ok so I am thinking about buying a suv or truck to haul my gsx around like going to the track and stuff. This would pretty much be my daily driver so acceptable gas mileage is big. I am not looking to get something new either. Probably something 2000 or older. So Far I like the pathfinders and toyota 4runners. I need something that could take alittle abuse even though I will probably use it to tow/haul like 4 times a month max. Thanks in advance for the opinions.

A proper electric trailer braking setup is the most important thing but honestly you really need something with more weight than that to safely and reliably trailer something as heavy as a car and trailer. I know that I can happily control a trailer with my DSM on it with my Dad's old 95 GMC 1500 with only the 4.3L v6 in it but only because the truck is heavy enough not to be pushed around by a somewhat heavy payload. Obviously hills aren't a happy place for that combo but if you take it easy and have some patience it does fine. Consider something that has a smaller motor but that at least is light truck sized such as a Dakota, or a Yukon. Generally avoid smaller vehicles that will have a tendency to be pushed around by a heavy trailer such as rav4s, Pathfinders, Blazers, S10s, Rangers, Jeeps of any recent variety, etc.

I know some people will disagree with me and say that you can pull a car with those lighter vehicles but it isn't safe for a lot of trailering and just asking this question means you probably don't have an incredible amount of trailering experience so a bigger and easier to control vehicle is the way to go. I know I would never choose a lightweight SUV as a main car hauling vehicle and I've been pulling heavy trailers all my life.

I'm looking for the same.

I'm watching for a 4.9 I6 F150 personally.
I've seen the I6's go forever, they get decent mileage for a truck, and they are perfect pulling trucks.

I agree that you're going to need something bigger than that to tow a DSM and trailer. When looking at a vehicle to buy, make sure you're looking at all the weight numbers for hauling, towing, hitch capabilities, etc. You figure a typical 2g GSX weighs between 3000 and 3400 lbs, plus at least 1500 or so for a basic open trailer. You should be looking for a vehicle that can haul around 5000 lbs. And you'll definitely want a proper electric trailer brake system since you have that much weight behind you.

What will help you in gas mileage is to look for a truck with a smaller rear end gear ratio.

But pretty much any half ton truck should work if you don't plan on hauling anything larger than a DSM and open trailer.

Older model diesels are getting cheaper every day, and have gobs of torque. Does your trailer have brakes?

Any 88-98 GM Full Size Truck/SUV will do great. Or 99 to Present GM Truck/SUV.

My old 99' GMC Yukon SLT 2wd towed great. Even being lowered 3/4 on 17's at one time.

TSIAWDTalon said:

Does your trailer have brakes?

Click to expand...

To the original poster, an answer to that would help us out.



Now trailer brakes would be a MUST on a 1/2 ton pickup (1500 series), titan, tundra, etc. They will definitely keep the trucks brakes happy, and your toy safe. On a 3/4 ton pickup, they are not necessary for what you will be doing. Do they help? of course! but you can tow just fine with a heavier built truck.

I have been towing many things around from rock crawlers, 70-80 style GMs, maro's, a tractor, etc. Not once did any of the trailers have electric brakes. The trailers were well maintaned, and the tires were aired up properly. Towing without electric brakes needs some strategy though.

Always scan ahead say 10-15 seconds of road. Keep an eye out for bikes, and check your mirrors every few seconds. Keep a safe distance, from cars ahead. With or without brakes, these techniques will help you. Pre trip your trailer and load. Check the air pressure on your tires, make sure you grease those trailer bearings periodically, make sure your hitch has a pin in it (there are a holes out there), make sure your signals/brake lights are working.

Since you haven't decided on an SUV or Truck, I would sway you towards a crew/quad cab with a short bed at least. You can throw (I do mean throw), anything in the back of the truck and not give 2 5hits about it (make sure you have a bed liner). When you go to the track you might wanna bring a BBQ pit, a cooler, chairs, canopy, etc. Putting that stuff in a truck bed is WAAY easier than an SUV. Don't forget those spare parts you will bring to the track too. Greasy tcases, axles, coil packs, maybe even a transmission if its a big event. See where this is going with an SUV? All that nice carpet and over extending your back sliding this stuff into the back seat area.

If I were to buy another truck it would be one of the newer 5.4L equipped fords. F250 preferred although an F150 quad cab would be nice too.

I have had my 99 5.4L F250 for 8 years now. 179K on the odometer and she still runs strong. Its Single bench seat, and gets 8mpg while towing which sucks. The newer 2 (or was it 3) valve triton 5.4L engines get a good 3-7mpg more on average than the older style 5.4L engines. Or you can go turbo diesel.

Get yourself an electric winch on that trailer too, it will save you some agony and embarrassment when your DSM breaks at the track.

Safe towing

nissan titan!

turbodsm90 said:

To the original poster, an answer to that would help us out.



Now trailer brakes would be a MUST on a 1/2 ton pickup (1500 series), titan, tundra, etc. They will definitely keep the trucks brakes happy, and your toy safe. On a 3/4 ton pickup, they are not necessary for what you will be doing. Do they help? of course! but you can tow just fine with a heavier built truck.

I have been towing many things around from rock crawlers, 70-80 style GMs, maro's, a tractor, etc. Not once did any of the trailers have electric brakes. The trailers were well maintaned, and the tires were aired up properly. Towing without electric brakes needs some strategy though.

Always scan ahead say 10-15 seconds of road. Keep an eye out for bikes, and check your mirrors every few seconds. Keep a safe distance, from cars ahead. With or without brakes, these techniques will help you. Pre trip your trailer and load. Check the air pressure on your tires, make sure you grease those trailer bearings periodically, make sure your hitch has a pin in it (there are a holes out there), make sure your signals/brake lights are working.

Since you haven't decided on an SUV or Truck, I would sway you towards a crew/quad cab with a short bed at least. You can throw (I do mean throw), anything in the back of the truck and not give 2 5hits about it (make sure you have a bed liner). When you go to the track you might wanna bring a BBQ pit, a cooler, chairs, canopy, etc. Putting that stuff in a truck bed is WAAY easier than an SUV. Don't forget those spare parts you will bring to the track too. Greasy tcases, axles, coil packs, maybe even a transmission if its a big event. See where this is going with an SUV? All that nice carpet and over extending your back sliding this stuff into the back seat area.

If I were to buy another truck it would be one of the newer 5.4L equipped fords. F250 preferred although an F150 quad cab would be nice too.

I have had my 99 5.4L F250 for 8 years now. 179K on the odometer and she still runs strong. Its Single bench seat, and gets 8mpg while towing which sucks. The newer 2 (or was it 3) valve triton 5.4L engines get a good 3-7mpg more on average than the older style 5.4L engines. Or you can go turbo diesel.

Get yourself an electric winch on that trailer too, it will save you some agony and embarrassment when your DSM breaks at the track.

Safe towing

Click to expand...

8mpg sounds scary. This suv/truck is gonna see about 320 miles a week. A jeep grand cherokee sounds decent. I could get the one with the 4.7 8cyl and the mpg is too bad. Its rated up to 6500 pounds of hauling.
but a pick up truck is probably the ideal thing to use.

If/when I decide to trailer my dsm I'll use either my dad's 06 Powerstroke Diesel F550 which I have towed in excess of 20000 pounds....electric brake is a must....Fords gas milage suck though...

I just installed a class 3 tow hitch and yet to install the round 7 plug on my jeep liberty....Of coasre I'm going to need to wire in a trailer brake and install the heavy duty cooling kit, but then I'll be rocking the jeep when towing the dsm....

redline7 said:

8mpg sounds scary. This suv/truck is gonna see about 320 miles a week. A jeep grand cherokee sounds decent. I could get the one with the 4.7 8cyl and the mpg is too bad. Its rated up to 6500 pounds of hauling.
but a pick up truck is probably the ideal thing to use.

Click to expand...

I had a Grand Cherokee with the v8 and I ran about 12mpg... (mostly city driving, but you will be hauling...) Great SUV though!

Let me know if you want to know more about them; Grand Cherokee's are big on my list.

12v cummins

id say if your on a budget you could probably find a 2000+ Gmc jimmy or blazer w/ a 4.3 vortec there cheap the 4.3's run for ever and the parts to repair them are very cheap i about fell over when i replaced all my shocks for under 100 bucks..

I would say get a older f250 7.3L turbo diesel. I have a few of these trucks for my business and one of them pulls a 24' trailer everyday! I get about 12-14 mpg pulling the trailer. Put a aftermarket chip in it will make a big difference in power.

sag1441 said:

12v cummins

Click to expand...

That's my pick
My buddies 96 gets about 20mpg and wouldn't even feel a dsm on the back.
Plus you can mod the diesel to death
The engine is so well built and at 210k, he has yet to have a trans issue.

Well I have towed my eclipse from a 2 hour distance with my Ford Expedition and never had a problem, the truck has the 4.6L and a 6" pro lift, and honestly gotta tell you is reliable on gas I used to make a 8 hour drive (475miles) to Jeannette,PA from CT in one tank $55. For me thats reliable being a big truck as it is.

i tow mine on a 2000 lb trailer with an 03 isuzu rodeo - never had a problem

sag1441 said:

12v cummins

Click to expand...

This.