[vertigto]

I've thought about getting a truck lately, but with the ridiculous prices of new/used, I'm considering alternatives for general hauling/light duty.

I used to drag around my 19' Scarab with a S-10 pickup, but that was out of necessity. I doubt a small pickup would be able to handle a car/trailer, if I ever wanted to haul the GTO to a national event.

Thought about either going older (like an El Camino/wagon with a V8) or maybe something like a Dodge Magnum. Not sure if either would be able to handle the load or be dependable enough though.

So...any unconventional ideas that won't break the bank?

May be better to just wait out the current vehicular trends, as I am in no great hurry.

[nbn]

not very unconventional, but find a clean 95-99 suburban. Maybe an older Excursion. There are some low mileage gas units out there still and for about 1/4 of the price of a truck.

Anything on a car chassis after the 70s won't pull more than a lawnmower, I don't think.

[carbking]

Wide open range of options.

My tow vehicle for loads like you mention is a 1968 F-100. Engine 450 HP 390 CID coupled to a 4-speed truck transmission.

Installed an electric brake controller, and overload rear springs. Truck has power brakes. (Stopping is probably the most important criteria).

Jon

[Formulabruce]

There are many more 2wd good towing choices than 4x4.

[bird72]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

There are many more 2wd good towing choices than 4x4.

You beat me to it. 2wd is undesirable market in Montana and a buyers one. Lots don't even carry them typically. People sell them when they move here.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Challs III hitch drive the need for a good frame, V8 and Overdrive.

I chose the 95 Lincoln, yet is underpowered when tsking on highway hill climbs.

AFTERALL, MPG while towing matters.

[padgett]

A really good load equalizing hitch will balance much the same as a 5th wheel. I towed many many miles before I ever knew how dangerous the magazines said it was.

[misterp266]

How about a smart car!

[padgett]

Agree market is really dependent on location. OTOH I've never had nor needed AWD/4WD, consider just an added complexity and lowers MPG. Posi is good though. Sounds like might be really good deals on a RWD in Montana.

Do believe RWD is a good idea because the tongue weight helps with traction. The said for years I had a 92 Pontiac Transport (FWD) with 3800 and equipped for towing (air lift, etc.). Never had a problem but receiver was only 1 1/4" so limited capacity. Gave to my sister and replaced with the Jeep GC.

[padgett]

This is why on modern cars like my Grand Cherokee, the "towing package" (one option I insisted on) is just that: a package that usually has much more than just a hitch.

My 72 tow wagon had to have all added, frame mount receiver, air lifts, and came with a rear sway bar (often missed). Was a very stable and towed all over the midwest, all with tandem axle trailers but just on passenger tires.

Could write a book about how we towed back in the 70s but never had the issues mentioned here (and won a lot of tow car races...).

[Gastiresandoil]

Look at a used Uhaul box truck. They used to run in the $3-4K. If you're lucky, like I was, you'll be able to find one with a service replacement engine with low miles

[max 93]

3/4 ton vans are an option

[sdbob]

I like a long wheelbase and hd brakes. Gives a feeling of security in a 'situation'.

[padgett]

How big and how big a car being TOAD ? I've had my '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee since new and is the best tow car I've ever had. Was bought with RWD and the Towing package which includes a class III/IV frame inserted (not mounted, inserted into the frame channels. U--Haul will rent anything it has.

With the V6 it gets 24mpg on the road and is rated for 5,000lbs. With hemi is more but I like V6s. Laredo has everything except excess bling and RWD gets 1.2 MPG more than 4WD.

the Mercedes chassis began for 2011 and the Pentastar is remarkably similar to the Mercedes V6.

Great GT car for 2 with a lot of luggage space and is only an inch longer than my Caddy CTS coupe.

Try one.

[1965gp]

My 99 suburban was a great tow vehicle- has 190k on it now. They seem to need transmissions at about 120-150k.

[72projectbird]

99-07classic GM truck.

You can find a regular cab 2500 with the 6.0 4L80E for not too much money. It'll pull anything you put behind it and then some.

[Skidmark]

I picked up a 2006 1 ton ford e 350 van w/ 5.4 gas tow capacity #6700 installed an elec brake controller. 6000k purchase price and they're everywhere since they are used as fleet service vans.

[Sirrotica]

91-2001 6.5 turbo diesel in any LT (1/2-1 ton) chevy/GMC chassis. Early ones (91-93) are mechanical injection pumps, 94-2001 are electronically controlled by an ECM.

Around 200 HP, but 430 FT/LBS of torque at 1800 RPM. I have a 93 K3500 4X4 dually, and an 95 C3500HD (15,000 GVW) box truck, both 4L80E transmissions. A good tow vehicle in my estimation, and because they're a turbo diesel, good fuel economy.

Parts are reasonable, and you don't have to be a diesel technician to keep them running. You'll have no problem towing a 7,000 lb car and trailer with one of these. Open the exhaust to 4 inch tube, and richen the pump up a bit is all you need to get some more power out of one of these trucks. Simple and cheap to modify for a little extra power. They made a lot of them, so they're not hard to find used.

The early IDI diesel, IH 7.3 engines, as well as the later Powerstroke turbo in light duty fords. Simple engines that put out decent power for dollars spent. I have an 88 IH 2 ton chassis wrecker (Ex U Haul straight truck that I shortened the chassis) with the 7.3 IDI diesel that pulls very well for a naturally aspirated diesel. I only paid $1800 for the cab and chassis from U Haul, with a fresh short block that has under 10,000 miles on it.

[tom s]

used trucks and SUVs are crazy money now.Tom

[vertigto]

Actually thought about a van (and do a little converting), but never an ex U-Haul. That's some ingenious thinking, if there is one with a rebuilt/replacement engine with low miles. I assume I would need at least 5000 lb. towing capacity if I wanted to tow a 70 GTO and trailer.

I'm thinking a late 90s-early 2000s anything would still be some serious scratch.