Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

[Isaac-1]

I have two questions to ask, both regard tow vehicles to move my 28 foot sailboat (6800# plus galvenized steel trailer 3000# according to the title, I bought the trailer last winter and have only pulled it empty for 250 miles). The marinia where I keep my boat has a travel lift so pulling up a ramp is probably a non issue. My main towing need will be from my house to the marina which is about 50 miles on mostly flat roads, either bringing it home to work on over the winter or running from a hurricane. At this point in time I don't own a suitable tow vehcle, but have use of two potential ones any time I need them.

Choice #1
1999 GMC 2500 Conversion Van with towing package I think the engine is a 5.8 V8, automatic I have used this van to pick up the empty trailer, and also once pulling a 16 ft trailer with a 5,000+# peice of equipment on a 12+ hour drive. That drive was not fun, it was foot on the floor all the way, and it would take about 2 miles to get up to 65mph from a stop. This van has about 100,000 highway miles and is in very good condition. (needs electric brake control)

Choice #2
1994 Dodge 2500 short bed pickup with 5.9 Cummins Turbo diesel automatic transmission (older 12 valve model) set up for heavy duty towing, 250,000 miles, semi retired farm work truck, rough condition, engine runs rough until warmed up, turbo bearing has slight squeal, transmission seems ok, but who knows, set up with electric brake control.

I know the Dodge would seem like the first choice, but could a 10,000 pound load potentially cause turbo failure, etc. on the already squealing turbo, etc?


Topic Number 2
I can get a 1992 model Ford F-250 long bed, ext cab Diesel pickup for free, the good news is the transmission is in good shape (or at least had a lot of money spent on it just before the truck stopped being used), and there are no major body problem, that is the extent of the good news. The bad news is the engine is shot, and in peices, it needs new tires, and brakes need work along with new read side windows and windshield, who knows what else. I think the engine is the 6.3 IH pre Powerstroke non turbo. If you were setting this truck up as a tow vehicle/general use pick up for hauling stuff what would you do, and what engine would you use?

Thanks Ike

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

With a total load in the 10,000 pound range i would look for a 3500 series dually.I just don't think either of the mentioned vehicles would cut it.
That Dodge sounds like its ready to cost someone an arm and a leg in repairs.Those turbos are not cheap.
We use the Dodge 3500 duallys at work towing car hauler trailers in the 10 to 14,000 pound range and i would not do it with anything less.
You will get many opinions!

 

[Isaac-1]

Re: Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

thanks for the reply, the Dodge is now used only as a spare truck, and gets driven maybe once every 2-3 weeks. The last time I used it was about 6 months ago pulling a 22 ft goose neck loaded down with a 4,000 pound fork lift, of course that was only for a 10 mile drive and not in bumper to bumper traffic like we tend to have during huricane evacuations.

Ike

p.s. last major hurricane it took many people 8+ hours to drive the 50 miles inland from near the marina to where I live, I managed it in only 2 a little over hours driving back (sometimes unpaved) roads.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

Ike: you did not say what style of brakes your boat trailer has, but since you mentioned the electric brake controller I will assume that it has electric brakes or electric over hydraulic.

Option number one is no option. You would be running illegally and you don't have the right to put others at risk on the road.

Option two is not much better as a squalling turbo means that the bearings are going out and needs attention, pronto. You don't need the turbo to go out on your watch.

There are much better deals out there than option three. An old beater gasser with a manual tranny can be had for under $1500 by shopping around. No class, little paint, plenty of dings, but good sound pulling capacity. Frequently you can find them with proper hitches installed and even brake controllers in them. Don't worry about the fuel mileage, you won't be using it that much. Good used welder's trucks are a good example of what is available.

I bought a F700 cheaper than I could find a pickup and it gets 10 mpg. Check out municipal auctions for good deals also.

 

[dave11]

Re: Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

Rent a Ryder rental truck for the day. Check both the one way and local price for a 50 mile trip.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

rentals only let you to with their equipment, tow dollies for cars, there trailers.
i agree a big older truck with good drive system, not necessarily pretty. trailer brakes an absolute must. even a 3500 surburban. what ever plan ahead, and if an impending storm, get out early, that's from a native Floridian.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

something like this. http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/car/636846250.html

 

[guy74]

Re: Another Tow Vehicle Question for 7000# sailboat

It's just 10,000lbs, thats less than half of the weight of my cattle trailer when its loaded, I think a good 3/4ton or 1ton pickup would do a good job for you. If you are in flat country a heavy 1/2ton pickup would do, but bigger is better and the bigger pickups will get about as good of fuel milage when towing. I like my F450 when towing things up to around 20,000, above that I use the KW or the frieghtliner. The person driving the truck is just as important as the truck whe it comes to safety, their are people who would never have a problem pulling that with an S10, but there are people who wouldn't be safe with a FL70 frieghtliner on that load. BTW I also think I'd pass on the dodge with engine trouble ($$$$)