Generally speaking any 3/4, 1 ton pickup will do fine. If you get an auto
put the big trans cooler on it. Big engines(454, 460) and low (4:10)
gears are good for power but bad on gas. A small block with high (3:55)
might not have the power to keep up with traffic. 2wd without limited
slip is very easy to get stuck (on anything other than maintained roads).
Advantages:
GM handling,steering
Ford ?
Dodge Cummins
On Wed, 14 Jun 2000 22:21:18 -0400 Rob Foley
<RobertJFoley@compuserve.com> writes:
>I am sure this subject has been discussed many times but I am looking
>for a good tow vehicle for under $12k. A pickup truck with extended cab
>and two wheel drive is what I would prefer. Are there any suggestions
>on make, model, trans, gears etc??? Please include info on certain
>models to avoid too.
>Thanks,
>Derek Butts
> an 88 Ranger 2.9 5 speed that I sold at 150,000 miles, and a 95 that
> I soldat 80,000 that I wish I still had. The 95 was a Supercab 4.0
with a
> 5speed and a 3.55 8.8 limited slip, and also had the sport suspension
> option with 235/60-15's. Drove and towed way better than my current
> Explorer V8. I have always pulled open trailers with a total weight of
between
> 3500 and 4000 lbs. Towing mileage was in the 14's.
A Cummins powered Dodge may not make your price cap but could make up the
price difference in fuel mileage. 16mpg is the worst we've seen, 18 is
typical when towing.
> The drivetrains on GM products are IMHO little too light duty until
> into 3/4 ton and 1 ton chassis. Lots of stories of melted trannys
> (especially automatics) and fried rear ends.
1/2 ton trucks are just trendy passenger vehicles. If you work one like a
truck you can expect problems.
> Dodges would probably do OK,
> but their automatic transmissions are not known for longevity.
In the Ram diesel the automatic is definitely considered the weak link.
On the way home from Ayer ours turned 170,000 miles : )
EC
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