BAWC Forums

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 12:24 pm**

What are some of the best tow trucks. Something you can cruise with. Something gas. Something used so it’s attainable.

The avalanche works but it’s not ideal. I would just like to keep tabs on some different vehicles.

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 12:44 pm**

What kind of weight are we talking?

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 1:04 pm**

I would say I would eventually wanna how my vr4 in an enclosed trailer. So 8k?

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 1:41 pm**

I mean my f250 gas tows well (12,200 rated) carries 3k payload, and just eats up the miles on the freeway. Mpg is pretty bad but better than my work ram 1500 when towing.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 2:55 pm**

Why tow the VR4 when it can drive? Where are all these magical towing places you want to go?

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 3:48 pm**

And why a closed trailer? I'm not saying his car is ratty or anything, but it's not a pampered show car either.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 3:50 pm**

ChargerX3 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 2:55 pm Why tow the VR4 when it can drive? Where are all these magical towing places you want to go?

Have I not been towing the model a for almost a year? I’m also going to be getting another car from the grand father in law that will need towing to get right. While the goal of every car is to move under its own power. The model a would be cool to take to away meets….the olds hopefully will get newer running gear and be fine, the vr4 would be nice to tow to the dragon and not have to worry about it breaking down. Let’s not forget I do have a ski boat that I will now not have a garage to put it in for the winter so it will be towed to a storage place. Also wouldn’t mind a camper later on in life.

I think that amount of towing lends itself to something bigger than a 1500 just to make my life a little easier. Simple as that.

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 3:51 pm**

Jeff V. wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 3:48 pm And why a closed trailer? I'm not saying his car is ratty or anything, but it's not a pampered show car either.

The closed trailer prob isn’t gonna happen. I know that….but they are nice.

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 3:52 pm**

Also, at some point the avalanche will have to be replaced, why not have an idea of something? This is no way a rush. I just want something to keep an eye on and be reading about.

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:05 pm**

I just wish trucks weren't getting so goddamn huge. I was at Carmax the other day and sat in a 2016 Silverado. It's gigantic. The 2022 Sierra Denali was even worse. Gorgeous interior on that one though. It pretty much killed my ideas about getting a Silverado as a new DD. Even if I could find the shorty one I want, it's still too damn big for an occasional use pickup.

At least you wouldn't be using yours as a daily. See if you can find some local-ish auction sites. This site gets rid of a lot of trucks and other equipment from the surrounding states. Contractors, road maintenance, dept of conservation, etc. See if you can find an old fleet vehicle. It'll have a lot of miles, but it'll have been well taken care of.

https://www.purplewave.com

This is a good example. The Oklahoma dept of wildlife is getting rid of a bunch of trucks right now.

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/2304 ... n-Oklahoma

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:07 pm**

For what it's worth, the outback and trailer it was on, combined weight was about 7k. Could barely tell it was there behind my f250 (I also have air suspension in the back). Also have had over 2k in the bed 4 times since I got it. The ram 1500 for work, you can definitely tell when even an empty utv trailer is there. Mpg drops like crazy and you can feel it fighting. Engine power is good but chassis isn't set up for it.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:34 pm**

I’ve followed the f250 fairly close as it’s prob in the price range when time.

I know nothing about fords or dodge or any other truck really.

And Jeff’s right. They all have gotten huge.

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:38 pm**

Jeff V. wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:05 pm I just wish trucks weren't getting so goddamn huge. I was at Carmax the other day and sat in a 2016 Silverado. It's gigantic. The 2022 Sierra Denali was even worse. Gorgeous interior on that one though. It pretty much killed my ideas about getting a Silverado as a new DD. Even if I could find the shorty one I want, it's still too damn big for an occasional use pickup.

At least you wouldn't be using yours as a daily. See if you can find some local-ish auction sites. This site gets rid of a lot of trucks and other equipment from the surrounding states. Contractors, road maintenance, dept of conservation, etc. See if you can find an old fleet vehicle. It'll have a lot of miles, but it'll have been well taken care of.

https://www.purplewave.com

This is a good example. The Oklahoma dept of wildlife is getting rid of a bunch of trucks right now.

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/2304 ... n-Oklahoma

That’s not a bad idea!

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:28 pm**

Duck Vader wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:07 pm For what it's worth, the outback and trailer it was on, combined weight was about 7k. Could barely tell it was there behind my f250 (I also have air suspension in the back). Also have had over 2k in the bed 4 times since I got it. The ram 1500 for work, you can definitely tell when even an empty utv trailer is there. Mpg drops like crazy and you can feel it fighting. Engine power is good but chassis isn't set up for it.

Ram noticeable with empty trailer? I towed back the Charger and family full of stuff from Idaho and almost didn't even notice it back there. I think i lost maybe 3-4 mpg while maintaining the same speed. Normal MPG is 20-22 on the highway.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:31 pm**

So much easier to tow with a 2 wheel Dolly. Wish I could do that with any of the things I mentioned.

Coop

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:41 pm**

ChargerX3 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:28 pm
Duck Vader wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:07 pm For what it's worth, the outback and trailer it was on, combined weight was about 7k. Could barely tell it was there behind my f250 (I also have air suspension in the back). Also have had over 2k in the bed 4 times since I got it. The ram 1500 for work, you can definitely tell when even an empty utv trailer is there. Mpg drops like crazy and you can feel it fighting. Engine power is good but chassis isn't set up for it.
Ram noticeable with empty trailer? I towed back the Charger and family full of stuff from Idaho and almost didn't even notice it back there. I think i lost maybe 3-4 mpg while maintaining the same speed. Normal MPG is 20-22 on the highway.

For mine yes. MPG average 14-15 normal, drops to single digits when towing. You can feel the back end drop several inches and bounces the rig around like crazy even with empty trailer. Might just be the one they gave me, but it is shit. Hate it with every fiber in my being. It has been tossed around for years in the department because no one wanted it. They have a new one on order for me, but usually takes about a year to get in. So will have to deal with this through the year. Transmission is already having trouble again.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:45 pm**

Feels even worse this year than last year. Not sure what they did to is during my off season.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 7:45 pm**

Duck Vader wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:07 pm For what it's worth, the outback and trailer it was on, combined weight was about 7k. Could barely tell it was there behind my f250 (I also have air suspension in the back). Also have had over 2k in the bed 4 times since I got it. The ram 1500 for work, you can definitely tell when even an empty utv trailer is there. Mpg drops like crazy and you can feel it fighting. Engine power is good but chassis isn't set up for it.

Coil spring rear? They're soft and comfy but absolutely suck when asked to do anything.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 7:46 pm**

DCIV wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:31 pm So much easier to tow with a 2 wheel Dolly. Wish I could do that with any of the things I mentioned.

Coop

Until you have to reverse. Then you're F'd.

Posted: **Thu Apr 13, 2023 7:49 pm**

Duck Vader wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:41 pm
ChargerX3 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:28 pm
Duck Vader wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 4:07 pm For what it's worth, the outback and trailer it was on, combined weight was about 7k. Could barely tell it was there behind my f250 (I also have air suspension in the back). Also have had over 2k in the bed 4 times since I got it. The ram 1500 for work, you can definitely tell when even an empty utv trailer is there. Mpg drops like crazy and you can feel it fighting. Engine power is good but chassis isn't set up for it.
Ram noticeable with empty trailer? I towed back the Charger and family full of stuff from Idaho and almost didn't even notice it back there. I think i lost maybe 3-4 mpg while maintaining the same speed. Normal MPG is 20-22 on the highway.

For mine yes. MPG average 14-15 normal, drops to single digits when towing. You can feel the back end drop several inches and bounces the rig around like crazy even with empty trailer. Might just be the one they gave me, but it is shit. Hate it with every fiber in my being. It has been tossed around for years in the department because no one wanted it. They have a new one on order for me, but usually takes about a year to get in. So will have to deal with this through the year. Transmission is already having trouble again.

Sounds like you have the old slush box trans, but towing a car shouldn't be a huge ordeal. I've had our family car trailer on the back too where its a little bit more noticeable, but nothing like you are mentioning.

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