New Truck Buyer Needs Help

[Texsinbad]

In the process of buying a Rockwood 2205S trailer, UVW 5004# CCC 1686# for a total of 6690#. Now, I need to buy a tow vehicle—properly equipped half-ton truck.

Not being mechanically inclined, I usually buy new for the warranty, but new prices for trucks are too high for me. I doubt that I could find anything less than $37,000.

For that reason, I am looking for used in the $20,000 range, but not being a “truck” person, I am not sure where or how to look. I have looked on Craigslist, carmax and other internet sites, but not sure how to make sure that I find a truck that has the capability to tow.

For instance, how do I know what the axle ratio is?

Any comments/suggestions for a new truck buyer would be appreciated.

Thanks

[kellem]

Keep it simple for starters.

Payload is always the determining factor with half-ton trucks.

Look for the GVWR of trailer, usually stamped on driver's side front of trailer. Take 12 - 15% of this weight as trailers tounge weight.

Now go to the door sticker on truck and find payload CCC.
Deduct the trailers tounge weight, all passengers weight and cargo that you plan to carry on truck from the trucks rated payload and see where you stand.

If you plan to upgrade trailer in future like so many do then it would be prudent to look at 2500 - 250 series trucks.

[ACZL]

Diamond c wrote:
Go to a dealership and buy a used truck. They should be able to tell you everything about it, and you might get a little warranty to boot.

Are you serious? A dealer just just wants to make a sale, UNLESS a GOOD dealer actually knows something about towing. Years ago a local dealer tried to tell me a Ford Ranger w/ 4.10 gears will tow a house. What OP needs a truck w/a tow package and like 1st reply said, plug in the VIN to see how it's equipped from factory. Just because it may have a hitch on it does not mean it's set up for towing.

[Diamond_c]

Go to a dealership and buy a used truck. They should be able to tell you everything about it, and you might get a little warranty to boot.

[agesilaus]

You can plug the truck's vin number in a decoder and get a lot of info on it, not sure about the axle ratio tho: Edmunds