Best tow rig for 11,000. ?? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

coloradok5 · 08-28-2002, 09:33 AM

OK, when I buy my USED tow rig I will have 11,000. cash, I need 4wd and at least an extended cab. My rig that I will be towing weighs about 6,000 pounds and I have to go over the mountains almost every time I pull (colorado). Any sugestions on tow rigs for this price, Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge, big block, diesel, dually, single-wheel, etc., even open to a Suburban.

GRMhick · 08-28-2002, 01:51 PM

If i were buying another rig (my budget was 11k too) i would get an 89-93 dodge cummins. Seem to be the strongest of the dodges, and still have the killer cummins motor.

pcorssmit · 08-28-2002, 05:09 PM

Is this gonna be a DD too, Steve? Go Turbo Diesel for sure, especially if it is a DD. Really helps make up for the altitude. I'd go either Cummins or Powerstroke. The only thing I really wish my truck had was a crew cab instead of the extended cab. I like having the 8' box, and the SRW is nice for parking and light-duty wheeling (worst I've done it is Medeno Pass). If you buy an auto (either brand, but especially Dodge), make sure you know the condition of the trans, or can afford to fix it if problems develop.

Also, don't forget to set aside trailer money. Your gonna need a 10k trailer, and they are pricier and harder to find used than the common 7k car haulers. I paid $1900 for mine ~1 year old, was $2550 new. Make sure to check the tires, both for condtion and capacity. You're going to need either removable fenders, or ones that can handle being driven over; mine are HD diamond plate and I drive over the driver's side one, no problems so far. Generally, the widest deck you can get is 83" between the fenders. My front end is 88-89" (15 x 10s, 4 1/8 backspacing). Also, 4 wheel brakes are required (by law) in CO, when pricing new trailers many of the out of state ones a cheaper because of this.

Pete

dog walker · 08-28-2002, 10:51 PM

Although I'm a Chevy man (big blocks) I'd suggest an older Dodge cummins for the mountain towing. I saw a really nice 95 Dodge 4x4 ex-cab dually awhile back at a dealer for $12,500. It had a 5spd and the Cummins, but it had like 180K miles.

I'd look for a dually for heavy long hauls. Once you go dually, you'll never go back!

But as stated above, if you look pre 94 on a Dodge, you'll find really good deals, however I think the dually's of that era were butt ugly. But then again with Dodge's the 3/4 tons are built alot tuffer and stouter than a Chevy. So are Fords in my opinion, but I just dont have an "eye" for Fords.

08-28-2002, 09:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
coloradok5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2865 Location: Crawlorado Posts: 393	Best tow rig for 11,000. ?? OK, when I buy my USED tow rig I will have 11,000. cash, I need 4wd and at least an extended cab. My rig that I will be towing weighs about 6,000 pounds and I have to go over the mountains almost every time I pull (colorado). Any sugestions on tow rigs for this price, Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge, big block, diesel, dually, single-wheel, etc., even open to a Suburban. __________________ [URL="http://towrig.com/"]Diesel Forum[/URL] [URL="http://crossquote.com/auto-insurance"]Auto Insurance Quotes[/URL]

08-28-2002, 05:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
pcorssmit Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4406 Location: Denver Posts: 2,335	Is this gonna be a DD too, Steve? Go Turbo Diesel for sure, especially if it is a DD. Really helps make up for the altitude. I'd go either Cummins or Powerstroke. The only thing I really wish my truck had was a crew cab instead of the extended cab. I like having the 8' box, and the SRW is nice for parking and light-duty wheeling (worst I've done it is Medeno Pass). If you buy an auto (either brand, but especially Dodge), make sure you know the condition of the trans, or can afford to fix it if problems develop. Also, don't forget to set aside trailer money. Your gonna need a 10k trailer, and they are pricier and harder to find used than the common 7k car haulers. I paid $1900 for mine ~1 year old, was $2550 new. Make sure to check the tires, both for condtion and capacity. You're going to need either removable fenders, or ones that can handle being driven over; mine are HD diamond plate and I drive over the driver's side one, no problems so far. Generally, the widest deck you can get is 83" between the fenders. My front end is 88-89" (15 x 10s, 4 1/8 backspacing). Also, 4 wheel brakes are required (by law) in CO, when pricing new trailers many of the out of state ones a cheaper because of this. Pete __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways , beer in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOW, what a ride."

08-28-2002, 10:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
dog walker Discount! Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 156 Location: Orangevale, CA Posts: 6,787	Although I'm a Chevy man (big blocks) I'd suggest an older Dodge cummins for the mountain towing. I saw a really nice 95 Dodge 4x4 ex-cab dually awhile back at a dealer for $12,500. It had a 5spd and the Cummins, but it had like 180K miles. I'd look for a dually for heavy long hauls. Once you go dually, you'll never go back! But as stated above, if you look pre 94 on a Dodge, you'll find really good deals, however I think the dually's of that era were butt ugly. But then again with Dodge's the 3/4 tons are built alot tuffer and stouter than a Chevy. So are Fords in my opinion, but I just dont have an "eye" for Fords. __________________ Jeff Fretwell 72 FJ40 67 FJ45 83 Toyota 4x4 LB

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08-28-2002, 01:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
GRMhick Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 87 Location: I live in hotels tear out the walls I have accountants pay for it all Posts: 7,203	If i were buying another rig (my budget was 11k too) i would get an 89-93 dodge cummins. Seem to be the strongest of the dodges, and still have the killer cummins motor.