We just purchased a 28 ft travel trailer with 7,700lb Gross weight and are now looking for a tow vehicle. This tow vehicle would be a third vehicle used exclusively for towing when we go camping (maybe 10 times a year). Because of this we are looking for a cheaper vehicle under $10k. We would love to keep it around $5k-$7k if possible. We have found a couple 2001 Silverado 2500HD with a little over 100k miles that are around $5,000. Would those be worth it?..we are staying away from the 2003-2004 6.0L ford diesels (after being warned by two separate garages about them). We are in CA and are hopeful to find some suggestions about what tow vehicle would suit our needs. We would probably go with an older vehicle with low miles over a newer vehicle with higher miles...any suggestions for what we should be looking for??

Are you looking for a pickup only? If not you may want to consider a full size van.I have an 06 Ford E350 12 pax van with the V-10 and Torqueshift 5 sp trans.These are very practical vehicles and it pulls my toyhauler with ease. You can also buy them much cheaper than a pickup or SUV.

sweetiebt wrote:We just purchased a 28 ft travel trailer with 7,700lb Gross weight and are now looking for a tow vehicle. This tow vehicle would be a third vehicle used exclusively for towing when we go camping (maybe 10 times a year). Because of this we are looking for a cheaper vehicle under $10k. We would love to keep it around $5k-$7k if possible. We have found a couple 2001 Silverado 2500HD with a little over 100k miles that are around $5,000. Would those be worth it?..we are staying away from the 2003-2004 6.0L ford diesels (after being warned by two separate garages about them). We are in CA and are hopeful to find some suggestions about what tow vehicle would suit our needs. We would probably go with an older vehicle with low miles over a newer vehicle with higher miles...any suggestions for what we should be looking for??Absolutely.My wife has a 2001 Silverado 2500HD with a 6.0L gasser. It currently has 99,000mi on it. I have towed trailers heavier than 7,700# so I can say that 7,700# is well within the capabilities of the trucks you are looking at.Other than replacing a LF wheel bearing and the fuel gauge sending unit this thing just sees routine maintenance.

Absolutely, one of the E250 or E350 Ford vans with a gas motor would be a great tow vehicle. Same for a GM 2500HD with a gas motor. Any of them will have similar issues considering age and mileage, so don't let that get to you.

I really enjoy pulling with my dodge diesel, but in that price range, I would stay with a gas truck at around 100K to 125K if you can find one.may have to deal with some beats and bangs at that price, two wheel drive, will also help you if you can deal with a two wheel drivemy dodge 2500 is a 2x4 and has served me well, I just know its limitations and keep it out of the mud and soft sand. also the newer models, no matter the brand may have that dep additive for epa compliance, you would want to avoid that, if possible,would be nice if you could get a maintenance history report on the vehicle.some company trucks may have a lot of miles, but have received very good maintenance logs.good hunting and let us know what you find.

sweet,I forgot to mention, if you open the hood and see lots of power add onsthat would be a turn off for me.also at that mileage, most 4x4 are going to need some front end work, which can add up big time, that is why many trade them in at that mileage.when you find your special truck, I would take it to a trusted mech and give him a $100 or whatever is reasonable to check it over, that might be the best money you will spend if you finds some big time item that you missed like low compression engine or transmission slipping, etc:most all are going to need belts, shocks and tires at that mileage.

Tow vehicle under $10k | Good Sam Community

FireGuard
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2014
Are you looking for a pickup only? If not you may want to consider a full size van.
I have an 06 Ford E350 12 pax van with the V-10 and Torqueshift 5 sp trans.
These are very practical vehicles and it pulls my toyhauler with ease. You can also buy them much cheaper than a pickup or SUV.
Engineer9860
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
sweetiebt wrote:
We just purchased a 28 ft travel trailer with 7,700lb Gross weight and are now looking for a tow vehicle. This tow vehicle would be a third vehicle used exclusively for towing when we go camping (maybe 10 times a year). Because of this we are looking for a cheaper vehicle under $10k. We would love to keep it around $5k-$7k if possible. We have found a couple 2001 Silverado 2500HD with a little over 100k miles that are around $5,000. Would those be worth it?..we are staying away from the 2003-2004 6.0L ford diesels (after being warned by two separate garages about them).

We are in CA and are hopeful to find some suggestions about what tow vehicle would suit our needs. We would probably go with an older vehicle with low miles over a newer vehicle with higher miles...any suggestions for what we should be looking for??

Absolutely.

My wife has a 2001 Silverado 2500HD with a 6.0L gasser. It currently has 99,000mi on it. I have towed trailers heavier than 7,700# so I can say that 7,700# is well within the capabilities of the trucks you are looking at.

Other than replacing a LF wheel bearing and the fuel gauge sending unit this thing just sees routine maintenance.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2014
Absolutely, one of the E250 or E350 Ford vans with a gas motor would be a great tow vehicle. Same for a GM 2500HD with a gas motor. Any of them will have similar issues considering age and mileage, so don't let that get to you.
maxwell11
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
I really enjoy pulling with my dodge diesel, but in that price range,
I would stay with a gas truck at around 100K to 125K if you can find one.

may have to deal with some beats and bangs at that price,
two wheel drive, will also help you if you can deal with a two wheel drive

my dodge 2500 is a 2x4 and has served me well, I just know its limitations and keep it out of the mud and soft sand.

also the newer models, no matter the brand may have that dep additive for epa compliance, you would want to avoid that, if possible,
would be nice if you could get a maintenance history report on the vehicle.
some company trucks may have a lot of miles, but have received very good maintenance logs.

good hunting and let us know what you find.
maxwell11
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
sweet,
I forgot to mention, if you open the hood and see lots of power add ons
that would be a turn off for me.

also at that mileage, most 4x4 are going to need some front end work, which can add up big time, that is why many trade them in at that mileage.

when you find your special truck, I would take it to a trusted mech and give him a $100 or whatever is reasonable to check it over, that might be the best money you will spend if you finds some big time item that you missed like low compression engine or transmission slipping, etc:

most all are going to need belts, shocks and tires at that mileage.
sweetiebt
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Thank you everyone. Looks like I may be on the right track looking at early 2000 2500HDs (or f250) with close to 100k miles. The 2001 Silverado 2500HD that we are looking at will need new rear tires and maybe rotors along with a new AC belt...standard maintenance type items I guess. Also some cosmetic issues, but nothing really alarming. And at a $5,00 price tag we will be able to afford a few additional expenses for maintenance items up front to get it in peak condition. I am definitely planning on taking it to a friend who works at a shop to take a look at the tires/brakes/rotors and engine/transmission.

We kind of do want to stick to a truck just for household hauling type work so I think getting a van or SUV is out.
krobbe
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
If you're just towing with it, look for a 2500 with the 8.1L. The towing mpg will be as good or better than the 6.0L with way more HP/Tq with the sort of weights you have.
tatest
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2014
In pickups, I would go further back, look for F-250 or E-250/350 with the 460 V8 or C2500/S2500 with 454 V8. That would be G2500/3500 for the GM van, or you might find early Express/Savannah with Vortec 7400 or 8100.

Although the older big gas engines do not have the high peak HP ratings at high RPM enjoyed by smallblock V8s now used, they have much better torque at the lower RPM you will use for cruise.
These gas pickups and van tend to drop into the $5000 to $8000 range here at 10-12 years old, the trick being to find one under 150,000 miles.

Actually, your budget would buy you a newer E350 or F250 with the 6.8 V10, where the market is now for 1999-2004 model years, it is just that they are hard to find because they were usually ordered to do a specific job (usually towing) and don't get sold until worn out.
ls1mike
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2014
I went from a 454 to a 6.0 GM gasser. I wouldn't go back the 6.0 does much better lugging my 7500lbs trailer around. I found my 02 no options truck 3 years ago with 23,000 miles on it for 12,000 out the door. Deals are out there you just have to look high and low.
APT
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
In that price range, GM 8.1L from 00-06 or Ford V10, both in 3/4 or 1-ton. THe smaller engines and half tons might do fine, but the compromises for you do not seem worth the towing experience. If you don't mind a passenger van, you'll get a far lower mileage/newer one for the same budget.

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