If you wanted to spend only $10K....

on a decent tow vehicle, what would you get?

After my big FJ Cruiser thread I ended up buying my wife a new Wrangler Unlimited. Now I want a cheap tow vehicle as my current truck has a problem and I want to get rid of it.

So, if you wanted to spend around $10K, need 5k lbs towing minimum, and needed to haul three people, what would you get?

 

Look for a good used Crew Cab diesel. Im not sure how far you would have to go back to get one in that range, probably 10 years or something. It wouldnt have all the shit like remote start, built in GPS, etc but it would still be a good tow vehicle.

 

I bought a 1997 Ford F350 crew-cab dually a couple years ago for 5,500 bucks. The 7.3 diesel will never die and it will literally pull a house down (Ok, maybe a garage, haven't tried a house yet). Anything that breaks can usually be fixed with duct tape. One of the best purchases I've ever made honestly. Should have done it years ago. I specifically hunted down a Ford because the cabs are huge and the 7.3 is pretty bulletproof. I use it every day in my business (flipping houses) and it's been towing up and down the west coast without missing a beat.

 

old diesel (brand is up to you)

as everyone has said/will say!

 

10 year old crew cab diesels are still bringing $15k+, unless maybe ones with 250k miles on them.

I'm trying to decide on either a suburban/Yukon do 2500 with a 6.0 or a crew cab long box diesel, for my next truck.

 

Yup I'm looking at 2500 'burbs as my next choice.

 

10k good luck..... POS for that

 

this

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3943879048.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/3940455302.html

 

Well, at least the 01 you posted has been detailed.

 

I like how the 01 said low miles......200K. LOL

 

It is, compared to this one

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3868938016.html

 

Just what I bought, a diesel E350 van. You can get the vans a WHOLE lot cheaper than the trucks. GCWR is 20k lbs, seats 15 with all the seats installed (or seats 5 and still has room for two bikes and gear in the back). MPG is decent, too.

 

Just a tow vehicle?

We see the white, single cab, service trucks at auction all the time. So long as you don't mind no creature comforts, they are a good deal.

 

Everyone will go ape shit talking about what a POS they are but the 6.0 F250's can be had on the cheap. A buddy just picked one up for $6k with 160k miles on it, I believe an 04.

If they are still running with 150k+ miles on them, the previous owners more than likely already dealt with the head studs and other issues.

 

I found an 04 F250 for $12,500. Its a 6.0 diesel. It has the install EGR cooler delete, new updated Ford headgaskets, Ford oil cooler, full top end Ford overhaul kit, new glow plugs and new glow plug wiring harnesses.

I have never owned a diesel so I have no idea what I am doing here.

 

Sweet. Now all you'll have to replace it FICM,injectors, rail plugs, oil pump, and a few other things and you'll be good to go!
Just get a bad ass fiat...

 

and there you go. screw all that. I will just buy a gas Suburban with $100K on the clock.

Freaking diesels seem like misery.

 

Right. Because you never have to replace/repair anything on gas burning vehicles.

 

That is not what I am saying. However, I have yet to own a gas vehicle where practically the whole damn thing was poorly designed and needed replacement.

In other words, diesels seem like more trouble than they are worth, especially when my max tow weight is around 4500 lbs.

 

Not to mention the current price of diesel fuel.