TV Recommendations

[surgtech56]

What would some TV(for a TT of 23ft) recommendations with 4WD, automatic, be in the $12,000-$16,000 range? Is it better to buy from a private owner? Thank you

[donn0128]

Full sized van, Suburban, Excursion are the three top picks as good tow vehicles for a family. For two to three any of the 3/4 ton pickups would be fine.

[Golden_HVAC]

If a dealership gets ahold of a private sale truck, say can pick it up for $10,000, they will put a sign on it to sell it around $14,000, perhaps a bit more. They typically spend a few dollars changing fluids, and detail the vehicle to make it really shiny. Might even do a paint job.

However they do this because the buyer will ask for a discount from the "Asking" price. Normally the buyer will ask for 10% to 20% off the asking price. IT would be rare for a buyer to come in with checkbook in hand, and say "You want $14,000, here is a check for even more money".

So you can offer a dealership less than the asking price. Even private sales the asking price is about 5% to 10% more than the bottom line that they might accept for the final sales price.

Depending on how many miles you expect to drive the tow vehicle, you should consider do you want gas or diesel. If you want to tow a especially heavy vehicle, then diesel might be the only engine strong enough. Or you might find a 8.1L gas engine (not built for the past 10 years or so.) The V10 gas engines where also very strong, and used in 22,000 GVWR Ford class A chassis, as well as 26,000 pound F-650 dump trucks and other heavy duty trucks.

If this will be towing a not so heavy trailer, say 9,000 pounds, then the 6 liter gas engine, or 5.4L ford engine should be fine. 5.9L Hemi from Dodge also makes around 250 - 300HP, and is great for something in that size range.

I would be looking more for a F-350 / 3500 series single rear wheel truck, so that you will not be limiting yourself to a smaller travel trailer. With most 3500 trucks, the cargo rating is around 3,000 pounds, that can tow a 9,000 pound fifth wheel without exceeding the GVWR due to the high pin weight, and still allow a decent payload for passengers, firewood, generator, ect.

You can tow up to 12,000 pound travel trailer with a 3500 series, as they can handle the 1,200 pound hitch weight with ease, and still carry a lot of passenger and cargo weight without being overloaded, or needing air bags to hide the trucks' inadequate cargo capacity.

Fred.