Recommended tow vehicle

Greg Reimer 7376 · 08-30-2020, 06:46 PM

I have a 20 foot Hallmark trailer, 7500 GVW, electric brakes, around 7500 GVW with my Chevelle in it, and have been towing with a 90 GMC 2500 Suburban, which has done a great job for me, it has the TBI 7.4 L motor, Turbo 400 trans,8 lug wheels, the big rear end with the towing package, A/C, almost everything works, etc, but it's time to sell it and replace it with a much newer vehicle. I would like a pickup with equivalent power, late model, and what Chevy or GMC should I consider, and with what options? I'm certainly not going to let some commission salesman push something off on me, they are irritating forms of life anyway. Something low mileage, decent shape, and would take the place of two vehicles I currently have now. Any advice from this very knowledgeable group of racers?

GTX JOHN · 09-03-2020, 02:36 AM

Greg: A newer 1/2 ton Pickup would be adequate. They tow much better that the older 1/2 tons. I do put Air Bags on our shop trucks to deal with the tongue weights the enclosed trailers often have with with all the junk we carry. A 3/4 ton naturally is even much better if in the budget would allow!

340Cuda · 09-03-2020, 09:46 AM

It looks like you are a GM guy, but you really should take a look at the Rams.

Lew Silverman · 09-03-2020, 03:08 PM

Greg,

Here's a link to the Trailer Life Magazine towing specs, going back far enough that you should be able to get an idea where you need to be, given that you already have a trailer weight available.

Somebody once said that you should try and get the biggest truck you can afford, because everything always weighs more than you thought! If you've already maxed-out on your trailers GVW, it might be better to increase the Gross Combined Weight (GCW) with the new vehicle, so you can keep everything manageable. Your 1990 R25 Suburban sounds a lot like the way mine was equipped, and with the 4:10 gear is rated at 16,000 lbs. GCW. The last time it went across the CaT scales it weighed just over 7000 lbs, all up! Passes everything but a gas station!

Good Luck with your search!

https://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/

SGSST109E · 09-06-2020, 07:31 AM

2500 pickup for your setup.

Mike Fuller · 09-08-2020, 05:14 PM

Try to find a 3500 dually. Tows so much nicer

340Cuda · 09-10-2020, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Fuller

Try to find a 3500 dually. Tows so much nicer

I would agree on the towing and that is what I have, but if you have to park anywhere they are not that great as daily drivers.

08-30-2020, 06:46 PM	#1
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,133 Likes: 172 Liked 702 Times in 217 Posts	Recommended tow vehicle I have a 20 foot Hallmark trailer, 7500 GVW, electric brakes, around 7500 GVW with my Chevelle in it, and have been towing with a 90 GMC 2500 Suburban, which has done a great job for me, it has the TBI 7.4 L motor, Turbo 400 trans,8 lug wheels, the big rear end with the towing package, A/C, almost everything works, etc, but it's time to sell it and replace it with a much newer vehicle. I would like a pickup with equivalent power, late model, and what Chevy or GMC should I consider, and with what options? I'm certainly not going to let some commission salesman push something off on me, they are irritating forms of life anyway. Something low mileage, decent shape, and would take the place of two vehicles I currently have now. Any advice from this very knowledgeable group of racers?

09-03-2020, 02:36 AM	#2
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,726 Likes: 2,775 Liked 2,448 Times in 691 Posts	Re: Recommended tow vehicle Greg: A newer 1/2 ton Pickup would be adequate. They tow much better that the older 1/2 tons. I do put Air Bags on our shop trucks to deal with the tongue weights the enclosed trailers often have with with all the junk we carry. A 3/4 ton naturally is even much better if in the budget would allow! __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

09-03-2020, 09:46 AM	#3
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,663 Likes: 3,828 Liked 762 Times in 331 Posts	Re: Recommended tow vehicle It looks like you are a GM guy, but you really should take a look at the Rams.

09-03-2020, 03:08 PM	#4
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Recommended tow vehicle Greg, Here's a link to the Trailer Life Magazine towing specs, going back far enough that you should be able to get an idea where you need to be, given that you already have a trailer weight available. Somebody once said that you should try and get the biggest truck you can afford, because everything always weighs more than you thought! If you've already maxed-out on your trailers GVW, it might be better to increase the Gross Combined Weight (GCW) with the new vehicle, so you can keep everything manageable. Your 1990 R25 Suburban sounds a lot like the way mine was equipped, and with the 4:10 gear is rated at 16,000 lbs. GCW. The last time it went across the CaT scales it weighed just over 7000 lbs, all up! Passes everything but a gas station! Good Luck with your search! https://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/ __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

09-06-2020, 07:31 AM	#5
SGSST109E Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 351 Likes: 62 Liked 126 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Recommended tow vehicle 2500 pickup for your setup.

09-08-2020, 05:14 PM	#6
Mike Fuller Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 947 Likes: 543 Liked 192 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Recommended tow vehicle Try to find a 3500 dually. Tows so much nicer __________________ Mike Fuller 396 STK