Tow Vehicle

[keninaz]

What are "fully rated 4WD tires"?   

 

These are tires that are specifically designed for 4 WD applications with superior tread design and tend you have a more aggressive tread design.

They can also tend to be a little noisy on the road compared to normal road tires.

[Fishing Rhino]

 

What are "fully rated 4WD tires"?   

 

These are tires that are specifically designed for 4 WD applications with superior tread design and tend you have a more aggressive tread design.

They can also tend to be a little noisy on the road compared to normal road tires.

 

Sounds like you're describing "all terrain" tires vs. "all season" tires.

 

I got General All Terrain tires on my '87 or '90 Chevy 4 X 4.  Never again.  I don't do any off roading.  They were noisy, and they didn't last 40,000 miles.  I replaced them with Kelly all season tires.  Quiet, got much better gas mileage, and they lasted for over 80,000 miles.

[keninaz]

I never referred to an all season tire except perhaps in my comment about a "snow rated" tire.

I am fully familiar with the aggressive style 4 WD tires and their shortcomings.

I suspect when you switched out your tires you lost traction but most don't need it all that much anyway.

I did own a couple of 4 x 4s in the past used and never used the 4 WD on them.

As I stated in my original advice. 4 x 4s have their place and most don't need the increased cost of tires, maintenance of the transfer case and FWD mechanism and such and the increased insurance costs I found when I went to buy a new truck.

If you need 4 WD it may be for you, but not for all certainly.

[Fishing Rhino]

Now, you've got me curious, so I checked the tires on my new Silverado 1500 4 X 4.  Four ply tread, 2 polyester, 2 steel.  Two ply sidewalls, polyester.  Goodyear Eagle LS-2, 275/55R20.

[Fishing Rhino]

I never referred to an all season tire except perhaps in my comment about a "snow rated" tire.

I am fully familiar with the aggressive style 4 WD tires and their shortcomings.

I suspect when you switched out your tires you lost traction but most don't need it all that much anyway.

I did own a couple of 4 x 4s in the past used and never used the 4 WD on them.

As I stated in my original advice. 4 x 4s have their place and most don't need the increased cost of tires, maintenance of the transfer case and FWD mechanism and such and the increased insurance costs I found when I went to buy a new truck.

If you need 4 WD it may be for you, but not for all certainly.

 

When I replaced the tires on my '07 Sierra (new style) at 90,000 miles plus, I replaced them with the same tires, make and model.

[Hi Salenity]

Hey Blue, keep Olathe Transmission in mind for the Ford. they did my van several years ago. It was $1500 And done in 3 days!

[RoLo]

For what it's worth, my last 3 tow cars were Jeep, Suburu and Toyota Rav4.

Just recently I purchased a Honda lease-return which is already my favorite tow-car.

She's a 2011 Honda 4WD Pilot ($23.3k with no trade-in) 250 hp - 16 ft overall length (under 17 ft including hitch)

Averages 19 mpg when towing - 21 gal fuel tank - 4,500-lb tow capacity - bed accommodates 7.5 ft rods. 

 

Roger

[slonezp]

Not sure in your area but Ive actually seen Tundras going cheaper than Tacomas, F150's, and Silverados around here. They cant get rid of them because so many people are going with the smaller trucks. Im in the market as well and a F150 for example, with towing package and extended cab with 4x4 is about 4k more than the Tundras are going for with incentives

This has been the case since the Tundra was redesigned on '07. I have an '08 I bought new. The F150 was the only other truck I had considered and it was more expensive. Last time I got the oil changed, they were asking $23k for an '08 with 150k on the odometer. Didn't have any new Tundra's on the lot. I spoke with a salesman and he was extremely enthusiastic about the diesel modeled scheduled for possibly next year. I guess Toyota has been in talks with not only Cummins, but Caterpillar as well trying to perfect the engine in the next generation Tundra. I've got 110k on mine and plan on driving it into the ground. I only wish they would make the crew cab with a longer bed.

[Trek]

This has been the case since the Tundra was redesigned on '07. I have an '08 I bought new. The F150 was the only other truck I had considered and it was more expensive. Last time I got the oil changed, they were asking $23k for an '08 with 150k on the odometer. Didn't have any new Tundra's on the lot. I spoke with a salesman and he was extremely enthusiastic about the diesel modeled scheduled for possibly next year. I guess Toyota has been in talks with not only Cummins, but Caterpillar as well trying to perfect the engine in the next generation Tundra. I've got 110k on mine and plan on driving it into the ground. I only wish they would make the crew cab with a longer bed.

 My personal truck is an 06 Tundra four door which is a little smaller then the 07 and up. I love that size and wish they still made it. Mine has a button on the dash that raises and lowers the back window. They have brought that back the last two years. Sort of sounds like something you'll never have to have but once you do you'll never want another truck without it. Toyota does make their own diesel but for some reason they keep talking about it but never bring it into the states. When I was in Costa Rica every Toyota you saw was diesel. Cars and trucks.

[senile1]

I wish I could even thing about affording a Tundra. I'm sure they're great, but they're priced like they're great too. If I could find one with reasonable miles under 20K I'd really be looking hard at it. 

 

Blue, I have a 2002 Tundra with the old 245 horsepower V8 and 145,000 miles on it that I will sell to you.  My plan is to put 200,000 on it but if you want it, that will give me an excuse to buy a new one.     Unfortunately, it does not meet your requirements as it is a 4 x 2 but it pulls my 19.5 foot Stratos and 200 HP Evinrude fine.  Seriously though, Tundras may cost some bucks, but from what I have seen, they absolutely do not quit.  I know of a few of the older pickups like mine that were still running fine with 200,000 - 300,000 miles if longevity and reliability is your thing.  Mine hasn't cost me anything at all except for routine maintenance. 

[slonezp]

 My personal truck is an 06 Tundra four door which is a little smaller then the 07 and up. I love that size and wish they still made it. Mine has a button on the dash that raises and lowers the back window. They have brought that back the last two years. Sort of sounds like something you'll never have to have but once you do you'll never want another truck without it. Toyota does make their own diesel but for some reason they keep talking about it but never bring it into the states. When I was in Costa Rica every Toyota you saw was diesel. Cars and trucks.

Toyota used to put their diesel in the first generation mini vans here back in the 80's. I think marketing has a lot to do with it. The Cummins is a proven platform. It's synonymous with the words durable and tough. There are already a ton of aftermarket performance upgrades for the Cummins as well. I'm looking forward to seeing the performance reviews.  

[Trek]

Toyota used to put their diesel in the first generation mini vans here back in the 80's. I think marketing has a lot to do with it. The Cummins is a proven platform. It's synonymous with the words durable and tough. There are already a ton of aftermarket performance upgrades for the Cummins as well. I'm looking forward to seeing the performance reviews.  

I believe if Tundra comes out with a good diesel in their trucks they will rule the truck industry. 

[Trek]

Blue, I have a 2002 Tundra with the old 245 horsepower V8 and 145,000 miles on it that I will sell to you.  My plan is to put 200,000 on it but if you want it, that will give me an excuse to buy a new one.     Unfortunately, it does not meet your requirements as it is a 4 x 2 but it pulls my 19.5 foot Stratos and 200 HP Evinrude fine.  Seriously though, Tundras may cost some bucks, but from what I have seen, they absolutely do not quit.  I know of a few of the older pickups like mine that were still running fine with 200,000 - 300,000 miles if longevity and reliability is your thing.  Mine hasn't cost me anything at all except for routine maintenance. 

My buddy had a 2002 maybe a 2003 and they had a recall on the frame. He took it in and they put a whole new frame under it at no cost to him. And it was like ten years old. What other manufacture would do that ?

[John G]

Not too many things are as laughable IMHO as a 1/2 ton truck (any make) overloaded in the ass end going down the road. Landscapers are notorious for this. It's unsafe and not good for the truck either.

 

To the OP, I know that you are getting a 1500 so I am just passing on some info. I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD and if you want great fuel economy, don't get this truck with the gas motor. I get 11.4 MPG around town.

 

If you haven't bought your truck yet, check out KBB.com

It's a fun site to check out where you can build your own truck and see the price that you should pay.

 

I found out (after I bought my truck), that I could have got the work truck version of my truck with a Duramax/Allison combo for the same price as my decked out gas guzzler. 

[RipSomeLips]

Not too many things are as laughable IMHO as a 1/2 ton truck (any make) overloaded in the ass end going down the road. Landscapers are notorious for this. It's unsafe and not good for the truck either.

 

To the OP, I know that you are getting a 1500 so I am just passing on some info. I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD and if you want great fuel economy, don't get this truck with the gas motor. I get 11.4 MPG around town.

 

If you haven't bought your truck yet, check out KBB.com

It's a fun site to check out where you can build your own truck and see the price that you should pay.

 

I found out (after I bought my truck), that I could have got the work truck version of my truck with a Duramax/Allison combo for the same price as my decked out gas guzzler. 

I think you may have something there with the Landscaper theory, especially when sod is involved, that stuff is crazy heavy.

What a lot of folks don't realize is that a towing capacity is not derived just from what a truck and it's engine/powertrain can pull, it has much more to do with how the truck can safely handle and brake with the load.

[Bluebasser86]

Anyone have any experience with the 4.8L V8 Chevy engines? I've found very mixed reviews for towing but I found a barely used Silverado in my price range with the 4.8L V8 but I'm concerned about it being underpowered for towing. I know it's capable of doing it, just worried about the long term wear and tear of doing it. 

[Trek]

Anyone have any experience with the 4.8L V8 Chevy engines? I've found very mixed reviews for towing but I found a barely used Silverado in my price range with the 4.8L V8 but I'm concerned about it being underpowered for towing. I know it's capable of doing it, just worried about the long term wear and tear of doing it. 

I don't think it's the size of the engine as much as does the truck have the pull package in it. If your sticking to a less then 19 foot boat then any V8 will handle it. I don't think Chevy comes standard with that. The pull package will give you your hitch, light hook ups, transmission cooler and a little different gears in the rear end. And that I think you need.

[Bluebasser86]

I don't think it's the size of the engine as much as does the truck have the pull package in it. If your sticking to a less then 19 foot boat then any V8 will handle it. I don't think Chevy comes standard with that. The pull package will give you your hitch, light hook ups, transmission cooler and a little different gears in the rear end. And that I think you need.

I don't have much choice in the size of boat unless I want to rent a storage unit, anything longer than 19' isn't going to fit in our garage. 

 

It appears to have the tow package.

http://www.tcmotors.com/2006_Chevrolet_Silverado%201500_Meriden_KS_228403208.veh

[Hi Salenity]

I had a 2004 1500 regular cab long bed 2wd with that motor. It pulled my 18' enclosed trailer great (2500# empty) unless I had it loaded heavy and then it was the suspension that was the problem. The trailer would start to whip.

Anyhow it pulled my 20.5' boat pretty good and that thing was heavy!

[RipSomeLips]

Anyone have any experience with the 4.8L V8 Chevy engines? I've found very mixed reviews for towing but I found a barely used Silverado in my price range with the 4.8L V8 but I'm concerned about it being underpowered for towing. I know it's capable of doing it, just worried about the long term wear and tear of doing it. 

Although the 5.3L is definitely a more commonly found engine in the Chevy you are looking at, the 4.8 is a good engine and has nearly the same power as the 5.3. 

5.3L has 295hp and 330 ft. lbs of torque

4.8 has 285hp and 295 ft. lbs of torque

 

With that said I think you are more than ok pulling your boat with it.

[RipSomeLips]

Also, the code to verify if it has a factory HD transmission cooler is KNP. The codes are listed on a black and white GM sticker and if memory serves it is located in the glove box on this truck.

[Basseditor]

Although I have a GMC 2WD Sierra king cab with 100000 miles (W/T model), I wish I had 4X4. But I only need it for a couple slippery ramps.

I was gun shy about going GM. My 93 suburban transmission went out and the 97 Tahoe transmission went out twice. The transmission problems began at 125000 miles. Then the '97's motor died too.

Only reason I went with GMC is I got a brand new 07 in early 08 for $20,000. So far so good.

My 89 F150 4x4 was rebuilt at 200000 miles and I sold it a few years later. The current owner has had it 10 more years and it runs good.

If money wasn't an option I might go Tundra now.

[Bluebasser86]

Well I was shot down on the truck I was looking at by the boss. I guess she's too good to actually have to roll a window down 

 

So after much more searching I came across this one.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=66030&endYear=2015&modelCode1=TRAILBLZ&sortBy=mileageASC&showcaseOwnerId=103364&startYear=1981&makeCode1=CHEV&maxMileage=60000&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=18000&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BTRAILBLZ%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=371275832&Log=0

 

I'd prefer a truck but I can see some benefits to an SUV. The price is right, the mileage is good, 4wd, tow package, and power windows and locks    As long as it isn't sold by then I'll be going to look at it the 29th while I'm down at Grand Lake or maybe this Thursday if I feel up to it. 

[Trek]

  That will pull your boat. Just have to figure out if you can live without a truck. Trucks are handy. I wouldn't be willing to give mine up. I have friends that drive SUVs and I can see some advantages with them. My truck has a hard fold down cover that will lock but it's not as dry or secure as a SUV. But I can haul a load of mulch or brush better. It's all what you want.

[jerzeeD]

Toyotas are generally more money than others due to reliability.You can pay now in purchase cost, or pay more later in repairs. I have owned at least one of all manufacturers trucks. None touched Toyota in reliability.