Tow/service rig feature priorities

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b00sted

Diesels get far better mileage, are barely getting broken in at 200k miles, make a ton more power, and are overall just more suited for towing.

Mileage: sure they do. But not "that" much better. I get 12usmpg towing through the mountains with my 350 chev towing 6000 pounds and with another 1000 pounds in the truck. Also, diesel is more expensive (siginificantly more now it seems as of late, which eats into any mileage savings)

Broken in: Yes, the motor. But the truck itself isn't. I'd personally rather have a lower mileage truck period.

Ton more power: well sure, as do modern day pickups make a "ton" more power

I never said that a diesel wasn't better at towing. I just pointed out that for limited usage, it wouldn't be make or break. I don't think I could get a 98-ish cummins for $7k (I assume that is his upper limit, with no available cash to spend on repairs/overdue maintenance) that meets that criteria, especially as a 4x4.

As for manuals vs autos, recovering cars (we are talking rally here) and backing trailers up (again, talking rally here) are both common occurences. Having a manual transmission sucks for these things. If I hadn't had an auto transmission truck, I wouldn't have gotten the Talon out (don't even want to think of what that bill would have been). Yes, around town or cruising down the highway, I'd definitely want a manual. But for everything else? Nope.

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Josh Wimpey

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TronDD
Furthest tow would probably be West Virginia, ~700 miles and I don't think the mountains are too bad.

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Then you didn't think hard.... Getting to Rally WV is quite tough on a tow vehicle

Noted. I've only been as far as the Skyline drive in VA, never crossed over the mountains into WV.

Tim.

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Josh Wimpey
Then you didn't think hard.... Getting to Rally WV is quite tough on a tow vehicle

This is 100% true. But... but... I've towed to RWV with a 1985 Dodge van. And yeah, I went the "wrong" way up and down ridiculous mountains. It wasn't fast, and I did pull over once to cool everything down after a long long climb.

But... it's a hobby, I don't do it for a living, and I'll trade spending an extra 10k for being a couple hours later to where I'm going two or three times a year.

I'd say the biggest priority for a tow rig is don't go spend so much that you don't have any money left for racing. It seems like there's a fair number of people who go rally, start with very low end tow rigs, stick around for a year or two, decide that they 'need' something better, get a big truck of whatever kind, and realize one or two rallies later "Dang, this is too expensive!" and quit.

Anders

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Grassroots rally. It's what I think about.

Also factor in whether the rig might do double duty as a recce vehicle. I've seen Josh recce in a Sprinter van but I wouldn't want to do it.

Our Toyota Sequoia (bought used in a 50/50 partnership with my neighbor) pulls us to events, lets us run recce, can get down a rough stage to retrieve a disabled rally car, coverts into covered, lockable service vehicle and serves both households for general duty.

We get about 12mpg when towing if we keep the speed limited to 70 or less.

Simon

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Simon Wright
Owner/Driver USUK Racing - Home of the USUK Racing LED Light Bars!

North America Rally Map



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2013 10:00AM by simoniac.

I like look of seqoiua. Have always wondered how they'd do. Thanks for sharing Simon!

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Grant Hughes

We towed with a 2001 Ford conversion van. My buddy bought it for $4100, it was super comfy, had 4 captains chairs, tv and a bed, and we got 13-14 mpg @70. Conversion vans are cheaper than the same year/model work van.

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Anders Green
I'd say the biggest priority for a tow rig is don't go spend so much that you don't have any money left for racing. It seems like there's a fair number of people who go rally, start with very low end tow rigs, stick around for a year or two, decide that they 'need' something better, get a big truck of whatever kind, and realize one or two rallies later "Dang, this is too expensive!" and quit.

Anders

I would also add don't go to far in the other direction and buy a cheap truck/van that needs work. You aren't paying entry fees to enter the "fixing the tow vehicle on the side of the road" competition.

also keep in mind that all of the parts and tools needed to service/repair big trucks are big, heavy, and expensive compared to road car parts. You may need new jack, new stands, etc.

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Matt Smith

Racing in glorious black and red

My daily life is a Saab story (sold!)

If those old Ford 7.3 IDI motors can pull a car, they seem to be super simple and damn cheap to maintain.

Or I could go for the newest, lowest miles truck I can find for less than $7K and save the remainder for maintenance.

My typical M.O. is to go simple and cheap.

Tim.

Not ideal, but I got rid of my DD. Bought a newer f150 with a cap. I drive it everyday and as the rally tow vehicle, also not a horrible recce car either.

I already have 4 vehicles on insurance, another vehicle on my insurance that just sits around is the last thing I need.

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TronDD
If those old Ford 7.3 IDI motors can pull a car, they seem to be super simple and damn cheap to maintain.

Or I could go for the newest, lowest miles truck I can find for less than $7K and save the remainder for maintenance.

My typical M.O. is to go simple and cheap.

Tim.

Tim they have a injection pump like my 6,2 Chebby and I am told by serious guys who I worked rebuilding 10,500 HP diesels with that the common problem with both is when they sit and the internal O rings dry out and when they put back in service begin shedding particles of the O rings . which end up in the injectors.


My was like this when I was ready to come back...

Lift pumps can be a bitch when hot so go electric.


Timing (injector) can usually be bump up (advanced) a few degrees over book setting

Think TURBO... powerz for the hills, MPG at the same time..

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

A quick look, ~$500 for a whole pump, $170 for all 8 injectors.

You can adjust the pump timing, turn up the volume, several turbos available, you can run 12 psi with no other upgrades, change to head studs and you can double that. Upgraded, power is comperable or better than the first gen Powerstroke with none of the cost and complexity.

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TronDD
A quick look, ~$500 for a whole pump, $170 for all 8 injectors.

You can adjust the pump timing, turn up the volume, several turbos available, you can run 12 psi with no other upgrades, change to head studs and you can double that. Upgraded, power is comperable or better than the first gen Powerstroke with none of the cost and complexity.

Zactly what I was thinking.
Probably harder to do in a van cuase of packaging but a GOOD pop up cap on a Pickup, maybe...

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

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Josh Wimpey

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TronDD
Furthest tow would probably be West Virginia, ~700 miles and I don't think the mountains are too bad.

.

Then you didn't think hard.... Getting to Rally WV is quite tough on a tow vehicle

Not if you go the right way, coming from the north. I've done both the wrong way and the right way. For more info search "that other site".

And Ford automatics are no problem "if you buy a vehicle that's designed for towing a car, not a boat". Ie, a 1 ton, not a puney little 1/2 or 3/4 ton. I've owned 2 E350s. 1 1988 gas with 180,000 miles on it and now a 1995 diesel with 183,000 miles on it. 80 mph, no problem. Yes, the diesel can be more expensive maintenance, but worth it IMHO. 14 qt oil change, 5 gallon antifreeze (and don't forget to use the additive). If I was buying new (or near new) I would probably get a gasser though. They're much better than the days of old (and diesel was cheaper than gas when I bought mine, no longer the case, but mileage makes up for it).

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Don Kennedy

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alkun

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TronDD

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darkknight9

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NoCoast
Crew cabs accomodate baby seats also.

Two thumbs up Five stars *****

What kind of rallying are you guys doing with babies?


Tim.

Patty D and i took his 3 month old with us on recce at mt hood. gotta do what you gotta do to go rallying!

werd

my brothers grew up on rally roads

I got lucky and was given a 96 f250 diesel, it's only a crew cab, but for $300 (though I'd had the truck for 4 years by the time my aunt asked me to pay off the loan and switch it into my name, and she'd been paying the insurance that whole time) I'm certainly not gonna be too upset it doesn't have 4 doors.