Gas tow rig for 3500lb camper.

4.0 Rangers are rated to 5000lb, and explorers the same. And I'd expect other OEMs have similar sized vehicles that can tow 5k. 

2.7 eco boost is magic. I get up to 27mpg empty on the highway running 60mph.   They are a bit out of your price range though. 

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine :

Lots of stuff out there way beyond my price range.

And oil is slippery, and water is still wet 

A new Porsche would also be fast, but might not tow well

Can't afford one of them, either

Gmt800 Tahoe or truck is probably the easy button here.  Cheap tows well and easy to repair.  

In reply to 03Panther :

So you are looking for a 4.6 extended cab. Or a 5.4. 

What about 1st gen expedition? They seem to get overlooked quite a bit and, from what I've seen, seem to be a good bit cheaper than'hoes/'burbs. 

ShawnG said:

It's never just 3500lbs 

It's 3500lbs plus the bicycles, bbq, corn hole game, patio furniture and that old set of ceramic dishes from the kitchen.

Most people never realize how overweight their camper is.

And I will add that using a vehicle tow rating to make your decision is not advised for a travel trailer.  3500 lbs isn't bad, but it's a billboard in the wind, and it makes for white knuckles (or worse, severed knuckles) depending on the quality and engineering of the trailer.  You have four factors:  Tow rig being good or questionable, and trailer being good or questionable.  Tow ratings of vehicles are like politics.  They get tossed out as absolutes, but the truth is very different.  My Ranger did better with my 3500 lb boat than my F150 did, but I would venture that a 3500 lb TT would have done better behind the F150 because of wheelbase, brakes, and truck weight.

For what its worth, the brakes on Honda products have sucked for decades.  The brakes on our 2017 MDX were barely adequate for the vehicle alone, I can't imagine towing anything with it even though it was rated for 5000 pounds.  Maybe for 1 stop, but after that you're F-ed.  

I'm thinking that you're just not going to find what you need in that budget.  

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Curtis has nailed it. That's why my list of possibilities is so  eclectic. Tons of stuff is good enough on paper. But I've towed every thing from a 2 1/2 ton Freightliner (RV toter conversion) with a 4 x 8  utility behind it, to a 92 Buick Regal with a 4500lb tandem trailer of scrap! And just about any other combo along the way. 
Had the endorsement for up to 125K lbs, but normally was under 80K , in the few periods I drove tractor trailer. 
Again, (knowing no one actually reads on the internet) mostly looking to BUY something to tow with. 
Without having to deal with the "runs and drives great. No engine " ads

In reply to rothwem :

I imagine it's obvious that I'll not be even looking at anything from 2017. The 06 Oddy  had ok brakes for a driver that understands his equipment. And with a trailer, if you are overcoming the tow vehicles brakes, there are several solutions. Properly operating trailer brakes, is but one of them. 
But again, for the few that might read this, (not looking good)  I'm looking for a tow rig for sale, with some known history, more so than advice. 
 

RaabTheSaab said:

What about 1st gen expedition? They seem to get overlooked quite a bit and, from what I've seen, seem to be a good bit cheaper than'hoes/'burbs. 

If you happen to know of one for sale, that we know some history on, that obviously (from previous posts) is on my desired list

Just hoping to find one besides looking at 3 million modern ads!!!

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine :

Obviously, this too is on my list of hopefuls. 
If you happen to have one you'd sell, or know someone that does, that would be more to the point. 
Thanks. 

In reply to 03Panther :

I sold mine last year.  Was a great rig. 

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

As you probably remember me saying, as we've tried to point out to folks, that tow railings are a joke:

My wife's F150 Ecoboost max tow (rated 12.5K lbs) towed my wife's 26' camper WORSE than my chebby Astro Van!

The van was pulling 500-1000lbs over its "tow rating", and needed a bit more power than it had, but towed smooth and straight. The F150 was at half its "rating" yet it made the front of the truck dance around enough to be stressful! Now it DEFINITELY had the power, if not eco. 

In reply to 03Panther :

Yup, I do remember.  I don't really have any brand loyalty aside from disliking Rams, but having grown up towing with dad's Chevys, then myself going back and forth between GM and Ford, I was never as comfy in a comparable Ford towing big stuff.  Dad has an 08 Dmax dually that he tows everything, including a 36' TT weighing in around 13k without equalizer bars, and it's just like it's not even there.

This reminds me of the time I towed 10,000 lbs with a 73 Impala wagon.  400-horse 454 that I built was more than enough even with 3.08 gears, TH400, 12 bolt rear, monster radiator, and plenty of weight on its own.  It needed more brakes, but I never felt like it wasn't enough in other departments.  I wouldn't have dreamed of trying that with my F150-7700.

We've towed enough with various vehicles that I think you and I look at tow ratings as "a cute guideline that manufacturers use to cover their asses."

I know the forum loves GMT400s. I have one, a 3/4 ton Suburban. 

The brakes on the GMT400s suck pretty bad. Even worse on the Sub.

I swapped in the 3500 brakes and it got better but if I were towing near the limit with one, I'd step up to a GMT800 or be looking for a big brake package.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

A wagon is VERY high on my want list, for towing this older 1996 23' light weight camper! Your old 73 would be the perfect mix of cool and functional... just outa sight on pricing today!

A b body wagon, would be preferred over a truck, atm. 
One of the ugliest bubble butts ever, and I still want one. My better half doesn't want me beating up "Mz Nancy", but would buy me another sedan. The tbi 350 is not as cool as the LT1, but I'd rock one. 
Probably end up with a soccer mom suv. But slowly finding some legitimate sale ads. 
Edit:!it appears that, in my life, there is no such thing as a legitimate sales ad. 

In reply to ShawnG :

As mentioned often, both are on the list. I really made this post to see if folks here either had something for sale or know of something. 
With anything I've towed with (50 or 60 different tow pigs through the years) I all ways keep the brakes in mind, since they are a integral part of a good towing experience. 
Glad your having good luck with yours, and I think I remember you doing a thread on the upgrade. 
Wish someone had, or knew of, something for sale now. 

So, I have an 07 expedition knocking around that I need to sell. 5.4 v8, 2wd, no 3rd row seat (you get a storage compartment instead). 187k, spark plugs done in 2018. 9k tow rating. I got about 17mpg out of it. I'd describe it as not having the complex options that would upset you when they stop working. Towed pretty well for me, it pretty much didn't notice my 6x15 enclosed that weighs 3000lbs.  It was my DD from early 18-late 23. Only problemsbi had in that time (since fixed) were a coil pack and brake soft lines (I also did pads and rotors)

The bad bits that could still use attention.

• Rocker rust (I have the patch panels and welding them on is on my to-do list). Otherwise not rusty.
• Needs tires, they are aged. You can drive on them, but I'd replace them.
• Sun checked steering wheel - get a cover and you won't notice it.
• Might have a cracked exhaust manifold, you can hear it when the engine is cold. 
• Just a bit Sun checked, needs a polish to look nice.
• Rear window leaks a bit in heavy rain.

I haven't really worked hard on a value, but I expect it would be in your range if you are interested, we can talk. Pm me if you want more details /pics. 

Located in Southern Maryland 

In reply to Apexcarver :

I'm in to find out! 
Headed to my email now!

Throw a picture out... my better half, and Financial Manager, seems to care about color 

my better half, and Financial Manager, seems to care about color 

Ha! Absolute first thing she asked!

that and rear ac! (For the big furry kid!)

Color is blue, pics will likely be a tomorrow thing. 

I believe it has the rear vents behind the console. I'll double check, I haven't really ridden back there. AC does a pretty good job, did have to top it off once during my ownership.

I see early Escalades in your price range all the time. Especially in the south east. 

In reply to yupididit :

If you, or someone you knows is selling one, I'm very interested. 90 % of Ads in my price range, turn out to be painful to deal with. 
I've mentioned that a few times, and given examples. 
Don't worry, 95% of the responses have missed that, as well. 
Keep me in mind, if you find anything that will tow, has a known history, and won't break my financial woes! 
Thanks.