I need a tow car

Tom Hoppe · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:16 am **Posts:** 387

I need a tow car. This will be my "sometimes daily driver" and also tow car. Since I am using tax code 179 to write the entire value of the car off next year I need it to be over 6000lbs GVWR. I needs to be as close to $25K as possible. The cheaper the better. Last but not least, needs to be a dealership as I will be trading in my WRX for it.

-2002 Land Rover Discovery - 7000lb towing, $23K for a 15K mile one at the dealership
-2002-2003 Expedition - 7000lb towing, $22-30K depending on mileage
-2003-2004 Ford F150 crew car - I don't know if I want to daily drive a "truck" ever though
-2000-2003 Chevy Tahoe - tows a lot $25k-30K depending on mileage
-2003 Chevy Trailblazer EXT $25K tows 6000lbs

Right now, I'm leaning to the land rover or the expedition. Everyone I talk to just talks total smack about the land rover. Should I be looking at these newer model years, or should I get a 1998 or 99 with 60-80K miles? I was worried about towing with something older......

Aaron/Scott - I checked out that nissan armada. friggin NICE, but at $34K with tow package, its too expensive for me. The titan is $28K though...hmmmmmm

Any input/advice/suggestions?
-Tom

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2003 11:38 am

Tom... buddy... I hate to tell you... they're ALL trucks...

Ask Shawn Whipple about his Land Rover experience before buying that one.

All in all I've been happy with my Tahoe. I bought it with ~98K miles on it and except for a few issues it's really towed well and now has ~121K miles on it. Not bad to Daily Drive since it's not quite as big as a Suburban or Expedition. When towing in the hills though boy do I wish I had the 454 instead of the 350.

On your list though I think I'd have to go with the Expedition. The bigger the better (more stable) when it comes to towing.

Diane

JamesFeinberg · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:01 pm

I used to tow with a '97 Eddie Bauer 5.4L Expedition with the air suspension package. I had a 25 enclosed trailer which when fully loaded weighed slightly in excess of 6000lbs. While I couldn't use overdrive while cruising, I had no problem maintaining 70+ mph on the highway. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have opted for the diesel with that much weight but I had no real power issues with the gas motor. I put around 40k hard miles on it while I owned it (bought it new).

I had no problems whatsoever with the Expedition and it made a fairly decent daily driver for me. I averaged around 14mpg with a heavy foot normally and around 8 while towing the monster trailer. I'm sure most people will cringe when I say this but the thing actually handled decently and I could hustle it through most corners. It may have been the air suspension contributing to this (never drove one without it) but I thought it was a great riding vehicle. The thing was an absolute unstoppable tank in the snow with the full-time 4WD activated.

With the third row seat, it was nice to be able to pack 8 people in it and head out to lunch or something. With the full leather interior, it was nice enough to take clients out in when I owned my video game company. On 2 occasions, we were able to pack nearly the entire company into the Expedition and head down to the E3 (video game) conference in Atlanta with plenty of room for everybody and their luggage.

I thought it was a good vehicle for its purpose and price range.

Jim

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:16 pm

I will preface my comments with "I am a Chevy man". I would toss off the Land Rover and Trailblazer from your list. The Land Rover will leave you stranded and the Trailbazer is not big enough. I would stay away from Dodge's also.

I agree with Diane on the motor. I have the 6 liter in my 2500HD and it cruises 80 mph in overdrive while averaging 11 mpg. My 97 1500 had the 5.7 and it constantly was trying to find the right gear or I would have to take it out of overdrive. Ask Mike Johnson about towing with the Avalache's 5.3 liter.

I prefer a truck over an SUV. I trashed the interior of my Tahoe tossing things into the back and I enjoy the flexibility of the truck over an SUV. Plus it is a more manly

Chicks dig pickups.

Regardless of Ford or Chevy, get the biggest motor you can afford and all the creature comforts you can afford. I recommed the adjustable seats and a good stereo system. Trust me 12-18 trips are a lot easier when you are comfortable.

If you get a truck, you will need a bed cover. A good, locking one will run between $600-$700. You do not want to worry about leaving your stuff out in the open over night at some motel in the middle of nowhere.

Just my .02 worth.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:27 pm

Tom,

You might also consider a full size van (cargo or passenger). Lots of interior space compared to the overall size. Big engines available. Room to "camp in" if the budget gets tight.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:30 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2447703690

Maybe not what's in the auction...

That said, teh Tundra has been very good for Sally and I. I don't have many complaints. With about 4000 lbs in tow we have very few issues. You do have to leave overdrive off most of the time, but milage has never come in under 10, even on a trip though W. Va with a crummy U-Haul trailer and car in tow. We got up the VA hills just fine *if* traffic cooperated. Drop below 70 mph on the climbs and you would get out of the ideal power band and start to slow until a rather hard downshift to 2nd.

But, if it was over 70mph it climbed just fine.

The Tundra responds well to headers, with pretty big gains across the board (probably enough to solve the 70 mph issue above).

A TRD supercharger is available (but expensive), but if you got a used Tundra and a Supercharger... That would equate to about 360 hp and 450 ft-lbs... You could make it all fit into a price tag at $25K for a used one.

Around town the Tundra has been good, with about 15mph most of the time. Pretty comfortable too.

Scott

Tom Hoppe · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:16 am **Posts:** 387

Why can't toyota scam like the rest of the world and put their trucks in > 6000 gvwr

They would get a lot more sales. If not for that fact, there would be NO choice. I would be getting either a 4runner or the tundra. With the gvwr being <6000 though, I can't write the thing off for "business use" immediately.

-Tom

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2003 5:41 pm

http://www.4g61t.com/thsccforum/viewtopic.php?t=565

Who knew that pink was your favorite??? Wow we learn something new about Tom everyday.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2003 5:59 pm

Tom Hoppe wrote:

Why can't toyota scam like the rest of the world and put their trucks in > 6000 gvwr

They would get a lot more sales. If not for that fact, there would be NO choice. I would be getting either a 4runner or the tundra. With the gvwr being <6000 though, I can't write the thing off for "business use" immediately.

-Tom

According to the Toyota web site *all* of the Tundra V8 models for 2004 are over 6000 lbs, the only models that are under are V6 4x2 and you wouldn't want one of those anyway. Alas, you are correct about the 4-runner, with the porkiest a meager 5710 lbs.

Scott

Sean Korb · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2003 3:45 pm

It's less than $25k, but it probably weighs 6000lbs

> "Ted" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> news:dvFBb.104733$I53.4979330@twister.southeast.rr.com...
>> 1972 Ford Galaxie 500. Once an ATF undercover car. Still have the
>> paperwork from its government service. Heavy-duty C6 transmission. Car
>> has a perfect-running 1970 Ford 302 engine in it. Rare power bench seat,
>> factory cruise control, AC works but needs freon. Power steering, power
>> brakes, 4 door. Car is green. Was used as a daily driver until a couple
>> months ago when I got something newer. In last 5-10k miles has had new
>> brakes (including brand new drums), new exhaust pipe, new belts and hoses.
>> Oil changed regularly.
>>
>> Not the most beautiful car in the world, but VERY reliable, VERY roomy,
>> and very easy/cheap to work on. Car has a lot of character and history...
>> even still has -working- stake-out light box under dash... and is
>> mechanically excellent.
>>
>> $1000 firm.
>>
>> email kurtz(at)deltaNOSPAMcom.com
>>

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2003 4:39 pm

Sean Korb wrote:

It's less than $25k, but it probably weighs 6000lbs

> "Ted" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> news:dvFBb.104733$I53.4979330@twister.southeast.rr.com...
>> 1972 Ford Galaxie 500. Once an ATF undercover car. Still have the
>> paperwork from its government service. Heavy-duty C6 transmission. Car
>> has a perfect-running 1970 Ford 302 engine in it. Rare power bench seat,
>> factory cruise control, AC works but needs freon. Power steering, power
>> brakes, 4 door. Car is green. Was used as a daily driver until a couple
>> months ago when I got something newer. In last 5-10k miles has had new
>> brakes (including brand new drums), new exhaust pipe, new belts and hoses.
>> Oil changed regularly.
>>
>> Not the most beautiful car in the world, but VERY reliable, VERY roomy,
>> and very easy/cheap to work on. Car has a lot of character and history...
>> even still has -working- stake-out light box under dash... and is
>> mechanically excellent.
>>
>> $1000 firm.
>>
>> email kurtz(at)deltaNOSPAMcom.com
>>

Oh my... don't let Karl see this...

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

Tom,

I've towed with an 2000 Expedition before on a long trip and it did just fine. My brother also towed the FHP Mustang to the Peru Tour three years ago with one (both were rentals) and had no trouble. I'd be wary of the Land Rover for towing purposes. Donnie & I rented one in Topeka this year and the power was underwhelming, but the cupholders easily will hold a 32 oz. Malt Liquor or Big Gulp.

As Scott mentioned, the Tundra is a pretty awesome all round vehicle, too bad you can't make it work with the weights. We usually get 12 MPG towing, with a best of 14 and worst of 10. We did get 18 MPG on one stint, but that was b/c I was following about 10-15 feet behind Donnie's Toter/Trailer rig to DC. Chris averaged between 16-18 MPG around town, but much of that is on I-40.

Good luck,
Eric

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

http://www.sccaforums.com/cgi-bin/ultim ... 6;t=000195

That's all you...

Tom Hoppe · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:16 am **Posts:** 387

Wow, a lightning would work :twisted:

Now if I can talk pat down to $10K

I did some research, thinking, advice reading and etc over the past few days/weeks and came up with my final plan.

I will be picking up a 97/98 Expedition with ~70-90K miles on it. I have found plenty (>75) of them around the area that are between $8000 and $10000. This way I can still write the $$ off on taxes and with a down payment that I will be putting down, it will equal out to a $150 monthly payment. I will also try to scour some auctions as I'm sure there are plenty of these getting repoed or whatnot.

Here are a few quick ones I've found.
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdet ... ardist=300

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdet ... ardist=300

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdet ... ardist=236

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdet ... ardist=170

Thanks for all the advice guys!!
-Tom

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

It's probably not what I'm thinking, but "JDM exhaust" sounds pretty funny.

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