Absolute cheapest used vehicle to pull car on a 2x axle trailer reliably?

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Appropriate_Deal_891@reddit

GMT 400 or 800, OBS fords pretty much any truck from early 2000s and earlier. I disliked my secondgen dodge ram so wouldn’t suggest those

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TheBuch12@reddit

Depends on how far. The cheapest rental might be buying at one place and selling at the other.

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band-of-horses@reddit

1992 Chevy Silverado single cab RWD from the south.

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

Those are pretty in demand right now but that would be cool.... even up to about 2005 or so, I think.

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single cab rear wheel drive trucks tend to be in the least amount of demand, I bought one of these pre-covid for $2000 in great running shape. Everything has gotten more expensive since but I would bet they're still significantly cheaper than any crew cab 4wd option.

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

Man, they are having a huge renaissance right now.. except for the long beds. Dudes making hot rods out of scswb trucks left & right.

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Fancy_Chip_5620@reddit

A crown Victoria, just put some air shocks on it and pump them up It'll be fine Maybe a 2wd Cherokee since nobody wants those

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jules083@reddit

I've towed with my crown vic a decent bit. Its biggest towing downfall is the length of framerail from axle to rear bumper. It puts the hitch too far behind the back tire and makes it want to sway and bobble a lot compared to a truck.

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

These ideas are viable.

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LordMongrove@reddit

Cheap and reliable are almost guaranteed to be mutually exclusive.

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jules083@reddit

Nah. You're just not going to get good gas mileage. 90's GM or Ford 3/4 ton 2wd.

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ThermalScrewed@reddit

Not if you know where to look. Science.

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Confident_As_Hell@reddit

Parents had a 500€ Opel Vectra for a few years and it was really reliable and warm inside. The only things were a crack in the windshield, radiator fan replaced and tires. Sometimes you just get lucky

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heartfan2020@reddit

v6 ram 1500 would be pretty reliable and pretty cheap. like 2010s era trucks.

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

hmm. interesting.

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ThermalScrewed@reddit

Van. Get a generic chevy work van with a V8 and put airbags on the back if you have to. Find a 3/4, even better. Cheapest truck frame resale market there is.

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nitrojunky24@reddit

So an ex u-haul rental chevy express 2500? That's what I heard 😂

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seang86s@reddit

That's what the guy on LegitStreetCars uses to tow his purchases. Although he did put a turbo on it I think.

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Walkop@reddit

2003-2009 GMC Colorado/Canyon with the inline 5, or the V8. They have the same transmission as the Sierra/Silverado, and plenty power. Rated for 6k lbs towing. Put on a transmission cooler, change fluid under severe service intervals with a good full synth. They'll do fine.

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843251@reddit

Get an early 2000s 3/4 ton GM truck with the 6.0

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Confident_As_Hell@reddit

Older Mercedes E-Class

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

Seems expensive.

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Confident_As_Hell@reddit

At least here in Europe people tow with them. Pretty mich any bigger estate is used for towing around here. Of course SUVs too nowadays as they are plentiful.

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Gwolfski@reddit

Hell, even a 1.6 Toyota sedan can tow a car if you don't mind a two minute 0-60mph time.

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Confident_As_Hell@reddit

Yeah I don't really get the American need to have a truck to tow. Our Volvo V50 and mom's 06 Corolla Hatchback can both tow 1300kg (trailer with brakes).

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

The rear suspension on every sedan would need to be modified to really make this happen but I'm not totally opposed to the idea, especially considering the kind of deal I could probably find on something that has been so lightly used.

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Confident_As_Hell@reddit

Why would it need to be modified? The downward load on the tow hook can only be 75kg max in any car where I live. So you have to have the trailer load centered over the axle. Unless you load front heavy it shouldn't be a problem. It's also dangerous to load a trailer front or back heavy, it should always be as close to over the axle as possible.

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

Perhaps. I'm thinking even 75kg is going to be a problem but maybe just some upgraded shocks.

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Confident_As_Hell@reddit

It probably depends on the car and how old it is. Of course upgrading is going to make it better but I don't know if it's necessary. You just have to go by the car and see for yourself.

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843251@reddit

Good luck towing a car around on my car trailer. Its 21 foot long. Then you put a car on it. Its even a bit much for a half ton truck. A half ton or a full size suv like a Suburban tow it fine but its not something I would do regularly I would get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. A car might be fine for towing around an ATV or lawnmower on a little utility trailer.

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Gwolfski@reddit

(some) American trailers put a lot more weight on the tow hook , with the trailer axles further back than common in Europe

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Confident_As_Hell@reddit

In that instance a larger vehicle is usually needed for safety. Here in Europe the axle is at the middle of the trailer body.

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Gwolfski@reddit

Bump stops exist for a reason XD But air shocks or stiffer springs will do the job

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Gwolfski@reddit

I suppose it's like now you "need" an SUV in Europe to take the kids to school. Peer pressure and targeted advertisement. Watched a video where (in America) some guys took a car to tow a boat instead of a truck, and they rrealised you don't *need* trucks to tow. The towing package on cars exists for a reason.

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Spiritual-Belt@reddit

Gmt800 truck with the 6.0 gas

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Dinolord05@reddit

Without knowing the weight of trailer and car, 2000s silverado. How often are you towing it?

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

Weekends.

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Key-Ad-1873@reddit

ITS A FORD FECKIN RANGER

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

It's possible.

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Old-Sentence-1956@reddit

Or pay someone. Depends on how far you are going. You could probably get a freelance guy with a roll top to haul it for less than it would cost you to get/rent a tow vehicle and a dolly/trailer. Have AAA? Hell they give you a certain number of free tows (7 miles I believe) depending on your membership level.

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Educated_idiot302@reddit

4.6 f150

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

The prices seem to be a bit better on those.

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Educated_idiot302@reddit

Grumpy monkey garage did a video on the 4.6 f150 for towing a car around and even though it technically lost his challenge he'd still choose it. I'll link the video. https://youtu.be/-XUgTSGUEw8?si=EaKadp5ewrNzKgvt

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Huge_Source1845@reddit

Like reliably for a trip or reliable continuous use? One off trip I’d go U-Haul. Continuously I’m thinking decently maintained gmt400

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skinisblackmetallic@reddit (OP)

I agree about the GMT. I was thinking there might be better deals on the van equivalent.

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Huge_Source1845@reddit

2 axle trailer I would rather a 3/4 or 1 ton. I think the vans could come in 3/4 if they aren’t all beaten to death. Though condition probably matters most since they are minimum 25 years old now.

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