$10,000 TV

[lee4019]

Hi Folks,

Looking for a early to mid 2000's TV. It will be a dedicated TV, making 4 to 6 camping trips per year, around 300 to 350 miles round trip. The TT that has the floorplans I'm looking at, are the Forest River micro and mini lites that have 4700- 5000 GVWR.

So far the 2006 Chevy Tahoe has been showing up on my research a few times. The LT and Z71 has 295hp and 335 ft-lbs torque at a price of $12k. That's my max budget. I would like to find a TV in the $10k range.

Oh yeah, there is a hill I will be going up and down, with 3% to 5% grade (2000' elev over 11 miles) that I should mention. So is their any TV's from the early 2000's, that are great for towing, that I should be researching?

Thanks

[lee4019]

jroden wrote:
if you can find the e-350 in standard length with the towing gears I suspect it would be a great fit for you, and really affordable.

Seems like the ones I've been looking at are the passenger vans with the huge rear.

[jroden]

if you can find the e-350 in standard length with the towing gears I suspect it would be a great fit for you, and really affordable.

[lee4019]

Big Katuna wrote:
The plow would scare me away. Plow trucks can lead a hard life.

Yeah I know what you mean. The good thing is, a plow doesn't get used much around here. I have a snow blower that has been used 2 out of the last 6 winters.

[Big_Katuna]

The plow would scare me away. Plow trucks can lead a hard life.

[lee4019]

motor in van is 5.8 v8

Haven't found out the super duty motor yet, it's gas.

I can't remember, but I think the dodge was auto trans. and Ford was manual trans. or the other way around. But i'm pretty sure it's dodge=auto and ford=manual

Should be getting more info soon, we work together, but different shifts.

Thanks for the reply, the super duty really got my attention. I was concerned about the miles. But it's only job would be pulling the camper and clearing my driveway of the little snow we get. Oh yeah I forgot to mention, the super duty comes with a snowplow.

[jerem0621]

What is the motor in the Van?

How about the Super Duty, what is the motor in it. If its a 5.4 or a 6.8 I would lean towards this rig. Much nicer suspension and interior, etc.

If you can get a Ram 2500 with a Cummins I would do it. In those year models I prefer the straight shift over the auto.

Thanks and good luck!

Jeremiah

[lee4019]

Hi Folks, so here's a little update.

So I have been hitting the car lots, looking for a TV, with no luck so far. There is a van that keeps grabbing my attention.

It's a 1993 Ford E350 15 passenger van, good miles, right price and has a trailer hitch. Don't know the specs for the hitch. KBB specs are Wheel Base 138.0 inches, Overall Length 231.8 inches, Maximum Towing 10000 lbs. I'm pretty sure it can tow the TT's I'm looking at, 4800lbs - 6000lbs fully loaded. I'm trying to grasp at what can i do with this van when not towing. It's just me and my 14lb dog.

Two other TV's I've been told about is a 2005 F250 super duty with HD towing package and 2001 Dodge Ram Cummins with HD towing package. Both have over 200,000 miles and the Dodge is probably out of my price range.

Keep in mind, I will be making 4-6, 300mi round trips and 1 or 2, 650mi round trips per year, for 5 or 6 years, then I will up grade for cross country RV'ing.

Good thing is I'm in no big hurry.

Any thoughts on these TV's?

Thanks

[jerem0621]

lee4019 wrote:
Hi Folks

Need some info, beside the trailer hitch and wiring, what would I have to add to a 1994 ford f-250 7.5l v8 Without a tow package, for towing 5 to 6000lb TT. I don't know the gear ratio?

Thanks

Big big transmission cooler. Derale and B&M make the best stacked plate aftermarket units.

Unless you have a five speed.

If you are buying a receiver. I recommend you buy the strongest one you can afford.

Thanks

[lee4019]

Hi Folks

Need some info, beside the trailer hitch and wiring, what would I have to add to a 1994 ford f-250 7.5l v8 Without a tow package, for towing 5 to 6000lb TT. I don't know the gear ratio?

Thanks

[lee4019]

I'm keeping a eye for a deal. I might put 2000 to 3000 miles, on it a year. Looking for something $6,000 or less. Would really like to spend $5000. Lot's of Vans in that price range, but I don't know a lot about them. I got 2 prospects, I'm going to check out this coming week.

One is a 95 Ford F-250 351 V8 engine, automatic transmission and the other is a Dodge Ram. No details on it yet.

[450Rrider]

i picked up a 99 f350 4wd, cc, lwb, dually, v10, 4.30, limited slip, 100k miles for $6000. body is perfect, paint is perfect except for the tailgate. interior is okay, there are a few things broken such as: cup holder, pass small sun visor, cup holder, one blown 12v cig ligher. I performed about a $1000 of work (did myself), added air horn, new shocks, brake rotors, pads, brake lines, balanced drive shaft(i sent this out to a specialist), new front tires, radiator flush, radiator hoses, thermostat. this beast gets 10-12 on the highway and <10mpg on the street. But it tows my little 18' ultra lite travel trailer like it's not there.

i've had it for six months and driven it 4k miles, sadly more for work than camping. i've hauled over 4k pounds in the bed numerous times for 100 mile trips. no problems on any of these trips. good deals are out there, go for a gas engine 1999 or newer 3/4 ton or better, you won't have that nagging feeling about having enough truck.

[stetwood]

I wouldn't get too crazy of a vehicle. From the op you will tow less than 4000 miles per year.

[jerem0621]

MegaCab_PL wrote:
I can tell you that pre 2000 1/2 tons will not do (I know what I said few posts above, but that referred to newer generation Tahoe).

I had a 99 Tahoe with tow package and 3.73 gears that struggled with 4000 lbs. Maybe it was just my truck, but my 06 Explorer with 4.6 is way better.

Yeah, there were some exceptions to that too.

The F150 was a dominate truck when it came to towing back then. I had the highest rated F150 you could get in 1997.

It was a 2wd XLT Extended cab 5.4, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, It had nearly 1700 lbs of payload and a solid 8000 lb tow rating.

I paid $4500.00 for that truck and it handled my GVWR 7700 lb TT very well. That is in Tennessee in the Appalachian Mts with 5-7% grades all around me.

For the OP's trailer, a half ton with 3.42-3.73 and the biggest motor would be a very well matched rig.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[lancekeys]

I have a 99 dodge with the 5.9 V8 it is a great truck and pulls my 28' 5th wheel no problem. It is however a 3/4 ton camper special with the 5 speed manual transmission.

I paid $3500 for it. It had 100k miles on it and the body is beat up (no rust). I don't know what your friend wants for the 1500, but it would have to be CHEAP for me to buy it.

My last truck was a 2008 F-150 with the 4.6l, no where near the torque, or towing ability.

All that being said, I am with the others on the 3/4 gas truck. Just passed on a F-250 with the V-10 crew cab for $5500 had 150k miles on it. Deals are out there find a budget, what you want fill your pocket with $100 bills and wait for a good deal.