What truck to buy?

AndrewM · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject: What truck to buy?

I know this isnt a VW question, but it kinda involves VW's so here goes.
I have a daily driver CRX but it is time to move on to something else. I'm basically looking for the smallest japanese pick-up with the largest towing capacity. I'm looking for something that can tow a bus on a full size trailer. I want to use the 4 wheel trailers so the bus wheels will be completely off the ground...no tow bars or dollies. I'm looking to get the best gas mileage for a daily driver yet enough power and weight to pull a big trailer and bus with as few problems as possible. Any ideas? Thanks.

DanLarson · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 10:27 pm Post subject:

To do what you want, you should really think about a Full sized truck. Towing a trailer that out weighs the tow vehicle will get you in a bind real fast.

Andrew · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:27 pm Post subject:

I would vote for a split-window single or double cab. Put some monster brakes on it and a nice beefy engine.
_________________
-Andrew

ubercrap · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 am Post subject:

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd tow a trailer with a compact Japanese pickup. I've towed a 412 on a trailer with a V8 Dakota and it worked quite well, and somebody told me they towed a Rabbit on a trailer just fine with their V6 Dakota. So, my recommendation would be a V6 Dakota of some vintage for maximum economy/towing ability tradeoff. That being said, since I had a very limited budget, I couldn't find a pickup that wasn't either very old (think '50's) or completely destroyed for the amount of money I had, so I just bought a '89 Ford Crown Victoria LX with a 5.0. I just ordered some air shocks for the rear, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be able to tow OK.
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

edgy · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:56 am Post subject:

Tacoma or Tundra

timp · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:57 am Post subject:

Toyota has ALWAYS built a well-put together truck.
Nissans aren't so bad either.

I would look into a Tacoma if i were you.
_________________
Some people are like slinkies; absolutely good for nothing, but it still brings a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs...

Bucky · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:12 am Post subject:

IMO opinion a Jap truck isn't heavy / large enough to do that kind of towing. I have a GMC Sierra w/ a 5.7L and have towed a number of busses on the same type of trailer you are talking about. It tracks well down the road and stops reasonably well with the extra 5000lbs pushing from behind. My biggest fear with a lightweight truck like Toyota or Nissan would be stopping. It's not to hard to find something capable of pulling the load, but controlling it when you're barrelling down the road at 60 mph is what you should worry about.

I think a similar thread to this was started a few months back, try a search.
_________________
www.cjvws.com
'67 Beetle Sedan
'70 Westy

"Got a lot to carry? Get a box."

gt1953 · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 12:02 pm Post subject:

Towing is not the problem it is the STOPPING. Generally a 3/4 or 1 ton have larger brakes then 1/2 tons. They generall have a heavier frames and suspensions also.
My opinion would be a GMC over Ford or Dodge.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

TimGud · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 1:12 pm Post subject:

I agree with the above posts. You need a full sized pickup for a trailer to be safe. I would buy at least a 3/4 ton and prefereably a one ton. With gas prices so high there should be some reasonably priced trucks out there.

ScrapJunkie · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 2:56 pm Post subject:

F-250's are always nice.
_________________
(O\U|U/O) Top Vw (o\UU/o)

77RedBug · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 3:52 pm Post subject:

...and a diesel would save on fuel and give you a VERY powerful tow rig...

Josh
_________________
1972 Super Beetle hardtop..."The Minion"
2004 GMC Sierra Z71 RCSB..."Bella"

"If Ted Kennedy drove a Volkswagen, he'd be president today!"

Gary · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject:

The rednecks are wrong. The Toyota Tacoma 1/2-ton truck can haul a Bus with no problem. You will pay more for a Toyota, but they are more reliable and have a higher resale value than anything Detroit builds.

Don't get a diesel unless you're going to haul all the time. Cheaper fuel and more pulling power? Sure, but diesels cost between $3000 - $6000 MORE than a gas truck. So, if you aren't using the diesel every day, then you're wasting money.
_________________
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)

BryanM · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 11:09 pm Post subject:

Toyota.
My friend has a old 4 runner that he hauls a big trailer with.
_________________
-Bryan

Motorwagen LLC
Concord NC

Behemoth · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 11:37 pm Post subject:

I'm a Ford man myself but I've looked at the new Titan 4 doors and they are sweet.
_________________
63SunNotch...."Don't qoute me on it but I am pretty good when it comes to tits.
Been sucking on them since I was a baby. "
vdubmax..."I thought we were friends. I will be by to drop off your recently fucked up parts next weekend fool"

TimGud · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 7:03 am Post subject:

If you have trailer brkes then this redneck Wink

says it would be safe to use a 1/2 ton or smaller truck. Short of that it isn't safe. Some of us with experience towing trailers with half tons have found this out the scary way.

chickengeorge · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 7:31 am Post subject:

77RedBug · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:44 am Post subject:

a diesel might cost more, but you failed to mention the whole "lasts about twice as long between rebuilds and holds resale value a lot better" thing...try to be a little more open minded...and if he was to get a 'Yota, i would recommend a Tundra...

Josh
_________________
1972 Super Beetle hardtop..."The Minion"
2004 GMC Sierra Z71 RCSB..."Bella"

"If Ted Kennedy drove a Volkswagen, he'd be president today!"

Ragman · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 11:00 am Post subject:

Chris W · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject:

I have a 2003 Dodge Dakota club cab. It’s a V6, four wheel disc, 5 speed and will tow 5000lbs no problem. It has the most towing capacity in its class. If you are going to use a trailer I would get a double axle with single axle brakes and stopping is no problem. I like this truck a lot and have had good luck with it so far, I have about 15,000 miles on it since new.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Gary · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject:


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Off Topic	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1