Motorhome Magazine Open Roads Forum: Tow Vehicles: How/Where to Find a Used Truck?


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Beachcomer

texas

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Posted: 08/13/08 10:45am

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Just recently purchased a used trailer (GVWR 10,000#); so, now, I am in the market for a used 3/4 ton truck to tow it with. The problem with most ads I see is that not all of the information regarding towing capacity is listed—such as rear axle ratio.

Looking for suggestions on how and where (websites) to find one.

The trailer is in Lakeland, Florida, and I am overseas, but will be returning to the Houston, Texas area. Any opinions on whether it would be better to buy in one of those areas over the over area?

Thanks

MFinCA

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

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Posted: 08/13/08 10:56am

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Beachcomer wrote:

I am in the market for a used 3/4 ton truck to tow it with. The problem with most ads I see is that not all of the information regarding towing capacity is listed—such as rear axle ratio.

It has been my experience that most 2500 Series vehicles come with at least a 3.73 axle ratio number or higher.

3.73 is a good all around ratio, higher number (3.92 or 4.10) is better for towing.

For towing capacity numbers, Trailer Life's website has a listing of manufacturer's ratings for most years going back to at least 2002.

Trailer Life Tow Ratings

MFinCA
2004 Homestead Settler 255RS
1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

drewnick

Greenville, SC

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Posted: 08/13/08 11:01am

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A good number of eBay listings will have the ratio, but I'm not sure if you trust to buy from eBay from afar.

Drew & Delia
2008 BABY Just Born Sep 8, 2008!
2008 Jayco Eagle 328 RLS
2005 RAM 3500 4x4 DRW CTD <-- New Truck!

TennesseeBob

NW Tennessee

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Posted: 08/13/08 01:10pm

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Here is one site
http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp

2005 3500 Dodge QC Dually CTD
2004 Newmar American Star 32RLKS
Paris,TN

bigslim

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Posted: 08/13/08 01:41pm

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Maybe autotrader.com, or your local cities craigslist.com

04' Ram 3500 2wd, 5.9 CTD, 6-speed
04' Prowler 295BHS 5'er
The wife and the kid!

PopBeavers

San Jose, CA

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Posted: 08/13/08 02:06pm

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Good luck.

A few days ago I started looking for a used truck. I am searching for a 2004-2007 Silverado 4x4 2500, standard or extended cab, 8 foot bed, LT, within 300 miles.

Between autotrader.com and cars.com I can only find about a dozen.

Crew cabs are easy to find. So are 1500s.

Of all the places I have looked, those two had the most listed.

Wayne in San Jose
TV1:2002 Chevy 1500HD 4wd Crew Cab,Valley Odyssey brake ctlr,McKesh mirrors
TV2:2008 GMC 2500HD long bed 4wd Crew Cab,GMC brake ctlr,GMC mirrors
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Honda 2000
Yamaha WR250R,Polaris Sportsman 700 X2,Polaris Scrambler 500

Kennedycamper

Algoa, Texas

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Posted: 08/13/08 02:09pm

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Try Lawrence Marshall in Hempstead. They usually have a bunch of new & used trucks at a fair price.

mkirsch

Rochester, NY

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Posted: 08/13/08 03:05pm

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When you see a truck you like the looks/features/milage/price of, you need to call and ask.

Like they said earlier, it'll be at least a 3.73 ratio.

As for 3.92 (Dodge-only) or 4.10 being "better" for pulling, not necessarily...

If the 4.10 ratio allows you to stay in overdrive for most road conditions, then yes, it is better. However, with the 6.0L Chevy engine, it still might not have enough power to hold in overdrive, especially with a 10,000lb trailer.

Now, instead of cruising in 3rd at 3000RPM with the 3.73 ratio, you're cruising in 3rd at 3300RPM with the 4.10 ratio. That's 10% more "scream" in the cab, 10% more fuel consumption, 10% more wear and tear on the engine.

It's a guessing game, though. You won't know if it'll work until you try.

lrak

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Posted: 08/13/08 03:28pm

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mkirsch wrote:

That's ... 10% more fuel consumption, 10% more wear and tear on the engine.

I really question those numbers. Although my truck will hold overdrive most of the time, I get better mileage and lower temperatures with it turned off when towing.