What would be the reliable and the Least financial burden tow truck that is just enough to handle/tow one flatbed + one passenger vehicle for 300~500miles?

Occasionally, need to tow a vehicle from Mi to each coast area (500mi driving) for summer fun + project + family-get-together...

When I towed such setup once with my 97 4R Auto but only for 60miles in local, it didn't feel safe.......

Don't care about model year,
don't care about brand.
as long as it can do the job...

Any suggetion?

 

Suburban 2500
Duramax 2500, 3500
Cummins 2500, 3500
Powerstroke 2500, 3500
Tundra might be a tad weak for that kind of weight
Titan is out of the question

 

What model year of Suburban 2500 is the best?
I heard that later model year is actually not as reliable as older.... Is it true?

 

not sure about that, later would be different than older because of engine changes, more electronics on the newer ones, if you are lookin for a diesel, the older suburbans would be you ticket for i dont think they were made after 2000. the big block 7.4 454 was replaced by chevy in 99 and gmc in 2000 by an 8.1 496. either way, they are work horses and i love to have one from any year to current.

 

id look for something with a diesel that big block suck your wallet dry fast ... maybe a 96 cummins or powerstroke ?

 

something like this?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/1973196421.html

 

id only go ford in this situation. IMO i love the performance and reliablitity of the powerstroke diesels. f250 or f350. DO IT !!

 

just dont do a 6.0L them things are pure junk my friend got suckered into one

 

 

How much is it?
My son will love this too!

 

what year was it?

 

all of them but his is a 04

 

yea that would prob be a good truck. cant beat a 12Vcummins. but he says he gets 22-26mpg towin??? i dotn see that. he might get that empty, but i dont see it gettin that good towin. 17-20 sounds more realistic IMO.

 

ide get a 2500 dodge QC with a hemi, try n get a 5spd/6spd (hard to find) ive got one, will tow whatever i want, has TONS of performance, towing, and lift upgrades AND its a solid axle, somthing i wanted..., and doesent have all the diesel upkeep, gets about 17 all around and 14 ish when towing, but ive got 35's and quite a few towin miles on it, and i havnt serviced the tranny yet at 100k :X dont get me wrong i love fords but the 6.0 and the 2003? and up 7.3 just suck, even ford knew it thats why they terminated their contract eairly, my old company had a couple 7.3 and 6.0 and they both had MAJOR issues, but we towed 12k+ alllll the time soo..thats my opinion

 

Just curious How many times a year do you do these things?

If both vehicles are street legal it would be cheaper to just drive them.

Of course if this is just an excuse to buy a good sized truck by all means go for it.

If you are skilled enough to do the work buy a older one fix it up .

I also have need of a Tow vehicle from time to time but crunching the numbers. It is cheaper to have it done then pay for a truck and insurance and license.

I also looked at the correct insurance to transport vehicles for hire it was lots more then I wanted to pay to do it part time.

I have had the Ford powerstroke 7.3 and the cummins 5.9 both are good engines I just liked the Ford over the Dodge in over all truck.

just my thoughts

Good luck.

 

General widsom on the Ford 6.0 board is that the 06-07 6.0s are very reliable-if maintained. Go to a ford site-the one linked in the clearcoat wheels thread perhaps-and nose around there. Lots of 6.0 problems if not all of them were taken care of by 06.

To make a long story short, F250-F350 is one hell of a truck. Mine is an 07 PSD that gets 18 mpg with I think 325hp/575lbft of torque, bone stock.

I have heard, however, that the 7.3 is a much better motor for the long haul interstate driving. The displacement allows you to have a "smoother" pull up long hills. If you plan on lots of long trips, it may be a better bet. Good luck finding a clean one, though. There aren't many around here.

Enjoy your big truck whichever you choose.