[s-cars] Work vehicle advice needed

[Theodore Chen]

chevy suburban 2500 or ford excursion turbodiesel?  still too much 
truck for you?

the problem is, even though you might not use it much, you still have
to get up and down mountains while towing, and you don't want it to be
a white-knuckle experience.  i frequently hear people saying they're
so tired from trying to avoid crashing during the tow that they don't
feel like racing by the time they get to the track.  that calls for 
something big and heavy so it doesn't get pushed around by the load.
i don't see why you need to make it a daily driver.  personally, i'd
buy a used turbodiesel work truck and use it only for hauling, and
drive the STi or miata as a daily driver.  turbodiesel trucks hold
their value well because the buyers don't care whether it has the
latest stuff or not, only whether it can get the job done.  so you
won't be losing a lot of money on depreciation with the truck just
sitting there.

this is one area that definitely calls for a domestic vehicle, and
i'd consider a suburban or expedition to be the minimum for towing.
the '99+ explorer is supposed to be pretty good at towing, but i'm
doubtful whether its engine has the beans to pull a 5000-6000 load
in the mountains.  you're not going to like climbing the mountains
at 15-20 mph.

-t.

--- Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com> wrote:

> If I get something that can tow, I want it to be able to tow the STi or a
> Corvette or
> a 911. That way, I wouldn't have to get a replacement tow vehicle if I
> decide to tow
> something bigger than the Miata.
> 
> Definitely mountains in PA, it's a climb to go to the Glen from Philly, I
> don't think it
> was much elevation going to Summit Point or Lime Rock, and I've not been to
> VIR yet.
> 
> It's not something I'd do all the time, so there's no way I'm getting a
> diesel crew- far too
> much truck for a few tows a year and most of the time being used for a daily
> driver, maybe
> hauling some light stuff (produce, lumber, etc.).
> 
> Taka
> 
> 
> On 12/17/06, Theodore Chen <tedebearp at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > although the touraeg is heavy, the wheelbase isn't that long.  the best
> > tow vehicle would be a 3/4 or 1 ton truck with crew cab and a turbodiesel.
> >
> > it depends on how often you plan to tow and where you're going to be
> > towing (a lot of mountains, or mostly flat?).
> >
> > what's this 3300 lb car you're going to tow, taka?  a miata is nowhere
> > near that, unless you fill it with lead.
> >
> > -teddy
> >
> > --- chris chambers <fastscirocco_2000 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > > VW Touareg maybe?
> > >
> > > 2004 with ~50,000 miles is in the $22k range.
> > > But I don't know what it's towing capacity is.....
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi listers,
> > > > This may be a little while more in the future, but I will need a
> > > > vehicle
> > > > that will need the following:
> > > >
> > > > 4-wheel or all-wheel drive
> > > > carry 4 passengers comfortably
> > > > enough ground clearance to go through at least 12" of snow w/o any
> > > > issues
> > > > (any more and I'm not going anywhere- roads will be closed)
> > > > quiet enough to carry a decent conversation on the phone (I want
> > > > hands-free
> > > > Bluetooth speakerphone- aftermarket or OEM)
> > > > can tow a 6000 lb. load w/o issues (3300lb. car and trailer as the
> > > > max.
> > > > load)
> > > > Under $30k, new or used, but financeable within reason (can't be more
> > > > than 5
> > > > yrs. old)
> > > > reliable
> > > > good safety record
> > > >
> > > > The towing capacity is an absolute must- if I get a big vehicle, it
> > > > must be
> > > > able to tow at least an open trailer with a max. 3300lb. car
> > > > on it, comfortably for at least 300 miles, up and downhill (trailer
> > > > would
> > > > have electric brakes, I'd get an Aluminum trailer if possible).
> > > >
> > > > I think there are no Audis that can do this except maybe the Q7,
> > > > which is
> > > > way more than $30k, so what can you suggest?
> > > >
> > > > If I do need this vehicle for work, gas mileage won't really be an
> > > > issue
> > > > (meaning I'll be able to afford it). :-)
> > > >
> > > > But I don't want to excessively waste gas for no reason.
> > > >
> > > > I'm sure that some of you have tow vehicles for going to the track
> > > > and such,
> > > > no?
> > > >
> > > > Taka
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