Looking for a $20k or less tow vehicle go

[robert843]

title says it all lol. Currently use a 2015 Lincoln Navigator L but recently picked up an Audi Q5 tdi that I had only planned to keep a few months but I get the feeling the boss is going to want to keep it longer. If that happens I'm going to Likley trade the navigator and try and find a tow vehicle for under $20k so I don't have a payment. The Q5 diesel with its 423 ft-lbs of Torque could easily pull my 240 but the vehicle is to small and light to safely do it. The new tow vehicle needs to seat atleast 5 and hopefully have less then 80k miles. Im not looking to buy today so no need to offer to sell me your probably will be months before I pull the trigger. I thought about upgrading both to a 2014 or so q7 tdi as it may give her the same feeling obviously if I dump both cars my budget it much higher. Just looking for ideas would love an F250 but I think the price point it a little high.

 

[Speedling]

Any full size truck or suv on truck platform will probably be fine.
F150/expedition
Chevy 1500/yukon
Ram 1500/Durango (?)
They will all have the suspension to pull the 240 no sweat.
The motorwill make the difference in how nice it will tow however. Like, a 4.3 v6 may not be the best for towing in SC.
For 20k you can find a pretty nice truck I think!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Ford-...ash=item5d785a698a:g:CwIAAOSwJtdaHz6-&vxp=mtr
of course, by the time you read this the truck will be like way higher, lol

 

[robert843]

Any full size truck or suv on truck platform will probably be fine.
F150/expedition
Chevy 1500/yukon
Ram 1500/Durango (?)
They will all have the suspension to pull the 240 no sweat.
The motorwill make the difference in how nice it will tow however. Like, a 4.3 v6 may not be the best for towing in SC.
For 20k you can find a pretty nice truck I think!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Ford-...ash=item5d785a698a:g:CwIAAOSwJtdaHz6-&vxp=mtr

Thanks I was thinking an f150 would likely fit in the budget. Just really wanted to see what others really liked out there and what made them like them. I have never owned a full size pick up so its a new realm for me always been full size SUV's This would be really just a tow vehicle and not driven much else but really think I would like to go truck this time.

 

[swatski]

Thanks I was thinking an f150 would likely fit in the budget. Just really wanted to see what others really liked out there and what made them like them. I have never owned a full size pick up so its a new realm for me always been full size SUV's This would be really just a tow vehicle and not driven much else but really think I would like to go truck this time.

Two words: traction control.
Not to mention the TDI's torque, but now that you have been running in that Q5 you are gonna miss that crazy, magic Audi traction.
I know I would.
The way that my Q7 pulls the boat up some slippery ramps - without any slippage or hesitation... Heck, I can not even spin the tires in snow...
It is just crazy to think of going back. I see the allure of a big truck, but I'm afraid it is not for me.
(unless Audi starts making them, LOL)

--

 

[bronze_10]

If we boat, we tow. Heres my towing fleet. And yes, we tend to keep vehicles forever!

I own an older f250... (only 76 thousand miles).. tows wonderfully and after a few light mods its getting 25 ish mpg on the highway... we pulled the boat through the west virginia turnpike this past summer... not even a grunt out of that thing! We put a lockable camper shell on it so we could just throw the cover and whatever else in the back. Towing with a full size truck is the bomb!

Prior we towed the boat with a 2005 dodge durango. (Still have it). It has the hemi and all wheel drive. That hemi would snatch the hell out of the boat and plenty of room for people. We ended up putting air bags under the back just so it would stop people thinking i had my high beams on.

My wife drives a 2012 durango that didnt have the tow package on it with the 4.6 liter v6. I started to do after market mods to let it tow but decided the v6 just didnt have enough ass to it. However the hemi version would be a dream to tow with. And they are tons cheaper than a tahoe... chevy is very proud of their tahoes!

I drive a 2014 tahoe for wotk with the little v8. After driving a hemi at work the tahoe is underpowered..

Conclusions.. diesel is effortless, past that anything hemi is a beast. MOPAR!

 

[2nazt]

They are selling the diesel gate vehicles again some new but I think they are priced to high for a few model year old vehicles. If you look for a 1500 Ram I would stay 2013 or newer the changes with the 8speed transmission are worth it alone. Ecodiesel I wouldn’t buy unless mid 2015 model the early ones had a bad rap for issues. I’m sure you will find something Ram is cheaper than Ford/Chevy but I enjoy mine and have no complaints. Good luck on whatever you get.

 

[McMark]

Look up EBay seller mjused. He gets a ton of trucks through. I know of two folks that bought from him and have nothing but good things to say. The seller even helped sort out shipping to WV for one friend of mine. Both buyers that I know said the trucks were better than described. I have no affiliation with mjused.

 

[Signal12]

I bought a used 08 Expedition specifically for towing and the room with 3rd row seating for less than 10K. That's with all the bells and whistles included. 4 Wheel Drive, Leather, Backup Sensors, Entertainment system, Power Seats, Mirrors, Powered 3rd Row, etc.....but I had to go to Indiana to get it. South Fl prices are psychotically overpriced. Love it as it allows me to only take 1 vehicle which can hold the entire fam, plus a couple friends and anything i may need for the day.

 

[Ancient canoe]

Are you looking for just a tow vehicle or trying to replace your everyday driver as well? If it's just a tow vehicle, I'd go with a full size truck. You can seat 5 it helps if some are kids, and you get the utility of the truck bed. Going the SUV route will get you more seats but less cargo. I prefer the truck for the cargo, but you've never owned a full sized pickup, so you probably don't live a life where that cargo necessity exists. To me it's almost a necessity to the point that something other than a pickup isn't an option.

 

[CraigAR]

Just picked up my cadillac escalade esv (extended) for towing the boat only. Plenty of room, seats 7, large cargo area and the 6.2 GM motor. Pulls better than my dodge ram 5.7 Hemi ever did. She doesn't even squat when hooked up. Just put some new 22" rims on her also.

 

[robert843]

Are you looking for just a tow vehicle or trying to replace your everyday driver as well? If it's just a tow vehicle, I'd go with a full size truck. You can seat 5 it helps if some are kids, and you get the utility of the truck bed. Going the SUV route will get you more seats but less cargo. I prefer the truck for the cargo, but you've never owned a full sized pickup, so you probably don't live a life where that cargo necessity exists. To me it's almost a necessity to the point that something other than a pickup isn't an option.

Tow vehicle only it will probably be used for nothing else which is why I'm thinking full size truck at least then I would have something with the cargo space if ever needed. @CraigAR I somehow think that won't fit in my under 20k budget lol. I currently use the Lincoln version of that a Navigator L and it tows great as well just seems like overkill to keep it as a tow vehicle only. The Navigator hasn't even been started in over 8 weeks right now and I don't expect it to get started for at least another 8-12 weeks to give you an idea how little a tow vehicle will be used by me.

 

[Beachbummer]

.... She doesn't even squat when hooked up. Just put some new 22" rims on her also.

Are you sure the car is not helping you? I hear some have self leveling air suspension! No way it will squat. That's a nice car !!!

 

[CraigAR]

Out the door for $18k cash. I put a weather tech liner in the back to keep it clean, with the 3rd row seat in place there's 4'. Fold the 3rd row now you got 6'. We just picked up a 60" console table and fit no problem. The only reason I did not get another truck was features per dollar. If we take a road trip with the boat, we will be very comfortable. I could not find a truck in this price range with all the options. Good luck in what ever you choose.

 

[Beachbummer]

Out the door for $18k cash. I put a weather tech liner in the back to keep it clean, with the 3rd row seat in place there's 4'. Fold the 3rd row now you got 6'. We just picked up a 60" console table and fit no problem. The only reason I did not get another truck was features per dollar. If we take a road trip with the boat, we will be very comfortable. I could not find a truck in this price range with all the options. Good luck in what ever you choose.

No way...$18K Very nice. How many miles if I may ask? Congrats

 

[CraigAR]

No way...$18K Very nice. How many miles if I may ask? Congrats

68k

 

[CraigAR]

Come on down to swfl. Great deals on vehicles

 

[robert843]

@CraigAR if I found one of those for 18k with 68k miles yes that would be hard to pass up I would not feel bad about it sitting then.

 

[BigAbe75]

68k

If you come across another deal like that, let us know. I’d make that trip. My wife is starting to ask for a suburban as our Tahoe is now feeling too cramped now that we have to use the 3rd row on a regular basis. It was perfect when we didn’t need the 3rd row seating. Now that we have kids back there she says there isn’t hardly room for groceries. We’ve added one of those luggage racks on the hitch for storage on vacation.

 

[CraigAR]

If you come across another deal like that, let us know. I’d make that trip. My wife is starting to ask for a suburban as our Tahoe is now feeling too cramped now that we have to use the 3rd row on a regular basis. It was perfect when we didn’t need the 3rd row seating. Now that we have kids back there she says there isn’t hardly room for groceries. We’ve added one of those luggage racks on the hitch for storage on vacation.

I'll keep an eye out. When I was searching for an escalade most of them that were at 100k miles or below were around $21K. I saw the one I bought listed for $19,500 so I took it for a test drive, brought it to a Cadillac dealer to check out then stopped at my bank. Went back to the dealership and put down $18K cash on his desk and told him no BS I want this escalade out the door for that price. He said he couldn't do that and as he was coming back with a counter offer I picked up the cash and started for the door. Long story short, I drove it off the lot for 18k.

 

[BigAbe75]

Cool! I never would have thought to look for an Escalade in that price range. I usually buy my cars 2-3 yrs old with 25-40k miles on them. 65-70k miles wouldn’t scare me too much. What year is yours? Though, this would be the wife’s primary vehicle for ferrying kids and any family car rides.

Thanks!