which tow rig?

[chico4554]

I need your guys' help. here are the three trucks im considering. I just found the gmc 2500 tonight so its a newcomer. I havent looked at any of the trucks yet, I was just looking for your input on them. I would only be able to put down around 3k, then would have to get a loan for the rest. Price is a factor as of right now cause im finishing up school and dont have much income right now. Income will go up in June.

First is the 2000 GMC 2500:
http://www.bargainnews.com/viewad.cfm?Show_Notepad=Yes&bnAd_ID=91174725&TheDealer=2345

I couldnt find alot of info on the 2000 sierra, everything is the classic. 2000 is the year you could get both trucks. I found that the 2500 only has the 4L60 tranny, couldnt find anything saying it may be the 4L80. Would rather have the 4L80. Anyone have much info on these 2000 HDs?

Next is the 2005 Ford F-250:
http://www.bargainnews.com/viewad.cfm?Show_Notepad=Yes&bnAd_ID=6634277&TheDealer=

its looks to be a beautiful truck and this is my 1st choice, but is also the most expensive.

Last is the 2005 Ford F-150:
http://www.bargainnews.com/viewad.cfm?Show_Notepad=Yes&bnAd_ID=91176126&TheDealer=357

looks to be a nice truck, lowish mileage. Its in the middle of the pack for price.

 

[GreatWhite]

F-250 (PSD) only towing option....



no GAY MANS chariot

 

[Maverick]

I prefer a 3/4 ton or 1 ton for towing. Mainly for the better brakes, load capacity, weight etc. So that would rule out the F150 for me. I also prefer having an extended cab or crewcab not just for hauling people but for all the stuff I value enough to not want to put in my bed. That would rule out the GMC 2500. I'm a fan of manual transmissions for their durability, fuel economy, better hold back on hills, so another strike for both the GMC and the F-150. I'd be looking really hard at the F250, even though its the most expensive. I'd see if they're negotiable on the price. It's the best choice out of the three for a tow rig IMO.

 

[cappin90]

For towing you would almost have to go with the F-250 but if its not going to tow too often might as well go with the GMC since it is cheap and would tow ok as long as it isn't towing that big of loads

 

[tpking]

it might help to know what your towing mostly? my vote for the f250

 

[Will]

For towing you would almost have to go with the F-250 but if its not going to tow too often might as well go with the GMC since it is cheap and would tow ok as long as it isn't towing that big of loads

I think that F250 is a 5.4, not a diesel. I don't see Powerstroke badges. If it's a 5.4 it will have either 3.73s or 4.10s and be rated to tow 8,200# or 10,200#.

The 2500 had an 8,600# GVWR and the 4L60 wasn't used above 7,200# GVWR so I think you'll find a 4L80 in there. If it's a 2500 it looks like it will be a semi-float 9.5" rear--which is a beastly semi-float. The 2500HD has a 9,200# GVWR and a full-float. That's in 2000, it's different now of course. The tow ratings are the same between the 2500 and 2500HD, which is another clue it has to be a 4L80 behind the 6.0. The GCWR is 14,000# with 3.73s and 16,000# with 4.10s. It's going to be able tow 8,000-10,000#.

The F150 will have 3.55s or 3.73s and rated to pull 8,300# or 9,300#. No problem there.

 

[88gt]

in my opinion, id go after that f250. the 5.4 with the manual trans will go wherever and do what ever ou want. haveing lots of personal experience driving with that motor and 5 speed trans, you can haul mountains if you want. id take a hit on payments to have the fullability and potential that truck has. and also i agreee with maverick about the extended cab thing...extra space for storage is a good thing!

 

[feellnfroggy]

Im not sure of the powerplant, but the 2005 f-250 is a 1 ton chassis. Framewise, it's and f350 without the dually. Rated alot better than gm vehicles as far as I know. And you butt won't fall asleep on long trip with ford seats. Its th main reason I bought my expe over the tahoe.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

What are you hauling? I have hauled 7k with my F-150 and it did fine. It didn't know my grandfather's S-10 was back there when I hauled it.

 

[johndeeregarner]

I have a F-250 that I use for towing, and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[chico4554]

ill mainly be hauling my truck with just a simple dual axle flat bed car trailer. Then have extra stuff in the bed for a wheelin weekend most likley. The f-250 is a 5.4, not a diesel. A diesel would be nice, but i ruled them out until i have enough money to fix them. Before last night I was heavy on the F-250 but then found the 2500 for much cheaper. I wont be towing too much per year, maybe 10-20 times. Im almost leaning towards the 2500 cause its 6k less and will get the job done until I can buy exactly what I want. Now that Will is almost sure that there is a 4L80 behind the 6.0, I may go look at it. It would say in the Vin # correct?

 

[GreatWhite]

ill mainly be hauling my truck with just a simple dual axle flat bed car trailer. Then have extra stuff in the bed for a wheelin weekend most likley. The f-250 is a 5.4, not a diesel. A diesel would be nice, but i ruled them out until i have enough money to fix them. Before last night I was heavy on the F-250 but then found the 2500 for much cheaper. I wont be towing too much per year, maybe 10-20 times. Im almost leaning towards the 2500 cause its 6k less and will get the job done until I can buy exactly what I want. Now that Will is almost sure that there is a 4L80 behind the 6.0, I may go look at it. It would say in the Vin # correct?

I really don't understand why you cant just buy a square bodystyle PSD, there really cheap. I went onto one of the F-250 forums and they have them for 5k, and they were in good shape with some mods already done to them.

 

[chico4554]

only becauseif somethin breaks, itll most likely be more expensive to fix than a gasser. Ive had a few friends get caught up trying to fix a diesel and they ended up selling it. When i have a good chunk o change in the bank ill get a diesel. I know they dont break often, but when they do its expensive.

 

[JohnnyU]

The only thing that should be behind the 6.0 is the 80E. Even the SS's should have had the 80E, IIRC.

At any rate, my Chevy 1500 with 3/4T springs and a 700R-4 used to serve as my Ranger's tow-rig until I bought my Dodge. I drove that regular cab Chevy for 7 years, Only after I started driving my dad's extended cab did I realize what I was missing. I bought the Dodge with the quad cab, it's a bit bigger than a regular extended cab, and comfortably seats 2-3 adults in the back seat. Purely looking at it as a tow-rig, buy something on a 3/4T chassis. The better brakes alone are worth the added cost. Do you need a diesel? No, you sure don't. Are they more expensive to maintain and repair? Yup, they sure are.

I think it boils down to what you want. If you want to save the $8k, by all means buy the Chevy 2500. If you were to have come across a regular cab F250, I bet the price would be more similar. It's less of a family hauler, and more of a work-truck which aren't as "popular"

You're going to get highly biased opinions asking a question about another brand vehicle on this website, but I'll tell you that you shouldn't just blindly choose the 250 because it's a Ford...

 

[chico4554]

thanks for the input johnny, and i do envy your tow rig. That is what I would want in a few years. Im gonna go check oot the gmc tommorrow cause its the closests to me. I was reading up on the 4L60/4L80 and it seems the pans are different, 4L60 is square, and the 4L80 has a few curves to it. Ill let you guys know what I find out. Thanks everyone for your comments.