help me pick a truck that suits my needs

[jackal]

ok so i've decided i need a tow vehicle. this truck will be used to pull around my race car. so in general it will need to pull an enclosed trailer, a car, and some tools and spare parts. the catch is that i'm on a fairly tight budget. hopefully only 6 or 7 thousand dollars. also i will be using this truck durring the winter months and in the snow so a 4x4 is a must. i've been shopping around for the last few weeks but i honestly know nothing about trucks as i've been a car guy for ever. i was hoping to get away with a 1/2 tone but not sure if it will be enough for my needs. that being said i have found a number of ram 1500's in my area and in my price range. specifically a 96 1500 w/ tow package however it has 160miles on it. will i be fixing this truck more then my car? any help would be greatly apreciated.

[Stoney]

With your budget limitation, I don't think you will be able to find a 3/4 ton 4X4
that isn't going to need some (major?) work.

[75K30]

I would be very aprehensive about purchasing a 1/2 ton truck to pull an enclosed trailer with a race car, and tools. If you are towing an enclosed trailer big enough to fit a car, then you will be asking a whole bunch from a 1/2 ton truck, even if the trailer is empty, you will be asking a lot from it. Then add the weight of the car, and tools, and gas, and now all of the other stuff that will fit in the trailer that you never took to the track before, because it would not fit, or would blow away on the open trailer, and you have a bunch of weight. More weight than a half ton should be expected to pull, and stop.
I think you can find a 3/4, or 1 ton truck for the money you are budgeted for, it will have to be around 10 years old though, but they are out there. I see mid to later 90's F-250's, and 350's for that kind of money, and owners are pretty eager to get rid of them now that gas prices are over $3.50 per gallon. Might be a good time to find a truck with not so good gas mileage.

[03chevy]

for your needs don't go with a 1/2 ton you will wear it out fast (over work the motor and tranny) i would look for a f250 or f350 with ford or 2500 in chevy they are made to work with little stress. you can look in a truck trader and find them or autotrader.com you may have to travel alittle but you can save some money and the truck you need

[72'CaminoKid]

whatever you get, stay away froma ford with a 6.0 it will do nothing but cost u money