Going to need a tow/haul rig

[Duck Vader]

Trying to find ways to avoid it, but it looks like I am going to have to get my hands on a tow/haul rig sooner rather than later here.

Keeping the subaru as it is paid off and a great daily, but I need something I can use to tow and haul a few thousand pounds on occasion. Might have to tow between 5-10k 3-4x a year and around 10k give or take a couple thousand 1x a year. That also means I will need an enclosed trailer capable of carrying it.

Those weights seem to staddle the line between the 150/1500 and 250/2500 trucks.

I could also look at renting uhaul trucks multiple times a year, but that becomes a hassle and it would be nice to have my own so I don't have to rely on reservations, hoping they have equipment, etc.

So that said, what do you recommend?

150/1500 would be a better driver but would need to make more trips since can't haul as much. Better MPG usually and can get a newer one for the same price as the 250/2500.

The 250/2500 would be better for hauling, less comfortable and more expensive, but would not need to daily it or anything. That is what the Outback is for.

I would be towing about 400-500 miles a couple times a year and local a couple times a year. The further ones will be over mountains.

Is diesel worth the premium over gas? How about the newer turbos such as ecoboost over the coyote engines if I go with ford?

Any input would be appreciated.

Ideally would like to stay cheap as possible and still get something capable and reliable.

Would also daily it in winter when Danielle has to take the Subaru unless she buys something before that.

[DCIV]

Enterprise does 3/4 and 1 ton trucks for 100 a day. You might look into a trailer and just something else to tow it.


Coop

[Chris GTO TT]

Gas 2500.

[aaronatstate]

I say half ton. F150 EcoBoost can tow 13,000lbs with the right setup.

Also as Chris has said MULTIPLE times, Uhaul/pickup truck rental places done usually allow towing, so I wouldn’t count on that at all.

[ChargerX3]

You go through a lot of vehicles.

It’s not a buyers market right now. Try renting or making friends with someone for those few occasional uses. Especially while you worked to get your business off the ground. You can also deduct those rentals on your business taxes at the end of the year.

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""DCIV""]Enterprise does 3/4 and 1 ton trucks for 100 a day. You might look into a trailer and just something else to tow it.


Coop[/quote]

Not that I can find local to me out here. Only places I can find with somewhat decent rental is uhaul and they still charge $30 a day plus over $1 a mile and will be going up to around 400-500 miles so not $100 a day at all.

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Gas 2500.[/quote]

Would you say F250, GM 2500, or Ram 2500 - or since looking used whatever has the best service record?

[quote=""aaronatstate""]I say half ton. F150 EcoBoost can tow 13,000lbs with the right setup.

Also as Chris has said MULTIPLE times, Uhaul/pickup truck rental places done usually allow towing, so I wouldn’t count on that at all.[/quote]

I like the idea of ecoboost, but not sure if I want to spend that kind of money on it or not since won't be used all the time. Only like I said, 5 or so times a year to tow and in winter when it snows.


[quote=""ChargerX3""]You go through a lot of vehicles.

It’s not a buyers market right now. Try renting or making friends with someone for those few occasional uses. Especially while you worked to get your business off the ground. You can also deduct those rentals on your business taxes at the end of the year.[/quote]

This is for business only honestly. The winter use is just a "if I have to". Other than that, all this towing/hauling is for the gym only. Will be hauling weights and equipment.

Already going to need one in the next couple of weeks to go get equipment. Again in August. Again in September. None of which will fit in the subaru. And again whenever I might find some local used equipment that is in good shape that I can go pick up. Having a lot of stuff shipped to Kabuki down in Oregon as well when it is time to save on taxes.

For most of the trips right now I can rent a trailer to tow behind the subaru since not overly heavy hauls but big equipment that won't fit inside. Once I get the physical location and start making bit time purchases is when I will need that ability to tow bigger weight.

I figure this year alone I will need to tow/haul at least a dozen times then it will be the lower times after the gym opens. I will be hauling equipment to/from locations as I plan on hosting meets at the local convention center and all around central washington that will allow.

[Chris GTO TT]

[quote=""aaronatstate""]I say half ton. F150 EcoBoost can tow 13,000lbs with the right setup.

Also as Chris has said MULTIPLE times, Uhaul/pickup truck rental places done usually allow towing, so I wouldn’t count on that at all.[/quote] yeah IIRC the only way you could tow with a U-Haul is with their box trucks. Their pickup truck and van rental policy used to exclude it.

[quote=""Duck Vader""]Not that I can find local to me out here. Only places I can find with somewhat decent rental is uhaul and they still charge $30 a day plus over $1 a mile and will be going up to around 400-500 miles so not $100 a day at all. [/quote] check for Penske commercial rentals and same for enterprise.



[quote=""Duck Vader""]Would you say F250, GM 2500, or Ram 2500 - or since looking used whatever has the best service record?[/quote]
I'd honestly only look at Ford or GM for gassers in the traditional 3/4 ton size trucks. I think the ideal would be the GMC 8.1 and Allison transmission. The Ford 6.2 is good enough to do what you want, or if you want to find a unicorn try to track down a V10 with the 3V motor. A lot comes down to money and how new you want to have.

Down side to the gas trucks is they stop at every gas station even if you're not ready to. The upside is they're MUCH simpler to maintain. A trusted diesel mechanic friend told us to basically never buy a newer diesel unless you absolutely NEED it's capabilities.


[quote=""Duck Vader""]I like the idea of ecoboost, but not sure if I want to spend that kind of money on it or not since won't be used all the time. Only like I said, 5 or so times a year to tow and in winter when it snows.
[/quote]
Ecoboost drives and tows awesome, but can be temperamental if not well cared for especially 11-16 trucks.

[Duck Vader]

Penske and all that still charge by the mile. Cheapest cargo van is about $500 a trip not including gas for longer ones and still would need to rent a lot.

It's all going to be for business so no matter what I do it's all tax write off.

[Duck Vader]

https://www.rickiesautollc.com/details/ ... y/86565863

Would this be a 3V v10? They started that in 05, right?

[mjannusch]

Isn't $500 a trip still a whole lot better than buying a new truck, etc? I mean, how many trips do you have to make in order to make buying a truck worth it? I'm sure your gym will make it and be successful, but if I was starting a new business I would want to keep my costs as low as possible to start until you get to the point where you've got established regular income that you can rely on.

$500 to rent a few times a year, or a new set of truck payments every month?

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""mjannusch""]Isn't $500 a trip still a whole lot better than buying a new truck, etc? I mean, how many trips do you have to make in order to make buying a truck worth it? I'm sure your gym will make it and be successful, but if I was starting a new business I would want to keep my costs as low as possible to start until you get to the point where you've got established regular income that you can rely on.

$500 to rent a few times a year, or a new set of truck payments every month?[/quote]

Bingo. Low startup costs and liabilities will be key to a successful business.

[vr4]

7.3 f250


But I agree with Matt. Rental at 500 a few times a year is cheaper than 5-700 12x a year.

[Duck Vader]

It's kind of why I'm debating on buying a small cargo trailer for behind the car if I can get one with brakes. One time payment for a lot cheaper that will work most of the time.

Something like a 5x8

[mjannusch]

A 5x8 trailer isn't going to do 5000-10000 pounds.

[Duck Vader]

No but it will do other things I need until I need to do the large loads. Over the next year I will need to tow/haul at least a dozen or more times. The small one would work for the smaller local stuff then I can rent a larger uhaul or penske or something for the really big loads until the business does take off.

The trip in a couple of weeks, the one in August, and the one in September can be done with the smaller one. It won't be until I do really big moves or meets that I need the bigger capacity.

[Duck Vader]

https://bandbtrailers.com/product/5x8-criterion-cargo/

[Duck Vader]

I just hate the hassle of renting especially because you are never guaranteed what you need will be available.

[Chris GTO TT]

[quote=""Duck Vader""]https://www.rickiesautollc.com/details/ ... y/86565863

Would this be a 3V v10? They started that in 05, right?[/quote]

Yeah I believe that's right not a bad price too.

[DCIV]

If you want 8.1 and Allison the cheapest way is the avalanche 2500. People don’t think they are trucks so they are cheaper. Harder to find, but cheaper. Any older Chevy though, check the brake lines. It’s a huge issue with them rusting.


Coop

[Duck Vader]

8.1 avalanche here in Yakima

https://www.tedmotors.net/details/used- ... e/82994549

Rebuit title though. Looks like was written off because of severe vandalism. Couple accidents but doesn't say severe ones. It was stolen and written off as vandalized. Pics don't show much damage.

$12k with 125k miles