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+--- Thread: I need a new tow pig. Help. (/showthread.php?tid=11953)
I need a new tow pig. Help. - Jake - 07-26-2019
Ford is repurchasing my 2018 F-150 due to some various items they cannot seem to fix. <--- that is the most polite and diplomatic way to describe the 54 days out of service with no resolution that I've dealt with
I need a new tow pig as I've stopped driving the Ford, effective immediately. They are buying it back with the current odometer reading, so anything past that will affect the monetary amount I get back. Plus, risk of crashes and so on. I've had some thoughts while driving press cars and I'm at a bit of a loss. Maybe talking it all out will help some.
The deal is this, I don't want any sort of payment neeeear what I was making on the new/nice/expensive truck. Anything brand new is out, as I'd rather put that kind of monthly payment into savings or travel or literally anything that's not a vehicle with a hitch. If we were talking 911s or F-Types then let 'er eat and I can retire never instead.
Before we get into my ideas, some other basic notes. No GMs, of course. I'd look at 09ish Tundras (pre-facelift) but godDAMN they are ugly trucks, sorry Kaan. I don't particularly like the facelift either, I liked it more when it was free and Toyota owned it. Second-gen (08+) Sequoia is out for the same reason. I could do a third Ford, pre-2018, with whatever engine I choose. I like them, they are reliable, etc. but part of me just wants to try something else. It's been 4 years of hearing doodeedoo every time I start my truck.
So, some ideas with some details:
2015ish Ram 1500 Laramie or Sport
I like these. They look good, the 5.7 V8 sounds great, and reliability seems par for the course. Ignore Brandon's Jeep. Could probably be purchased for $25-29k.
![[Image: cfa220e5d6fd4f398d3ce61c0ea41ebe.jpg]](https://content.homenetiol.com/640x480/cfa220e5d6fd4f398d3ce61c0ea41ebe.jpg)
2015ish Ford Expedition Limited
This would be... an option. 3.5L EcoBoost. Same price as the Ram above. Slightly shorter overall. 119" wheelbase should be stable with the trailer given the '19 Sequoia I just had was 122" and hauled it a-ok.
![[Image: 2015-Ford-Expedition-front-three-quarter-static-10.jpg]](https://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/10/2015/09/2015-Ford-Expedition-front-three-quarter-static-10.jpg)
2012ish Nissan Titan Pro 4X
This is my sub-$20k idea. They look pretty good. My friend is a master tech at Infiniti and says they'll go forever if you just change the oil. Kinda hard to find in this trim (but you get leather seats, which make the truck look way nicer) but I'd also consider the top-trim SL.
![[Image: 5410346_08359_2013-nissan-titan_004.JPG]](https://img.sm360.ca/ir/w770/images/inventory/belvedere_nissan/nissan/titan/2013/5410346/5410346_08359_2013-nissan-titan_004.JPG)
2014ish Mercedes-Benz GL550
Wildcard. Same 122" wheelbase as the Sequoia. Pricing would be higher - $29-37k depending on mileage. I've driven one (and the slower GL450 sister) and they are nice inside. Super light steering. Lots of people on Benzworld and other forums seem to tow huge enclosed car trailers and campers with these. Reliability sounds pretty good.
![[Image: 2014-Mercedes-Benz-GL550-front-passenger-side.jpg]](https://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/10/2015/09/2014-Mercedes-Benz-GL550-front-passenger-side.jpg)
2003ish Ford Excursion
Fuck it, maybe I should buy a school bus based on an F250. It'd be cheap but not cheerful given they like to eat balljoints and had sloppy steering from day one. But it would have charm, maybe? Diesel or V10 or whatever. Maybe I would hate this idea.
![[Image: 2003-excursion-1.jpg]](http://momentcar.com/images/2003-excursion-1.jpg)
Thoughts? Am I missing anything?
I need a new tow pig. Help. - GTBrandon - 07-26-2019
Ford Explorer Sport?
JGC
Other sport or luxo SUVs?
Is this also going to be a DD?
Edit: Don’t you dare get a Nissan truck
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - rherold9 - 07-26-2019
Please remove the Titan off the list.
I vote the Merc out of those options.
Yeah, same type of vehicle for so long, but honestly the F150 is solid, reliable, and good choice. I would say no to ecoboost and enclosed just because of the annoyances I've had. It's fine 90% of the time, but that 10% is going to bother me especially since I plan to do Watkins this year with NASA and maybe Palmer. Pick another 5.0 F150. If you can deal with slowing to 55mph on long hill climbs on warmer days then the ecoboost is all around better towing motor. Plus if you aren't doing 75mph it'll get 10-12mpg all day at 65-60 with an enclosed
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - Evan - 07-26-2019
(07-26-2019, 05:11 PM)rherold9 Wrote: Please remove the Titan off the list.
Yeah, same type of vehicle for so long, but honestly the F150 is solid, reliable, and good choice. I would say no to ecoboost and enclosed just because of the annoyances I've had. It's fine 90% of the time, but that 10% is going to bother me especially since I plan to do Watkins this year with NASA and maybe Palmer. Pick another 5.0 F150. If you can deal with slowing to 55mph on long hill climbs on warmer days then the ecoboost is all around better towing motor. Plus if you aren't doing 75mph it'll get 10-12mpg all day at 65-60 with an enclosed
Really? My Titan barely notices towing up and down mountains, as fast as I care to go. No if, no but, no 90%.
100%.
The Titan is a great truck.
If I were looking for a tow rig on a budget, its what I would buy, though I'm sure there are more comfy and livable trucks around now.
I need a new tow pig. Help. - davej - 07-26-2019
+1 for the Benz, I tried to scoop one at auction but it never made it across the block. (That was the day I learned some cars come with a buy it now option)
Got a 4th gen v8 4Runner with a million miles if you want it. Probably too short, old, everything; but I'd be like free towing for a year, then sell it for a profit.
![[Image: a5a8cd97b7fa4eca056cb39d916ed0bb.jpg]](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190726/a5a8cd97b7fa4eca056cb39d916ed0bb.jpg)
![[Image: 6ca538c9cf415c194bfc7e36c1d26df9.jpg]](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190726/6ca538c9cf415c194bfc7e36c1d26df9.jpg)
![[Image: 1d097b27d3ab2a9346b99f76cec0e812.jpg]](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190726/1d097b27d3ab2a9346b99f76cec0e812.jpg)
I need a new tow pig. Help. - Senor_Taylor - 07-26-2019
Just buy a another F150 pre 2018 and stop this merry go round. It worked for everyone, it'll continue to work. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
I need a new tow pig. Help. - JPolen01 - 07-26-2019
(07-26-2019, 06:18 PM)Senor_Taylor Wrote: Just buy a another F150 pre 2018 and stop this merry go round. It worked for everyone, it'll continue to work. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
I was kind of thinking the same thing. Ford did right by buying back your broken truck. Go back to the 5.0 and maybe get a higher model truck?
I need a new tow pig. Help. - GTBrandon - 07-26-2019
(07-26-2019, 07:07 PM)JPolen01 Wrote:(07-26-2019, 06:18 PM)Senor_Taylor Wrote: Just buy a another F150 pre 2018 and stop this merry go round. It worked for everyone, it'll continue to work. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
I was kind of thinking the same thing. Ford did right by buying back your broken truck. Go back to the 5.0 and maybe get a higher model truck?
*Go get a new eco boost for towing
I need a new tow pig. Help. - Senor_Taylor - 07-26-2019
I don't know why anyone buys the Ecoboost. Just get a V8
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RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - Ryan T - 07-26-2019
Obviously my vote would be for the Ram. Only thing to consider is whether it get the air-ride suspension or not. My truck squats a little more than similar trucks with similar loads with just the shocks and springs, since there are no leaf springs. I’ve heard the air ride is better for towing, but you have to have the truck running and be a little more careful setting up the weight distributing hitch system to keep the hitch and auto-leveling air ride system from fighting each other. Also, get the true crew cab, not the double, you won’t be disappointed.
Also, any particular reason to appear to be entertaining more SUVs instead of pickups?
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - BLINGMW - 07-27-2019
Should I assume you're towing above 5k? Slightly used Ridgeline or Metris are out?
I need a new tow pig. Help. - Jake - 07-27-2019
(07-27-2019, 07:47 PM)BLINGMW Wrote: Should I assume you're towing above 5k? Slightly used Ridgeline or Metris are out?
Yeah, the whole setup is about 6500.
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I need a new tow pig. Help. - Sijray21 - 07-28-2019
Raptor
I'm not sure why people hate on the Titan so much. The Frontier? OK, I get that. I had one as a rental and I thought it was a terrible truck. My boss even has the midnight edition (top of the line) and I'm shocked at how low-end every thing feels. I never towed with my Titan, but it was a fantastically capable truck for not that much money. It's not the prettiest of things, but i had the king cab with the off road package and tow package on my 2005. I didn't lose much money on it after I sold it after 2 years and about 25k miles, buying it used. I will say that fuel economy is abismal though. I really liked the 180* opening rear doors of the king cab as well as the bed rail system built into the bed; super useful, especially when hauling the motorcycle.
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - .RJ - 07-28-2019
Raptor!
I need a new tow pig. Help. - GTBrandon - 07-28-2019
Honestly for a fun car, that won’t lose too much value (maybe even appreciate), and can still tow: 6.2L Raptor
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - ScottyB - 07-28-2019
Evan Wrote:The Titan is a great truck.
aside from Jay also offering his experience, everything i've heard is similar IF you have realistic expectations about the plastic fantastic interior. mechanically, they're quite good.
the Titan basically hasn't changed since 2005. neither has the Xterra (until they killed it in 2015) neither has the Frontier. to a lot of people this is a problem, to me, if the price is right and you are buying with a higher preference for utility and reliablility, its likely a good indicator they managed to work out every possible bug after a 10 year product run. the less you change, the less can go wrong.
the Pro4X package is cool and all (rear locker, shocks, appearance stuff, maybe skid plates?)but might be unnecessary unless you plan to throw it at some stuff in the George W. Nat'l forest. i think its an attractive truck with that trim. likely higher resale when you dump it some day.
Jake Wrote:2003ish Ford Excursion
Maybe I would hate this idea.
i think the expedition looks....OK....on paper but would suck out loud to actually live with. that's a big bastard and doesn't make much sense to me for anyone other than hauling dogs, horse equipment, or Brady Bunch families. i hear people talk about what unicorns the diesel's are and i guess they might make sense if you're hauling stuff ALL the time.
if it was me...i'd be looking at a sport hemi crew ram in the coolest color you can find. you did the Ford thing, and they make a great truck without argument. but dodge has come a long way in the last 2 gens (i rode in a 2008 ram and it felt like a rental kia) and you can get a lot of truck for the money. the 8 speed in the 2015+ is supposedly pretty solid.
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - BLINGMW - 07-29-2019
Why not the diesel RAM instead of the gasser? Sure, it'll end up being an older truck to fit your budget but will hold its value too. And driving one with a manual is entertaining:
https://www.ronlewischryslerdodgejeepramcranberry.com/used-Cranberry+Twp-2008-Dodge-Ram+2500-SLT-3D7KS28A78G200396
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - Kaan - 07-29-2019
(07-29-2019, 07:19 AM)BLINGMW Wrote: Why not the diesel RAM instead of the gasser? Sure, it'll end up being an older truck to fit your budget but will hold its value too. And driving one with a manual is entertaining:
https://www.ronlewischryslerdodgejeepramcranberry.com/used-Cranberry+Twp-2008-Dodge-Ram+2500-SLT-3D7KS28A78G200396
3 pedal, 6 speed, inline 6 dodge... that's what I'm looking for when I retire the "ugly" metic mule Tundra.
Jake your title says "tow pig" and you are against ugly... then put the Excursion on the list. Strike that off your list IMHO, for the age, price, comfort, etc... its probably going to need a bushing/tie rod overhaul no matter the deal you get.
once you eliminate the Excursion... you can reject all the other SUVs on your list. and don't go smaller.... Titan/Tundra/F150/etc is as small as you want to go with an enclosed. remember we don't always toe in optimal weather so you want something stable.
the way I put miles on stuff... the way I drive... I need something that I change the oil and put gas in it... and roll. Your needs are different, right up until its main job, towing. Of the stuff you put up there, the RAM will get it done... but plan for your 100k mile front end service (and upgrade to the GOOD stuff), etc.
If the main purpose is driving through Arlington with the windows down trying to pick up a sweet piece... get the MB and AAA premium + RV
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - .RJ - 07-29-2019
If you can get the Benz on CPO/extended warranty that seems like it might be the best compromise - newer, nicer, wont hate driving it when not towing, probably fits in your apartment garage.... I'm guessing that you dont want to be dicking around with an older car thats in the shop catching up on stuff several times a year.
Otherwise, Titan is a reasonable buy, they're nice enough - although that might force you into buying a 2nd car when you dont want to be driving a dated feeling live axle truck around the city.
Its a shame the leased F150 isnt panning out, that seemed like a nice choice for you.
RE: I need a new tow pig. Help. - Sijray21 - 07-29-2019
the Titan i used to have had rear parking sensors and tow mirrors (part of the package) which was enough to park in DC when visiting friends. Honestly though, that's what public transit and ride sharing is for anyway. Parking even a small car can be a PITA.
btw, don't get a 2004 (first year). so many problems, warranty fixes, column shifter, etc.