I need a new tow vehicle

[NJ6PACK]

All good things must come to an end 😞

After 19 states, 6 NASCAR Tracks, 11yrs and 90,000 miles 90% of which were towing the TT my Van is dead.

Tow Vehicle is listed in my signature.... It was the best vehicle I ever had

The past year and and a half it has become increasingly unreliable and I've dumped more money into it than I should of to keep it running, On top of that I have been fighting rust all over the vehicle with Bondo ..... Time to look for a new (used) tow vehicle.

I need suggestions on a Tow Vehicle search but I am a little out of date as to what's a good Tow Vehicle for 2 adults 2 11yr olds and a 17 1/2 yr old.

The GVWR of my TT is 8,000 lbs but I want a vehicle with a higher tow rating in case I upgrade the TT to something heaver and bigger.

I would love to find another Ford Econoline E350 V10 but they seem hard to find.

Are Suburbans any good?...I don't see any 2500 models anymore.

I would also would consider a pickup truck but it must be a 4 door model..... Ford, Chevy Dodge, it doesn't matter as long as it has the towing power and then some.

Any suggestions would be appreciated....Thanks

[NJ6PACK]

Thanks for all the great suggestions and PM's

I think I will go with a RAM Pickup Truck because as one has suggested I have 4 kids.... The oldest is 21 next month so he really doesn't go with us much and when he does he shows up in his own car. That leaves my 17 yr old daughter and the 11yr old twins so I think a crew cab would work for me....anyone else do this? (3 in the back)

I have my eye on 2 trucks that fit my price / age / mileage range:

Truck #1 is a 2013 Ram 2500 SLT crew cab 4x4 / 5.7L Hemi / short bed / 3.73 gear ratio / 11,290lb tow rating

Truck #2 is a 2012 Ran 2500 St crew cab 4x4 / 5.7L Hemi / long bed / 3.73 gear ratio / 10,350lb tow rating

The interior of Truck#2 looks nicer, one thing I like is the center console goes completely to the dash.... Truck #1 doesn't have console connect to the dash..... does anyone know if I can get an aftermarket (ebay!) to fill that in?

Most importantly there is a 940lb difference in tow ratings between the two trucks....is this a big deal that I should be concerned with? both truck are with in a few hundred bucks of each other ...... either way my mechanic said I will see a big difference in towing considering where I will be coming from, a 1999 E350 Super Duty Van w/ a V10

Anything else I'm missing?

[rjstractor]

bucky wrote:
There are plenty of low mileage 7.3 PSD Ford E-vans out there. Some are passenger vans from southern states used in state and local gov fleets to haul workers. The van engines were slightly detuned as compared to the truck versions.
If you decide to go back to a V10 get the newer 3 valve version. It will help you go with a bigger TT.

The 3 valve Triton V10 has never been available in the vans, but the 2V version in the newer vans does have more power than the OP's.

[anw7405]

In your situation I would go with a 3/4 ton truck. Your oldest kid will be gone (probably) very soon and then you have just 2 kids you are hauling around. If its cargo space you want put a topper over the bed. This coming from a guy who owns a 8.1 suburban because I need it with 4 kids. If I had 2-3 I would be in a truck.

[bucky]

There are plenty of low mileage 7.3 PSD Ford E-vans out there. Some are passenger vans from southern states used in state and local gov fleets to haul workers. The van engines were slightly detuned as compared to the truck versions.
If you decide to go back to a V10 get the newer 3 valve version. It will help you go with a bigger TT.

[normal_dave]

Road Trip! (or fly and buy).
It's hard to beat the utility and towing capability of a V10 Wagon. This dealer shows two of them in inventory, the one with pics appears to have no undercarriage rust.
2011 E-Series Wagon 6.8L V10

[LIKE2BUILD]

My '14 Ram crew cab feels massive in the back seat. If you need lots of room the Mega Cab is even bigger with rear seats that recline 20 degrees.

[APT]

2012-2013 2500 Suburban or Yukon XL - they are uncommon though.
GM still makes the Express/Savana for 2018 model year. Nissan makes the NV3500 with similar capabilities. Otherwise, you have to go to HD pickups.

[Grit_dog]

Depends on your budget and how fast you want to pull hills. Pretty much any flavor of Mega Cab diesel would be my first pick for road tripping 5 people and a good sized trailer.
There are a pile of options to pull 8klbs and haul a family. Even a newish well equipped 1/2 ton would doo it, but you'd be at the upper limits of a 1/2 ton.

[IdaD]

NJ6PACK wrote:
I would also would consider a pickup truck but it must be a 4 door model..... Ford, Chevy Dodge, it doesn't matter as long as it has the towing power and then some.

Pick your favorite flavor in diesel and you'll have a great truck with power to spare.

[coolmom42]

F-250 crew cab

[donn0128]

3500 SRW Mega Cab Dodge Ram Cummins would be my number one choice. The 6.7L Cummins coupled to the 68RFE automatic has been a proven reliable truck. The mega cabs tended to have low ratings, thats why I would opt for a 3500 over a 2500.