Tow Vehicle

[Teri C.]

I saw a bass boat being pulled by a pimped out Escalade the other day. It actually looked pretty good even though the 2 didn't seem to go together. I thought it would be fun to ask what you currently tow with and if money was not an issue, what would you have for a tow vehicle.



This is a hard one for me because I've had so many vehicles.....



I would like to have a new 2007 GMC Yukon Denali with every option they offer. Not likely to happen for me any time soon but you never know.

 

[mike chip]

abrams m1a1 would do just fine, espicially in traffic

 

[Rich D]

I tow with a 2003 Ford Ranger. If money were no object, I might go to an F-150, but probably not.



Rich D

 

[JAMES MOORE]

Chevy 4 X 4 3 door, 1999 Z71 with 5300 vortec engine. Pure Power.

 

[Bryan McDonough]

A matching chevy crew cab duramax.

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

Ram IT!!!!!!!

 

[Edward Lea.]

Ford F-150 2WD. Why pay for all that bad MPG when just rolling around on good roads. How many times do most, key point there most, people need 4WD pulling and launching thier bass boat?

 

[TrepMan]

Currently, as if anyone DIDN'T know - Kia Sedona minivan.



If money were no object, i'd have a Red H2 to tow my Nitro with. If you're gonna blow $50k on a tow vehicle, why not be bold and unique! of course my Mother-n-law HATES Hummers, not big SUV's JUST Hummers, so i'd have to get a new wife too!!! LOL

 

[Paul P]

I've needed 4WD often enough when using dirt/gravel launches particulary when they get muddy. I would never buy a tow vehicle without 4WD.

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

Ed,



A great deal of times I need my 4wd, some of the Tidal Water ramos are extremely slippery during low tide, not to mention the dirt/gravel ramps in NJ.



But in the area of NJ I live in, your pretty much SOL in the snow without 4wd.



Unless the 4wd in engaged, I'm pretty sure the MPG would be marginal vs. a 2wd.

 

[Jim B]

I cant really say i "tow" with it yet because it only has 800 miles on but I just picked up a 2006 Chevy Silverado Ext cab 4wd z71 lt3 package thats fully loaded inside with the 310hp 5300 vortech motor. im pretty sure it will tow just fine when spring comes.



Here is a crappy camphone pict

If money was no object i would have a Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie with the Cummins Deisel. But since money is an option and i cant afford a 55k truck i wont be buying one any time soon. I actually was looking heavily at a ram 1500 to replace my aged Dakota when i bought a new truck last week but the GM supplier discount i get played a MAJOR role in me getting the Chevy. I couldnt get into a Dodge for even close to what i paid for the Chevy, and the chevy is loaded and the dodge was the cloth seated slt model. $$$ to the tune of ~7k is a pretty big difference in my book.

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

Jim B,



I agree, I got a deep discount on my Ram with the Supllier discount as well. Without it, not sure what I would have, I guess whatever was on sale at the moment.

 

[Teri C.]

I've used 4wd on very steep ramps when they are very slick. I also used 4wd when I have to pull my pontoon boat/trailer out of the woods when I am taking it out for the year especially if its muddy. 4wd also comes in handy when it snows in Indy. Don't need it too much in Nashville.

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

So Teri, are you going for the Escalade, sweet Bling Bling Truck

 

[Jim B]

CLJ i hear ya. Here is what it boiled down to for me.



I looked at a Ram SLT quad cab 4wd with the Hemi, Thunder road package, sliding rear window, tow package and locking rear diff with the cloth seats and basic radio. It stickered for just shy of 37, invoice of 34,700 and they were offering 1500 cash so 33,200 total.



The Chevy i got is a 1500 4wd with z71 package, tow package, LT3 package, heated power leather seats, Bose audio w 6 cd changer, sliding rear window, locking rear diff, onstar, xm radio, side steps, spray in bed liner and the 310hp 5.3l. this truck stickered out at just shy of 39 and with my discount and 2500 rebate they had i got it for just under 27k. They also gave me a better trade in on my Dakota.



I really wanted the Ram but for the $$$ i would have been crazy to pass on the Chevy. Even the Dodge salesman told me that. I do miss the Dakota because it was so fun to drive but it was time to let it go. I also looked at the Nissan Titan, nice truck and with my supplier discount i could have got a real deal on one of those too but i read a lot about rear diff failures on them and im thinking i didnt want any part of that. From what i read people that tow with them sare far more prone to failure.

 

[Bill McElroy]

Trep...you let your Mother in Law have a say in what YOU buy and drive???...Dude,..that's too embarrasing to even ADMIT!!!! You're KILLING me!!!

 

[Paul P]

Jim



Sounds like an extremely sweet deal! What type of program offered such deep discounts?



Thanks



Paul

 

[Scott Smith]

Exactly what I just picked up a few days ago



2006 Ram 1500 Big Horn Edition Quad Cab. 5.7 liter Hemi, switches to 4 cylinders when 8 are not needed. 4 x 4, 20 inch rims, 6 CD Infinity system with free Sirius radio, power rear window, fold flat rear storage, trailer tow package, locking rear diff, bed liner and all in the new Khaki color. Its a sweet rig. Cloth seats, but I don't care for leather. 0 down, 27 month employee lease (my wife gets it) all for less than I was paying for my 02 Ram lease with 0 down on a basic 4 x 4 Ram quad cab w/o the Hemi and very basic equipment.

 

[Jim B]

Paul, i work for a GM supplier.

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

Smitty that sounds like a sweet truck



LOL @ Mac for saying what I was thinking

 

[Paul P]

Jim



Does GM have a website listing Suppliers who qualify for the discount and what the discount is? I work for Oracle and GM is one of our customers.



Thanks



Paul

 

[Jim B]

Not that im aware of Paul. My company has all sorts of info on our intranet and posters up in the cafe etc. Id think if you had it they would tell you about it. I would ask your HR dpt if they should know.

 

[Jim B]

gr8shot, That rear diff problem is pretty well documented for sure. A friend of mine is a service manager at a local nissan dealership and he has told me they have replaced quite a number of them at his dealer not just one or two but in the dozens now. From what he says they ones with the big tow and 4 wheel limited slip are prone to failure.



I understand they havent issued a service note or recall on it but they did have to redseign the diff cover with a heatsink on it and respec the fluid to synthetic and modify the oil change service interval to combat the problems. From what im told that has helped but hasent cured it.



The Titan message boards all have people who are having problems with the rear diff too, some with multiple failures and on multiple trucks. It seems like everyone that has these problems tows too.



I looked at one and its a damn nice truck and the motor is awesome. Honestly if it wasnt for the rear diff problem i would most likley be driving the nissan right now, i can say that with almost 100% certanty. I really liked the truck alot , the money was similar to the chevy but i dont want to risk blowing up a rear diff when im far from home. I tow a lot of long distances and it was too great a risk in my book.

 

[Mark Hofman]

Currently an '03 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 5.7 Litre Hemi 4x4 with the six-foot bed (with only 21,000 miles on it!).



If money were not an issue it would be a fully loaded '06 Dodge 1500 MegaCab 4x4 with the Hemi. I'm getting to be too old for the harsh ride of the 2500.



Then I'd be towing a 2006 Avalanche DC with the 175 Opti.

 

[C C]

Wow, touched a nerve did we? I love it when I see these kinds of posts, the testosterone starts flying. I would be willing to put money on the table that no stock Nissan can blow the doors off of a Hemi.



I already have the truck I want but an H2 is on the list and once they have more dealers we will buy one but will wait a bit longer.



Cass

 

[Jeffrey Durham]

2000 Ford Ranger and I used 4x4 action all the time up those steep ramps into Cumberland, Linville and Cedar Creek. No need for me on dreaming of a new vehicle, too many other priorities 1st.



God bless,



Jeff

 

[Jim B]

gr8shot,

I hope they do get it resolved in some fashon, ts really the only flaw in an otherwise awesome package. I can only go with the facts given to me and it was enough to steer me away from one. My buddy who is the service manager at a nissan dealer advised me with all the hauling and towing i do to not get one and that was enough for me. Of all the trucks drove before i bought i liked the nissan the most, dodge 2 and chevy 3. After i crossed off the nissan i went with the chevy because of $$. If Nissan gets that diff problem fixed, i will be looking at them again in 4 years when im ready for antoher new one.



Cass,

You would be quite surprised, that Nissan will absolutley beat a Ram Hemi in a drag race hands down. It has more torque( quite important in acceleration), weighs a good bit less and has lower gearing( also helps acceleration). The Chevy 150 with the 435hp vortech max will out quick the Ram too and for the same reasons.

 

[C C]

Bring your cash

 

[Jim B]

cass here ya go, right out of the current trucktrend mag



0-60

dodge hemi 7.7sec

nissan titan 7.6



0-90

dodge hemi 19.1 sec

nissan titan 16.7 sec



Both run 15.6 sec quarter but the titan is about 3mph faster.



from stop light to stoplight the nissan is a little quicker....

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

Just to be sure, were talking 1500 model's right? Does the Titan make a HD Truck?

 

[TrepMan]

Mac - Re-read the posting, I said given that mother-n-law is AGAINST Hummers, "so i'd have to get a new wife too!!!" LOL!!

 

[fatrap]

F250 Superduty with a 7.3 Powerstroke. Four Door Crew cab 4X4 w/topper or Jayco slide in crankup camper. I can get in the worst ramps at Lake Oahe and down the crappiest dirt two track with six hunters and a half dozen dogs and all the gear. In the snow, in the mud, blood and the beer. Do 75mph on the Innerstate pulling boat,camper and into a 35 mph wind and still get 15mpg.

fatrap

 

[Bill McElroy]

Ok...cool.......you can have your cahonies back now!! LOL

 

[Teri C.]

My money is on Cass.

 

[TrepMan]

Thanks Mac, can you Fed Ex them, I might need them later this week!!! LOL

 

[Jon Jackoviak]

I have a 2005 Dodge 2500 4x4 with a Cummins Turbo Diesel. It is white which matches my white/blue boat. I don't even now that 929 is on the back of the truck.



Jon

 

[C C]

I will give you the light to light but in a real race my odometer doesn't stop at 90



Cass

 

[DawgFish 65]

I have an '06 Tacoma...adequate for me since I only yank around a PT-165.



*Ducking for cover now*

 

[Teri C.]

ANYONE USING E85 FLEX FUEL? IMPRESSIONS? IS IT CHEAPER?

 

[Jim B]

Teri, from what i have seen the e85 is cheaper but from what i have read the milage per gallon goes down a little bit. Depending on cost i could be cheaper overall but since i dont know what the cost is thats tough to estimate. I know its hard to get too, we dont have a single station up here in the northeast that carries it yet. Im interested in it because my truck can run on it, I have the magic yellow gas cap on my new chevy . if its cheaper to run then gas then im all for it. The renewable factor and its better for the enviornment its a win win in my book.

 

[Jim B]

Cass

Your speedo may go beyond 90 but that pesky 95mph speed limiter wont met you go much faster(unless you defeated it)

 

[Mike O'Connor]

I can't imagine needing anything more........

 

[JD Johnson]

I have an '03 GMC Pukon that works fine and for back up a '9 Dodge D-250 Deisel

 

[Bryan Fary]

Kids call it the PIMP mobile. I kindof like it. Had it almost 1 year and still love it. 2002 Tahoe loaded with a Southern Comfort conversion package. Original owner paid DEARLY for the conversion. I was lucky enough to get it after it depreciated a couple of years.

 

[Teri C.]

I hand over my ole faithful name of "the banana" to MOC.

 

[fatrap]

Moc

Man that hurts my eyes!!! You should get some external speakers and get the Beatles singing "We all live in a yellow submarine." Talk about making an entrance at the boat ramp.

fatrap

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Of course they have to match

 

[Max Neathamer2]

In time I will have my setup match but I can deal with what I have for now I will paint the Truck to a Brown Pewter this summer.

2500HD crewcab with the Vortec 8.1 and Allison Transmission. Bose system, heated everything, Leather everything and the electric pull out mirrors for when I decide to purchase my Dream Lance camper:wub:

Max <><

 

[Alex Peterson]

04 F150 FX4 Supercab 5.4 Trition. If I ever have the need to tow more then 10,000 lbs then I will upgrade.



<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/5141/boat20gz.png" border="0" width="600" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[TrepMan]

Come on now Alex, that is WAY overkill for that Tracker, i'll swap ya straight up for my Minivan so that V8 Ford gets a better workout towing my Nitro!!!

 

[Alex Peterson]

Sure, I'll trade you. There is a sack with $20,000 in the back seat of the minivan right?!?!?



My truck certainly gets a workout the way I drive it. I go by the motto "drive it like you stole it"



When I bought the truck I still wasn't sure whether I was going to be buying a glass or tin boat. I decided to make sure I'd be able to tow either. I am also planning on getting a 4wheeler in the near future so I wanted something that would allow me to take the 'wheeler and boat up to the cabin for the weekend.

 

[Steve Hutson]

I tow with a 2004 Chevy S-10 Blazer. My dream vehicle, a new F250 diesel, 4WD, 4dr, long wheel base. I guess I could get one if I really wanted it, I just can't justify it. Now that the house is done, the heaviest thing I haul is my 17' boat.



Should have slid it by the wife when I started the house.



Steve

 

[TrepMan]

Alex - I'm sure I can find $20k in monopoly $$ from the kids!



I understand the "wasn't sure whether I was going to be buying a glass or tin boat" I was on the other side, my old Tracker was even easy to tow with my past '96 Mercury wagon, and wasen't even THERE behind the van. But i'm limited on boat options with the front drive van. The 700lx is perfect behind it, no problems yet on steep ramps, wet ramps or emergency stopping, but if in the future I outgrow it and someday want something like Rich S. upgraded to (20ft fish/ski with a 200hp or bigger OB) I would DEFINETLY need a truck or Mid-full sized SUV.

 

[Bill McElroy]

Gimme the BIGGEST !~@~!@ Ranger they make and I want it LOADED!!!:blink::wub:

 

[TrepMan]

but Mac - Does it come prewired for a trailer!!! LOL

 

[Bill McElroy]

Unfortunately no,.......that's a $6500 option and only available thru a General Dynamic's dealership!:blink:

 

[Steve Rizza]

Think I could pull a boat with my work truck ???? It's only has a 6cyl. engine.:blink:

 

[TrepMan]

Geeze Steve - You need one of those 60ft boats to tow behind that one! Could you imagine driving that to the ramp towing your Tracker!!! What LOOKS you'd get !!

 

[BJ Laster]

2000 Chevy 2500 with a 6.0 V8. I love it..pulls the boat like nothing is back there