Tow Vehicle

[RobbyZ5001]

As the title states, I am looking for some recommended tow vehicles. I would like for the vehicle to have the capability to tow a 21ft boat with a 250, but it most likely will not be used for that right away. I would also like somewhat decent gas mileage. I am looking for a used vehicle spending up to 25k maximum.

[OHIO]

Can it be a diesel?

Any diesel can basically handle that.

If you are looking for a gas truck, I would recommend an F150 or Dodge 1500/2500.

I have experience with both of the trucks and they are great.

[RobbyZ5001]

Can it be a diesel?

Any diesel can basically handle that.

If you are looking for a gas truck, I would recommend an F150 or Dodge 1500/2500.

I have experience with both of the trucks and they are great.

The Fords scare me a little bit. My current job we have 2 F150's and a F250 , and we have had nothing but trouble. Granted we BEAT the heck out of them. I will look into the Dodges though. Any idea how many mpg the dodges get?

[Fishing Rhino]

Decent gas mileage towing a 21 foot boat with a 250? 

It depends on your definition of decent.

I have friends with all three makes of trucks, having similar power, and gas mileage is comparable with no significant difference in mileage.

[J Francho]

2010 Sierra with a 6.2.  I get 19.7 with mostly highway.  I towed a 19' Nitro fish and ski with a 150 (pretty heavy boat for the size) to Vermont, and had 15.1 mpg.  Gunning it every light and driving "expeditiously" gets you about 12 mpg.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I use a F150 with the 250 tow package on it to tow a 25' offshore boat with v8 275 on the back and have had absolutely no problems with it. That boat weighs far more than any bass boat. Like anything, if you take care of the vehicle, the vehicle will take care of you.  If you drive like you have a functioning brain stem, you'll get good enough mileage.  Theres no need to goose the throttle at every green light.

[RobbyZ5001]

What do you guys think of the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7 L 8 Cyl, Chevrolet 6L 1500 hybrid, and the Chevrolet Tahoe?

[00 mod]

Toyota Tundra 5.7!!  Pull anything you want.....nuff said!

Jeff

[MMan16]

If 25 is your spending limit you could get a nice used truck or a new one depending on the package. I have an F-350 that I got with 28k miles in 05 for 18 new it was like 24-25. But it was your basic truck. Radio now tape or CD player gas not diesel cloth not leather your basic work truck. Its great for what I need it for It gets about 10 miles per gallon city but I have a lot of heavy equipment and weight in the truck bed. Empty truck upwards of 18mpg

[J Francho]

What do you guys think of the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7 L 8 Cyl, Chevrolet 6L 1500 hybrid, and the Chevrolet Tahoe?

I've seen more than a few of these smaller 8 cyl. SUVs get eaten up by towing. Seems like Cherokees, Blazers, Explorers, Durangos just aren't up to the task. Keep in mind that a Tahoe weighs quite a bit more than an ext/crew cab, and mileage will suffer.

BTW, I picked up my Sierra brand new for just a few thousand more than your max limit.  They are literally giving them away up here.

[J Francho]

Toyota Tundra 5.7!! Pull anything you want.....nuff said!

Jeff

One of the guys in my club has one, and tows a 20' Pro Craft.  When we caravan to the launch, he's the first to run out of gas.  Small gas tank + Poor towing mileage = major inconvenience.  I don't know if a bigger tank is an option, if so I'd say its a must have.

[NateFollmer]

My Cherokee is nice for towing my little 14' V bottom, but I wouldn't get one for the size of boat you're talking. It gets the job done, but you need more weight or you'll be sliding down the boat launch

[00 mod]

Yea mileage isnt that great commpared, and a 22 gal tank is small, but the rest makes up for it! ;D ;D Titan tanks makes a larger 60+ gallon tank but installed they are over $1500! But man do I LOVE my tundra!

[=Matt 5.0=]

152,000 miles.

[lynyrdsky1]

Chevy Avalanche z71 is a great towing vehicle and the newones have good gas milage the one i have which is a 2002 saddly does not

[slonezp]

Yea mileage isnt that great commpared, and a 22 gal tank is small, but the rest makes up for it! ;D ;D Titan tanks makes a larger 60+ gallon tank but installed they are over $1500! But man do I LOVE my tundra!

I have an '08 5.7liter and it tows my boat like it's not even there. I get about 12mpg with the boat and 17-19 without. And yes I agree the gas tank is too small.

[oteymc]

About any half ton truck equipped with a towing package will do what you want.  You need to check into the powertrain though.  A smaller engine near max load will use more fuel and wear out faster than a bigger engine at normal load.

Unless I had an almost everyday towing application for my truck, or I was hauling really big loads, I wouldn't buy a diesel unless you got an unbelievable deal.  For the extra initial cost, higher cost of fuel, maintenance costs, it just doesn't pencil out.  I own one, and it is really nice towing with a diesel, but when it is not hooked to a trailer it becomes a very expensive vehicle to operate to drive empty.

I like Dodge.  I work for a company whose only client is RAM, so I am very prejudice.  I did drive Dodges before I worked for them, though - and they make very good trucks.

I agree that the smaller suv's would be a little under powered, and probably not have enough braking power for that application.

If your stuck on an suv, you need to go to the bigger ones like a tahoe, suburban, etc.  The ones built on a half ton or 3/4 ton frame.

[Fat-G]

Yea mileage isnt that great commpared, and a 22 gal tank is small, but the rest makes up for it! ;D ;D Titan tanks makes a larger 60+ gallon tank but installed they are over $1500! But man do I LOVE my tundra!

Dude once again, I love that thing.

[RobbyZ5001]

I have no idea what I want. I always thought I wanted an SUV, and still do. It is starting to seem that a truck would be a little cheaper, and the better tow vehicle. I can't afford two vehicles like most of you can (commuter/tow vehicle). Does anyone do both?

[OHIO]

You can get fairly good gas mileage with a Dodge Ram 1500 and even a 2500.

My dad has a Dodge and he beats on it and it's still tickin.

Are looking to get a manual or an automatic.

I have heard that Dodge's automatic transmissions can have some problems, so I would look into that as well.

[RobbyZ5001]

You can get fairly good gas mileage with a Dodge Ram 1500 and even a 2500.

My dad has a Dodge and he beats on it and it's still tickin.

Are looking to get a manual or an automatic.

I have heard that Dodge's automatic transmissions can have some problems, so I would look into that as well.

I am looking to get an automatic. Would a smaller 8 cyl dodge work as a decent tow vehicle?

[Fishing Rhino]

SUV or pickup?  Which is more practical for what you want to do.  If you only want to tow a boat, and have no other need for a pickup truck, then go with the SUV.

But if you want to be able to haul the boat, and have a place to carry plenty of other gear, you cannot beat the pickup truck.

If you want to carry a "boatload" of gear as well as the boat, with a measure of security, get a pickup and put a cap on it.

Some think caps are dorky, but I've had them on all but one of my trucks.  They are great.  Can haul a bunch of stuff out of the weather, and with the dark tinted windows that came standard with my latest cap, you cannot see what is in the bed of the truck.

When I travel with my boat, I put all my gear from the boat in the bed of the truck, and leave all the compartments unlocked.

A thief can open all the compartments w/o tearing the boat apart, and won't find a thing to steal.

Maybe they'd break into the back of the truck, but better they break the glass on the cap than to rip up the boat.

[RobbyZ5001]

SUV or pickup? Which is more practical for what you want to do. If you only want to tow a boat, and have no other need for a pickup truck, then go with the SUV.

But if you want to be able to haul the boat, and have a place to carry plenty of other gear, you cannot beat the pickup truck.

If you want to carry a "boatload" of gear as well as the boat, with a measure of security, get a pickup and put a cap on it.

Some think caps are dorky, but I've had them on all but one of my trucks. They are great. Can haul a bunch of stuff out of the weather, and with the dark tinted windows that came standard with my latest cap, you cannot see what is in the bed of the truck.

When I travel with my boat, I put all my gear from the boat in the bed of the truck, and leave all the compartments unlocked.

A thief can open all the compartments w/o tearing the boat apart, and won't find a thing to steal.

Maybe they'd break into the back of the truck, but better they break the glass on the cap than to rip up the boat.

I want an SUV, but if I get a truck I would have a cap on it. In your opinion what is the best bang for your buck?

[skunked_again]

I have no idea what I want. I always thought I wanted an SUV, and still do. It is starting to seem that a truck would be a little cheaper, and the better tow vehicle. I can't afford two vehicles like most of you can (commuter/tow vehicle). Does anyone do both?

i have a work truck and a personal truck.

you could go get you a V-8 Ford Explorer, they make a great do anything vehicle.

[RobbyZ5001]

This is what I have been looking at for a fairly long time.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=47306057&listingRecNum=3&criteria=prMx%3D20000%26sf1Dir%3DASC%26prMn%3D0%26mkId%3D20021%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21222%26rd%3D500%26mlgId%3D28865%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice-trId-mlgId%26zc%3D18071%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-1%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26trId%3D24383%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=50389971&listingRecNum=7&criteria=prMx%3D20000%26sf1Dir%3DASC%26prMn%3D0%26mkId%3D20021%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21222%26rd%3D500%26mlgId%3D28865%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice-trId-mlgId%26zc%3D18071%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-1%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26trId%3D24383%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national