Buying a truck to be a tow vehicle and nothing else, is it reasonable to ask for a test tow, rather than a test drive?I don't really care how the truck drives while it's empty off a dealer lot, I'll never use it as a commuter vehicle, I have my station wagon for that. I want to feel how the truck drives with my tiny trailer hitched up, and especially if / how it carries my tiny trailer better than the old truck.I'd likely ask this of the dealer I've done business with for years first, but maybe a dealer that doesn't know me from Adam as well, for comparison sake.

For a bumper tow I don't see why that would be a problem. All that would be needed is a hitch ball. Assuming you don't want to install a weight distributing hitch. A fifth wheel would be a whole different issue because a hitch would have to be installed. So ask for it and drive up and down some hills.

agesilaus wrote:For a bumper tow I don't see why that would be a problem. All that would be needed is a hitch ball. Assuming you don't want to install a weight distributing hitch. A fifth wheel would be a whole different issue because a hitch would have to be installed. So ask for it and drive up and down some hills.Yes, you're right - my KZ 200 is a bumper pull. I'd imagine my 2" ball mount would either slide into the test truck's receiver, or the 2" to 2.5" adapter they're supposed to come with (looking at moving to a 2500)

If the OP is talking a used truck, or demo with some miles, I see no problem. For a new truck, most manuals say 500, or 1000 miles needed before towing any trailer. I think this would be the sales persons reason to say no.Jerry

I would guess that the run-of-the-mill dealer would refuse a towing trial on a brand new truck. They probably will have some excuses. They won't rent a truck for towing use, either.

Test drive test tow? | Good Sam Community

agesilaus
Explorer III
Mar 10, 2016
For a bumper tow I don't see why that would be a problem. All that would be needed is a hitch ball. Assuming you don't want to install a weight distributing hitch.

A fifth wheel would be a whole different issue because a hitch would have to be installed. So ask for it and drive up and down some hills.
GordonThree
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
agesilaus wrote:
For a bumper tow I don't see why that would be a problem. All that would be needed is a hitch ball. Assuming you don't want to install a weight distributing hitch.

A fifth wheel would be a whole different issue because a hitch would have to be installed. So ask for it and drive up and down some hills.

Yes, you're right - my KZ 200 is a bumper pull. I'd imagine my 2" ball mount would either slide into the test truck's receiver, or the 2" to 2.5" adapter they're supposed to come with (looking at moving to a 2500)
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 11, 2016
If the OP is talking a used truck, or demo with some miles, I see no problem. For a new truck, most manuals say 500, or 1000 miles needed before towing any trailer. I think this would be the sales persons reason to say no.

Jerry
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 11, 2016
..
rexlion
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
I would guess that the run-of-the-mill dealer would refuse a towing trial on a brand new truck. They probably will have some excuses. They won't rent a truck for towing use, either.
Greene728
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
The dealerships around here absolutely will not do it and won't budge on it. Insurance reasons are what they state. Also as other poster said, break in period written plainly in the manual. A used one possibly. But I wouldn't bank on it.
3oaks
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
MFL wrote:
If the OP is talking a used truck, or demo with some miles, I see no problem. For a new truck, most manuals say 500, or 1000 miles needed before towing any trailer. I think this would be the sales persons reason to say no.
Jerry
And it's a very good reason. It's not a sales persons excuse, it a manufacturer's specification. I would not purchase a brand new vehicle that was test driven while towing a heavy load by previous prospective buyers.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
Last couple of test drives I went on I had to sign a waiver. I know that they included prohibitions of towing.
samsontdog
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
I went to the Toyota Dealer in Folsom Ca and was trying out the new 2015 Tundra.
I asked if I could hook it up to my 28 ft TT. They Boss said sure you can. I then asked "can I take it to Lake Tahoe? Again he said sure you can. They filled it up with gas and I had to fill out Insurance papers. Then after all that the DW did not like the Truck so I took it back without towing the TT. I still have my 2003 F250 with the V10 and nearly 100,000 miles
bbaker2001
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
heck if you were around Stockton, you could try mine.

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