http://www.4wd.com
Tow Rig?

Author Topic: Tow Rig?  (Read 18479 times)

Offline xjh3

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 310
Tow Rig?
« on: July 14, 2011, 01:47:14 PM »
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/2493066948.html

Thinking about something like this. Would I really hate not having 4x4? I like the utility a van offers over a pickup. I like Mark\'s setup, but I could see my Jeep outgrowing a confined space eventually. Yes, I know it will suck to work on.
97 XJ on tons
95 2500 Cummins

Offline Wingman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1979
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2011, 05:36:08 PM »
Open trailers are fine until your wheeler is open to the elements (aka no windows).  I\'ve loved the extra storage and versatility of being enclosed.  A van has a lot of good points.  Mike Wolf went with the van but uses it for business as well.

...but, you\'ll have $$$ tied up in a van AND trailer.

Will you miss 4x4?  I haven\'t yet but I don\'t do much during the winter when it would be needed most.  I\'m old.

Not sure how you\'d grow out of a confined space like truck or enclosed trailer unless you\'re going full-size.  Some secrets you\'ve been keeping from us?

Best thing about all this is that you can go one direction for a while, then change your mind according to your needs and get something different.  It\'s only temporary.

:two cents:

kempracing

  • Guest
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2011, 08:34:12 PM »
There is a ford cube van with a V10 motor on Mckee rd in rochester that I thought about , the guy only wants 1800 for it , I think that would be a great way to haul a jeep to the trails

Offline Wingman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1979
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2011, 06:51:18 AM »
Just make sure you account for the weight of your anticipated load.  An E350 only has a cargo capacity of about 2500lbs.  When I was looking, it was for E450 or C4500 and up.

Offline MrMindless

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3453
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2011, 09:47:24 AM »
Mike Universal has been towing with retired fleet vans through three or four vans.  Works for him.

I haven\'t missed 4x4 in the last year but a couple of times and have only been stuck once (hooked a landscape rock with the rear axle) - but I\'ve got a lot of tractive effort and very aggressive tires which have been put to full use.
Michael Maskalans
#571 Last Minute Motorsports
High Miler: 07.5 Ram 6.7 6sp 4x2, ARB, 19.5s
2003 R'Audi Allroad 6sp
Road Block: 98 Dakota 203/205 triple stick, 42" SXs
Dumpbus: 97 Ram 24v P-pumped, RoadRanger 13sp
'87 AMC Eagle Wagon

Offline smichaelR22

  • Club Member
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4343
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2011, 02:15:42 PM »
ill never have a tow rig that isnt 4x4, i use to say its fine, but it isnt.  

572 single seat race buggy
573 Brolite '97 Ranger, '96 backup ranger
1997 ZJ 35's
2014 Ram 4500 Cummins 6 speed 4x4
48' enclosed trailer

Offline MrMindless

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3453
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2011, 02:21:57 PM »
I used to say no way you could pay me to take a 4x2 tow pig, but after living with it for 11 months so far..... I\'ve been lucky.

If you don\'t ever go to BackCountry\'s land in Bath in the spring, and don\'t have bad luck on wet grass, and if it\'s cheap enough.... maybe.
Michael Maskalans
#571 Last Minute Motorsports
High Miler: 07.5 Ram 6.7 6sp 4x2, ARB, 19.5s
2003 R'Audi Allroad 6sp
Road Block: 98 Dakota 203/205 triple stick, 42" SXs
Dumpbus: 97 Ram 24v P-pumped, RoadRanger 13sp
'87 AMC Eagle Wagon

Offline Wingman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1979
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2011, 03:03:57 PM »
Bath is close enough to drive to (if streetable), wet grass just needs more momentum, and I\'m cheap!  Did I cover all those?  :-D

Offline xjh3

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 310
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2011, 05:36:22 PM »
Throw a lunchbox locker in it? Ha... Can\'t be a good idea for towing. Would run something more aggressive tire wise in the rear though.

The research I\'ve done says the payload capacity for an E350 is a little over 4100lbs. Mark, where did you find 2500lbs? Towing is 10000lbs which is obviously adequate for one Jeep.

I see my Jeep sitting on some D60 front/fullwidth combo *someday*... When depends on a lot of things. Probably not in the near enough future for me to be worrying about whether it will fit in/on something right now. Another thing I like about van vs truckvan is having something still relatively drivable and parkable. However, I do really like the simplicity of no trailer.
97 XJ on tons
95 2500 Cummins

Offline Wingman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1979
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2011, 08:26:38 PM »
When you start looking at cube vans, they have a weight sticker in/on them.  I think the cube van is a little heavier than the regular van.  That might eat some of that number.  I was a little surprised.  I also wanted a little leeway, too.  My wreck weighs in at 4000lb.

Offline k9keeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 509
    • Orchard Kennels
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2011, 06:36:48 AM »
We use the van to go to dog shows (often parking in fields), haul dog food for the kennel, and tow. It has a limited slip in the rear. The first dog show we went to we got stuck in the wet grass field they were parking us in. 1 high school kid gave us a push to get us on our way.

When backing up the whole trailer disappears behind the van walls. You have to get used to using the mirrors, but it means you can only see the trailer from 1 point of view.

Using it as a camper, we had to remove all our gear from the van to use it to sleep in. That said I had 3 in there with air mattress and a bench seat. I am thinking of building a platform to put gear under.

Those are the down sides. Overall towing with the diesel is awesome. Easy on the skinny pedal and I have gone through places others have had problems. With snow tires on it, it was driven weekly all winter and never stuck. It does the little hill beside the kennel while the front wheel drive caravan slides.

The biggest factor for us was the dogs. With a pickup they would get roasted if there is a cap, subject to exhaust without one, and no access to A/C.  So far 4wd is needed occasionally, its a matter of where you drive it.
K9keeper

97 TJ  3 inch lift  Aussie Lockers
2006 GMC Savana G3500 Duramax Diesel

Offline Ryan_25

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 703
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2011, 07:14:27 PM »
Dont ever buy a Ford V-10, the 5 mpg toeing would get old after the first trip.

Offline xjh3

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 310
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2011, 12:38:14 PM »
http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/2499774231.html

Any idea what a \"pop pop noise while running\" could be?
97 XJ on tons
95 2500 Cummins

Offline smichaelR22

  • Club Member
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4343
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2011, 05:37:14 PM »
572 single seat race buggy
573 Brolite '97 Ranger, '96 backup ranger
1997 ZJ 35's
2014 Ram 4500 Cummins 6 speed 4x4
48' enclosed trailer

Offline xjh3

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 310
Re: Tow Rig?
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2011, 06:15:01 PM »
That actually does look like a great deal! How much fun are the hills on 81 going to be towing with that though? I wanna diesel...
97 XJ on tons
95 2500 Cummins

 

test block /modules/smf/index.php?topic=2498.0