From: karlm@sequent.com (Karl Maerz)
Subject: Re: trucks?
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems Inc.
Distribution: rec
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 92 21:12:58 GMT

njd@FTP.COM writes:
>...
>I'm looking for a used truck for towing a two-horse trailer (not yet
>purchased).  I've been told that either the GMC Jimmy or the Jeep
>Cherokee (both with 4-litre V6 engines) can do the job, but I have my
>doubts.  Is a V6 really powerful enough?  Is the shorter wheel base a
>problem?  They certainly are affordable, but...

Well, call me old fashioned, but my opinion is that neither of
these vehicles, nor any like them, is up to the task.  They don't
have the engine power or enough of a suspension to be safe pulling
upwards of 3500 lbs. (plus) of horses and trailer.  I wouldn't even 
use these to pull a *static* load that heavy, let alone large, heavy, 
tall critters which are shifting around and doing rather interesting 
things to your direction of travel.

A short wheel base is bad bad bad for towing -- especially for 
towing a dynamic (read: moving around on its own) load.  If you
tow horses with a swb rig, it will only be a matter of time before
you discover first-hand what is truly meant by the expression,
"the tail wagging the dog."  This is really dangerous.  Oscillation
is bad enough in a bigger rig; it can flip you on your side in
a big hurry with a little one.


>My uncle has a full-size Chevy Blazer, all set up for towing his
>*huge* boat.  It's a Florida truck, in mint condition, and he's
>willing to sell it to me for a reasonable price.  Does anyone have any
>good/bad experiences towing with a Blazer?

I don't have experience with one of these.  I personally would
avoid it because of the relatively short wheel base.  If you are
a very good driver and have a very stable trailer and will never
get in a hurry and try to scoot down the road at 60mph in this
thing and you really won't be doing too much towing anyway...
then perhaps it would be worth considering.

>The only other affordable (for me) truck I've seen was a Suburban
>Diesel with 175,000 miles on it.  It looked and ran great, but that
>mileage is just too scarey.  

Ah... Suburbans.  Truly awesome tow rigs!  This is the best one
you've mentioned (especially if its a 3/4 ton rig, though a 1/2 ton
with a slightly beefed up rear suspension will work good, too).
I don't know much about diesel engines, so I won't comment on
that.  175k miles is a lot of miles for a passenger car.  Depending
on how it was maintained and how the miles were racked up, 175k
is not necessarily a lot of miles for a truck (and a Suburban is
a truck, after all).

I just bought a 1984 heavy duty 3/4 ton Ford pickup (and I do mean
heavy duty).  It is not cherry immaculate, but it is clean and
a plenty good looking truck with good paint, no major dings, no rust, 
etc..  It has a very strong, well running 460 gas engine with a manual
transmission.  I bought it from a farmer who used it to pull a 5th
wheel RV and as a general purpose truck.  It has 213,000 miles on
it.  I paid $2500.  I had to put new tires on it for about $450 (thank
goodness for Costco) and I need to go through the front end and
replace worn out bushings and ball joints, etc..  This will cost
about $600 if I have it done or about half of that if I do it myself.
The bottom line is, I have a real nice truck that will haul anything
I want for about $3500.  I fully expect to get at least another
200K miles out of it.

>Are there any trucks that anyone would like to recommend?  I'm not in
>a big hurry, but I'd *like* to take advantage of the nice fall
>weather.  I'm hoping to find a complete package - truck and trailer.

I'd recommend a 3/4 ton rating or better.  Get a heavy suspension
to handle the tongue weight of the trailer and the side to side
you'll get from the horses.  Get enough engine that you don't end
up frying it or traveling everywhere at 20mph.  I've always been
impressed with the Chevy 350 V8.  It will handle a two horse
just fine (though not too much more).  DO NOT get an overdrive 
automatic transmission.  If you get an automatic, get a 3 speed 
and have an RV shift kit put in if it doesn't already have one.
I think manual transmissions work just fine, but lot's of people
don't like them.  If that Suburban is still available, I'd go
take a second look... :)

>Thanks in advance for your help!!			

My pleasure.  Good luck.

Regards,
Karl Maerz
karlm@sequent.com

Newsgroups: rec.equestrian