I'm in the market for a tow truck

We have the fuel efficient daily drivers and I have a play truck, but we need a reliable tow truck. (It has to be a 4x4 and dually) It is our goal to purchase a fifth wheel camper trailer and gooseneck 40' flat bed trailer to tow my play truck and sxs together.

I hope someone can help me with the weights between the F350-F550? I am thinking F550, 4x4, CC with a heavy flat bed. I have used F350 towing trackhoes and still wasn't that pleased with the emergency stopping. If I'm not mistaken the F550's weigh a great deal more than the F350's. Plus they have a higher ground clearance and heavier duty driveline.

Anyone know of a company that makes a steel tow bed / flat bed for these trucks? I have seen the aluminum tow beds but the more weight I can put on the truck the better it will stop and tow.

Thoughts?

this thing is the CHIT!!!

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/5023689350.html

Adam, I always liked your tow rig, but that thing ^^^ is pretty sweet!!

Also, why a 4x4 in ms.?

dfree383 wrote:It's cool but 30g is a little much for a 390 c6.....

Jones you really need to sit down a figure what your really going to do with it and what will fit the bill.

The 450-550 stuff is in the 60-70g range new and I never see them used.

Then comes the Diesel/Gas argument for occasional use.

I'm thinking a 250-350 single wheel with a6.2 will getter done and be reasonable as far as initial cost and consumption during limited use.

Your question brings me back to my basic needs I determined and anything more than the following is just icing.

F350-F550 SRW
XL regular cab
4x4 gas burner
Accessories: 18,000-20,000lb winch, headache bar with rear work lights, storage boxes and air compressor.

We have bought 14 new Fords since 1999 and I have learned one thing after buying all those cars. I don't need a interior that can't get muddy and we will never buy another 2wd truck again. (I enjoy helping my neighbors when their tractors and 4 wheelers breakdown. I use to make $100 a weekend making home calls getting peoples 4 wheelers running again. You would be surprised when a grand child wants to ride a 4 wheeler what a grand parent will do!!)

I want the heaviest duty model I can get for the heavier duty axles.

bbf-falcon wrote:Also, why a 4x4 in ms.?

I use to buy two wheel drives and always found myself getting stuck. We determined that we will never buy a two wheel drive again.

Definitely need a four wheel drive if I want to have the option of towing my F150 to mud races. Seems like every time I go it rains and the pits become just as nasty as the track! LoL

blown86hallet wrote:this thing is the CHIT!!!

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/5023689350.html

I know a man that has a truck like that except it has a rocket launcher setup. He uses it to haul his drag car and he won't part with it!

When I say rocket launcher I mean like what is in the picture bellow.

bbf-falcon wrote:Also, why a 4x4 in ms.?

I have to switch to 4 high just to tow my boat around the yard after it rains, lol!

Jones - You should be able to find some good used older trucks out there. Gas or diesel would depend on the year IMO. If you can find a good 7.3 then grab it. If not then maybe the gasser is better...

jones wrote:We have the fuel efficient daily drivers and I have a play truck, but we need a reliable tow truck. (It has to be a 4x4 and dually) It is our goal to purchase a fifth wheel camper trailer and gooseneck 40' flat bed trailer to tow my play truck and sxs together.

I hope someone can help me with the weights between the F350-F550? I am thinking F550, 4x4, CC with a heavy flat bed. I have used F350 towing trackhoes and still wasn't that pleased with the emergency stopping. If I'm not mistaken the F550's weigh a great deal more than the F350's. Plus they have a higher ground clearance and heavier duty driveline.

Anyone know of a company that makes a steel tow bed / flat bed for these trucks? I have seen the aluminum tow beds but the more weight I can put on the truck the better it will stop and tow.

Thoughts?

Huge difference between a F350 and a F550 and the price reflects that.
If I could afford it, I would go with the F550 and the V-10 gasser.

Here is a thought, look on truck paper.com for a 4x4 f550. You may have to do some work to spruce it up, but it would be cheaper than buying a fancy one imho

U be looking for one of dim toe trucks?

F350 be all u ned.