Looging for a reliable tow vehicle

[sodbuster88]

I only have 1 comment on the VAN. What kind of ramp do you use to put your boat in and out. I'm not sure I could get my boat out with a 2WD van. I leave my Armada in "Auto mod" most of the time. Depending on the water level sometimes I use 4wd LO just so there less strain on the tranny and I can walk the boat up the ramp. I would hate to get on a wet ramp, spin a tire and through a rock into my boat. I've had to use ramps where 4WD LO was a must.

If I had access to a flat ramp and only used the same ramp all the time, I'd really consider a VAN.

I've had three vans in the past pulling my sport 216 and have been on some pretty suspect ramps (very flat and sandy to very steep and mossy)....to the point where I've had the rear bumper down in the water in some cases. No problems. The thing about vans...they are very, very heavy on the back and especially as the boat gets up on the trailer. SWC5150's conversion van is even heavier, I'm sure.

However, I have seen a GMC safari Van in the lake up to it's rear view mirrors before. In this case, both the van and the boat driver were drunk trying to load a 30' tri-toon.

[NautiDave07]

on those 350 vortecs there is a seal that tends to go out that I think someone above mentioned. It is called the plenum seal I believe. When they go out you will start to lose coolant but see no external leak because it is going into the engine. My old work truck had 150k pulling a bobcat with tracks and forks everyday and it ran like a top when we got rid of it. The coolant was disappearing and when we figured out where it was going it was too late. It was causing one cylinder to run without proper lubrication and after we fixed the seal the truck had a permanent engine miss. nothing major just slightly off at idle. Still ran fine and pulled hard until we got rid of it. IF you drive the truck try to watch for a miss at idle that could indicate this problem. If no miss I would buy the truck if the price was right and watch the coolant level. My old bosses wife loved her 1500 burbs and they alway drove them to 200k before trading.

[Nautiquehunter]

+1 for the van
I bought a 2005 GMC 3500 with a 6L and a 373 rear gear. With the seats in it holds 12 passengers without the seats it is a cargo monster and mini camper. Its never met a ramp it didn't like and pulls me 08 210 with ease. The gas mileage is 15 combined not towing and 10 towing. It has the same frame and undercarriage as the Suburban just holds more. For me there is not any other vehicle so versatile . I used Auto trader and found it in Arkansas . Flew in using miles plus and drove it home.

[swc5150]

I've been on some steep ramps, but like hunter said, it's so heavy in the back, it yanks my boat right out.

[horkn]

The older 95 and older 350's were not vortec's, so he wouldn't have that coolant issue if he bought the 88 or whatever burb. Other issues would still be there though.

[NautiDave07]

The burb in his OP is a 98

[swancer]

Yea it's a 98. . . I have almost talked myself out of it. Just a little over kill for what I need. If anyone else is interested its on the Nashville, TN craigslist.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2340595364.html

[swancer]

I have a 99 4x Tahoe 2 door. I keep it as an extra vehicle becuase I love the 2 door look and drive. It is a strong tower also.

I have always loved the 2 door Tahoe as well, but wondered how well it towed with the short wheel base. I have a few friends that have newer model Tahoe's and complain about their stability while towing and attribute this to the shorter wheel base.