2nd tow vehical

[haulnazz15]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I think for me since I pay cash, 20k is about the largest check I'm willing to write for a vehicle. Can't get a new fully loaded, full frame suv for that so im forced to go used and American. I do recall about that time when gas started spiking way up the suv and truck deals were very good. You could get a Tahoe for a song I recall.

I see your point. However, I went ahead and financed a portion of it because it was some thing like 1.9% financing for 5 years. I decided to keep the cash in the bank instead. Thing is, I've only lost about 1/3rd of the purchase price in depreciation on the truck, so it's still holding value pretty well. Eventually I'll have to upgrade the truck to a diesel when we grab the bigger cabin cruiser, but this truck is fine for now. I'm waiting on the new Mustangs to come out so I can pick up a 2013 GT on the cheap after the new models roll out. I'll retire the truck from it's DD status to pick up a few more mpg's with the Mustang.

 

[dingbat]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

Not sure where you get your numbers but a 99 Tahoe has a 117" wheelbase and an extra cab Silverado with a short bed from a couple years later is 143" wheelbase.

Who said anything about an extended cab truck?

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab 4WD Specs & 2002 Silverado 1500 Regular Cab 4WD Pricing, 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Package Specs, MPG, Engine Specs | NADAguides | Silverado 1500 Regular Cab 4WD Invoice, MSRP & Silverado 1500 Regular Cab

Wheelbase (in) 119.0
Length, Overall w/o rear bumper (in) 203.2

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Utility 4D LT 4WD Specs & 2002 Tahoe Utility 4D LT 4WD Pricing, 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Package Specs, MPG, Engine Specs | NADAguides | Tahoe Utility 4D LT 4WD Invoice, MSRP & Tahoe Utility 4D LT 4WD Base Price

Wheelbase (in) 116.0
Length, Overall w/o rear bumper (in) 196.9

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

Yes I am quoting extended cab numbers and that is what I tow with. The regular cab is pretty useless as a tow vehicle. I agree its just as bad as a Tahoe.

At least around here, if you go into a dealer, they rarely even have a regular cab in stock to buy. No one buys them.

 

[dingbat]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

Yes I am quoting extended cab numbers and that is what I tow with. The regular cab is pretty useless as a tow vehicle. I agree its just as bad as a Tahoe.

The extended cab is still problematic around here. Steep ramps and no weight in the rear don't mix. The guys that are serious use Burbs. I wanted one instead of the Tahoe but it will not fit in the garage. :blue:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

The extended cab is still problematic around here. Steep ramps and no weight in the rear don't mix. The guys that are serious use Burbs. I wanted one instead of the Tahoe but it will not fit in the garage. :blue:

My extended cab PU is a few inches longer than my 2001 Suburban that I had. I have no problem with my extended cab on ramps and I don't even have limited slip. Our ramps might be better. I even have an equalizing hitch on that would make matters worse.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

agreed.. the car is a good plan but the tahoe with it's short wheelbase is marginal at best... IIRC the 4 door is a little longer wheelbase and a little better if that's what it is.

short distance low speed towing would be ok

I think I'd look to pick up a similar age pickup or suburban for a tow pig and a car for commuting

Having towed a #5.5K boat many a mile with a 1/2 ton Silverado, a Tahoe and a Burb,I would have to disagree. The pickup may have a 3" longer wheel base but the Tahoe's extra #1,100 of curb weight more than makes up the difference. The pickup had absolutely nothing on the Tahoe and in fact, the pickup's lack of weight on the rear axle was detrimental in my case.

Being a coastal boater, our ramps are steep and sand covered. I needed 4WD 50% of the time with the pickup. Using 4WD in the Tahoe has never even crossed my mind. The Burb is a completely different beast. My favorite tow vehicle..my least favorite to fill up.

FWIW: The Tahoe was the family vehicle when gas was cheaper and the kids where younger. It's now relegated to beach buggy, vacation and towing duty only. It has the factory "heavy" tow package w/ a 3:73 rear so it sucks gas. Around town @14 mpg, highway @18 mpg, pulling the boat @10 mpg, pulling the horses @9 mpg

I'm not really sure how this is a disagreement.... I didn't say it wouldn't work. I said it was marginal.... I suspect that his boat weighs a bit more than yours too. I guess I should have specified long wheelbase pickup though......

as far as weight in the rear, yep that helps on ramps but then if you have 4x4, who cares... Having to use 4x4 is ONLY a negative IF you don't have it..... personally, I never worry much about the ramp as I don't buy or recommend 2wd trucks.... my concern is the highway and at highway speeds a tahoe would certainly be "marginal at best" with his signature boat.

 

[agallant80]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I decided I am going to tow my boat with a G35 coupe........

For real though, I will end up going with the best truck I can afford for cash. If its a tahoe then its a tahoe, though I will try to avoid one.

I met a guy at the ram pulling a 4 winds 28 footer with a Land Rover Discovery. I was amazed that he thought that was a good idea.

I looked at auto trader and I saw a few 2001 Chevy 2500 4WD with 90-120K on them for less then 10K. I will end up going with something like that.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I looked at auto trader and I saw a few 2001 Chevy 2500 4WD with 90-120K on them for less then 10K. I will end up going with something like that.

That would be a good choice. Whole bunch of 8.1L versions of those are around that nobody wants because of fuel mileage.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I decided I am going to tow my boat with a G35 coupe........

ound:

 

[Elkhornsun]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I would get a 1999 or later model year Tahoe. 1999 was the first year that GM put disc brakes on all 4 wheels. My 1998 was pitiful when it came to stopping with or without a trailer in tow. Better yet would be a Toyota 4Runner. With the Tahoe the 4.10 rear end is a must have and nice to get a later one with at least the 5-speed transmission if not the 6-speed. With the 5-speed you get an overdrive gear which does help a little with fuel economy.

I have always had a pickup truck and also an economical sedan. My truck gets 14 MPG burning diesel and my car gets 45 MPG burning regular gas. The coupe is cheaper to drive and after 70K miles still has 80% of the brake pads left and is on its second set of tires but they were less than half the cost of the tires for the pickup.

If I were towing in the local area and had a truck or SUV with less than 200k miles on it I would consider it an OK tow vehicle. For longer trips where I don't want a breakdown I would use the car.

One aspect to consider is that with a 15 year old SUV the air conditioner core is likely to be shot and replacing it will cost about $1400 in parts and labor. If you can do without the AC where you live then it is no big deal. The Tahoes also wear out the tie rods and ball joints faster than small trucks and do get this checked out by a front end repair shop before taking the SUV out on the freeway much less towing your boat.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I would get a 1999 or later model year Tahoe. 1999 was the first year that GM put disc brakes on all 4 wheels.

2000 was when the Tahoe got disc brakes on all 4 wheels. That was the model change year. Same applies for the Suburban. The Pickup did get them in 1999 with that model change.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I would get a 1999 or later model year Tahoe. 1999 was the first year that GM put disc brakes on all 4 wheels. My 1998 was pitiful when it came to stopping with or without a trailer in tow. Better yet would be a Toyota 4Runner. With the Tahoe the 4.10 rear end is a must have and nice to get a later one with at least the 5-speed transmission if not the 6-speed. With the 5-speed you get an overdrive gear which does help a little with fuel economy.

The OP is not going to be able to tow his 8Klbs rig with a 4Runner.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

The OP is not going to be able to tow his 8Klbs rig with a 4Runner.

or a tahoe safely

 

[agallant80]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I gave up on the tahoe. I am looking at early 2000's 2500 Suburbans with the 7.4

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I gave up on the tahoe. I am looking at early 2000's 2500 Suburbans with the 7.4

I had a 99 3/4T with a 7.4L and a 2001 3/4T Suburban. Go for 2001 or later with the 8.1. The brakes on the 99 and earlier had major problems. The 2000 model 3/4T didn't have a big engine it it yet.

 

[gtochris]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

2000 was when the Tahoe got disc brakes on all 4 wheels. That was the model change year. Same applies for the Suburban. The Pickup did get them in 1999 with that model change.

They must have been atrocious on a pre 2000 model as the brakes in our prior 2002 Tahoe were marginal at best, Emergency stops were dreadful.

 

[marekli]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I had an 2001 RX300 to commute and an 2002 F350 for towing boat and trailer until very recently. My commuting miles are ~13K, towing maybe 2-3K annually. The gas bills sucked big time....9-10MPG for the F350 (Triton V10) and 15-16MPG for the RX300. The RX300 had accumulated 160K miles while the F350 was still at only 44K miles!!! I traded both vehicles in and now drive a 2012 Corolla with 25-30MPG and have the 2007 Tundra with 16-18MPG for towing. I really wanted a hybrid/electric but the technology is still too expensive ...the swap cost me about $15K but I feel it was worth it...

At some point I debated folding into one vehicle but it is very expensive to put your daily miles on SUVs and trucks plus the use, wear and tear that costs you additional $$$s. I think it's better to just ride around in a smaller commuter...

 

[jkust]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

15-16MPG for the RX300. QUOTE]

Wait, the small Lexus 'suv' gets 16mpg? How is that even possible to get such poor mileage?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I have heard that kind of mileage on those vehicles, especially if you are driving only in the city.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2nd tow vehical

I have heard that kind of mileage on those vehicles, especially if you are driving only in the city.

That's worse than 5000lb, low geared, On demand AWD, body on frame, 4 speed, high torque engine, suv's. Seriously what does an Escalade get? About the same? Did he mean 25-26mpg?