Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Looking to replace the 1994 Caprice Wagon for Towing.
It is a good tow car and versatile for just about everything.
Too bad automakers do not make a wagon platform.

Has the comfort and power for get to Pittsburgh and Empire.
Only problem uses up a 4L60E transmission every 18 months.
Also constant upgrades as things wear out.

Recently installed PerformaBuilt Towing Trans that uses a Truck Casing.
Did remarkably well on the 90 degree weather to Empire.

The Wagon is 26 years old needing constant fixes to maintain reliability.
Fine for back up or less stressful terrain.

So what would be a comparable replacement?
Looked at all the Toyota, Chevy/GM, Dodge and Ford trucks.

So far like the Canyon Denali Turbo Diesel best.
Mid sized, nimble, 7700 lbs tow rating and wife can drive it.
Impala SS, Featherlight Open Trailer, stuff weights under 6000lbs.
Current configuration capability of the Caprice Wagon is 7000lbs.
Canyon has excellent daily fuel economy.

Not ready to buy an enclosed an Enclosed Trailer.
That will require a Truck with tow capability around 10K lbs.
The selection here is more confusing.
Seems the Duramax Trucks are best overall.
But Ford and Dodge have great offerings too.

Your 2 cents is valued.
OR
Feel free to PM me directly your advice.

Dan

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Just about any 1/2 ton V8 or V6 turbo pickup/SUV with the tow package will get the job done. Me personally I would get a Chevy/GMC with 5.3 and the tow package 3.42 or 3.73 gear ratio. you can get the same in a Tahoe and have the wagon feel. Look at spend some $$$$$ for a new one. To me towing with a full size truck is just safer.

http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/...erado1500.html

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

I started with a Chevy station wagon, then progressed to Ford F250 pickup and finally to Chevy 3500 duallys over the years. I would at least get a 3/4 ton pickup. No disrespect meant to guys using 1/2 tons, but a 3/4 ton has better suspension and brakes. Do remember, you may have stop you're trailer in a hurry on occasion and safety should be the #1 priority. I see way too many cars and trucks on the highway nowadays pulling trailers that they surely couldn't stop if they had to. My 02.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Minimum 1/2 ton ext. Cab p.u. to pull open trailer, wheelbase on little trucks makes them jackknife easily when braking aggressively. I used to tow with 3/4 ton suburbans and a few motorhomes both class C and A was always a white knuckle ride. Bought a crew cab diesel 3 years ago and would never tow with anything else.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Totally agree!!! I wouldn't use anything put a 3/4 myself but for what he is towing a new 1/2 has plenty of stopping power way more then his wagon ever had. If he was going to go with an inclosed trailer then 3/4 or 1 ton would be the best choice!

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

If I was looking to buy a Truck to tow a rig like yours. I would be looking at a Chev/GMC 1500HD extended or crew cab short box, 5.3L 4L80E trans. You see many of these trucks out there with 250,000 + miles on them.

Stay the hell away from the Ford Ecoboost. I've done many $3000 timing chain/Cam Phaser jobs on those. If you are looking at a ford the only engine I'd get is the 5.0L. So far they seem pretty reliable.

I'm not sure I'd go with a Canyon for a towing situation. the towing capacity might be good but I've found with the smaller trucks the rear suspension gets mushy when towing aka the trailer pushes you around a lot. I'd want to do a Test tow before committing to buy one.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Consider a Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500 single wheel diesel truck.
Lots of pulling power, great mileage and lots of reliability.
If you don't like diesel, then a Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi, not the 5.7 Hemi.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

X2. And yes, once you tow with a diesel you'll never go back. Might negotiate with the wife and get a crew cab short bed but of course the long bed offers more flexibility.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Wow thanks for the feedback.
The wagon has been reinforced with Tahoe Springs, Airbags and air compressor.
Added Metco Lower arms and installed a SS Roll bar.
Front end completely rebuilt, new gear has, pump, brakes front and rear.
Moser axles and studs.
Stops good with electric brakes and using 275/5017 tires with a 3.08 gear.

YouTube did comparison where Canyon with the mini Duramax.
It performed better than several other trucks including a Jeep.

Jerry thanks for the link.
Lots of good information.
Now have a few questions to sort.


D

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

From my personal experience, I had a Dodge Ram 3500, single wheel, powered by the 5.7 Hemi.

I towed different types of trailers, including an open trailer several times.
One typical issue when towing with gas engines is the lack of torque when going uphill. I have friends that have towed with both GM 5.3 and Dodge gas 6.4 engines and they have all said the same.

When I switched to a Cummins Diesel Dodge Ram, it was night and day pulling uphill, with the exhaust brake, there is no effort while going downhill and you have much better control when braking.

As regards to reliability, torque and power, the Cummings engine outperforms both the Duramax and Ford engine. This is not only from my own experience, but also from other racers that tow and from friends with diesel shops.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Thanks for the feed back...
My wagon has a 5.7 LT1. Added 1.6 roller tip rockers and a tune.
Did well towing over the PA and NY steep hills.
Held at near full throttle 70mph with temperatures were climbing.
May install a 383 if I keep the car or just add 3.42 or 3.73 gears next year.

Is the Cummings is an old design modernized or a whole new engine design?

Dan

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Dan,

If I were in your shoes I'd investigate at a minimum a 2500 with a Duramax. Get a crew cab and your wife can drive it. A 4x4 is a nice option too. That way if you ever upgrade to an enclosed trailer you won't need to upgrade your truck. No sense in buying a new one now that won't quite do the job.

For what it's worth we bought our first diesel last fall. Picked up a '15 Silverado 3500HD LTZ DRW 4WD. I hope to never tow with another truck again. This truck is a dream!

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Good to hear from you...
Problem with the 2500 or 3500.
Maria would not drive the truck that big.
Do like the Duramax and Silverado.
Still looking at the Canyon Denali to replace the wagon.
Should do just fine!
I am not in a hurry.

D

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Yes, we love the Silverado with the Duramax. But ... ask me one day when it needs an injector, turbo, fuel pump ... and I have to sell plasma and blood to pay for it. Might have a different answer then. :)

I'm in the same boat as you. Wendy won't drive this truck; especially since it's a DRW. Takes a little getting used to. Do this Dan. Take her to a dealership and drive a non-dually 2500HD and see what she thinks. They're not much larger than a 1500 and it's a really nice feeling sitting up higher with the better visibility. You'll never know until she drives one. With the new Duramax coming out this fall there are some good deals to be had on low mileage LML Duramax packages.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Maria does not even like driving the wagon.
Will always try.

D

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

You may consider a new or late model 2wd suburban 1500 with the 3.42 axle and tow pkg. It may not be much longer than your full size wagon now. If you install a Hensley hitch you would never know the open trailer is behind you. Also with the room in the back you could bring a cooler and chairs to relax between rounds. GM offered 12 pass vans with a 6.0 that are on the shorter chassis that will tow well too, once again the Hensley hitch is going to keep the sway and handling at its best and your wife may do some driving back and forth to the track too

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Depending on how many races you attend, maybe rent a truck. Enterprise Truck Rental rents crew cab and dually Ford,Dodge and Chevy diesel pickups, and they will let you tow your trailer with it. I work part time for the Enterprise wholesale division, and rented one when I took my car to MPR. You could probably rent one several times a month for what a monthly payment would be for a new one.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Dan, I have a 2007 Ford F350 6.0 LWB SRW 4x4 Lariat. I know many are going to pipe in here and beat the ford to pieces. If you look at a 6.0 only look at 2007's. Have had great luck with mine adders done to it, 4" down pipe going into 5" mandrel bent straight pipe, EGR delete, aftermarket turbo, CAI, 4.30 gears. Get 18 to 19 towing open trailer & 17 with enclosed. Empty highway get 24 to 25 mpg. It will pull anything I put behind it.

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Wow this is good information.
Have upgraded the Trans in the Wagon.
Went to PerformaBuilt and got a 4L60E with a truck case and all the mods.

However still looking at the GM Denali Canyon Turbo 4.
Watched all the YouTube videos.
It is a huge step up over earlier versions.
It would be a truck Maria could drive.

Do love the idea of a 6.0 L Chevy or GM van.
You can get those fixed up nice.
Nice enough to to sleep in.

Nick the Ford 350 is a great truck.
May rent one of the larger truck for the races as jHeath suggest..

Re: Best Vehicle or Truck for Towing.
 

Anyone towing an enclosed trailer with a Ram EcoDiesel?

Thanks

#5458

Curt Rees