1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. It has over 200,000 miles and is still pulling!
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1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. It has over 200,000 miles and is still pulling!
I have an '02 Silverado 1500. 5.3L with towing package. I am looking at getting a 24' Pace Shadow GT to go with it. Well within the 8500lb towing capacity with the IT Rabbit or the Prod Rocco in it plus tools.
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Sam Rolfe
TBR Motorsports
#85 ITC VW Rabbit
#85 GP Scirocco
Couldn't pass up the rebates (and a supplier discount) so I went ahead and bought a Dodge RAM 1500 Quad Cab with the Hemi. The Jeep is now for sale if anybody's interested in a nice compact tow vehicle - great for trailer maneuvering in tight spaces.Quote:
Originally posted by nlevine:
1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 5.2 liter V-8... With the CRX, and the weight distributing hitch, I could tow at 75mph no problem.
Sam. I have essentially the same setup. You will need a weight distribution hitch, and you might think about air bags. Shocks are decent to start with, but will fade after a year or so.
The engine is capable of pulling the load, but it will use the higher gears if you want to cruise in the 70s and up.
If you don't have the trailer yet, don't get one without some aero nose. Huge difference with this size/power engine.
Other than that, a nice truck.
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
Whoo, hoo! (never thought I'd be excited about buying a truck)
Just bought a 94 Suburban w/80K, both previous owners were maintainence freeks. It came with a brake controller and in-cabin adjustable rear airbags to adjust ride height.
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-dave
8)
Got Photos?... post 'em here: http://y3k.shacknet.nu:31338/gallery/
'94 Burb with 18' open trailer. 12-15 mpg regular and 9-11 towing. Thought about buying a new burb because they are discounting them $12,000 off sticker. Yea, right then you look at the sticker and it is $38,000 - $42,000. Then there is the new tag. In Jackson Mississippi a tag for a new burb will probably be close to $1,100 or more. Then insurance....... Hell, I'll just keep the '94 and buy lottery tickets in Louisiana.
What I want is a Ford Excursion with a big Power Stroke Disel with a Banks upgrade. Can you say 500 hp and 650 ft lbs of torque and 18 mpg. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif
Drive well.
'99 GMC Burban 2500 7.4 pulling a dual axle econo open trailer and an integra. 10-12 mpg on a flat road with a tailwind. This truck does not recognize hills even when towing. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif
Ray
02 Silverado 2500 w/ Duramax pulling a 24' box getting usually 12-13.
Any truck that someone is willing to lend http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif
I have towed with many trucks. When I buy a truck (IF) I will save for a Diesel... You can still drive it as a daily driver and not get killed by the gas... not to mention the fuel $$$ you save certainly makes the race weekend seem a little bit less expensive (although I know the capital investment of a diesel is more).
Raymond
I have been half heartedly looking for a new truck and have been thinking diesel but am now thinking with fuel prices rising that the v10s might be a bargain. it was $5g more for a diesel but it might be more now. it would take a lot of miles to recover that difference.
dick
Dick, you're spot on.
I *love* my diesels. A lot. The truck I have now may be orange, but it runs damn fine and has served me very well.
But, as I noted above, I have to accomodate pulling two cars now, and while the non-turbo E-350 is perfect for my one car and open trailer, it just wasn't going to cut adding a larger trailer (maybe enclosed) and another car. So I was in the market for a new truck.
Notice "was."
As much as it pained me, I closed a deal yesterday on a 1999 E-350 Extended XL with a V-10 engine, A/C, cruise, towing package. 25,000 miles, was used by the local Methodist university as a shuttle. The damn thing looks brand freakin new. Get this: I was looking at comparable Powerstroke-powered trucks in the mid- to high-teens MINIMUM; I picked up this truck for $9450 out the door.
A good PSD-powered '99 E-350 I found was selling for $17,500. I figure I just saved a minimum of $8K by buying this V-10 truck. At 25% less fuel mileage, 15% higher fuel cost, and approximately 7500 miles per year I calculated it would take me *15 years* to cover the fuel costs. Further, gasoline prices will fluctuate from time to time but in the long run the average price of regular unleaded over diesel will not maintain a 15% premium, and in fact some times will be less.
As gasoline prices begin to stabilize this summer and slowly drop, the purchase price advantage of a V-10 will diminish; if you're sitting on the fence now's the time to start looking seriously. There's a lot of good examples to be had, and the owners are finally coming to the realization that their V-10s are not worth as much as they think (Dick, I know of one well-equipped E-350 passenger van for sale here in CT that's cherry, and I bet his price will drop this week once it doesn't sell on eBay for the third time...email me.)
Now, I know there are a lot of non-economic reasons for buying a diesel; frankly, I think the diesel will tow better and last longer. I'd personally much prefer a PSD. However, when it comes down to the bottom line it made a lot more sense to go with this find.
So, New Englanders, say goodbye to the orange van if you see it again; it's for sale ($3500). It would make a great tow vehicle for someone with a single car and open trailer. I'll put it in the Classifieds once we've got the new one delivered and ready to go.
GregA
I am currently using a 86 Prevost XL motorcoach that I am converting to a motorhome. I am also using a 20 Ft H&H tilt deck trailer. I am looking to upgrade to an 20'-24' enclosed trailer in the spring.
I really like the Bus because it floats down the road on air ride and has the power to peg the speedo at over 80 MPH with the trailer. I am currently getting right about 9 MPG.
Ahh....a Prevost! NOW were talkin'!
But I'd have to sell the house to get one! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
I am really thinking about selling the house and just building a big building to have the motorhome in and the race car.Quote:
Originally posted by lateapex911:
Ahh....a Prevost! NOW were talkin'!
But I'd have to sell the house to get one! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif
Or live on the rode between tracks and telecommute for work. I think I would have to have a larger trailer for spares.
Some friend of mine built a semi trailer that will hold 5 cars and has a lift gate on the back. We have a generator, air compressor and even a rim clamp tire changer. Most of the time they have 1 BMW Ligthweight, 1 BMW E46 M3 SMG, 2 Porche 944 Turbo S2, and 1 Porche 911 Carrera 4 on board. I come right behind them with the Prevost with my ITB car and my motorcycle on the trailer behind me.
I am building the Prevost out to sleep 8 adults comfortably. Queen bed in back, 2 sets of bunks and two coaches. It will have a full bath, kitchen, and TV with Dish Network.
For the last couple years we have been instructing at BMW CCA driver schools and people wonder what we would have if we where running pro class with a sponsor.
By a group of us getting togeather to do this type of thing we are able to pool the money and do the "big" things.
[This message has been edited by RonInSD (edited July 09, 2004).]
I have to agree that a van is the way to go. I've got a '94 E350 Clubwagon Chateau with the 5.8 and E4OD. 4 captains chairs plus a rear bench. I pulled the rear bench so that there's a TON of space back there. It tows my open trailered Civic like it's not even there.
A bonus with vans is that they are cheap. Since they aren't status vehicles like Pickups and SUV's, they don't carry a premium. I picked mine up for $3750. An equivalent pickup was $5K and an equivalent SUV was $7K. Plus, vans are so much more practicle on race day.
99 Dodge Dually with a 14' Trailer World Super Duty All Aluminum trailer.
http://www1.trailerworld.com/Content.aspx?...Id=1501,132,607
Wally Ruanto
www.trailerworld.com
Bill, I haven't gotten the two-car trailer yet (workin' on it) but we used the E-350 V10 last weekend for a 7-hour tow from CT to Summit Point. It - literally - tows like nothing's back there with the open-deck trailer and the NX2000 (about 4000 pounds), plus about 700 pounds of tools, equipment, and bodies inside.Quote:
<font face=\"Verdana, Arial\" size=\"2\">...Greg A keep us posted if you get the v-10 and how it works pulling the two car trailer.</font>
I miss the low-end torque of the diesel, but once it's up to speed the V10 pulls nicely up hills and level. We got about 10 mpg going down there (driver wasn't in a hurry, cruised about 65-70) and about 8-9 coming back (driver was in a hurry to get home).
We added a both Draw-Tite load-leveling hitch and a Reese cam-type anti-sway control, and the difference is absolutely remarkable. I can't support this addition enough for a tagalong.
I'll keep you posted when we finally start towing both cars. Do wish I had a Powerstroke, though...
99 Dakota extended cab w/ 5.2l and airbags (2wd). Tows a 16' flatbed and Rx-7 great. Gets 11-12 mpg towing. Total towing capacity is about 6500#, not quite enough for an enclosed. 15-16 mpg no trailer.
Addition of a lady and two horses to my life is going to require 4wd. I'm seriously considering a Toureg V10 TDI--VW claims 25-30 MPG unloaded. Has anyone driven one? They claim a 7700# trailer capacity!
Tak
Im hearing the toureag is already sold out this year http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif Volkswagen brought over a limited #..kinda pricey I think around 60k ... mike g.
double post sorry
[This message has been edited by m glassburner (edited July 23, 2004).]
That thing is pretty cool. BIG torque....IIRC, well over 400 or 500 ft lbs...I bet it gets 20+mpg all the time.Quote:
Originally posted by Tak:
I'm seriously considering a Toureg V10 TDI--VW claims 25-30 MPG unloaded. Has anyone driven one? They claim a 7700# trailer capacity!
Tak
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
Does the VW weigh enough to tow comfortably?
I really think it gets sketchy when you have similar weights between tow and toad. When the weights get close, you have to be much more careful with loading, and such.
On the other hand, pull a 10,000lbs trailer with a 20,000lbs RV and you just about can't misload the trailer.
Alan
grega-
Thanks for the upadate. I would concur with everything you said. How many miles are on the van? I've found that since my Excursion has gotten over 40,000 the V-10 has really broken in and started performing better all the way around. I agree, I'd rather have the diesel. Keep me posted when you use the two car trailer.
Thanks,
Bill
I posted it before but here a pic.
01 Ford SuperCrew
Lowered 3/4 with BellTech kit
Air Bags in rear to assist in towing
20inch Enkei's in Charcoal (no bling here)
http://ftw.truckmoxie.com/gallery/GBRacing/452646.jpg
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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
LAMIN-X Protective Films
At least you could sell your house to buy one! Even in so-cal where my home value has increased over 400% in the 15 years I have been carrying a mortgage. I couldn't sell it if I owned it free and clear and buy a new Prevost. Let's see $400K down, finance $600K at 5% for 30 years is +/- $4000/month.Quote:
Originally posted by lateapex911:
Ahh....a Prevost! NOW were talkin'!
But I'd have to sell the house to get one! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif
Laughing....OK, I'd have to sell BOTh the houses, AND buy used! Very used!Quote:
Originally posted by Quickshoe:
At least you could sell your house to buy one! Even in so-cal where my home value has increased over 400% in the 15 years I have been carrying a mortgage. I couldn't sell it if I owned it free and clear and buy a new Prevost. Let's see $400K down, finance $600K at 5% for 30 years is +/- $4000/month.
Well, thats a bubble that's now burst forever! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
Jake,
There is still hope. Here is a semi-fancy Prevost. Of course the reserve hasn't been met, you'll also have to make do with a 5 year old coach, no plasma TV, no granite countertops or heated marble floors, on top of that the cabinetry is laminate.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=50056
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Daryl DeArman
You don't have to purchase new you can build it yourself.Quote:
Originally posted by Quickshoe:
At least you could sell your house to buy one! Even in so-cal where my home value has increased over 400% in the 15 years I have been carrying a mortgage. I couldn't sell it if I owned it free and clear and buy a new Prevost. Let's see $400K down, finance $600K at 5% for 30 years is +/- $4000/month.
I purchased a '86 seated coach and I am currently building it out to my floor plan.
There are a couple site that talk about doing your own conversion.
http://www.busnut.com
http://www.busconversions.com
I have some older picture up on my web site at:
http://sio.midco.net/rleiferman/thebus.html
There is a link I at the bottom that show some progress shots.
I need to load some more picture up to the web site.
I am doing my own conversion because I did not like how most motorhome are already overloaded and they are bear to drive in a light wind. The coach handles great and I don't even know the car is back there. (I check the mirrors when turning just to make sure..)
Ron Leiferman
Sioux Falls, SD
http://sio.midco.net/rleiferman/thebus.html
Care to share costs on the bus conversion? I love the idea.
I have got around $30,000 invested so far. That includes bus, covering the windows, painting the outside, insulation, covering the inside, A/C, heater, 7.5Kw Onan diesel genset, toilet, shower, bathroom sink, and tanks. The bath room has yet to be installed.Quote:
Originally posted by Dave Hardy:
Care to share costs on the bus conversion? I love the idea.
I still have to purchase: refrigerator, stove, sink, kitchen cabinets, living rooms stuff and flooring.
I think I will have another $10,000 in costs before it is totally complete. That will be mostlikely spread over the next couple years unless the loto pays off.
I am using it while I am building it so it does not end up being a potato in the driveway. That has slowed down some of the work but it has give me things to work towards. Have it stipped by this event. Have the bed built by this event. Having A/C installed by this day, etc.
You can reduce your costs by purchasing a cheaper coach then a Prevost to start with but I liked the looks and Prevost have a full frame under them so they can tow a 20,000 lbs trailer without a problem.
Most coaches are 40 foot long and about 11 foot high so make sure you have the space to park them and work on them.
There are a number of cheap MCI 9's on the market right now that can be had for $10,000 to $15,000. Have it check over by a pro before buying and watch out for rust around the windows.
One of the biggest things I would say to anyone thinking about the idea of building a coach conversion is to spend a lot on of time looking around at different coaches and talking with other people even before you buy one.
Coaches are like a semi truck. The smallest part feels like it weights 30 lbs and you can't get it at NAPA so you have to really think about things. I spent a lot of time looking for a coach that had a rebuilt motor and trans so I did not have to worry about the major parts.
The one things I wish I would have done was spent more time looking at older band buses with the bunks. They can be found around the Nashvillie area at a good price and the power trains normailly have been taken care of very well. An they also have big genset sets already installed. They only lack big bathrooms and showers. You can pull out a stack of bunks and install a bathroom.
If you have any questions or would like to know more I can be reached at [email protected].
The Prevost project sounds a lot like our Freightliner odyssey, but the coach will probably be done sooner than ours (7 yrs and counting). The good news is that it might actually be usable by the Run Offs, as long as nothing nasty happens at MAM or Topeka. It might be barely licensed as an RV, but it will sure beat worrying about scales ever again.
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Lesley Albin
Over The Limit Racing
Blazen Golden Retrievers
Man that Prevost project is COOL!
Good thing I can't fit my current 20 something foot trailer in my driveway as it is or I'd be jonesing for sure!
Keep the updates coming.
Any issues with your drivers lic or permits or other official crap?
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
I did not have any problems getting it licensed. The bus dealer that I purchased it from changed the Title over to a motorhome type. That costed me $130 but when I got back to South Dakota all I had to do is go to the Pilot Truck stop and get a weight ticket.Quote:
Originally posted by lateapex911:
Man that Prevost project is COOL!
Good thing I can't fit my current 20 something foot trailer in my driveway as it is or I'd be jonesing for sure!
Keep the updates coming.
Any issues with your drivers lic or permits or other official crap?
It is insured with my State Farm agent. Progressive will also insure a bus conversion.
Since it is licensed as a motorhome you don't need a special license to drive it.
I do have a Class A CDL but it is not need for this unit. Since it is 40 foot long and a trailer behind it it help to have some experiance on driving long setup.
The funny part of driving a coach is that you sit in front of the steer tires so when you make a really tight turn go feel you body going sideways more then ahead.
As the newbie here and trying to learn what this endeavour is going to cost me the tow rig is going to be much more than my car, at least initially.
I need a trailer, but want to get an aluminum one to keep weight down and keep my tow options broader. I'll be towing with a car for the first year, something that appears to be unheard of here, but that is the breaks.
The diesel Toureg would be a great car and maybe in a year or so my wife could be convienced to go for it since she could drive it as an everyday car.
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Ron
http://www.gt40s.com
Lotus Turbo Esprit
BMW E36 M3
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey: IT prep progressing!
"Anyone out there pulling with a Ford Triton V-10?"
Grega - we use a 2002 E350 15 passenger van with a V10 pulling a 16 foot open trailer. The van works great and was a real bargain at $16K with 27K miles on the clock when we bought it. I have a friend with an F350/V10 combo and he is really happy as well.
The Van offers all of the advantages that others have mentioned (space, place to sleep, escape weather etc) plus it is cheap! Last year there were 20-30 E350's in the KC area that ranged in price from 16-19K. We bought one with the towing package and got the factory hitch, wiring and extra cooling.
Scott