I've decided to buy a used pickup that I will use for mixed personal and business use. I went to look at one last night, a Ram Quad Cab. I noticed two small holes under the front bumper. I looked under and there are metal square brackets I believe welded to the frame. I mentioned to the guy there that I believe the truck was used for plowing. He said no, those were for towing. Uh, I am no expert with trucks but towing what? I still believe they are supports for a plow. I decided to pass on this truck anyway, but want to know for future knowledge as I look at trucks if this is indeed supports for a plow. This is the truck and you can see where the holes are in the picture:

 

If it was towed behind something, say an RV, you would need pretty much the same holes to strap on a plow as you would a tow bar.

 

Pri-tards..They will find you.

 

:Ib4movetocartalk:

 

Congrats on looking for a used truck. I often wonder about people that spend $35K to $45K on a new truck and can't use it as a truck because of the scratches and bent metal.

I have a 1994 Ram (faded, broken dash), and I don't have to worry about door dings.

Given your question of the front hooks, I don't think they are made for a plow. I think it a way to hook chains to pull or to tie down to a flatbed towtruck.

 

I haven't bought new in probably 10 years or longer. I bought my van for under $4000 as a matter of fact, and it has full power everything, A/C, full lockable bins in the back. I get typically between 3-5 years before I look for something else. Although I am keeping the van and looking to add the truck.

I am still passing on that green truck. It has a LOT of scratches all around, made a funny noise during slow acceleration, and I had no records on it. I do like the look of the Rams and the interior space just feels more spacious then what Chevy and Ford offers.

 

Another possibility is the truck was indeed used for towing a boat or travel trailer. What? From the front? Yep. I've seen setups as you mentioned where a hitch can easily be installed from the front. It's designed as a quick release setup. When launching or retrieving a boat from a lake ramp, it's often easier to go nose in first to place the trailer in the water. Others find it easier to shuttle a trailer around the yard or campground if hitched from the front.

Try to find a Chevrolet with a Vortech 5.3. Best. Truck. Ever. Fact.

 

Fixed for ya, Terry. :wink:

 

Is Toyota a possibility? What about diesel? Better MPGs, but the global demand has seemed to drive up prices. My dad has 2000 Ram with the 5.9 I6 Cummins Turbo and upgraded leaf springs(?). I believe he is into the 230k mi range and has only replaced the clutch and an A/C switch. He beats the shit out of that truck and it keeps going.

 

I'm with 007... Toyota or Diesel here too.

I will never sell my 92 Yota.

 

Well I have two issues. One is legitimate and one is just me being plain stupid. While I would actually like a diesel, the cost of them is pretty high to buy. Even on the used market, they are thousands more then a gas version. I am looking in the $10,000 and under range most likely, and I have yet to find a decent diesel truck in that range yet.

As for the Toyota, I have two issues. One, they too are hard to come by a decent one in the price range I am looking for. Two, for some reason, I look at the Toyota and Nissan offerings and I always think to myself, those aren't real trucks. I KNOW this is stupid, but I just get this feeling. I don't love the look of either of them and just don't see myself driving one. It doesn't mean they aren't good trucks, just not my taste.

 

The price excuse is fair for both cases. I know little about Nissan reliability. I also no little about Toyota power if that's what constitutes a truck to you. However, if an automobile that has a bed is a truck, then Toyota trucks are practically indestructible. That's the reason for the suggestion. Still, if it can't be had for your budget, then it is what it is.

 

find a toyota with a wooden bed.

 

Agree with Terry, get the Vortec, it blows away everything.

 

Those holes arent for a plow, they look like they are for the tow bars for behind a RV. Most snow plow mounts dont require cutting and if they did they would be much larger than those.

As for trucks, Especially used and in your price range i would look at one of the big 3 manufacturers.