$7000 to spend on tow vehicle, suggestions?

Tough challenge for $7k. You will have to look hard but should be able to find a 3/4 ton gas in reasonably good condition

We had a 2005 avalanche 1/2 ton 5.3l 4wd and loved it. 3 kids across the rear bench was too much for us to handle (touching/fighting each other)! I agree that you should look for a 3/4 ton to tow that weight. When the rear seat is folded down, you have more than 8' of bed length for cargo! You can even leave the bed cover and rear window in place when the rear seat is folded. I had yakima towers and cross bars attached to the bed cover with 2 bikes on it, bed full of camping gear( all dry and protected under the bed cover), a yakima megawarrior basket on the roof with a canoe on it, 3 kids in the back seat, and 22' camper in tow. We would still have it today, but we wanted a 3rd row to separate the kids, and a larger (heavier) camper. We have a 2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 now. I would imagine you could find an older 3/4 ton Avalanche in that price range, maybe? a quick check on local to me craigslist shows this;http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/3605133170.html

The cool kids aren't driving them but for a tow vehicle on a budget a 3/4 or 1 ton passenger van is hard to beat.

When looking at trucks remember the older trucks are not rated like the newer ones so check the numbers. Not exactly sure why but trucks are worth a lot more than I thought they would be. Ended up spending more than I originally wanted to get mine and I haggled the dealer down 3k on his asking price.

With a $7,000 USD? budget your looking at a 2000ish model year truck. That's 13 years old. Depending upon specs: engine, trans, rears 7-10,000# tow max on a 3/4 ton. Don't forget your tongue weight, the family and all the gear you want to put in it.

So do the math before you spend. The guy on the lot will tell you what he thinks you want to hear. GCVW on the older trucks are around 6k-8k lighter than the new trucks. Google the specs and check the door jam sticker. If the owners manual is there look for that trucks specs. Tow package would be a big help for you.

DHDB wrote:
That $7000 looks more like a down payment on a 3/4 ton crew can. Just sayin...

I have enough monthly payments, thanks

I'd look for a 3/4 ton crew cab with the 6.0 and the 4l80 tranny. Will pull your trailer all day long with the kids in the back seat. Could probably get a not too old one for the money you want to spend. I pulled a 10,500 trailer with one and didn't have any problems.

That $7000 looks more like a down payment on a 3/4 ton crew can. Just sayin...

reezer wrote:
So can I get some pro's and con's to each vehicle.
eg. Are Avalanche's good for a trailer that big? I saw some reports that said owners wouldn't tow anything over 5000lbs with their avalanche 1500 series.

Unless you can find a 2500 series Avy (preferably with the 8.1L) you won't have enough tow capacity for that trailer once you load it and the truck up for travel.

Whatever you get I'd go with a 3/4ton. If you want a roomy backseat then say goodbye to an old Dodge has they only had the extended cab and the quad cab (tiny bit larger then an extended cab) going back 10 years old. They have a mega cab in 06 but that is not going to be had for 7k.

7K on the budget isn't going to get you anything half way decent in my area but you might get lucky!