[re_guderian]

I am getting close to getting an off-road pop up, either the Jayco Baja, or the Fleetwood Evolution E3. Unloaded wts are 2200 lbs and ~2950 lbs respectively, with GVWR at 4000 lbs. I won't be maxing them out, but plan on ~3000-3500 lbs loaded for them (water, gas, supplies, junk, etc). I'm pretty sure my '95 80 isn't up to the task, as anywhere I'd to go to the mtns around here is uphill from Phoenix (think 1100 ft elevation to 5000-8000 feet). I'd like to keep this as cheap as possible, so no need for diesel 3/4 ton trucks at $35K+. So here's what I've come up with. What do you think?

Reqmts. Must tow up to 4000 lbs easily up mtn grades. Seating for wife, 2 kids and dog. Total cost under $25K out the door. Still would like to have a wheeling vehicle when all is said and done.

Option #1
Drop $10-11K on my current rig and add a Slee Turbo, plus HG as PM, assorted maintenance, etc. Cost = ~$11K Con - still have 12 yo lifted short wheel base tow vehicle w/ 150K+ on the ticker. Currently, have not re-geared for 255/85's, need's caster correction and a bunch of other stuff.

Option #2
Sell the 80, use the proceeds to buy and early 100/470, and drop ~$5K into making it close to as capable off-road as my current 80 with lift, tires, bumpers, winch, etc. Should be able to tow 3500-4000 lbs easily with the V8. Cost = ~$16K-ish net after selling the 80.

Option #3
Keep the 80 for family wheeling, and buy a Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4x4 used ('05-'06) for towing. Massive interior room, and the V8 should pull fine. Not sure about the Dana 44 rear end for towing? Cost ~$22K ish. Seek marital counseling for having 4 cars, 3 of them "mine". Added Cost = a buttload...

Option #4
????

[Mace]

option #4 buy an older diesel for ~$10,000

Titans are not good tow rigs..

[Shahram]

Take this with a huge grain of salt...

You could buy a smaller (or at least lighter) pop-up, and keep the 80 and use it as your tow rig.

Honestly, you're putting a lot of thought into this, and that's good, but don't overthink it. Do some PM, forget the turbo, etc., then find the right trailer to fit your current rig. Don't get in over your head trying to re-outfit yourself, as I have found that ANY configuration of truck and trailer is its own set of compromises. If you find that you're not happy with a new rig, and a new trailer, and you've put all this investment into it, you're screwed. My brother can attest to this, as he is years from paying off his rigs, and he now wishes he'd have kept it simpler (and a hell of a lot cheaper!).

Have you exhaustively researched the trailers? If you're worried about weight and rough-road capability, have you thought of a hard-sided pop-up, like a Chalet or an Aliner? They make very durable trailers, with much less attached weight for the amount of amenities that they carry.

Your 80, as it is right now (with basic PM), will very capably tow 3,500 lbs. You won't win any races, and you'll get to know the slow lane, but you should be used to that by now!

My advice is to stop, take a breather, step back and assess your situation. We get mod crazy sometimes, and we love our toys. Sometimes, it's healthy to realize what we originally wanted, and where we got sidetracked. Assess your needs, how much you really want to spend, and how you can most simply reconcile those two issues.

Keep it simple.
Keep it simple.
Keep it simple.

Best of luck to you again!

[MJADDICTION]

change the gears in the 80, huge difference in towing ability... and i have a 3FE...

[semlin]

i towed 4500 lbs of boat and trailer from wyoming to vancouver in my 80 and it did remarkably well over lots and lots of mountains. turn off the o/d, turn on the power mode for the ect, make sure you have a good fan clutch and you will be ok towing that weight.

[re_guderian]

Originally Posted by MJADDICTION

change the gears in the 80, huge difference in towing ability... and i have a 3FE...

I think that may be a cheaper path. See below...

Originally Posted by semlin

i towed 4500 lbs of boat and trailer from wyoming to vancouver in my 80 and it did remarkably well over lots and lots of mountains. turn off the o/d, turn on the power mode for the ect, make sure you have a good fan clutch and you will be ok towing that weight.

Right now I'm in power mode with o/d off dropping down to 2nd frequently to keep 55 mph up these hills, with just the truck and a moderate load in it. I have a new blue fan clutch, but in these temps, I still "worry" about overheating. Lots of 5-6% grades for extended length around here.

[Fast Eddy]

Why a popup trailer?

I won't try to talk you out of it, I suppose, but a hitch rack box with a large canvas tent, a couple cots and a camp stove may solve the same problem without the headache of a trailer.

I've had a camp trailer (old 16' Komfort) and a truck camper. Both were a PITA, scary on the road sometimes and mostly took up space when not in use.

Now we always tent camp. The biggest negative of that is loading and unloading at both ends. I have the idea of a receiver-mounted box so I don't have to unload at home.

[Weedhopper]

I like the idea of the $15,000 pickup. Does'nt have to be diesel but you need more power for them hiells! Flats are one thing, but endless hills are going to take a toll on the truck and your blood pressure. Remember you have to stop too. It's nice to have a good solid platform when it comes time for the panic stop.

[re_guderian]

Originally Posted by Shahram

My advice is to stop, take a breather, step back and assess your situation. We get mod crazy sometimes, and we love our toys. Sometimes, it's healthy to realize what we originally wanted, and where we got sidetracked. Assess your needs, how much you really want to spend, and how you can most simply reconcile those two issues.

Keep it simple.
Keep it simple.
Keep it simple.

Best of luck to you again!

Ah... good advice. It's too easy to spend money...

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

Why a popup trailer?

I won't try to talk you out of it, I suppose, but a hitch rack box with a large canvas tent, a couple cots and a camp stove may solve the same problem without the headache of a trailer.

I've had a camp trailer (old 16' Komfort) and a truck camper. Both were a PITA, scary on the road sometimes and mostly took up space when not in use.

Now we always tent camp. The biggest negative of that is loading and unloading at both ends. I have the idea of a receiver-mounted box so I don't have to unload at home.

When I'm by myself, I usually use a cot outside (no tent), or the platform I built for the back of my 80. The popup is mostly mandated by the family, of which I'm the only one with a Y chromosome (including the dang dog).

I'm thinking to give it a go with gears, PM and a good cooling system overhaul and see how it works. My 80 isn't pretty, but I'd hate to give it up, and to have it be able to do both towing and wheeling duties would be ideal (and cheaper).

Thanks all for the input.

[BHMCruiser]

Rule of thumb: everyone who sells their 80 regrets it.

The guy I bought my newest 80 from missed it immediately. His girlfriend actually cried. They had to go buy another one.

Don't sell the 80.

[re_guderian]

Originally Posted by BHMCruiser

Rule of thumb: everyone who sells their 80 regrets it.

The guy I bought my newest 80 from missed it immediately. His girlfriend actually cried. They had to go buy another one.

Don't sell the 80.

Yeah. When I sold my 60 I didn't even last 3 months until I bought the 80. So much for trying to be a 2-car family...

[BHMCruiser]

Originally Posted by re_guderian

Yeah. When I sold my 60 I didn't even last 3 months until I bought the 80. So much for trying to be a 2-car family...

Sell the family. Problem solved.

[cruiser-poor]

Originally Posted by BHMCruiser

Rule of thumb: everyone who sells their 80 regrets it.

The guy I bought my newest 80 from missed it immediately. His girlfriend actually cried. They had to go buy another one.

Don't sell the 80.

All true. Don't sell the old gal. I didn't last 3 months 80-less, either. I'm happy enough with my "new" 80 but now Jay has my damned sliders, OME susp, MT's, etc.

[BHMCruiser]

Originally Posted by cruiser-poor

All true. Don't sell the old gal. I didn't last 3 months 80-less, either. I'm happy enough with my "new" 80 but now Jay has my damned sliders, OME susp, MT's, etc.

I'm so happy that you pulled the old "I don't need these wheels and tires, do you want them?"

Like I told you, I'll trade you straight up.

[Gumby]

My solution.


I needed to tow closer to 7000 lbs. An 80 will tow 3500 with no issues, but don't tell the wife that. Go buy a 5.7L

[Gus]

I'd keep the 80 and add some power and towing goodies. For the money you're talkig about, a diesel conversion can be easily done with plenty extra coin left over for suspension, regearing, etc.

[re_guderian]

Originally Posted by Gumby

My solution.


I needed to tow closer to 7000 lbs. An 80 will tow 3500 with no issues, but don't tell the wife that. Go buy a 5.7L

Sigh. So nice. But so ugly, and so much coin... I can't make myself want to want one. I see them all over the road, and maybe it'll grow on me, but it's just not in the budget for now, more like 2x the max budget almost...

[KLF]

Go buy the trailer. Hitch it to the 80, and try it. See how it feels, pulls, and stops. Then decide.

[JJS]

'91-93 CTD Dodge W250?

[honk]

dodge with camper. Tow the 80.

I'll even sell you the truck/camper: