Time for a new Tow Vehicle

[Tim5055]

Well, on our December trip to Florida our 95 F-150 developed several mechanical issues.  None disabled the truck, but need to be fixed for me to feel comfortable towing with it.  The repairs are around $2,000.

Looking at it, I think the $2,000 would be better spent going to a new TV rather than fixing a 9 year old truck.

Looking at F-250s in case we want to upgrade to a caravan :eek:

So, its off to look at trucks.

[mowalker]

Take a look at the new dodge durango or the Ram quad cabs and by all means get a HEMI!!! :cool:

[brainpause]

Or Nissan's new full-size Titan with a 9500# towing capacity! I know if I were in your shoes, I would be looking at them!

Some people may be afraid of a model's first year out, but I have the Nissan Frontier 4x4, loaded (demo model) in its first year (1998), and have had very little problem with it. I grew up in a GM family, and even bought a nice S10 myself, but I traded it in on the Nissan. Boy, am I a Nissan fan now!

BTW, they are MADE IN TENNESSEE, and even engineered by Americans. The Titans are made in Mississippi. (I have 3 friends who are Nissan engineers.)

Anyway, Tim, have fun looking for a new TV!!!
Larry

[tlhdoc]

Have fun looking.

[jstaddwtr]

I know I have written this many times before, but we love our Ford E150.  If I were to get a pickup I would stay with ford and get a 250.  Isn't spending money fun?

[2manytoyz]

Here's the latest review of full sized four door pickups: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=7692&page_number=1   Nissan took first place!  It's also walking away from the Hemi boys.  You should read the crying in the various forums!     Oh, and it comes with that monster motor for only $24K!


As for the E-150, you're VERY lucky that you've not had problems.  I bought a 94 chassis, 95 model conversion van.  Consumer reports later reported it was a "worst buy".  I only discovered that detail after owning it.  It was an awesome TV, but the nagging mechanical issues finally caused me to trade it in at 69K.  Tranny had to be repaired, two ABS computers, warped rotors twice, bad tire wear, rain gutters rusted out, power steering gearbox seal failed... etc.     :mad:

[B-flat]

Hey Tim, are you going to get one of those 4 door truck cars?  Or, is it a car truck. Just kidding.  They look nice.  I'm checking out a silverado, Tahoe or Yukon since I can use the 4 door vehicle in business and if it weighs right, it's another big deduction.  The only thing that bothers me is the fuel economy.

[labontefan]

I love my Dodge Durango...even if it doesn't have a Hemi!  LOL!! Seriously, the Durango has great towing capacity, lots of room, and a smooth ride. Mine has the smaller V8 (with full towing package), and you can barely tell the PU is back there--even with three women and all our stuff!

[jstaddwtr]

I have heard that about the 150.  Ours is not a conversion.  We won't keep it after the warranty expires.  But it has been much better than our Dodge 250.  The Japenese have been salivating over the U.S. truck market for years.  As they have done with Toyota, they will introduce a model very cheaply and boost the price per unit sky high once they think they have you hooked.......

Good luck Tim.

[Diplomat]

IMHO you can't beat the Suburban.  It's not because it is a poorly built vehicle that large numbers of mid-80's models are still in service in Baghdad.  The current body style is the SUV of choice in Kuwait.  In one parking area I counted nearly 50 vehicles, 34 of them were Suburbans, the rest were mostly Caprice Classics.  Wonder why Ford has not done better in the Mid East?  

Partly as a result of what I saw last year in Kuwait and Iraq and partly because, well, I just like GM better, I bought a 2001 K2500 Suburban to tow our little PU.  It's an awesome truck and a lot of fun to drive.  Now if GM would just make OnStar a little more reasonable priced........

[Tim5055]

To be honest, the DW's company car is a Durango and I drive a Suburban at work a lot.  Both are nice vehicles but do not fit our lifestyle.

For those of you who have camped with us, you know the amount of "stuff" we carry in the back of the pick up.

Here is a photo of the back:  REar of tow vehicle with firewood

As you can see, an SUV just won't work.

Larry, thanks for the heads up on the Nissan.  I never even thought of them :rolleyes:

Robert, thanks for the C&D link, it was helpful.

I'll keep you all posted

[birol]

Wonder why Ford has not done better in the Mid East?  

If I recall correctly, they had a factory in Israel for parts or cars, I am not sure ...... Or was that Coca Cola ?  ....

[aw738]

If that's the case I bet they don't use Purolator fuel filters then either. The majority of the ones I sell are made in Israel.

[jaycocamprs]

We went truck shopping after T-day. It just made a lot of sense to buy the 250/2500, the price wasn't much if any more than a 150/1500 after adding all the tow goodies. After 2 trips with our 2500HD Silverado I love it! Our Jayco is weighing right at the 2700# GVW limit (or was last year when I scaled it), with a load of firewood I have no problems driving a fast as I want. Of course we do plan on moving on away from the popup some time soon, that had a lot to do with the choice of the 2500. It's rated at 10600#, so we are looking at units that we can load out under 8000#

[Tim5055]

Well, it looks like we are getting close.  We wanted an F-250 XLT but found a dealer that has an F-350 Lariat on the lot that he wants to ge rid of.  His first offer was $200 over invoice.  Then we get a $1,500 rebate.

So far we have not been able to find the exact truck we want, so to get it we would have to special order, which removes all rebates.