Corbzin

what are some good trucks that wont have trouble towing a car and trailer long distances why'll still maintaing reasonable MPG's?

would like to stay under or around 17k

Leaning more towards turbo diesel's But open to suggestions.

Dough_Boy.

Diesel.

Computer_Nerd

this is pretty much your only choice for the detail you provided.

look for ford 7.3L in that price range, save the extra for maintenance expenses and upgrades. dodge with cummins turbo would be great, but the interiors suck wet lemur ass.

diesels are not good for city stop-and-go traffic. best for hauling, especially for long distances.

check out ones that come from work fleets as they will have had regularly scheduled maintenance even if they do have higher miles.

things to look to put on if they don't have them already:
- turbo back exhaust upgrade (lower exhaust gas temps, good for hauling, extends turbo life)
- pyrometer, turbo psi, trans temp gauges (these are the 3 most common, same ones i use)
- egr equipment (common failure point on many diesels, see if it's ever been replaced)

SortaFlush

Digital is pretty much right.

If you go with a 7.3L Ford, check to see the maintenance history on it and if you don't see any for the transmission, keep looking or use it as a bargaining tool. The 7.3 Transmissions are highly known for their failures. If you look at a 6.0L Ford, common problems are EGR systems and Headstud problems however, they are powerhouses.

I have a 2000 F250 Crew cab shortbed 7.3L. The transmission has been replaced, I have an SCT tuner, air box, 5'' straight pipe and beefy trailer hitch. Before I tow something, I switch the tune to a towing tune because it shifts better and also gets better fuel mileage. I just towed for the first time with it last Driftwater. I had 10 wheels with tires in the bed, 8 loose tires, my tool box, a 10x20 canopy that I was towing a regular car trailer with my 240 on it that was also filled with tires and wheels. It did great BUT I do want the Banks wicked wheel upgrade. (Compressor wheel) for the turbocharger, the 7.3L 99-03 have what they call "Surge" and the turbo flutters a lot losing power.

The Cummins, man. Those things make power, but they are ugly. The Chevy Duramax, one big common failure on those are Injection pumps...which cost a pretty penny but they are tough trucks.

ravenracer

ecoboost /end

STi_FTMFW

You can't get an ecoboost truck for under $17k though.

Muncher

Diesels are not your only choice.

Vinny (jetswu87), Brokeneck, Shawn22, Brett (Axcelerate), Brian (Brobra4b), and Myself tow on a semi-regular/regular basis with gas trucks with no issues what so ever. And we all paid less than 17k.

Pretty much anything full size will pull a car and trailer without issue. You dont need some modded badass diesel to tow a 3k# car and a trailer.

My suggestion from my experiance: Any newer Chevy 1500-2500 (preferably with the 5.3...the 8.1 doesnt get great gas mileage) or any diesel...but like I said, pretty much any full size will pull a car without issue.

Computer_Nerd

you can tow with a gasser, but your mileage will suck.

if towing on a regular basis, diesel is the way to go. never seen a gasoline tractor trailer.

Dough_Boy.

Diesels gas mileage doesnt change very much at all while towing compared to when you're not. Gas trucks get way worse mileage while towing.

Muncher

False. I got 14mpg pulling a camper in the mountains. Kienan (All Aspetcs) pulled his (albiet larger) with his cummins and got 9mpg. It completly depends on the truck, what your pulling, how fast you drive, and where your pulling it.

Your second comment has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand.