Important options in a tow vehicle

[Lessmore]

There's obvious options that have to be considered in a tow vehicle. Off hand I would say things like tow rating, payload, final drive axle ratio, 4WD or 2WD, traction assist system, engine size and type, transmission, cooling system upgrades.

But as they say in those late night adverts....but wait....there's more !

People spend a lot of time in their tow vehicles and the ride shouldn't be like a hockey penalty box. At least not in my opinion.

So....my question goes...what about other options that should be considered ?

To me the sound system is important. Keeps you from being bored, sometimes keeps you more alert and can provide news/info.

I would say AM/FM radio, CD player, MP3 player...good speaker system.

CB radio with weather channel.

Comfortable for you and your family seats.

Quiet ride. Not every truck will approach Cadillac standards in road noise and comfort...but still this is important.

Ease of entry. I'm older now and find my body doesn't like to bend as much as it used to...also my wife is 5' 3" and she doesn't want to be a mountaineer in order to get in and out of vehicle. Maybe running boards will do the trick.

One of those little Magellan/ Garmin GPS deals to stick on your dash...although I'm more of a map guy myself.

Compass in the vehicle.

So add/subtract what you want, what am I missing and do you agree/disagree with my choices ? 😉

[mountainsam]

Wow, I didn't know my poor old truck was missing so much. The items I like best is a huge windshield to see this amazing country.

[RVJimofOregon]

I of my best items on my new Tundra is the blind spot monitor, worth it wait in gold with or without a trailer.
My next upgrade is a replacement 46 gal gas tank.
RV Jim

[Fordlover]

I want a truck that rides perfect and looks good and never breaks down, can haul 90,000 lbs. up a 10% grade at 70MPH without having to downshift, get 45MPG while doing it, all the interior bells and whisles, cheap to fuel/feed/maintain and MSRP of 8 grand.

I don't want much do I?

[Wyomings]

Besides an am/fm radio and rear sliding window, my tv doesn't have any of the options being discussed.

[Redsky]

I needed 4WD and the new pickup we bought has a 24" ground to doorsill height that was more than a little difficult to manage. The running boards or side steps as they are often called changed this to a 18" ground to doorsill distance and made it much easier to get into the cab for both my wife and myself. And I got the dealer to include the chrome side steps at no charge - he wanted to sell the truck.

OEM tow mirrors are better than the aftermarket - got the dealer to install these at no charge.

Seat heaters are a nice to have but the women love them.

No manufacturer will have a CB radio as less than one person in a 1000 would order it. Be happy with the Bluetooth and hands free use of your cell phone that is integrated with the new cars and trucks.

The tow package is a bargain with the added trans cooler, hitch, and other upgrades that are included.

[Jarlaxle]

No IFS on a 4x4.
No leather.
Preferably, no power options & no carpet.

I will pay a premium to NOT get leather.

[lbrjet]

fla-gypsy wrote:
I must be the exception. Most of that stuff doesn't interest me. I went for plenty of power, payload and a comfortable seat.

I went for the same as you with except with just enough power. Got me an XL with cloth seats, IBC and the electronic power package. Never had carpet in a truck and never wanted it. Ended up being cheaper than the GMC 1/2 tons I was shopping at the time.

[45Ricochet]

Darn I shouldn't have opened this thread. Think I just got the itch again.

[Paul_Clancy]

Rear sliding window for quick ventilation.:W

[Peg_Leg]

#1 extendable electric mirrors. Very nice when backing over your right shoulder. Quick check of curbside tires on the fly.

[blt2ski]

hone eagle wrote:
1650 torkees is all I need ,sound system - pshaw - 60 years old, 30+ working in noisy environments destroyed hearing enough so I don't need no 'sound system'.

EH, WHAT YOU SAY AGEN?!?!?!?!?!?

oh yeah, need to turn them hearin aids down again!!!!

I know the working in a noisy environment. Only took me 20 or so years. Could not hear my 7 yr old daughter! would go from my office to the living room, tell mom that daddy is not talking or listening to her! one quick way to make a daddy cry! 5 more years, one divorce, and I got the hearing aids at age 40!

marty

[hone_eagle]

1650 torkees is all I need ,sound system - pshaw - 60 years old, 30+ working in noisy environments destroyed hearing enough so I don't need no 'sound system'.

[blt2ski]

Must be why I went from driving a dually CC dmax to a 3 total option rec cab 2500! Both have 3800 lbs of payload, both will pull my 12K equipment trailer.......

Ok, so one has 255 hp vs 320......4 forward vs 5, the posi is nice.......4wd, nice, but not NEEDED!......roll up windows vs power.....oh the 2500 sits some 8" lower than the 3500! A lot easier on the back lifting thing into the bed!

With this in mind, what is right for me, is different than the rest of you and vice versa. As long as it is the right tool for the moment, who cares what options etc it has.

marty

[krobbe]

After straining my back picking up the hitch, I discovered the heated back seat is medicinal. Aaaaa!