Buying a high mileage towing vehicle?

[Ttjumper]

I recently purchased my first trailer, it is a 2 horse bumper pull. The trailer weighs about 2,300LBs empty, and I will mostly be hauling just one horse for short distances.

I am looking at a 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500, it has 190,000 miles on it but has been very well maintained. The truck is priced well for the high mileage. I am basically just looking for a truck that can be used maybe once or twice a month to haul down the road for a trail ride or to a neighboring facility, that type of thing. I would like to upgrade in the future, but just need something to get by with for right now, maybe 2-4 years. Is that type of mileage a bad idea? I know that those 5.3 engines are durable, and I know that the truck will need maintenance of some kind to keep kicking along, but it’s looking like with my budget, this is what I will be able to get. Any thoughts?

[Training_Cupid]

Like with most things, it depends! Personally I wouldn’t go that high; even if the price is right even figuring in additional maintenance I just don’t want to deal with it or have to worry. That being said, I did just buy a Ford Expedition with 120k miles to tow with and occasional driving. My mechanic came with me to look at the vehicle so I felt a little more comfortable making the purchase. 150k would have been the max I considered.

[workin_onit]

I have a 2002 F250 with 92k miles and just drove it to pick up my new horse, 1100 miles round trip. I’ve had to have the entire front end rebuilt in the last couple of years. Things wear out. It is fairly well maintained and it still made me nervous. I had a fresh oil change and coolant flush done, drove like a dream. So it depends

[Guilherme]

That’s really high for a half ton. If the price is right then maybe it’s worth taking the plunge. But find out what a new engine will cost you and have that amount set aside.

G.

[Kmacht]

The engine won’t be the problem. With that mileage and towing the transmission is likely the first thing to go. If you know someone handy with cars, they aren’t that hard to replace and you can buy a used one for a few hundred dollars. If you can’t do it yourself then you are looking at $1500 to $2000 to have a shop replace it. With all things, it may last another 100,000 miles or it may break the first time you tow with it. At a minimum I would bring it somewhere, have them remove the transmission cover, pull the filter and inspect it to see if there is any metal shavings or any other signs of wear.

Keith

[Guilherme]

I agree the transmission will likely go, too. But that doesn’t mean the engine won’t!

Have a reserve for both.

G.

[rothmpp]

Mind you, my tow vehicle is a 2500 diesel, but I’m well over 300k. It does have a new motor and transfer case, but other than that - it is going strong. I tow both my two horse bumper pull and SO’s insane fifth wheel race car trailer (44 feet long tri-axle).

[cutter99]

That is really high mileage for a half ton truck with a gas engine. That is not a lot of money on a diesel, but it is a different story for gas.