using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

[bigdee]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

I'd be more inclined to sell the Toyota and put the money into the Dodge. I can't imagine a time where I'd walk out of my office and look up to see my Tundra sitting in the parking lot and say, 'My truck is badass'. That Dodge, on the other hand, has some potential.

Yeah, it has potential for becoming a money pit.....Agree Toyota may not be "badazz" but it is practical,reliable,functional and will outperform that old dodge

 

[Subliminal]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Outperform it? In what context? Fuel Mileage?

Too many people assume that because it's old it's garbage, which just isn't always the case. Assuming it isn't a big pile of rust, that truck is probably so simple to work on, it's ridiculous.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Why not use the Tundra? Its not going to pull real strong with a 6 cylinder .......................

Obviously,,, he's never driven from Flagstaff to Page, then Page to Flagstaff....

I doubt Toyota designed the V6 Tundra to tow 5000#,,, comfortably. It might get the load rolling and stop it, but it's going to be anemic towing through mountains.

One of my neighbors has a 70'something Dodge PU, big ol'beastie, kind of sounds like yours, full time 4wd, used to be a tow truck... It's not fast, but has power to tow. Like some others have said, you don't want to be towing 5000# in a rust bucket, but if the truck is in good condition I'd use the Dodge.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Yeah, it has potential for becoming a money pit.....Agree Toyota may not be "badazz" but it is practical,reliable,functional and will outperform that old dodge

I think the V6 Tundra would become a money pit too,,, pulling 5000+# through the mountains. Too much stress on the engine, transmission, brakes,,, not designed for that type of load, in those conditions.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

The OP said the truck was a snow-plow truck at a service station in town.
80k miles on it could be first or second time around.

Depending on how well it was taken care of by previous owners, road salt may have given it cancer years ago.

But if your going to be using it as your tow vehicle, use it as a daily driver for a couple of weeks first.
All sorts of issues will pop up which is much better than during your tow.

 

[642mx]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

I think the V6 Tundra would become a money pit too,,, pulling 5000+# through the mountains. Too much stress on the engine, transmission, brakes,,, not designed for that type of load, in those conditions.

lol... I bet the brakes are bigger and tranny is stronger in the Toyota... the horsepower and torque probably isn't too far off from the old Dodges V8. Your talking a light-years difference in technology.

 

[642mx]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Yeah, it has potential for becoming a money pit.....Agree Toyota may not be "badazz" but it is practical,reliable,functional and will outperform that old dodge

I totally agree bigdee, but unfortunately folks on this forum are too stubborn to open their minds long enough to look at the facts.

I wouldn't rely on a 76 Dodge to get me across town with nothing in tow... would I jump in an 01 Tundra and drive it from Indiana to Nevada?... you bet!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

lol... I bet the brakes are bigger and tranny is stronger in the Toyota... the horsepower and torque probably isn't too far off from the old Dodges V8. Your talking a light-years difference in technology.

- google "Tundra brakes".................

- 3.4L V6 better than a 400CI (6.5L) V8,,, more HP and torque????

 

[fishrdan]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

would I jump in an 01 Tundra and drive it from Indiana to Nevada?... you bet!

V6 Tundra??? TOWING 5000#!!! From IN to NV??? Have fun crossing the Rockies!

 

[642mx]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

- google "Tundra brakes".................

- 3.4L V6 better than a 400CI (6.5L) V8,,, more HP and torque????

I thought he said he had a 318?... any who...

As a past owner of 02 V8 4x4 Tundra... I can tell you the majority of the rotor issues where because nobody ever adjusted the rear brakes. At every oil change I had to adjust mine up to keep from frying the rotors.... of course it was inconvenient, but it was easy. I also pulled a 8K lb tractor sitting on a 2K lb trailer with it and never had an issue, not a warped rotor, not a tranny problem, and not really a horsepower problem.

 

[642mx]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

V6 Tundra??? TOWING 5000#!!! From IN to NV??? Have fun crossing the Rockies!

Reread the post... did I say anything about towing from IN to NV?...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

As a past owner of 02 V8 4x4 Tundra... I also pulled a 8K lb tractor sitting on a 2K lb trailer with it and never had an issue

Different truck,,, and I bet it wasn't through mountainous terrain

I can appreciate that you had Tundra(be it a V8 4x4), but have you ever towed a heavy load through mountains? It takes a LOT more truck to do it safely.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

While sucking due to no OD the Torqueflite 727 trans is legendary.
Anyway yes I also have my doubts about a 35 year old Dodge plow truck pulling a load like this reliably.
Mostly because I have driven those trucks in all brands and flavors and for the most part I'm not sure they should be on the road many times.
Maybe stuff doesn't rot out in certain areas where salt is not used but those places must be few and far between and those Dodges always suffered from rust.
I move boats with a 90 D100 4x4 and while it will move anything it is absolutely scary and not really even possible to drive it on the road 30-40 mph.
I would like to see some pics of the truck in question, Hell I may snap and post a pic of the boat mover I use this weekend.

Brakes and steering would be where I look. Brake lines, brake hoses, braking power, tie rod ends. King pins ?
I think your always suppose to carry a new spare ballast resistor in the glove box of an old MoPar as well.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Reread the post... did I say anything about towing from IN to NV?...

I know, but this is a towing thread, not a cross country touring thread, kind of like comparing apples to tangerines

While sucking due to no OD the Torqueflite 727 trans is legendary.
Anyway yes I also have my doubts about a 35 year old Dodge plow truck pulling a load like this reliably.

Towing 5000# he should be locked out of OD anyway, so that levels the playing field there. I do agree with the condition of the truck being a big part of the decision of whether the Dodge should be used. Flagstaff gets all 4 seasons like the north country so rust is a factor. That and, who knows the condition of the 35YO truck, neglected, maintained? I've been in some pretty rough looking trucks before, but mechanically they were rock solid.

I have a 4.7L Dodge Durango and tow 3000# through the mountains, works well, but I certainly wouldn't want to be towing another 2000#. Not enough power to get up the hills without beating the truck to death. It could tow 5000#, but the extra load would take a toll on the truck, brakes, transmission, engine...

I used to live in the mid west (WI) and go back every few years. Towing through the rolling hills back there and mountains out here in the west is a whole different ball game. You can't rely on momentum to carry you up the hill, need lots of engine torque to move that load up the grade.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

A couple of posters suggested locking hubs. If that's a full time 4WD it won't help as everything in the front axle will still turn w/ the hubs unlocked.
Mike

 

[25thmustang]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

What is the boat and trailer set up? Most people over think the weight of their set up. Not a bad thing but knowing what your towing would help.

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

well the boat is a 26' Nordic Viking with a 330Merc IO 3800lbs and trailer is a trailrite steel tandem..1200lbs

I talked with other 26 foor Nordic owners and got the poundage confirmed.


the Dodge truck looks to be structurally sound..there is some surface rust on the body and driver side floor pan..read pee hole. It is a dripper of oil and either tranny or power steering...I'll figure that out eventually before towing anything....I'm confident with both the tundra and dodge to caravan to the local boat ramp at Lake Mary... the 8hp kicker will like that lake


my tundra rotors and whatnot were replaced soon after they warped. But after growing up at the Matheson Hammock Boat Ramp in Miami...I really wonder if I'll have enough power to move up and out of a steep boat ramp....and I know it'll be 40 or slower at 3500rpm on grades..with lighter weights even...did it with a tandem axle UHaul cross country

 

[bigdee]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Since you already have both trucks I would set up a test run with both. I think you will be surprised how well the Toyota does...not only pulling but just as important you should notice how much better it handles and rides.

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

here's a pick of the boat.. with dodge truck hiding behind...

 

[Subliminal]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

That boat looks massive!

Any better pics of the truck?