$10,000 TV

[lee4019]

Hi Folks,

Looking for a early to mid 2000's TV. It will be a dedicated TV, making 4 to 6 camping trips per year, around 300 to 350 miles round trip. The TT that has the floorplans I'm looking at, are the Forest River micro and mini lites that have 4700- 5000 GVWR.

So far the 2006 Chevy Tahoe has been showing up on my research a few times. The LT and Z71 has 295hp and 335 ft-lbs torque at a price of $12k. That's my max budget. I would like to find a TV in the $10k range.

Oh yeah, there is a hill I will be going up and down, with 3% to 5% grade (2000' elev over 11 miles) that I should mention. So is their any TV's from the early 2000's, that are great for towing, that I should be researching?

Thanks

[Bonefish]

lee4019 wrote:

Bonefish wrote:
My Tahoe setup

We first towed with a Tahoe and a similar rig. Check out the link above.

Would it be a good tow if it was 1000lbs less? I'm looking at a realistic tow weight of 4400-4600lbs. That's TT with 600-800 lbs of cargo,

The Tahoe was 4 wheel drive which detracts from the two wheel drive tow numbers. The Rockwood 2602S on paper dry was 4149# and the actual on the scale weight was 5748# with two 20# propane bottles full, camping gear but minimal water in the fresh tank (10 gal) and gray/black empty. I can tell you from experience it is very easy to exceed your 600# gear limit. You also have to figure in people, pets and fuel to your tow vehicle mass. Just trying to give you some realistic numbers to work with rather than speculation.

[MegaCab_PL]

Sorry to be a pest here, but why is half of you guys talking about Ford with v10 or GM with 8.1.

The OP is talking about 5k trailer.
Even with the lower rated Tahoe at 7800 lbs, he would be at about 60%.

Lee4019 - I had a Tahoe, then gas Ram Megacab, and now I am back to 2006 Explorer. You have a dog and from my experience, nothing beats utility of an SUV

[PAThwacker]

I have 15% grades in every direction for 8 miles of brake burning/trans killing action.
2500 burb/5000lb bh/htt

[lee4019]

Thanks folks

Got a lot of trucks to research now. Friend of mine has a 06 chevy Silverado 2500hd with 140k miles. Lot of miles but he takes care of his vehicles. Doesn't want to sell now, but might later on. I'll include the 3/4 ton in my research.

No matter what direction I go I have to go up and down 1 of 2 long hills with pretty decent grade and around 11 miles long. Even if it's only 5000 lbs TT, the TV is going to get a good workout pulling it.

[APT]

lee4019 wrote:

I know fords are f-250, are they gasser's? chevy's were 2500 or Silverado 2500 and their twin gmc, but are they gasser's too? Does Dodge make a 3/4 ton gasser in the early years?

thanks

Ford F250/F350 offer the V10. Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD offer the 8.1L V8. Both Ford and GM have less powerful gas engines in these trucks (5.4L Ford, 6.0L GM), but I do not recommend them for your use. Less power, but higher unloaded highway fuel economy. For a dedicated tow vehicle, who cares? Dodge had a V10 also, but I'm not sure what year they stopped offering that, 2002?. Otherwise, Dodge has the 5.7L Hemi, but like Ford/GM's smaller ones, I'd pass.

MY prior tow vehicle, a 2003 F-150 towed my TT very well, if a bit slow at times. But not all half tons from that generation were as capable. Tow ratings varied from 3500-8000 pounds for half tons in that era, so weeding through them to find your fruit doesn't seem worth the effort. It's easy to search used car web sites and filter the HDs than weather a GM 5.3L has a 3.08 axle or 3.73 and the OEM towing package (not just an aftermarket receiver). All the benefits of a half ton come with a compromise on better unloaded ride and fuel economy. Again, why would someone using as a dedicated TV care?

[Lowsuv]

gmc 2500 , dodge 2500 or F250 ford
bigger brakes , more payload to carry tongue weight and camp gear .
a pickup is considerably better adapted to camping than a carpeted suv.
for towing with a 1500 , you will make compromises of the tongue weight .
light tongue weight equals sway
heavy tongue weight equals no sway

[ls1mike]

2 years ago I bought my 02 3/4 ton 6.0 CC long bed no options Silverado for 12000 bucks out the door. It had 23,000 miles on it. It now has 32,000. Use it for the dump, Lowes and mostly towing. Good deals are out there. Any 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton would work well for you. Find the one with the most maintenance history and lowest miles for the best price and carry on.

[1oldtruck]

The 6.0 liter would give you power to spare towing the hills. As previously mentioned the Denali would be a great choice.

[LowRyter]

just about any half ton truck or SUV with a tow package should tow 5k lb. 3/4 ton would be a bonus

[n7bsn]

There are low mileage 10 year old vehicles in great condition out there (125,000 miles is NOT low). My last one was 12 years old with 55,000 miles, I traded it in and it lasted two days. The one before that was 8 years with 45,000 miles, I traded it in and it re-sold before I was out the door with the new vehicle. (my current one is 5-1/2 years and 18,000 miles).... Because I use them just like you plan, as a tow vehicle ONLY!

Look for just about any of the vehicles listed, in good condition and low mileage, then buy it.

[n7bsn]

There are low mileage 10 year old vehicles in great condition out there (125,000 miles is NOT low). My last one was 12 years old with 55,000 miles, I traded it in and it lasted two days. The one before that was 8 years with 45,000 miles, I traded it in and it re-sold before I was out the door with the new vehicle. (my current one is 5-1/2 years and 18,000 miles).... Because I use them just like you plan, as a tow vehicle ONLY!

Look for just about any of the vehicles listed, in good condition and low mileage, then buy it.

[Tiggs]

Subject line lead me to believe you were dumping some serious cash on a new television 😉

[KD4UPL]

Big Katuna wrote:
Crew cab PU with the 8.1 and Allison trans. 2500 Hd

This. The 8.1 is quiet, smooth, reliable, and powerful.

[gcloss]

Lots of folks here talk about great deals on 3/4 ton & 1 ton full size vans. You get a lot for your money and the right van makes a great TV.

[rhagfo]

mastercraft1995 wrote:
I would look at a 1/2 ton Ford 5.4 or Chevy 5.3. You don't need a 3/4 or 1 ton to pull a 5000 pound trailer.

X2
You could pull that with a Honda Ridgeline.