wife want new tow truck

[remcolent]

my wife want a other tow truck for the A/S
she likes a F 350 or even a bit bigger
what other brands and models are there
here in the netherlands we do not have a lot of these cars
and on ebay I get lost looking for one
she wants

seats 5 or 6
Long bed
max weight empthy 3250 kg
must be able to cruise without tow at 90 to 100 mph
diesel ok but only with turbo

Remco

[Silvertwinkie]

I would say that a F350 (Ford) or 3500 (Chevy) and whatever the Dodge equiv would be might be a bit of overkill.

Personally, I don't want to start the Ford vs. Chevy thing, but one of the best trucks on the road right now is the 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison combo. It's also one of the most costly.

The Duramax has ample HP and gobs of torque. It's one of the most quiet diesels around. Of the three offered, more folks prefer and would buy again, a truck with the Duramax/Allison combo than any of the other two "domestic" brands. True it is a bit of overkill as well, but I can't see a reason off the top of my head why you'd need a dually truck. Some folks say that the dually trucks can be a bit hard on the coaches. I can't say I agree or disagree with that statement.

One reason I prefer the Duramax/Allison combo is that most folks report about 15mpg when towing compared to the gassers getting about 9-10 on average. The diesels also get better MPG when not towing and so far in most places diesel costs a bit less (though that gap seems to be closing a bit compared to regular gas). Now I know some will say you gotta drive a heck of a lot of miles to recoup the fuel savings vs the cost of the truck, however, even with 15 quart oil changes, I still would vote a quad cab Duramax/Allision 2500 HD Chevy Silverado as the engine is good for at least 200k.

Now mind you if Chevy ever makes a Suburban 3/4 ton with the Duramax/Allison combo, I am soooo on that one!

[j54mark]

In actual dimensions, the Ford/Chevy/Dodge all use the same cab and bed for their 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and one ton trucks. None are currently offered in a diesel in the 1/2 ton. You need a 3/4 ton at most - Ford F250, Chevy 2500HD, or Dodge 2500. All come in a diesel, all are turbo diesels. Only a fool would run any of them at 90 mph (145 kph) for more than a short period. A big block gas engine will turn the high rpms better. Either way, I have no idea where you are going to get speed AND load rated tires. Chevy has a governor that kicks in at 92 mph or so. I suspect Ford has something similar.

Check the weight closely, these trucks in a four door will push your max empty weight.

Mark

[RoadKingMoe]

An F250 or single-rear wheel F350 (same truck), with Crew Cab, Long Bed and diesel, will definitely be over 7150 lbs with 4WD, and might be over that with 2WD, depending on other options. A dual-rear wheel F350 will likely be over that with either 2WD or 4WD.

Real truck tires, i.e. the LT series, are not speed rated. Most manufacturers recommend they not exceed use over 85 mph. While they might not have complete tread separation or blow out at 100 mph, you'll may find lumps or imbalance developing from the extra thick tires overheating internally.

[Over59]

What's the price of gas and diesel there?

[drno]

there is no such thing as overkill. on most trucks the only difference between a 3/4 and a 1ton is an extra leaf spring in the rear which doesn't come into play until a significant load is applied. most of the folks i know tend to move up in size, weight and load as the years go by. my vote is for a 1 ton diesel of your favorite brand.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by drno

there is no such thing as overkill. on most trucks the only difference between a 3/4 and a 1ton is an extra leaf spring in the rear which doesn't come into play until a significant load is applied. most of the folks i know tend to move up in size, weight and load as the years go by. my vote is for a 1 ton diesel of your favorite brand.

I disagree. Too stiff of a rear axle suspension like on most 1-ton trucks, will cause undue stress on the Airstream frame and body on less than perfect road surfaces.
( Unless you tow an extra heavy tongue weight with no WD bars)

[uwe]

Originally Posted by RoadKingMoe

Real truck tires, i.e. the LT series, are not speed rated. Most manufacturers recommend they not exceed use over 85 mph. While they might not have complete tread separation or blow out at 100 mph, you'll may find lumps or imbalance developing from the extra thick tires overheating internally.

I wonder if one should choose tires by designation, or by actual sidewall load ratings.
eg: My new LT load range C Michelins have a load rating of about 1900lbs.
The spare tire that came with the truck, a full size spare, is a P-rated tire, with a load rating of 2300lbs per tire. The P-rated tire had a max pressure of 45lbs, the LT had amax inlfation pressure of 50lbs. My factory recommendations are 32frt, 41 rear.
While checking for alternate replacement tires, I came across several sport truck tires with load ratings of 2200 to 2400 lbs etc. Most of them had HR, some even VR speed ratings. Remco will need a HR rating, at least, to sustain 100+mph, as is commonly experienced in Europe.
Another consideration would be brakes. My 1/2 ton Suburban brakes would definitely not be safe at sustained speeds higher than 70 or so. My son's Chevrolet 2500 quad cab has much better brakes.

[drno]

i respect your opinon --" every man is entitled to his misconceptions"

[j54mark]

LT tires have stiffer sidewalls. It is not unheard of to put passenger car tires on 1/2 ton pickups, but even then if you are going to use significant portions of its useful load you would be better served by load rated, LT tires.

For 3/4 and one ton trucks many of the sizes are simply not available in passenger car sizes.

Mark

[Hippo]

Originally Posted by remcolent

my wife want a other tow truck for the A/S
she likes a F 350 or even a bit bigger
what other brands and models are there
here in the netherlands we do not have a lot of these cars
and on ebay I get lost looking for one
she wants

seats 5 or 6
Long bed
max weight empthy 3250 kg
must be able to cruise without tow at 90 to 100 mph
diesel ok but only with turbo

Remco

I have a F250 crew cab short box w/ a V10 gas engine, 4x4. It pulls our 25' Tradewind with no problems. Great Truck made in USA. I put on Roadmaster spring assist on the rear. Fuel mileage in Montana with a head wind 10.9 and on the flat 11.0. No trailer we get 12.5.