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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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Looking for someone to tow a truck from BA to San Diego
I posted this today at Race-Dezert hoping to find someone with a flat bed trailer looking to make some money and eat some fish tacos. I appreciate
your help!
Hi All,
Friends of mine came down to Baja for vacation and ended up having turbo injection problems. After going through 5 or so mechanics in Santa Rosalia,
Vizcaino, and Bahia Asuncion, none could fix the problem. We have been looking at options to get the truck back to San Diego and are hoping someone
here would like to help (for pay of course).
The truck is an 8-foot extended cab F-250 pickup with a pop-up camper. I estimate truck at 5,800 pounds and caravan at 1,000 pounds. We are flexible
on timing. Also, Matt, the owner, is available to come down and travel with the truck.
We do have a local that is willing to tow the truck to TJ but it's not an ideal situation. If you are interested, please let me know.
Zac
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mjs
Nomad
Posts: 305
Registered: 2-20-2013
Location: Off grid in San Felipe
Member Is Offline
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Year, gas or diesel, 4x4? Model of camper?
I have a hauler but I'm concerned that the truck and camper may exceed the weight and possibly length. You can usually me if you want. I've got some
commitments so there would be a delay.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Quote: Originally posted by mjs  | Year, gas or diesel, 4x4? Model of camper?
I have a hauler but I'm concerned that the truck and camper may exceed the weight and possibly length. You can usually me if you want. I've got some
commitments so there would be a delay. |
Time is not a big deal. Truck is a diesel and is 4x4. The link has a picture of the truck.
https://www.race-dezert.com/forum/threads/looking-for-a-tow-...
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17332
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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Lots of towing companies in TJ-Ensenada area. Many advertise they can tow across border.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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mjs
Nomad
Posts: 305
Registered: 2-20-2013
Location: Off grid in San Felipe
Member Is Offline
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I looked up the specs for a 2004 truck (just a wag on my part). Truck weight 6200 lbs. And 172" wheelbase. Hawk Four-wheel camper 1800 lbs wet.
Granted these are just estimates. Reason I asked is because my 97 ford pu was close to 7k without a camper.
Anyways it looks like with the camper it is over the weight rating of my trailer. You're probably going to have to find someone with a 10k rated
trailer. Maybe a commercial trucker with a flatbed going north could get it to a dealer in Ensenada or Mexicali.
Wish I had a better solution. Best of luck.
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boe4fun
Super Nomad
Posts: 1040
Registered: 1-22-2006
Location: Margaritaville
Member Is Offline
Mood: Circling the drain........
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Hola Zac,
I’ll be back in BA next week, may be able to help, but the owner will have to rent/purchase a tow dolly or a tow bar (and I’ll have to find the
specs on my GMC for towing). We’ll talk when I get back. In La Paz til the 14th for our clinic. Paul.
Two dirt roads diverged in Baja and I, I took the one less graveled by......
Soy ignorante, apático y ambivalente. No lo sé y no me importa, ni modo.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9006
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Whether that truck is a 4x4 or only 2wd COULD be important, if someone is considering towing it "four down". I cant really tell from the pic or post.
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surfhat
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 6-4-2012
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A few decades ago when I broke down near GN, I found a local lumber yard supplier whose large flatbed truck had just unloaded and was going back north
with an empty truck.
It was an adventure riding for the first time in a big semi truck hauler.
I cannot recall how much it was for a ride back near the border, but it was worth every peso. Loading and unloading was a story of its own.
On a narrow steep mountain pass, we came upon another hauler that both trucks had to literally crawl past each other with inches to spare.
Anyway, check with some local suppliers and see if they have any trucks headed back north, since they are usually empty and could appreciate a little
extra dough. Worked for me when I needed it.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64488
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Matt = elgatoloco?
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17332
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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Gruas Transformex USA /MEX 6641997113
You best measure length of vehicle and get weight identified before calling for tow - sounds like a long, heavy load. Tower may have to look around
for appropriate transport.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 4969
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: INTP-A
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| Quote: Originally posted by surfhat | A few decades ago when I broke down near GN, I found a local lumber yard supplier whose large flatbed truck had just unloaded and was going back north
with an empty truck.
It was an adventure riding for the first time in a big semi truck hauler.
I cannot recall how much it was for a ride back near the border, but it was worth every peso. Loading and unloading was a story of its own.
On a narrow steep mountain pass, we came upon another hauler that both trucks had to literally crawl past each other with inches to spare.
Anyway, check with some local suppliers and see if they have any trucks headed back north, since they are usually empty and could appreciate a little
extra dough. Worked for me when I needed it. |
In transportation circles (at least in the USA), this is called a "backhaul". There are companies that specifically seek only (or mostly) backhaul
transport opportunities, as the rates tend to be significantly lower.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backhaul_(trucking)
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting:
https://www.regionalinternet.com |
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
4-8-2022 at 10:06 AM |
Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by mjs | I looked up the specs for a 2004 truck (just a wag on my part). Truck weight 6200 lbs. And 172" wheelbase. Hawk Four-wheel camper 1800 lbs wet.
Granted these are just estimates. Reason I asked is because my 97 ford pu was close to 7k without a camper.
Anyways it looks like with the camper it is over the weight rating of my trailer. You're probably going to have to find someone with a 10k rated
trailer. Maybe a commercial trucker with a flatbed going north could get it to a dealer in Ensenada or Mexicali.
Wish I had a better solution. Best of luck. |
Would it work without the camper? That's definitely an option.
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4323
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
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Hey sports fans - been out of my mind and off grid for a bit............
Some more info on rig:
18.5 feet long and 7,100 pounds is what I have come up (kayaks will come off for trip north)
1999 F-250 Super Cab 4x4 8' Bed
5,800 pounds curb weight
https://curbweights.com/ford/f-250/1999/
2001 Four Wheel Pop Up Camper - 1,300 pounds dry
Consulted with 4 Wheel rep about what options we have and was told that rigs weighed less back when we bought ours then they are today
As a side note we had a great time on our trip right up to and even after the breakdown. We started with a great whale experience and ended with the
best pizza in Baja at a very exclusive by invitation only joint in BA.
Big thanks to Zac and familia for helping us lick our 'wounds' and for getting us back stateside.
Any ideas or tips are welcome.
Mateo
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8804
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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matt...you need to take a long look at this...forget your love for this truck
your repair will cost 3k to 8k in the usa
ask around
the truck is worth 3k to 6k
its an OLD truck (23 yrs old)
is it really worth the money to tow it north and repair it
its time to get a new truck for baja
put the camper on the new truck
end the pain
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64488
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | matt...you need to take a long look at this...forget your love for this truck
your repair will cost 3k to 8k in the usa
ask around
the truck is worth 3k to 6k
its an OLD truck (23 yrs old)
is it really worth the money to tow it north and repair it
its time to get a new truck for baja
put the camper on the new truck
end the pain
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But, that truck is famous! It must be saved... See it in 2001, at Minute 9:43 and on, in the Matomí Movie by El Camote: https://vimeo.com/206406826/a08c7cb808
(if it isn't the same truck, then never mind, LOL)
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 634
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | matt...you need to take a long look at this...forget your love for this truck
your repair will cost 3k to 8k in the usa
ask around
the truck is worth 3k to 6k
its an OLD truck (23 yrs old)
is it really worth the money to tow it north and repair it
its time to get a new truck for baja
put the camper on the new truck
end the pain
|
Have you paid attention to the used market for 4x4 trucks with the 7.3 Powerstroke diesel engine? That engine is out of production engine and now
highly coveted. Seems to me that that asking prices are $20K. That's for an old truck with a quarter million miles.
His truck probably has another 10 years of life remaining. And a great rig for Baja; no worries about a scratch or dent.
Now, price out a new F250 4x4 diesel Supercab and get back to us. Guessing $60K after taxes and registration.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8804
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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it doesnt run
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4323
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | matt...you need to take a long look at this...forget your love for this truck
your repair will cost 3k to 8k in the usa
ask around
the truck is worth 3k to 6k
its an OLD truck (23 yrs old)
is it really worth the money to tow it north and repair it
its time to get a new truck for baja
put the camper on the new truck
end the pain
|
Bob, there you go being all pragmatic. 
What you say has merit, however there is more to consider:
I haven't had a car payment since 2001
Engine only has 380,000 miles on it and when the wife saw me shell out 30K for it I had to promise to get 500,000 miles so there's that
I don't want a new pickup truck
The camper has a resale value above what we actually paid for it in 2001
In a year or so I may very well sell it as a package and buy one of those Sprinter / Transit vans that we saw clogging the beaches of Bahia Concepcion
last month
Did I mention that its a company car equipped with a demo unit for a product I sell and was originally purchased as a mobile sales office and still
used as such to this day 23 years later? It might be that the corporation will pay for the repair. 
All that being said, you never know.
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8804
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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you are making this way too complicated...
buy a tow bar (under $200) in the usa
you will need it later when the old truck breaks again
bring another truck down and tow yours back
make sure you have aux lights for the old truck tow
you are only 12 hours away...one weekend and its back home
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17332
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | you are making this way too complicated...
buy a tow bar (under $200) in the usa
you will need it later when the old truck breaks again
bring another truck down and tow yours back
make sure you have aux lights for the old truck tow
you are only 12 hours away...one weekend and its back home |
Do not recommend flat towing a big truck with a similar-weight truck. Your braking ability will be scary reduced.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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