Cheap Tow Vehicle

[BlackoutATX]

Our dock equipped with a lift will be finished this week and it really has me thinking about ditching my 15 F350 for something else. Don't get me wrong, I love the truck. But I just hardly ever tow the boat anywhere more than a few miles to Lake Austin or to the dealer. With the new dock on Travis, trips to Lake Austin will probably become even more infrequent. If I really ever needed to tow it anywhere further, I have friends and family who would let me borrow something. Given this situation, I'm curious as to what all of you would recommend for a replacement tow vehicle. This would not be a daily driver. I'm even throwing around the idea of something in the classic realm. The cheaper the better. Ideas?

[freeheel4life]

I am still rolling a 2000 ford f150 with a 5.4 v8(have had it since 06) and it has the lower geared rear end. Have towed MANY z3s, a couple rzxs and supra S.A. Also tow a 26' camper with slideout into the mountains to ski all winter with it. Know there's many of these trucks out on the road that aren't worth much. Lariat package still gets you some luxury as well. Would do my homework as I know some had issues with spark plugs blowing out of heads.
Besides fluids regularly, I've only had to replace a couple coils and plugs, 1 alternator, and the usual consumables (batteries, tires, brakes). Still has the original starter, which will probably die tomorrow for posting this.
Also only just rolled past 150k on odometer though, which may be a hard find. See these sitting on lots all around our area for 2,500-3k dollars.
Certainly has been a good rig for us. We call him Kirk because he always gets us back from deep space adventures safe.

[BurnMac42]

I'm even throwing around the idea of something in the classic realm. The cheaper the better. Ideas?

[bsreid]

My neighbor has an old international pickup, he through a Diesel engine in it and now it goes kind stink.

[bsreid]

Another idea would be to get a daily driver that can tow the boat, for example a volkswagen touareg. It’s small, and comfortable yet can tow over 7k

[JohnnieMo]

Is also vote for an older Yukon. The Denali versions (or the LTZ Tahoe) with a tow package can haul plenty of folks and auto level. I run a 2008 Avalanche and he has these attributes too. I wouldn't haul across the country with it (unless you do some work to it as I have).

Another option is a 2005 or better Duramax.

[dmaxx04]

You can never go wrong with a K5 Blazer/Jimmy. Of course, I also like Johnnie's suggestion of the Dmax...no idea why!! Or better yet, put Dmax in a K5. I think the K5 is fun all around. You can cruise around town without the top on those nice days you can't go boating, or take top off and head out to the dock. You are also in Texas so they should be found fairly cheap. Just a suggestion though.

[BlackoutATX]

Great replies in here! Some kind of Yukon/Tahoe or a Bronco was already on me list. But all of these suggestions are going in the pool. Right now I can't decide if I should just get whatever DD I want and forget about towing for now. Or try and get something that can still tow the boat a short distance.

[Xtwentynot]

My choice would be a 00-05 2500 Suburban LT with the 8.1. They had a 4l85 trans, 14 bolt rear end, heavy duty brakes/cooling..ect. For as cheap as they can be had they're stout rigs and still have decent interiors, which especially coming out of a 15 SD would be nice to at least have something decent.

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[dreddy]

I've been keeping an eye out for 96-99 2500 Suburbans with the 7.4ltr. I've gone through 2 of them and they are so cheap they are practically disposable. You can get one with <150k for about $3,000. Look for one that has been used as a family station wagon and not a work truck or 4 wheeler. The driver's seat will need a repair probably. Change all the fluids and keep an eye out for oil leaks and you can drive it for 50k miles and sell it again for $2,000.

[BlackoutATX]

^^^ man you are not kidding. Those 96-99 burbs are dirt cheap. I've thrown the Excursion into the mix. I've just always loved them.

[bsreid]

Cheap cheap cheap! And 90k

https://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/d/...248476791.html

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/...249727287.html

I was curious what you could actually get for your money, personally I would never own one. The idea of owing a 100k boat and a 5k truck doesn’t make sense to me.

[freeheel4life]

Why not tow your boat with a cheap truck?? It frees uo $ for underwater lights, stereo upgrades, surfboards etc. We have customers that want to spend the $ to get matching wheels for their 40-60k vehicles to match their trailer then want to complain or be indignant about spending 800$ for a board, or decide they want a second pair of rev10s and are shocked at the cost of parts and labor. Love the idea of towing with a paid for vehicle and not forking out and additional payment plus interest every month. I'm a broke a$$ though so....

[BlackoutATX]

I also agree. Sure its nice to have a shiny new vehicle towing a shiny new boat. But if I can switch to something that reliable, comfortable, and doesn't look horrible on the road all while being able to pocket 15k and not have a payment, why not? If I decide int the future I hate it, I can always go back.

Also, looking at some of these over vehicles, such as an excursion. I sit there and think, man I could make that think look and run pretty great with 10k to play with.

[skibumsd]

I have a 2000 excursion with the 7.3 diesel and use it for towing. I like it alot and my wife hates it. She has a yukon xl denali that we will tow with 2-3 times a year and it gets it done but nothing like the excursion. Tow the boat (RZ4) in the summer and the 6 place enclosed snowmobile trailer in the winter. The boat is all short hauls longest is 60 minutes each way but we take it sledding on 6-8 hour trips where the large interior is nice you can crawl in the back and go to sleep! I have debated getting a truck but struggle with the idea as me wife and my 3 kids the truck is full and we always have people coming to the lake with us. Stay away from the 6.0 diesel excursion they have serious issues I would say get a 7.3 excursion.