need opinions please tow truck

**corycouch** · 01-03-2012, 08:05 PM

good evening everyone, we have been getting more and more cars 2 this week so far. i have an extra truck dodge 2500 cummins 5 speed long bed there is a cl add in my area for a holmes 480 bed. i am very mechanical inclined but have never operated a tow truck we use a 18ft car hauler with a 8000 warn winch and a 16 utility witha 2000 winch now. i know i will be able to get in tighter places the add says it has two winches wondering what the 2nd is for, and also any extra uses any of you have come across other than towing vehicles. in reality we are getting by just fine now but just curious to all the advantages. plus is this even a good deal????? thanks very much in advance cory couch
http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/pts/2736777114.html

edit also is my truck even heavy duty enough for this???

**Ptscrapper** · 01-03-2012, 08:14 PM

So you call that a tow truck? Maybe im just uninformed but 1500 seems like too much!

**KzScrapper** · 01-03-2012, 08:21 PM

I know nothing about tow trucks but what I do know, anything that can pay for itself in a few months and make me money after that puts a smile on my face. Keep in mind $1500 is the asking price, not necessarily what he will settle for.

**Mick** · 01-03-2012, 08:22 PM

Yeah, for $1500, I'd hold out for a rollback. With this (if it's working), the car has to be "tow-able" (two good wheels and tires) and have a light hookup.

Truthfully, from what I see there, I wouldn't pay more than a $500. And then hope the winches work.

**corycouch** · 01-03-2012, 08:31 PM

thanks very much guys you saved me a phone call

kinda dissappointed i like new toys

**corycouch** · 01-03-2012, 08:34 PM

Mick would my 3/4 ton be heavy enough if i ever find one in the right price range?

**IdahoScrapper** · 01-03-2012, 08:37 PM

I am not sure if a 2500 is strong enough. Not to say they don't exist, but I have never seen a tow truck that was not a dual wheel.

With the wheel lift you're leveraging against the rear axle. I'd want no less than a 1 ton dual setup, plus the truck has to have stopping power for truck and vehicle being towed. Whereas your trailer has brakes.

I am with Mick. Go with a rollback. Then if you come across something with flat tires, missing tires, etc you can still haul it.

On a side note you can move storage sheds on the side for extra $.

**Mick** · 01-03-2012, 08:44 PM

I'd say so. The only weight would be the hoist and the front of the towed car. I pull more weight than that on the trailer. I've seen 1/2 tons used as wreckers, but I wouldn't try it.

**Mick** · 01-03-2012, 08:47 PM

On second thought, I'd agree with IdahoScrapper. It COULD work, but I wouldn't recommend it. A one ton dually would be better.

**IdahoScrapper** · 01-03-2012, 08:52 PM

Now you got me wantin' one!

Overkill? Nah.

**corycouch** · 01-03-2012, 08:54 PM

lol i wanted to get in tighter places

sad to say i dont have a 1 ton

**Mick** · 01-03-2012, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Now you got me wantin' one!

Overkill? Nah.

No. That's my next "scrapping tool".

**Ptscrapper** · 01-03-2012, 09:05 PM

Those trucks charge no less than $250 to hook up to your vehicle, but it would be an incredible money maker.

**PartTimeScrapper** · 01-03-2012, 10:09 PM

If I was going to add a towing package to my tuck this is what I would get.
http://liftandtow.com/products.html
That way I dont loose my bed. Granted its not cheap but hey it works slick.

**Mechanic688** · 01-03-2012, 10:24 PM

Those trucks charge no less than $250 to hook up to your vehicle,

Around this area those semi haulers charge $500. to just start them up.
You could get a dual conversion for your 2500 that way you have 4 tires taking the load, just add a fender extender, kinda like the older Dodge duallies had on them.

**IdahoScrapper** · 01-03-2012, 10:27 PM

Slick indeed.

**Mechanic688** · 01-03-2012, 11:02 PM

That lil rascal would pay for itself in no time just hauling them to the yard, and have another guy out lining them up. You could do up to 10 a day that way,

**Focker** · 01-04-2012, 01:13 AM

Ok Cory that wrecker bed you where looking at was junk i wouldn't give $300 for that junk.You dont want a under the bumper lift they are junk and cost a lot of money.Plus what they dont tell you is you have to have your frame reinforced or it will bend it and thats not good.So stay away from them.

This is what i have in the bed of my 1994 Dodge ram 2500 Cummins Automatic.

You can stack stuff on it and haul whatever just put your tailgate back on.I have hauled close to 1200+ cars with mine.

**CollinsHaulin** · 01-04-2012, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Mick

Yeah, for $1500, I'd hold out for a rollback. With this (if it's working), the car has to be "tow-able" (two good wheels and tires) and have a light hookup.

Truthfully, from what I see there, I wouldn't pay more than a $500. And then hope the winches work.

Rollbacks are $1500 out there? I've never seen one here for less than $4000, most are 6-12k

**corycouch** · 01-04-2012, 07:28 AM

Focker, do you have model number or brand for that and general price range?? my tailgaits out of it anyway

1st load of ibeams i got spread my bed bout 3 inches and bowed the gait so i just took it out

i want to thank everyone for their comments, concerns, and advice. like i said in the opening post we are getting by now actually with no problems other than dead end roads narrow drivesways or no driveways at all. we are pretty good at guessing weights and usually clear 75 to 150 per car before we cash in our radiators batteries cats wheels and anything else we take off the vehicle(stock this stuff up). we are interested in one but 1500 would have been in our price range and we could be in the clear after about 10 to 15 cars i just didnt know it wasnt worth it. im gonna keep on looking and am open to anymore ideas anyone may have. thanks again very much for all comments so far cory couch

need opinions please tow truck

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