Tow Vehicle Options

[jwanck11]

Not a chance. Dodge has the market by far. Not only the HIGHEST power in class the 6spd 68RFE is a killer transmission. Not to mention probably the NICEST interior too.. If i had to have a second it would probably be a Chevy just cause I HATE FORD. Even tho the 6.4seems to be proving its self

I don't understand why people HATE a car brand. What is the point?

To the OP - any brand of diesel would work OK. Check into mileage, creature comforts and reliability which are readily available if you want to go that route.

If you want a gas truck to save $$, that is OK too - plenty of people have them as well. Rather than post here where the responders are few and highly polarized, I recommend other sites geared more toward the vehicles.

GL!

[robert theisen]

Not a chance. Dodge has the market by far. Not only the HIGHEST power in class the 6spd 68RFE is a killer transmission. Not to mention probably the NICEST interior too.. If i had to have a second it would probably be a Chevy just cause I HATE FORD. Even tho the 6.4seems to be proving its self

That's your opinion,let JMHATCHETT have his.The FORD,CHEVROLET AND DODGE debate will always be there.Everyone has their own preference.All three have their own strengths and weaknesses.

[kasey200]

Here is what i did...

I bought an excursion for cheap with a 6.0 in it.. then threw in a 12 valve twin turbo cummins.

[Timmy!]

That was your Excursion on Wakeworld!?!?! Dude, that thing is by far the coolest tow rig out there! Nice conversion!!! How much did it cost to do all of that?

BTW - for all of those pushing him to a diesel pickup truck...he already has a crew cab Dodge with the cummins in it...he's looking for a FAMILY hauler...

[Fiveflat]

I thought he was looking for a family hauler that tows the boat as well, am I wrong?
(which confused me because the Dodge truck he has should do a fine job with 6 people - buy a camper shell if you need more lockable space)

If you're just looking to transport 6 people without a boat this discussion changes drastically.

[kasey200]

That was your Excursion on Wakeworld!?!?! Dude, that thing is by far the coolest tow rig out there! Nice conversion!!! How much did it cost to do all of that?

BTW - for all of those pushing him to a diesel pickup truck...he already has a crew cab Dodge with the cummins in it...he's looking for a FAMILY hauler...

Yes it is! I have a different handle on WW because i created that account in 2003 or so when i had my Malibu.

Thank you though. I actually picked up the Excursion in Denver and brought it back to RC for the swap. Including the vehicle purchase... i have about 20k into the entire rig. Did all the work myself.

[da.bell]

I vote excursion. 7.3 if you can find one, but don't be scared of the 6.0. The 6.0 can be a good engine if it was taken care of and not hooked to a tuner.

It can be but if the engine studs haven't been put into the block, I would walk away quickly.

The problem between the 6.0 and the 7.3 diesels were that the 6's came out of the factory at 90-95% of the max power output for the engine. People were mod chipping the engine and overheating the transmissions and eventually causing the block to crack. The stud's solved that issue.

The 7.3 liter diesels came out of the factory with 75% of maximum power. People have been chipping these with great success. However, the issue that I have heard is the transmissions are prown to failure at or around 100,000.

So, the 7.3 is where it at. If you don't want a vehicle that is 10 years old, then go with the new 6.7's.

I have been looking for a new tow vehicle for 3 months now. Just bought a 2002 F250 with the 7.3. I have a friend of a friend that is the manager of the Service department of a local Ford dealer that told me about this and what to look for.

[skippabcool]

Yes, I have a Dodge diesel that tows the boat just fine (I have a 30 foot GN Horse trailer loaded with 6 horses, tack, supplies, and hay does just fine going over the Rockies) and fits six people. I have 4 kids (14, 12, and twins that are 6). For a 45 minute drive that is fine but going 2 to 12 hours it is not a comfortable ride for 6, especially since the government thinks that kids need to be in booster seats till they are 8. I have driven this way for a while but it would be nice to have more space, if you have ever done that with 6, especially kids, you would understand. The more the kids get older, bigger, that space gets less. I would not even think about 6 adults like that. As for the Mega cab, I would love that but I am limited to either 6, which I have, or 5 which is what most Mega cabs are.

I have thought about a bed cover or shell but that still does not free up passenger space. Unless by law you can stick kids into a shell. I know that years ago people did it all the time but I do not think you can but will check.

[da.bell]

ops, just saw that you already purchased it. Good job on removing the 6L from there and inserting a new Ford engine.

[Wickedcummins]

I hate fords because there just really is nothing to like about them. I mean there the #1 truck to get motor yanked out and install something else. Not to mention the transmissions they build are junk.

And I am not biased I am stating the facts the dodge has more power than anything in its class sir.. Not to mention the best mileage and fuel stratoges. Not to mention the STRONGEST stock built engine In the industry BY Twice the other manafatures! These are all simple FACTS not opinons.

He should sell the dodge truck and buy the mega cab.. He can fit a whole army in them damn things and be cozy or a 2010+ QC beings the cabs are bigger

How many people you looking to seat ?

[skippabcool]

How many people you looking to seat ?

6 comfortably, it would be nice to have at least room for one or two extra.

The other option is to drive two vehicles everywhere, but my wife hates to drive.

[Timmy!]

He needs to seat 6 comfortably for long distances. I agree that a pickup just ain't gonna cut it. It's annoying to me when we load my truck with 6 and I can't use the arm rest for the 45 minutes it takes to get to the lake. LOL

How are the new Expeditions?

[da.bell]

The Expeditions IMO are nice but they are still a 1/2 tow rating. These boats are heavy and the Expedition can tow it but the transmission will go out. That is what started to happen with my 2002 Expedition and the reason why I got rid of it. Just didn't tow great. It towed fine but I don't want fine. I want great.

[wallacmc]

However, I wish I had the third row seating style that the Excursions have where the seats fold into the floor. This also gives more leg room. My Tahoe's third row folds up but I mostly leave them in the basement cause they eat up room. While on the topic of third row seating, the Suburban has the same third row location as the Tahoe. The added space difference is simply behind the third row. With that being said, there is not much leg room for a grown man in the third row of a GM vehicle period. You'll be eating your knees. So if you plan on regularly/comfortably hauling 6 people then anything on your list as GM will not be a good choice for you (unless they are small kids back there).

I have said this on many threads before, and it is the reason I went with a Ford. More specifically, it is a Lincoln Navigator, and I would encourage anyone to put it on their list as well. I'm not sure what engines are available in the NavigatorL (the excursion length one), but I know the standard 5.4L V8 tows just fine and we have to go over Jellico Mountain on I75 and pass all the overheated rigs on the side of the road. The six speed auto helps with the gas milage on the highway and the airride suspension clicks on and raises the back of the car back up to level, compensating for the tounge weight and make a pretty nice ride. The all wheel drive is nice, too, and with the towing package, I haven't had any problems. For comfort, it can't be beat. And, that third row seating thing is huge for me. You simply can't put anyone in the back of a GM suv that isn't a tiny kid. The way the seats are set up in a Ford are better as well. Finally, Lincoln Navigators aroung her are selling for thousands less than NADA at retail. Dealerships are only asking 500-1000 more than they are going for at the dealer autions. Guapo has the same ride I do but with the "L" version. Mine is the standard length. I wish I had the storage speace the "L" does. It simply adds more space behind the third row seats just like the GM does.

I'm not a big gear head, but I can verify that the 6.2L engine that GM puts in the newer Denalis kicks a$$. I test drove it before I got the Navigator. I just couldn't afford it. It was beasty.

[Fiveflat]

I hate fords because there just really is nothing to like about them.

{sigh}

Truck warz are really stupid these days. Pick a color you like and go with it. They all have their problems.

Do you buy a John Deere Lawn mower instead of the MTD because John Deere is the best ever too?