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New tow vehicle help

To: vintage-race@autox.team.net
Subject: New tow vehicle help
From: Brian Evans <brian@uunet.ca>
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2000 14:58:48 -0500
I'm looking for advice about what kind of tow vehicle to get next.  I've 
been very happily using a 1997 Chev C1500 pickup for the past few years, 
but it's coming off lease next month and I think I want to make a change 
rather than spend $20K CDN to buy the thing off lease.

While the pickup - top of the line Silverado, all the toys, three doors, 
rear jump seat, short bed with cap, 350 engine, etc, has been a great tow 
unit, it has two draw backs that are assuming greater weight in my 
mind.  First, I just got back from a 2400 mile trip with two passengers - 
and I'm reliably told that the rear seat was less than satisfactory.  So I 
want to get something with four doors and real seating for at least four 
normally sized people, so that I can try to get some crew to come to the 
races with me.  Second (I must be finally growing up or something) I want 
to be a tad more fiscally responsible.  So where in the past I might have 
just called up the dealer and told him to warm up the papers on the 
Suburban of his choice, I now want to get into a vehicle that has a few 
miles on it (used, in other words).

I'm thinking of two primary options.  First, a full sized van of some 
sort.  Seating for a lot, cargo capacity, towing capacity is all good, and 
they seem to be available locally.  What I don't know is how they really do 
as race vehicles, and as a "get to the train in the morning" sort of daily 
driver.  Second (first choice in the SWMBO stakes) is a BOB.  A BOB is a 
Big Old 'Burban, for those who don't know, and is a pre-91 Suburban with 
the old '80's style chassis and body.

Advice and other options are solicited.  In both cases I'm thinking of up 
to about 10 - 12 years old and 60 - 100K miles.  What do we all 
think?  Other factors to consider are that I've only put 20K miles on the 
truck in three years, my total load (towed and carried) going to race is 
about 6000 Lbs, trailer is a 20' box.

Thanks much, Brian

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