I might jump on a nice diesel truck for cheap, 'coz I don't think diesel is gonna be soooo bad forever, and there's the UEO, UVO and biodiesel options. I'm pretty sure I could make a reasonable diesel fuel by cooking up yard waste also. .

Also wouldn't mind if an older truck with a big V8 and carbs dropped in my lap for cheap, can think of 3 or 4 options for running one of those a lot cheaper.

It would be nice to get a deal on either of those and a huge trailer that no-one can afford to tow to go with them.

You may be surprised. Take it to a scale and get the total weight of the trailer + truck, and compare it to the truck's GCWR. I bet it will be over. The tow rating numbers are best-case scenario based on GCWR minus curb weight of a base model (except for trailering equipment) as delivered from the factory.

Also get axle weights and tongue weight...it's likely that one of those items is over.

I've got the 8000lb rating on my 2002 Sierra 1500 4x4 which has the "Handling/trailering suspension package" and "Heavy duty trailering equipment" factory options, but sometimes when I tow my camper which weighs in at 5500 to 6000 pounds I am slightly over my GCWR without much weight in the bed.

If they were stupid enough to buy one in the first place then I doubt it.

Pete

Heh.

I just bought a very clean, very nice, 1988 GMC Suburban for $1000. Cold air, clean inside and out, 454 engine, automatic, towing package, everything but 4-wheel drive.

Of course, it's to use for situations when we need more seat belts than my wife's car has. And for hauling, towing trailers, and going to the beach with too many changes of clothes. (We have me, my wife, 4 girls, 2 boys, I can't win, even the new baby is rumored to be a girl)

If you stand on it, it makes a nice sound. You can also watch the fuel gauge drop if you don't let go. I haven't used even one full tank in it yet, but I'm assuming it will get 10-12mpg, even though the previous owner swears it gets 13mpg while towing a 7000lb camper trailer.

I'll keep looking for a good commuter beater, but for now, my wife's Taurus and this beast will have to do. Good thing I don't work, right?

Nope. I wouldn't own one, of any make, even if I got it as a Christmas present. I have *never* liked SUV's, not even when gasoline actually was cheap. I don't 4-wheel at all, I don't hunt bear, I don't tow a heavy load. There is no practical reason for me to own one, and there are no philosophical reasons for me to own one either. Ergo, no. Just no.

i love the 80,s silverado, 'burbon, blazer (both fullsize blazer and s-10 blazer)

they can tow and stop whatever u put behind em and are huge inside...:D

but new SUV's suck... cramped inside yet still 2 lanes wide outside...

It's the bucket seats and huge wide center consoles. A split bench seat (optional but uncommon) with a nice fold down armrest, or at least wide buckets and a reasonable console might feel a little better. You'd think when they make a huge fat vehicle for the fat general public, they'd give use some butt-room.

My boss wants one...four kids are a tight fit in an '07 Impala and I guess his ball 'n chain wants something bigger. If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy I guess...

ya like i got in a jeep cherokee and was liek wtf my knees are 2 inches from the dash!:mad:

ford explorer 2nd row seats must be ment for kids, felt liek i was sitting on the floor on a 2X4 there was no butt space...

The smaller SUVs were never any good for space utilisation, we used to have an S15 Jimmy and it's amazing what you couldn't get in it. Back seat was very tight, knees to chin, hips to wheelarches, head to roof over bumps... a Ford Escort Wagon feels very spacious after that. However, in it's favor, with the 2.8 and 4 speed auto (2WD), and a rear screen deflector, it's highway mpg wasn't too unreasonable, somewhere around 27-28.