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

14 Replies

MFL
Nomad II
Mar 11, 2016
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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
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)
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.

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Test drive test tow?

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