Economical tow vehicles

[me and my metro]

Just my opinion but just because a vehicle is rated to tow a certain weight doesn’t mean it should. Too short of a wheelbase and an improper hitch and load often leads to trouble. I have towed many trailers for over 40 years and tow a 35’ triple axle Avion bumper pull trailer. I tow with a Suburban wheel base truck. This is the shortest wheelbase that I would recommend for this trailer. My Lincoln Navigator is rated to tow it but I would use it only in an emergency due to the wheelbase and the 1/2 ton running gear.

[Autobahnschleicher]

Originally Posted by me and my metro

Just my opinion but just because a vehicle is rated to tow a certain weight doesn’t mean it should. Too short of a wheelbase and an improper hitch and load often leads to trouble. I have towed many trailers for over 40 years and tow a 35’ triple axle Avion bumper pull trailer. I tow with a Suburban wheel base truck. This is the shortest wheelbase that I would recommend for this trailer. My Lincoln Navigator is rated to tow it but I would use it only in an emergency due to the wheelbase and the 1/2 ton running gear.

The weirdest wheelbase to trailer ratio I've ever seen ws a Smart ForTwo towing a trailer with a glider inside it.
These trailers are almost 10 m long, it looked hillarious.

Note: That was *not* on public roads and you absolutely shouldn't do that.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Considering most tow rigs with a wheelbase that could be seen as excessively short that I have ever seen were either agricultural tractors or those "mules" which are used to handle containers on port zones, at a relatively low speed, it seems reasonable to consider wheelbase as a matter of safety while towing.

[freebeard]

I retract my suggestion of an AMC Gremlin. I was thinking the short overhang from the rear axle line to hitch would be a benefit when backing up.

I stand by the Pontiac drum brakes though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaYTaMhsdvs

VW and their wide fives? Pffft. Pontiac has the wide eights.

[Vwbeamer]

I said during the hieght of the pandemic, if the goverment really wanted everyone to stay home, they should give eryone a used Mercedes.

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

A quick search and I found a diesel 2000 Ford Excursion that can tow 10,000lbs (or so Google says) for $5,900. It does have over 300,000 miles though and only gets 17-18mpg (also googled). With careful driving you might get 20mpg or better.

Edit:

I also found a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTec 4MATIC diesel with 155k miles for $6,990. I'm not sure what kind of fuel mileage it gets though, but is rated for 7,500lbs towing.

[Hersbird]

Don't buy an old pickup, buy the same year Suburban and you will save a bunch. GM is just more solid in the 20 year old market than Dodge or Ford. I don't know why the Suburbans are less, they were more when new. Just most young folks looking for their first truck always want a pickup not a soccer mom suburban that is just the pickup with an enclosed bed and more seats.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I don't know why the Suburbans are less, they were more when new. Just most young folks looking for their first truck always want a pickup not a soccer mom suburban that is just the pickup with an enclosed bed and more seats.

Either this, or some buyers who are actually looking for a workhorse are willing to pay a little more for a vehicle which is supposed to be meant for work, while the Suburban is eventually seen as either a soccer-mom cruiser or more focused on leisure.

[Piotrsko]

I believe that you get a burb fully loaded with creature comforts. Bet they dont make them without A/C, power seats, electric outlets. Those options must make a ton of profit

[Taylor95]

Funny enough, the suburbans around here are all priced high. I could get a similar year expedition for a lot less, which may work for me. The excursions are a bit expensive too, but that isn't too unexpected.

What's nice is that it seems that most of these SUVs changed to a newer body style in 2007 or so. That is still old, but it wouldn't feel old.

[Piotrsko]

Nobody knows what year my 250 is, and they are suprised when I say '00