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dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:32 pm
by Hoodoo Man
Hi all
I need a rig capable of pulling about 7-8K; the JK is rated to about 3500-4500 with the tow package I have on it and that's not quite good enough to pull the TJ. My wife's Oldsmobile is getting long in the tooth and has another issue, now with the ABS. I'm thinking something along the lines of a Grand Cherokee diesel maybe? Chevy Tahoe? Needs to get at least decent mileage and be 4 doors and have room for groceries etc. Dont want a exploder and I dont think she wants a pickup truck although we can likely really use one... :lol: budget is 10-15K closer to 10 the better as we want to stay out of payments if we can... Thoughts?

thanks
Jeff

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:58 pm
by ASauer17
Sadly, for 7k lbs you are looking at a V8 which would kill the "decent mileage" aspect..

1- GC V8
2- Tahoe V8

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:10 pm
by nostaw
Did you get rid of your Commander?

I'd consider selling our '07 WK CRD if it is something you're interested in... Wife and I have discussed selling it to get a DD which suits our needs better.

LX trim, 4WD (quadra-trac II), factory tow package (ready for a brake controller), leather, 18-20 mpg around town, has ~75k mi, well maintained, has the "usual" cosmetic wear for a family car.

Has been her DD since '09 when we got it... For the last ~4 years/~35k mi it has done no towing. A month or so ago I looked around to see if I could find any comparable to this one and the nearest (without aftermarket modifications) was in OH.

JW

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:57 pm
by Hoodoo Man
the commander was a gas pig and got really bad mileage- had to fill up at least once a week with local travel only less than 210 a tank, :( sold it back in September.... the olds bravada technically can tow my Jeep, but its an 02 with over 140miles and its had the tcase go out, the 4wd module, new tires and now an ABS unit bearing. Probably put over 3K into it this year and a newer car with a low payment or no payment would save us $$ at this point. PM me your asking price if you like to get an idea on the cost of your WK...

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:46 am
by Frank
There are some nice looking diesel pickups in that bracket . The 4 door (crew cab) short bed or extra cab short beds arent that long to give you problems at the mall for parking and can haul a ton. An inclosed vehicle , my choice (and Im not a chevy fan) would be a Tahoe or saburban. With a aftermarket chip they would get 18 to 20 empty ,highway. Towing would be their strong point. A pickup would need a cap or cover. My little pos is rated at 5500 and I get 13/14 towing and 23/4 highway, 18/19 around town. Many to chose from. Wheelbase makes or breaks a tow vehicle. FjR68

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:37 am
by Hoodoo Man
Frank wrote:There are some nice looking diesel pickups in that bracket . The 4 door (crew cab) short bed or extra cab short beds arent that long to give you problems at the mall for parking and can haul a ton. An inclosed vehicle , my choice (and Im not a chevy fan) would be a Tahoe or saburban. With a aftermarket chip they would get 18 to 20 empty ,highway. Towing would be their strong point. A pickup would need a cap or cover. My little pos is rated at 5500 and I get 13/14 towing and 23/4 highway, 18/19 around town. Many to chose from. Wheelbase makes or breaks a tow vehicle. FjR68

Problem is this will be Kris's DD as nice as a pickup would be for hay and feed I'm not sure she wants to be "that chick" in the truck picking the girls up from school... :doh:

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:41 am
by Spudcannons
Toyota 4runner can do 5k with the v6 and 7k with the v8

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 11:41 am
by Hoodoo Man
really need the weight of my TJ and a trailer... :/

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 12:20 pm
by Spudcannons
Grand Cherokee 5.7 hemi?

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 6:37 am
by Frank
Looks like its time to find you a FS Cherokee or grand ! FjR68

Re: dual use tow rig recommendations?

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 12:45 pm
by schwalby
Keep in mind pay load rating. When you start getting into the 7K plus towing the payload can start getting you.