[Joe Dillard]

Seems this is the logical place to post pics and a description of our tow rigs. I have had a few of them over the years but this is my most recent. I have had it since late September of '07. So far, I have been happy with it and hope to get many years of good use from it.

It's an '07 3500 5.9L CTD, Mega Cab, 4x4 SLT, with the auto tranny. I bought it late in the year, but they still had plenty of 5.9's available and they were dealing heavily on them so it was hard to pass one up.

I had the dealer install factory electric tow mirrors, and a rear electric sliding window as part of my purchase. They installed those items a couple weeks after I got it because they needed to order the parts, so not all the pics reflect that.

I installed an electrical brake controller, camper frame mounted tie-ins, Lance camper electrical harness, rear air bags, and a Titan Class V tow hitch.

Anyway, please feel free to post up info about your tow rig.

[73_cj_project]

My current tow rig is also my work truck/DD. It's an '88 K2500 with a 5.7L gas motor. I've had it since November 2004. Since then I've put a Posi-lok cable for the 4wd, an electric brake controller, added a toolbox and replaced all the front suspension parts, as well as had the tranny rebuilt. It now has 232k miles on it, and still runs strong. The engine was rebuilt at 200k miles right before I bought it. It is getting tired of towing my Jeep since the Jeep has grown, but still manages. I want a diesel tow rig badly, so that'll be my next purchase. Here are a few pics of her.







Here are some more recent ones. The Jeep actually just got bigger tires too, those are the 46s in this picture, it has some 52s now :D









Gus

[TallJeep]

Here is mine, is also my daily driver.
2005 Ford Excursion, V-10 (yes no diesel, no V-8) 5" of lift, tiny 33" tires.

[Jack H]

I don't need no stinkin tow rig. I drive my Jeep everywhere. Of course I can't afford one either.

[Joe Dillard]

Jack H, on Feb 14 2008, 11:05 PM, said:

I don't need no stinkin tow rig. I drive my Jeep everywhere. Of course I can't afford one either.

I have done the same many times too.

Those are some nice rigs!

[Jim B]

Well my first was a full size chevy van (no pics), I barely made it back so then I got a 2001 WJ V8 4wheel. Still have this but I only towed one year with it.

Than I got an F250 Diesel:



I sold the F250 and got a thing called Winnebago:
You can see it behind my rig. I was traveling a bit all over at least 4 times a year and a couple of times I took off for 2 months with the family when the kids were smaller.



Now the kids are in school, the War Dept is finishing up her career and I'm not traveling for now due to work ethics.

I sold the RV, still have the WJ but I'm in the market for a new Tow Rig.

[Joe Dillard]

I know what you have been going thru Jim. I have bought & sold in different phases & for different reasons too.

I started out with a temporary tow rig. It was a brand new '02 WJ with lots of bells & whistles that I used to tow my YJ basically around the neighborhood. I never actually used it to tow my YJ to the trails.

I then bought my 2wd '03 2500 Ram Quad Cab Hemi. I kept that truck for ~5.5 years and towed cross country with it a number of times.

In the mean time, I also bought a ~30' Class A RV. I towed with the truck sometimes and the RV sometimes.

Being a single guy and no longer taking my kids with me wheelin' - I really didn't need the space the RV had, so I sold it and put a camper on the 2500. Best decision I could had made given I didn't need the space of the RV, extra insurance, registration, smog, a place to park it, cleaning, maintenance, etc.

The 2500 Ram was a good truck overall - but I wanted something more suitable for the long haul. That's when the 3500 CTD was considered and purchased.

Jim, maybe you're looking to go Ford again. I don't know, but since you're in the market, and as a heads-up, there have been some problems with the newer '07+ 6.9L CTD's. Mostly emissions related stuff. Mine is an '07, but I got the 5.9L CTD knowing of the problems. Both engines were available in '07. The '08's all have the 6.7L CTD's.

[BustedKnuckl]

I wish I had the room and a few extra bucks for an old beater with a decent trailer.

But you guys got me thinking, I started looking up quotes for such a set up from UHual, and came to a rather alarning conclusion..

Uhual does not let you reserve both a pickup truck and a auto transport!

[92SquareEye]

when i hydro-locked then engine out in bear island and had to leave it out there, i went through the whole u-haul experience. you cannot rent a truck and a tow dolly unless it is a one-way move and you rent the big moving truck. they would rent me a pick-up truck or a van, but not a tow dolly...and vice versa. also, there's no way to fit 33" tires (or larger) on the tow dolly and safely lock em down. we bought a 13 year old pick up with 150k on it with the idea that we could haul a bunch of sheet rock and lumber for the home projects we have going on. even after fixing the a/c and the power windows, we still have less than $2k in it and it's already towed arnold several places...

-dave

[Jim B]

Joe Dillard, on Feb 15 2008, 08:18 PM, said:

Jim, maybe you're looking to go Ford again. I don't know, but since you're in the market, and as a heads-up, there have been some problems with the newer '07+ 6.9L CTD's. Mostly emissions related stuff. Mine is an '07, but I got the 5.9L CTD knowing of the problems. Both engines were available in '07. The '08's all have the 6.7L CTD's.

Thanks for the heads up Joe. I'm going to follow the other Topic just posted about "Diesel Or Not".

Until I'm able to travel again I'm going to sit and wait to see what is out there, I'm in no hurry right now. You might want to follow that other topic. I have to make sure that when my family is able to travel I still have some room, at least adequate anyway.

I was going to ask a few but I'll go to the other topic so as not to hijack this one.

[gmarton]

I have a 85 cj7 to pull the 77:

But for long distance I take wife's rig:

[JeepinIan]

gmarton, on Apr 16 2008, 08:12 PM, said:

I have a 85 cj7 to pull the 77:

Damn that looks dangerous. Both rigs are abouit the same weight, now add the trailer. Can you say sway? I know as I have flat-towed a full sizer Chevy 4WD truck w/ my CJ from daytona to Miami, and experience I never want to duplicate.

[73_cj_project]

Actually with the CJ pulling the CJ it doesn't ride too bad, we're driving through town for most of the ride and seldom get past 40 mph, so it's a slow steady pull. And nothing like having another CJ to go rescue the first one when you get it good and stuck Although I think a lot of how something rides has to do with the trailer, mine rides like a cadillac, must be the hubcaps :D But having it properly loaded, strapped down, and the proper amount of tongue weight and balance is key. But I sure can't wait to get a diesel and a bigger trailer for my next rig, the Jeep has nearly outgrown the truck, thank goodness for trailer brakes

[TombRaiderTim]

I towed to Tellico like this last October. It was a little swirrly. But I was going like 65-70. I towed a few weeks ago like this to Hard rock in Ocala doing 55-60 and it pulled great.


1998 Grand Cherokee (I6)


One weekend ill actually do the write up on the whole set up of the flat towing. From the install of the Tranny cooler to the custom hook up of the tow bar.

[JeepNWilly]

here is the tow rig for my CJ5

[73_cj_project]

Sinister you're right, it would be heavy to take out and play in the mud. Really the only diesels that are out playing in the mud are the huge trucks on Chuck's Trucks website and those ones are even few and far between. And they usually have built 2.5 ton axles with huge swamp buggy sized tires. My buddy just finished building one with a cummins in it. and it's got 23.1-26 rice and canes on it, about 63" tall, 24" wide tires :D

[CaptainCody]

Nice one 73....

[offroadpete]

wow sinister i just saw your truck 30 minutes ago on coral way and 150th ave, right at the stop sign where there the semi had to make a left. i was the tiny blue scooter with the bobble head helmet coming towards you. This truck must be scene in person to be appreciated it, forget the pics....

[Dome]

white elephant, Yes its a deisel.
Joe Dillard, Tim is the kid I'm Steve. Tim is using His name --Tim-- now so we don't get mixed up.

[Joe Dillard]

Dome, on Sep 18 2008, 03:02 PM, said:

white elephant, Yes its a deisel.
Joe Dillard, Tim is the kid I'm Steve. Tim is using His name --Tim-- now so we don't get mixed up.

Howdy Steve. Sorry about that. Tell Tim I said hi, will ya'.

Hope to see you guys in Moab in May!

Updated pics:

[Jim B]

Joe Dillard, on Feb 19 2009, 01:20 AM, said:

Joe,

Is this an aluminum trailer or did you just painted gray

[Joe Dillard]

Jim B, on Feb 19 2009, 09:15 AM, said:

Joe,

Is this an aluminum trailer or did you just painted gray

Hi Jim,

Naw, it's steel & rattle can white.

[Monster76]

and there is my cargo

[Bevis]

2004 F350, 6 speed Manual Shift, ARP Head studs put in last May. Runs great with a 18' trailer
loaded.

[Dome]

My set up ready to head out Ouray Co.

Truck, Camper & Jeep

[Jim B]

Here is my new setup. Had a Van with trailer, had a Ford350 with trailer, bought a bed camper, sold all got an RV with Trailer, sold it, and now this is my LAST setup.

Joe, remember this post on page one a while back Got the 2500 Ram 2005.

Joe Dillard, on Feb 15 2008, 08:18 PM, said:

I know what you have been going thru Jim. I have bought & sold in different phases & for different reasons too.

I started out with a temporary tow rig. It was a brand new '02 WJ with lots of bells & whistles that I used to tow my YJ basically around the neighborhood. I never actually used it to tow my YJ to the trails. I then bought my 2wd '03 2500 Ram Quad Cab Hemi. I kept that truck for ~5.5 years and towed cross country with it a number of times. In the mean time, I also bought a ~30' Class A RV. I towed with the truck sometimes and the RV sometimes. I really didn't need the space the RV had, so I sold it and put a camper on the 2500. Best decision I could had made given I didn't need the space of the RV, extra insurance, registration, smog, a place to park it, cleaning, maintenance, etc.

Jim, maybe you're looking to go Ford again. I don't know, but since you're in the market, and as a heads-up, there have been some problems with the newer '07+ 6.9L CTD's. Mostly emissions related stuff. Mine is an '07, but I got the 5.9L CTD knowing of the problems. Both engines were available in '07. The '08's all have the 6.7L CTD's.

Below is Bch4x4Cop with his truck and double goose that we share to save on fuel. Now we have a back up truck as well.

[Jim B]

Nice, make sure you do not put any stress on the trany as the trailer tries to move forward when you are loading.

I have a dove by mine seems to be a bit low on dip entrances for gas stations, etc. I take them sideways and it helps.

[Dome]

I put in 4 low (4 to1 t case) lock the rear and let it load it self. Not much stress going on. Good to know info though for thoughs that have to goose it a bit to get up on the dove tail.

[Krocker]

wonderful!I'm not yet onto that...but this gives me idea...

[Joe Dillard]

After installing a different front axle in my POS YJ, I was concerned if it would still fit on my trailer which is 84" between the wheel wells and side rails.

Well, it *barely* squeezes onto it with very little room to spare. The tires slightly rub the sides where they balloon out at the bottom, but I can live with that.

I suppose if anything, the side rails will help it from side-to-side motion.