Tow Vehicle purchase Recommendation

[BubbaChris]

As for the commuter side of things, I would suggest finding a cheap econobox for those days.

Good input - the OP has posted that he has already purchased a 3/4 ton gasser.

Other than the potential size hassle, I suggest doing the math to see if having that extra vehicle would even make sense. Last year I did the same when I considered buying an electric bicycle to commute some days. The low-end e-bike was going to cost way more than a whole year's fuel costs for commuting. When you add in the annual insurance and maintenance costs of that econobox, you have even further to go before you are fiscally in the green.

Best regards,
Chris

[FordmanNJ]

Good input - the OP has posted that he has already purchased a 3/4 ton gasser.

Other than the potential size hassle, I suggest doing the math to see if having that extra vehicle would even make sense. Last year I did the same when I considered buying an electric bicycle to commute some days. The low-end e-bike was going to cost way more than a whole year's fuel costs for commuting. When you add in the annual insurance and maintenance costs of that econobox, you have even further to go before you are fiscally in the green.

Best regards,
Chris

I did see that once you pointed it out. Sometimes some of the details are buried in the thread. I did eventually find it once you mentioned it.

Interesting observation about the E bike. Where I live the bike is not really an option. In my particular situation, I am currently using my tow vehicle as the DD for the time being. My DD finally went to car heaven. I will be looking for a DD soon once I get my truck payment gone or really lowered where the extra payment is not much of a fact for a couple of months. Right now the way things stand, I really do not want to put myself into a spot where I will have 3 payments for 12-18 months. I am OK 2 but not 3. With the truck getting wrecked really threw a wrench into whole vehicle replacement plan. My wife got her vehicle replaced in 2017. My old F250 was paid off. My DD was well paid off. She had not had a vehicle in about 3 years at that point since her car had died and was towed away. She was using my Explorer to get around. I was using the truck. When we got here car I went back to using the Explorer as my DD. We were going to replace the Explorer in 2018 but the truck got wrecked which means I incurred a payment even though the pay out was a nice chuck of change. My payments is pretty low but I am also making double or even triple payment, to clear the unexpected note. Over the Summer, the Explorer's trans passed the ghost. I now use the truck for the DD to get to work and the like. When we go out, we use my wife's car to get around. Luckily I only have a 20 or so minute commute but still filling a 35 gallon gas tank even with low fuel prices sucks. Hopefully if I work it the right way and the way I have the payments set up, I might have both her car and my truck both paid off by the end of next year. Her car might have been paid off sooner if I had found "Add to the principle" function on the loan web site. Once that was found, life was better for us.

I will leave you with this. I once read a statement on the internet about camping. It's amazing how people will spend to go camping. When you think of it is pretty accurate. People have different financial arrangements in life. Some are able to buy outright and have no payments. Others have small loans on their rigs. When it comes to the TV, it's the same thing. When I look at my rig I saw "wow that is a lot of money right there!" Paid A amount of the truck. B amount for the trailer. That is C amount before insurance and the like. Then you factor in the cost of the camping, getting there, storage and the other items. It really adds up. I try not to think of these costs in terms of dollars but in terms of making memories. The hope is cost whatever it is, has a worth while long term investment.

[velayutham]

Thanks everyone for the continued input on this thread.

Quick update on the trailer search, update that validates all the suggestions to just get a larger tow vehicle. We've decided to future proof and go with a slightly larger rig - negotiated a good deal on the Reflection 31MB FW. Great flexibility the mid-bunk gives us with our two boys and the larger living area as well. Will be closing on this today and picking up in the next week or so. Glad I went with the 3/4 ton, added some additional lbs on the towing side with the fifth wheel but definitely benefit from the higher payload of the TV. Thanks again for all the recommendations...will post pics once we take delivery!

[velayutham]

Took delivery of our FW over the weekend (Reflection 31MB), here it is, all hooked up to the Sierra HD. We went with the Andersen Ultimate hitch to save weight on the payload, surprisingly great turning radius and clearance once we got it setup. Buddy of mine that pulls a larger Raptor drove it as well, helped with dialing in the trailer brake setup and gave me a the thumbs up! Higher revving when climbing but very smooth at 65 mph cruising.

[BubbaChris]

Great looking combination, congratulations!

Best regards,
Chris

[screamineagle]

Make sure you get the correct gearing for a tow vehicle. Too many people do not look at this, If you are looking at a gas 1500 go with 3:73 gears. You will be sorry with the pulling if you go with 3:45

[screamineagle]

Smart move on the 3/4 ton

[Marauderer]

Nice looking rig. You should have many miles of trouble free driving and comfort.

[screamineagle]

Nice looking rig. You should have many miles of trouble free driving and comfort.

Thanks, just not currently sure about my Tow rig, 2019 Silverado 3500 Diesel, single axle

[avf100]

I like my GMC 2500 6.0 gas & reflection 303 fw