It's fairly easy to convert over to electric if it's really a good deal it may be worth doing.
Redneck trailer has good prices on the stuff you need.

 

Here's an example, Shoes, backing plate, solenoids under $40 bucks. If your drums are in good shape reuse them. You may buy a trailer with electric brakes but if they are worn you may need to replace all this stuff in a year or two anyway.

 

Hey guys,

So I am thinking of getting myself a truck for DD-ing, and to tow likely once a year, MAYBE twice ( basically driving to the DSM/Evo Shootout and back ).

Unfortunately I'm a bit on a budget, and can't afford a $10k + truck at the moment. I know there are old school diesels that can fit the bill, but 10MPG and under on just regular driving without towing seems over kill.

What I'd like is a nice decent truck that is 4X4 ( for winter driving ), and can tow my Evo on the lightest open trailer I can find to the shootout once a year.

So far, this is what I've come up with:

• Mitsubishi Raider 2005-2007 ( 4.7L V8 with 6500 Towing Capacity ) - [ Basically a Dodge Dakota re-skinned )
• Chevy Silverado 1500 - 2001-2006 ( 5.3L V8 around: 8000+ ) - [ which I think this may be over kill for my needs. ]

Just asking for advise on what I should be looking for on a budget. I'm able to fix most repairs, and whatever I end up buying will have a external trans cooler, brake controller ( and trailer with brakes ), etc installed to make towing as safe as possible.

Towing as I said would be once a year from South West VA to Sandusky Ohio. ( roughly 700 round trip ).

 

^Why not just rent a truck for that infrequent use? It’d probably be more cost effective. Or pay to have your car transported.

 

For such infrequent use, I would def go with renting a truck. You're gonna spend ~$1200/yr on insurance + reg + maintenance, etc. Not really worth it.

 

I really considered this! Or I should say I still am considering it.

I just figured a truck for a winter beater would be useful ( replacing my SX4, as the rod bearings are starting to go out ), as if there was any time I'd wanted to take tires/wheels for mounting and other general things that trucks are useful for, I'd have the option.

I at times take my mountain bikes around, purchase stuff off craigslist, etc. This is why I was considering a truck. But I do know we have a truck enterprise about an hour from here, so that is an option. Just wanted to see what opinions were.

 

Well, now it sounds like a useful extra vehicle. Your first post made it sound like you were literally going to use it twice a year to tow the race car...lol

 

Oh no not at all lol. This would be a daily driven vehicle, especially when it snows. My SX4 hatchback is pretty much my main DD, and used it to pick up a spare Long Block for my 95 GSX a few days ago. A truck could do things like this pretty well.

This is why I am wondering if the Raider/Dakota will be enough truck for my one/two time yearly towing. If not, then I'll just find some Subaru beater and just rent a truck.

I know safety is a big factor and why everyone recommends huge trucks. Guesstimating I'd probably be towing 5500 lbs with the Evo loaded on to a open trailer.

 

I would avoid buy a dodge Dakota, they're kind of turd buckets....lol. The year chevy you suggested isn't too bad. The front end parts do wear out, but they're easy and not to expensive to replace. Same thing with the trans.


The thing to keep in mind is that the closer you get to the rated capacity, the hard time the tow vehicle is going to have. a 1/2 ton truck (1500 series) is much better to have for a towing a car.
Don't write off a 97-03 or 04-08 F150 with a 5.4 if you find a clean example.

 

I have been thinking of adding a truck to the stable. I want to kinda buy something with some future proofing, so if I pick up some toys etc I will be Good to go.

I've been looking into a new Ram 3500 with the Cummins/Aisin combo, just wondering what you guys think about the truck compared to its contemporaries? General thoughts, buying advice etc is appreciated.

 

Badass truck. I'd rather be cummin than strokin lol!

LGTD will now chime in and say powerstroke FTW 6.7 and 7.3 fo lyfe son!

I get the future proofing but what are you after with the truck? You mentioned picking up some toys. If youre talking towing a car here and there or some side by sides of course that truck will perform more than well. But at the same time thats a lot of truck so if your needs are minimal you might be better served with a 3/4 ton or even a 1/2 ton gasser.

 

haha well ultimately my goal would be to get a truck camper in the bed and then be able to tow a boat for the fishing trips. Then maybe a fifth wheel camper for family camping trips. Then of course the general utility of having a truck that can tow/carry pretty much anything I could possibly need to. Also really like the idea of PTO for a generator etc in case the apocalypse or something like that lol.

 

I prefer the ford, I think it's a nicer truck. And the 6.7 power stroke is as reliable as the cummins. And the ford trans kills the dodge.

 

Yah an F350 is also a consideration. Im a blue oval guy so I would normally be inclined that way, but most of the people i have talked to have done nothing but heap praise on the Cummins/Aisin combo. The Aisin trans is apparently a beast. Also I dunno what ford is doing with the styling but it looks weird imo (very minor concern but still i gotta look at it for a real long time). Overall from a platform standpoint I like an Inline 6 over a V8.

 

OK I see your point minus the apocalypse lol but whatever helps you sleep at night!

If youre talking fifth wheel or camper and pulling something(obviously not a fifth wheel with camper unless it is the camper, lol) then I can see the need for a larger truck.

From the sounds of the initial post, I read it as "well Id like to maybe get a truck if I ever decide to tow something" and then "boom 1 ton here I come!"

I guess at this point I have nothing useful to add; I think its a matter of pick your favorite. We can get into specs and oh this has more torque or oh this has more payload capacity but lets be real here...any of those trucks and pretty much all the trucks on the market today are great.