Tow Vehicle ?

Bud Lefevre · 12-12-2007, 08:35 AM

Just wondering what you feel has been the best tow vehicle you've ever had. Based on cost, reliability,mileage.
Maybe the one you wish you still had.

Thanks

Rusty Davenport · 12-12-2007, 09:14 AM

For practicality and all around use----- 3/4 ton Suburban
For safety-----nothing like a dually.

DIAPERMAN · 12-12-2007, 09:29 AM

F550 with gooseneck 19.5 tires and big breakes 17,500 lb gvw

Michael Beard · 12-12-2007, 09:59 AM

'89 Ramcharger 5.9L was cheap ($5K) which made up for the so-so mileage, but it was reliable, except for needing the front rotors turned every other year. Cons: When Billy Nees borrowed it to pick up a car in Jersey, "OK, Michael, what do I need to know about towing with this thing?" Two things: It doesn't go and it doesn't stop. Other than that, it's great! Okay, I guess it wasn't that good, but it was cheap, and it made it's own payments on occassion, as I won several races with it. Ran mid 18's usually.

'00 Dakota Quad Cab 4.7L - probably needed a little more support in the back, but overall, an exceptional vehicle. Touched 15mpg towing once! Worst mileage was 11-12 mpg, hammer down in the mountains. Owned it for 11 days before I won a race with it, so it made some of its own payments, too. When not towing, drives like a car. Still my all-time favorite vehicle. Ran a 15.99 with K&N air intake system, but otherwise bone stock, and single exhaust. Ran 16.40's in 'bracket mode'.

Current '04 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4.7L - Has the extra chassis that the Dakota didn't. Typically get 13 mpg towing. This one has the 20" wheels, and less gear. Ran 10.80's in the 1/8th.

Cost on the last two were roughly the same $18K range. I tow with an open trailer that I won in a shootout race years ago (so, basically free), so I figure I'm already somewhere between $30K - $60K ahead of the game. ;-)

Terry Knott has one of the best 'next step up' setups... '05 Ram 2500 turbo Cummins with 28' alum enclosed. That thing will go anywhere!

Myron Piatek · 12-12-2007, 01:01 PM

My current 2004.5 Dodge Cummins Quad Cab dually is all I could ever want. It actually gets 1-2 mpg better than my previous '92 Dodge Club Cab dually! When I hooked up my open trailer to the newer truck, it was as if it wasn't even there! My 26' Pace caused it to lose at least 3mpg. Total weight is over 19,000, average 11-12 on reasonably level ground and had a best of almost 13.

I actually flat-towed my '72 Challenger bracket car with a '72 barracuda a few times!

Dave Goob Cook · 12-12-2007, 01:15 PM

'94 F-250 ext. cab Powerstroke with 3.55 gears and the 5-speed manual....

greg fulk · 12-12-2007, 02:20 PM

Bud I'm very happy with my 03 2500 dodge. cummins 6 speed 3.73 gear about 14 mpg towing my 24' enclosed & 20mpg driving to work.

Bob Verwold · 12-12-2007, 05:47 PM

1984 Chev. c/30 crew-cab dully with 468 and 411 gears. As for gas mileage well 6mpg is about it but am pulling a 44ft trailer .But truck never had trouble going up hills. Works better going down hills.

Sean Ward · 12-12-2007, 08:20 PM

01 f350 7.3 18 miles to gallon pulling my car that weights 4540# best truck ever had

Uncrated · 12-12-2007, 09:26 PM

My 06 GMC DuraMax is one fine rig! Talk about a stout towing machine, just set the cruise and relax.

12-12-2007, 08:35 AM	#1
Bud Lefevre Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 250 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tow Vehicle ? Just wondering what you feel has been the best tow vehicle you've ever had. Based on cost, reliability,mileage. Maybe the one you wish you still had. Thanks __________________ Bud Lefevre 3075 STK IHRA World Record Holder

12-12-2007, 09:14 AM	#2
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 506 Likes: 4 Liked 101 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? For practicality and all around use----- 3/4 ton Suburban For safety-----nothing like a dually.

12-12-2007, 09:29 AM	#3
DIAPERMAN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ILLINIOS Posts: 715 Likes: 2 Liked 21 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? F550 with gooseneck 19.5 tires and big breakes 17,500 lb gvw

12-12-2007, 09:59 AM	#4
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? '89 Ramcharger 5.9L was cheap ($5K) which made up for the so-so mileage, but it was reliable, except for needing the front rotors turned every other year. Cons: When Billy Nees borrowed it to pick up a car in Jersey, "OK, Michael, what do I need to know about towing with this thing?" Two things: It doesn't go and it doesn't stop. Other than that, it's great! Okay, I guess it wasn't that good, but it was cheap, and it made it's own payments on occassion, as I won several races with it. Ran mid 18's usually. '00 Dakota Quad Cab 4.7L - probably needed a little more support in the back, but overall, an exceptional vehicle. Touched 15mpg towing once! Worst mileage was 11-12 mpg, hammer down in the mountains. Owned it for 11 days before I won a race with it, so it made some of its own payments, too. When not towing, drives like a car. Still my all-time favorite vehicle. Ran a 15.99 with K&N air intake system, but otherwise bone stock, and single exhaust. Ran 16.40's in 'bracket mode'. Current '04 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4.7L - Has the extra chassis that the Dakota didn't. Typically get 13 mpg towing. This one has the 20" wheels, and less gear. Ran 10.80's in the 1/8th. Cost on the last two were roughly the same $18K range. I tow with an open trailer that I won in a shootout race years ago (so, basically free), so I figure I'm already somewhere between $30K - $60K ahead of the game. ;-) Terry Knott has one of the best 'next step up' setups... '05 Ram 2500 turbo Cummins with 28' alum enclosed. That thing will go anywhere! __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

12-12-2007, 01:01 PM	#5
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? My current 2004.5 Dodge Cummins Quad Cab dually is all I could ever want. It actually gets 1-2 mpg better than my previous '92 Dodge Club Cab dually! When I hooked up my open trailer to the newer truck, it was as if it wasn't even there! My 26' Pace caused it to lose at least 3mpg. Total weight is over 19,000, average 11-12 on reasonably level ground and had a best of almost 13. I actually flat-towed my '72 Challenger bracket car with a '72 barracuda a few times! __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

12-12-2007, 01:15 PM	#6
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? '94 F-250 ext. cab Powerstroke with 3.55 gears and the 5-speed manual....

12-12-2007, 02:20 PM	#7
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? Bud I'm very happy with my 03 2500 dodge. cummins 6 speed 3.73 gear about 14 mpg towing my 24' enclosed & 20mpg driving to work. __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

12-12-2007, 05:47 PM	#8
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? 1984 Chev. c/30 crew-cab dully with 468 and 411 gears. As for gas mileage well 6mpg is about it but am pulling a 44ft trailer .But truck never had trouble going up hills. Works better going down hills.

12-12-2007, 08:20 PM	#9
Sean Ward Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grand Island FL. Posts: 389 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? 01 f350 7.3 18 miles to gallon pulling my car that weights 4540# best truck ever had __________________ Sean Ward NHRA s/ss/comp#2882 SW4 MOTORSPORTS

12-12-2007, 09:26 PM	#10
Uncrated Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle ? My 06 GMC DuraMax is one fine rig! Talk about a stout towing machine, just set the cruise and relax.