Pick ups for towing

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Postby Razzba » Mon Feb 07, 2005 5:20 pm

Well now that my saddle is almost sold ( <IMG src="smileys/smiley17.gif" border="0">&nbsp;), I think I can buy a new pick up truck!! (Ha! Just kidding!)
Seriously, we are looking to replace our 1994 Ford Pick up this year since I told hubby that I will not trailer a horse with that thing any longer. Ten years + on a truck makes me nervous!
Anybody have any recommendations? No, I don't need a 1 ton dually, just a normal pick up truck to pull a 2 horse BP.
Thanks!
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Postby Sodapoppers » Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:03 pm

I don't want to steal your thread Razz but since it's already here <IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">&nbsp;if someone in passing could answer what they think about a 1/2 Ton 1500 Sierra with a 350 Vortec pulling a 2 horse bumper pull trailer or experiences?&nbsp;
edited for spelling <IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0"><edited><editID>Sodapoppers</editID><editDate>38390.7524421296</editDate></edited>
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Postby Razzba » Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:41 pm

What year on the Sierra? I've got the "Lemon Aid" book here so I can look it up.
By the way the guy that wrote the book basically says that Ford and GMC trucks suck. He says go for the Dodge Ram or Nissan Titan.
OH! Update! Brake line burst on the truck today and hubby had little on the brakes coming home!!! <IMG src="smileys/smiley11.gif" border="0">&nbsp;Not only am I NOT trailering with that truck anymore, I am not driving it anymore!!
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Postby BarnBratCSA » Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:20 am

[QUOTE=Sodapoppers]
I don't want to steal your thread Razz but since it's already here <IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">&nbsp;if someone in passing could answer what they think about a 1/2 Ton 1500 Sierra with a 350 Vortec pulling a 2 horse bumper pull trailer or experiences?&nbsp;
[/QUOTE]
SP, that's what I have! Mine's a '98 and I love it! I've got an older 2horse with a dressing&nbsp;room, weighs about 3000 lbs empty and I dont seem to have any problems with it. It's a great truck, the 350 is super powerful, and it's surprisingly good on gas while towing!&nbsp;
This is my fav type of topic! I am a HUGE truck&nbsp;lover, and I'd love to answer any truck questions/give some advice.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Something to keep in mind with a lighter duty truck&nbsp;like that - they make ALL SORTS of&nbsp;stuff you can add on to your truck for more power/torque, etc. I recommend getting a "chip" - they make different&nbsp;kinds, they&nbsp;go into the&nbsp;computer in your truck and can do a variety of things&nbsp; - i.e change the shifting points, improve gas milage, etc. You can get them&nbsp;for a relatively reasonable price and&nbsp;they make a HUGE difference.&nbsp; Being a truck freak, I'm also putting dual exhausts on my truck - gives in some more power as well....
I better stop talking trucks or this will go on forever!&nbsp;
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Postby BarnBratCSA » Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:24 am

Forgot to answer the original post. hehehe. Razz - what truck you get depends on what you want it for. If it's strictly a towing vehicle, or if it's also going to be the vehicle you drive every day. Do you need to haul stuff (hay, sawdust, etc)? If it's a truck you need to drive to work and on errands, I suggest a 1/2 ton because you'll get better MPG's. Also, unless you need it for hauling large quantities of things, I also suggest a short bed (6/12 ft as opposed to 8ft long bed) - it's easier to park at the store and easier to manuver. I have an exteded cab with the third door, but a short bed. It's perfect! All the room in the cab that I need, but it's not too big. Happy truck hunting!!!
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Postby Eileen » Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:39 am

I leaned toward the General Motors vehicles when I pulled a 2horse BP they did the job with no problem, I think my last Chevy pickup had a 305 in it and with 2 horses and hay in back of truck plus all other camping and tack gear I climed what hill we had in northern Ont with no problem.&nbsp; I alwlays had full sized box because of the hay and camper top that I used and gave me more room for other farm stuff...fencinging feed, etc etc...
Now that I have switched to GN 3horse trailers, I like the Dodge Ram diesel, 4x4...it does the job...you might not think that you need the 4x4 but when you encounter wet grass, little slopes, sand, mud snow or whatever it is worth its weight in gold.&nbsp; I use my truck for everything, so It has to be ready for it all...never been disappointed in the Dodge Ram...currently I am driving a '96 I probably should be looking for a new one..<IMG src="smileys/smiley6.gif" border="0">
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Postby BarnBratCSA » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:08 pm

Eileen - even though I am a diehard GM fan, I've taken my dad's dodge diesel numerous times and it's got tons of power!! I'm really just not a ford fan though.&nbsp;
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Postby Eileen » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:47 pm

I guess I am not a Ford fan either because I never owned a Ford in my life car or truck or tractor either...lol and before the Dodge Ram, which as I said before, love it to death...I owned one Dodge car and swore that I would never ever own another Dodge as long as I lived...well...never say never...the Dodge trucks have certainly set the pickup world on their butts...I think Lee Iacoca had a lot to do with that....and he used to work for Ford....lol&nbsp; there is a lesson in there somewhere...<IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">
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Postby Sodapoppers » Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:15 pm

<IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">I've always been a gmc/chevy fan...the truck in question is a '97. Thanks for the input guys!
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Postby BarnBratCSA » Wed Feb 09, 2005 9:16 am

[QUOTE=Sodapoppers]<IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">I've always been a gmc/chevy fan...the truck in question is a '97. Thanks for the input guys! [/QUOTE]
Let us know what you decide to do! My one BIGGEST piece of advice is dont buy one of the 90's style chevy diesel's (the 6.0's). they're not all they're cracked up to be. My friend has a 96 half ton diesel and he hates it. hehe.
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Postby Piaffing » Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:23 pm

I have a 2004 Ford 150 that is heavy duty and can pull 10000 pounds with ease. A friend bought a 03 GM 1500 and can't pull nearly as much as mine. I'd go for the Ford as that their towing capacity is a lot more.
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Postby Sodapoppers » Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:25 pm

Piaffing - it often depends on if you get the towing package or not, and what motor comes in the truck. The 1500s can come with 2 different motors and with a towing package or not.
BB - well, we've already got the truck! lol he tows trailers for his work with it, he just wasn't too sure about how much the horse and trailer would weigh and how it would be for the long trip. A lot of it depends on the KM's on the truck too, but the truck has fairly low kms so we are pretty good to go! <IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">
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Postby BarnBratCSA » Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:59 am

thats good Soda. I really think it will be just fine.&nbsp; I love my truck to pieces, so I think that I'm going to invest some $$ in it to make it even better for towing. I'm looking at buying a GN 2 horse soon, so that'll be even better, as they tow so easy.
A guy friend of mine offered to tow the horses for me now and then with his bigger truck, but i have to admit that not only do I enjoy towing my own horses, but I'm not sure I want/trust anyone else to tow them. hehe. Anyone else have this problem?
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Postby Razzba » Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:19 am

OK, SP on your '97 Sierra:&nbsp; It is considered average. After 1998 the GMCs become "Below Average", so you probably did alright. The 1997s were the best truck (over Ford, Ram) for that year.&nbsp; Problems with the Sierra will be powertrain, brake and excessive vibration.
We are getting quotes on a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi (rated above average). Oh joy. But we keep our trucks for +10 years.
Anyway, if any of y'all are looking for a new/used vehicle please go to the library (its free don't ya know!) and pick up the Consumer Report books and "Lemon Aid" books to see how vehicles are rated by the Pro's. Worth the time to do some research before getting a major loan!
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Postby AWSgurl » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:50 pm

I am&nbsp;a Ford Girl, would never get any other truck love them.......my baby is the 5.7L and with my draft crosses pulls them no problem......when I go to the shows and see all the trailers and trucks it looks like Ford Country to me<IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">&nbsp;I have driven both the GM and Dodge and nothing compares to the ride or pull.......but everyone has their own opinion, and this is mine....<IMG src="smileys/smiley17.gif" border="0">&nbsp;just make sure the motor and rear end is strong enough for what you want, you don't want to over work either. Good Luck in your search.... <edited><editID>AWSgurl</editID><editDate>38394.7054513889</editDate></edited>
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Postby Marty_Jones » Fri Feb 11, 2005 7:53 pm

go Ford or Chev anything<IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">(with 4 wheel drive)
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Postby Piaffing » Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:03 pm

SP when I bought my truck I researched all the pickups to find the one with the best towing capabilities and Ford came out on top. I went to the Auto Show last year and boy you can do a lot of looking without a salesperson there I love it when I'm at the gas station and guys will always comment NICE TRUCK.
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Postby Eileen » Sat Feb 12, 2005 9:59 am

Hmmm Piaffing, are you sure that they are looking at the truck....maybe it is a "pick up" line.....pardon the pun.....lol
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Postby Piaffing » Sat Feb 12, 2005 9:17 pm

Hey you never know. Guys usually take a second look when a chick is driving a pickup.
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Postby Eileen » Sun Feb 13, 2005 9:40 am

hmmm and for all these years I thought that it was me and my aura that the guys were looking at....lol <IMG src="smileys/smiley17.gif" border="0">&nbsp;here it was just my dirty ole truck..<IMG src="smileys/smiley8.gif" border="0">
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