Now that my drag project is underway (94 ex), I'm in the market for a tow vehicle. I'm looking for recommendations for trucks that are not TOO big (no offense to you guys with gigantic trucks ). I really don't have a preference as far as import/domestic trucks. Keep in mind, this vehicle will really only be used for towing purposes and maybe driven to work on occasion. Let me know what you guys recommend. Thanks.

 

PM'd

What trailer do you plan to pull so others can help out?

 

what is the budget?

I tow with a Honda Ridgeline, it does the job pretty well. I tow an open 18 foot trailer with my car and it handles it well.

It still gets pretty decent mileage considering the situation.

 

Ryan, I got your PM. That's a little bigger than what I'm going for. Thanks though.

I forgot to mention that I'll be using a 2 wheel trailor to tow my Civic.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I would like to find something for under $15k. Do used Ridgelines go for that cheap?

 

Get a Nissan Frontier.. I tow and open trailer all the time and it tows great.. even comes wired for trailer brakes.. Lots of power and i have gotten as good as 16mpg on 89octane pulling my car and all my spares and tools with 2 passengers..
it gets about 19mpg in the city for daily driving and about 21 on the interstate unloaded.. I have had my 08 6speed for 33k now and its been a great investment..

sorry for the dark pic but its the only one i have of it loaded up..

-Sam

 

they have been dropping alot, you could probably get an 06 for that price now.

Im in canada and I got mine from florida. I payed 20 canadian for mine in 08 all said and done, but it only had 38,000 miles on it.

 

Personally I wouldn't go with anything less than a full size 1500 from the big 3. I just don't like the idea of the mini trucks in handling/stopping/longevity when towing anything bigger than a jet ski lol

 

roadracer4life, your truck looks great. How much did you buy yours for if you don't mind me asking?

 

I towed my hatch to cali from tx twice and never had any problem other than mpg.....
I have a tundra and i love it. Nissan is also nice.

 

Right on. Thanks.

 

I would definitely get a full size truck. I'm using a 1998 chevrolet 1500 v8 to tow a 16' open trailer and braking get really scary sometime especially when I load all the equipment in the back.

Steve

 

i love my dirtymax

 

I have a 1988 Ford f150 xlt 2wd haha . .

In all fairness, the truck tows my 16ft open on it with no problem. I think its safe to say that the smaller trucks will stop fine as long as you dont drive like a jerk.

If I could do it all over again I would definitely go with a 1500-2500 Chevy/Gmc . .

We towed a 24ft enclosed from jersey to cali with a 1500 and it wasnt an ideal situation but it works.

 

like stated a 1500 will do just fine for your needs. we use an old suburban to tow or 24ft enclosed trailer and it does just fine.

trailer brakes are an extremley good idea as well. sketchy as **** if you dont have them

 

thats cause u guys only tow all-engine cars, too light

 

Does your trailer have brakes? I ask, because I never had a problem towing with my 94 chevy 1500, or my 99 Suburban.

 

I agree with Ryan. Stick with at least a 1500. I have an 07 Hemi Dodge Ram and tow my car in a 22' enclosed trailer. Sometimes I wish I had more truck. Get something that has decent sized brakes, you'll be thankful.

I also daily drive my truck but I've been thinking more and more that it's time to sell the ram for a diesel tow vehicle and an integra for a daily driver because getting 16 mpg driving my truck all over town every day sucks ***.

 

I just bought a 96 Dodge Cummins TD 2500 Quad Cab for a tow vehicle to retire my 00 Denali, expect to pay anywhere from 4k to 5k for one but I can tell you this thing is a 9000lb beast and the 12V engine is slated to last 300,000-400,000 miles and I am getting over 15mpg at the moment with it... I can already see myself dumping big money into it to make it faster, it already pulls like a champ but you know how the boost addiction is....

 

Did you say you were going to tow a 2 wheeled trailer? If so, anything will pull a tow dolly..

If you're only going to tow with it, get an older diesel dually, and then you'll be able to tow anything safely. You never know when you'll come across a deal on a 24 foot enclosed trailer, and you'll be able to drag it anywhere!

 

I have a 95 f250 7.3 de. and love the way it tows. I have a 17 ft open tra. and it has tra. br. on it. The truck will get 20 on the road pulling. But it has a edge programer on it and it did help.

 

I use a Silverado 1500 and it tows perfectly. Just get some trailer brakes, stopping sometimes aint fun. Other then that i cant complain its an 04 with 80K miles i bought it for 7500 cash.

 

I have a 05 dodge sprinter, its a 3/4 ton, and we had extra leaf springs added to the back when we first got it back in 05.

Its a 5cyl diesel, and its great for towing. I get 25 mpg (did the conversion for you USA guys!) It currently has 350 xxx KM's on it and apparently there good to over a million.

I like it because its a van and I can keep my spare parts/tools/generator, etc all in the back and its covered/locked.

Its probably out of your price range slightly, and only seats x2. However, what ever you choose, I would go with something that is diesel. We have an older diesel dodge pickup 98, its 2wd 3/4 ton and great for towing, it dosen't get near the mileage of my sprinter though.

 

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

I use an 05 frontier to pull my open trailor and it works great. I have used a full size chevy and a Tahoe to pull the same trailor and they weren't even close to what this frontier does. This truck is my daily driver and I love it! It is the perfect size. Not too small and not so big that it makes it a pain to drive around. It has plenty of power and decent gas mileage.