Time for a new Tow Vehicle

[tlhdoc]

Sounds like a good deal.

[6Quigs]

I don't know Tim.

Do you think this truck is capable of pulling your Santa Fe?
Have you run the numbers on GVWR and GCVWR and UVW and tongue weight and the 75% rule and the wheelbase and everything else we have taught you???
Remember, that trailer rating is only with a 150 lb driver!!

Hey,
sounds like a great truck, especially as we know you intend on getting something bigger.
You can never have too much truck, and it sure makes climbing an 8% grade (like we did a few weeks ago) seem effortless.
Best of luck with it.

Kevin

[Tim5055]

I don't know Tim.

Do you think this truck is capable of pulling your Santa Fe?
Have you run the numbers on GVWR and GCVWR and UVW and tongue weight and the 75% rule and the wheelbase and everything else we have taught you???
Remember, that trailer rating is only with a 150 lb driver!!
Kevin

Kevin,

It's probably going to be close

GCVR = 20,000 lbs

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight = 12,500 lbs

 :J

[Tim5055]

Well, with a little luck the old TV sells tomorrow and we pick up the new one on Tuesday.

The deal on the F-350 fell through (the dealer tried to pull a fast one so we walked away) but we found an F-250 that we liked better.

The tow specs stay the same so the biggest pop up should not be a problem


I'll take some pictures and update the tow vehicle web page as soon as I can.

[brainpause]

Woohoo!! New Tow vehicle!!!!!
 :W    

Larry

[jstaddwtr]

Good luck Tim!   Sounds wonderful!

[stateparkgrl]

Congrat's Tim !!!

Earl is gonna be SOOOOOO jealous...when we bought our new F150 last Winter, he kept looking at the 250's....with longing in his eyes! I think he is holding out for a 250 Diesel for the business, but it may be a while before that happens. He has an old Ford full size van he has been using for the carpentry trim business that he doesn't use much  - now that we have an enclosed trailer for the Dakota. Our plans are to trade it in for another business truck, or a smaller more efficient van.

Looking forward to seeing the new TV in July!  By the way, has the third member of your family put her approval on this purchase? After all - it will be her "den" too!!!!!

Louise

[Tim5055]

Congrat's Tim !!!

Earl is gonna be SOOOOOO jealous...when we bought our new F150 last Winter, he kept looking at the 250's....with longing in his eyes! I think he is holding out for a 250 Diesel for the business, but it may be a while before that happens. He has an old Ford full size van he has been using for the carpentry trim business that he doesn't use much  - now that we have an enclosed trailer for the Dakota. Our plans are to trade it in for another business truck, or a smaller more efficient van.

Looking forward to seeing the new TV in July!  By the way, has the third member of your family put her approval on this purchase? After all - it will be her "den" too!!!!!

Louise

Thanks Louise,

No - Natasha will see it Tuesday for the first time!  She should be happy that the rear seat area is larger for her

[Tim5055]

OK, I thought I'd put what I learned during our latest pruchase here, hoping it helps others.

If you are thinking about a new vehicle - Do your homework.  It will save you money.

Here are the sites I used:

FordDirect.com
You can research not only prices but availabliity of vehicles at individual dealerships.  When you find a vehicle you like you can veiw a copy of the windoow sticker that also shows Dealer Invoice (cost) Price

Edmunds.com
You can research just about everything on cars here.  pay particular atention to the incentives area.  This will tell you not only customer incentives available (like rebates and 0% financing) but Dealer incentives.  many people are unaware that at times dealers are provided with cash incentives to move certain model vehicles.  if there is a $1,00 dealer incentive make sure you get partof it when you haggle over pricing.

NADA Guides.com
Make sure you know the value of your trade before you talk to the dealer about pricing.

CarMax.com
If you have one in your area, this is a great source of nice cars.  The hidden gem with the is that they not only sell cars, they buy them.  Drive in and they will give you an offer on your car valid for 7 days/300 miles.  Again, know what your trade is worth before you deal with a car dealer.

Motley Fool Car Buying Guide
Take an hour or so and read this.  Follow their steps.  You will be glad you did!


Now for our experience:

We built or dream truck using ForDirect.  This told us what the sticker price and dealer invoice price.  The first thig I discovered is that you will never find an exact match in stock.  Be ready to give up some features or accept an option you may not have otherwise wanted.  

We visited a local dealer and looked at truck to make sure we really like the options we selected when we saw them in person.

With this "dream truck" I began searching dealer inventory in the DC area.  I sent a quote request to about 10 dealers who had trucks close to what we wanted.  Most responded by e-mail and/or called.  About 75% of thoes who responded were willing to talk prices over the phone.  I suggest using the dealer invoice as a starting point.  The range in this area is $100 below to around $500 over invoice  Don't talk trade unitl you have a firm price for the new vehicle.

Once you have a firm price, make an appointment to test drive the one you like.  Demand that vehicle.  You don't want to drive a similar one, you want to drive the one you want to buy!  When you arrive for the test drive, bring your trade.  Ask that they evaluate your trade while you take the test drive.

When you get back from the test drive you will know if you like the vehicle and they should be able to give you a trade price.  Now, this is where we walked away from a dealer.  From our on-line research we understood what our trade was worth.  The dealer offered us half of it's value!

Actually, this was a blessing in disguise.  I expaned my search area and found a truck much closer to what we wanted.  The dealer din't jerk us around and was more than willing to e-mail prices.

[Tim5055]

Well, tomorrow is the day

Hopefully the snow won't keep them from getting the correct bedliner in.