 Dodge diesel dually from Texas 5 years ago for $6150. I drove it back to N.Y. and averaged 22 mpg empty. It has the 355 rear end. You can buy the '91 to '93 Dodges for reasonable money now and trucks down south are not only plentiful but they're rust free which means cheaper prices for a better truck. Diesel prices are high now so I don't know how that will offset the mileage but I do know diesels last longer and the Cummins is a great torque producing engine. I love my Dodge. It's a work horse. If you like those years I suggest buying a southern truck. They're very common in Texas, Florida and Oklahoma where people have horse ranches. I like the dually for the added safety and stability of having that extra wheel if one blows out when pulling a load.
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