Tow Truck Shopping Part Deux

[DropTop5.0]

First I had the Caddy. Great car but I kept spending too much money on it and I decided it was not going to be strong enough to pull a thirty foot boat. Then I bought the Duramax dually. It was a low mileage 2006 model but I took it into the dealer one day for a check engine light and they said it needed about $5,000 worth of work. I got a second shops opinion and it was very close to the original so I sold it off to a Caddy dealer and somehow still got $25k for it. That's a funny long story that needs to be told over a beer or two.

So now I'm looking for another tow vehicle. My goal the whole time has been to have a reasonable tow vehicle (not a daily driver) that is comfortable. We like to get around a good bit and 10 hour trips to Kentucky are not uncommon but I don't want to be crippled when I get there. I also want the thing to be reliable. I'm not worried about maintenance costs but I don't want to be fixing things due to age. And I probably need at a 3/4 ton so I can buy a Checkmate 303 on a whim and not worry if I have enough truck to make it up and over some of our little hills here in Appalachia country.

I'm not a Loyalist when it comes to vehicle brands only boats.

My price range is $20k or so. I liked my Duramax but I'm almost scared of the expense of those things and I'm not sure I need that much truck. I like the F150 Ecoboost but I think its out of my price range and then does it really want to tow around 7000 pounds on a regular basis? I've never been much of a Dodge truck fan not because of their motors but what I perceive to be a less comfortable cabin.

So I've been leaning towards a truck similar to what Mr Dream4TA just purchased but with fewer miles. I also don't care about leather but my better half cares about a seat that has infinite position settings because she gets cranky sitting in the saddle too long. That usually leaves me to the higher end packages.

I've been thinking of this little gem and wondered if anyone has any experience with the 8.1 and an Allison 5 speed tranny. I liked the Allison in my Duramax. I'm sure its thirsty but probably isn't any different than the Duramax dollar wise. Hey Ron - What kind of mileage do you get towing your 253 with that 2500 Avalanche? And what speeds do you tow at. I travel down I-81 in Virginia a lot and its only two lanes with a 70 mph speed limit. If you are not doing 70, it gets a little chaotic.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4378214789.htm

l

 

[RNGRDVE]

A lot of truck swapping lately. 6.0 or 8.1 in a hd should pull a 303 obviously the 8.1 will definitely do a better job of it. Personally not a dodge fan but they are rising up in the ranks. As far as the eco boost that wouldn't be a good choice if you want a large boat in the future. It may be rated to tow but you'll spend some money in power and suspension upgrades to handle a large boat.

 

[atc250r]

Problem with the Duramax is stuff like what you experienced which I'm going to bet was a $5000 injector job. I was always a GM guy but when I wanted a diesel pickup I wouldn't settle for anything but a Cummins. I used to joke I bought a Cummins and got a free Dodge but after 15 years a two 2500 Dodges I have to admit those trucks won me over. I'm not looking to start a debate over which is best but I know what I've had fantastic luck with. If you can get a clean, unmolested, and non-abused 5.9 Cummins I would say go for it. If you can live with a manual trans all the better, no trans problems to speak of and don't let anyone fool you, ALL the automatics behind the diesels no matter the manufacturer are marginal for a stock set up and will sh1t the bed if you turn the power up some. I believe the 5.9 was an option up until 2007 and that first year it overlapped with the 6.7 Cummins. The 6.7 is also a decent engine but the emissions it became saddled with caused some problems. Assuming you want a "newer" body style (2003 and up) certain year 5.9's were better than others. If you think you may go that route I'll ask around for you since I'm only familiar with the older, non-computerized ones like my 96.

John

 

[DropTop5.0]

Thanks John, I'm not opposed to a Dodge. Without any experience with them I always kinda felt that a Cummins is probably the best motor made but its stuck in a Dodge. What I mean by that is their trucks are not made all that well. But I think the last five or six years they have come along ways and they look awesome. If you know of a low mileage, Cummins I'd love to try one out. Thanks!!

 

[DropTop5.0]

How about this?
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4403120945.html

 

[atc250r]

Holy restrictive air filter bat man! Cool rig though.

The Dodge has a solid axle up front so it's ia little more truck like than the IFS equipped Chevy. Go into it knowing you may have to put ball joints and tie rods in it but they have updated linkages or you can retrofit the newer ones in to solve that. Personally, I'll put a couple front ends in over engine issues.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

Drop,

I am in class all night and my phone is about dead. Pm me your phine number. Dont be scared of an 8.1, they will get same milage as 6.0 in a 3/4 ton. Awesome engine. Make sure you get 3.73 gears or milage will be a moot point on highway like mine with 4.10 is. Allison makes huge difference. Wish i had one in my Avey.

 

[Problem Child]

Man up and buy a Ram Frd By. Hahahha. Just havin a little fun here. Im a GM kid growing up with every relative. I can think of working there so maybe a little biased but they make a great truck and never had one single issue with any Ram I have owned. Out of 3 I have never once had to get any repairs done , not even a brake job was needed. My 2013 has the most power and fuel economy of 7 new trucks I have bought but I am planning to go Diesel for my next one. We pull a 7500lb travel trailer and are wanting to get a bigger 5th wheel soon . I really like your Duramax and wonder if fixing it would have been the ticket with the low mileage and all. Friends dont let friends drive Fords .

 

[DropTop5.0]

Man up and buy a Ram Frd By. QUOTE]

Ha ha...love it. Back when I got my stang the ole 5.0 would pretty much take out all the competition but I secretly thought the IROC was sexy.

 

[nathan]

I grew up a ford person but now I am all dodge. if you look at used dodges the 2002 to 2005 diesels are the way to go. I hear that a lot of people think the 2007-2010 ram seats are not as comfortable. if I was looking for another truck I would only look at dodge. my 1500 has 170,000 and has needed nothing but brakes, tires and oil changes.

 

[RNGRDVE]

. I can think of working there so maybe a little biased but they make a great truck and never had one single issue with any Ram I have owned. Out of 3 I have never once had to get any repairs done , not even a brake job was needed.

That's because you never keep them long enough to wear anything out.

 

[Problem Child]

Sure. I do. Usually just before they roll 100 k and run out of warranty I trade them in but my everyday driver a 2007 Silverado Shorty has 148k on it and planning on driving it until the wheels fall off. Im getting ready to tune it up ,brakes and fliuds/filters all around. Ive been driving chevy trucks for 26 years and hoping for another 26. Not sure which brand diesel i will buy yet until I go test drive a couple and get a reality check.

 

[82 Predictor]

I have an '01 2500hd crew cab 4x4 with the 8.1l and allison. It tows great and the allison is the key, also the huge torque of the 8.1. Mine has 3.73 gears, straight 3" duals front to rear and a tune. Everyday driving I get between 11 and 12 mpg. Towing a light load is 9-10. Towing the slingshot I get about 7 but I usually tow 70-75mph. I'm rolling up on 180k miles, runs great, rotted to hell though (ny truck), I picked it up for a whole $4500 and put 10k on it in the last 8 months (almost all towing the slingshot or vehicles for my business)

I would not tow a 303 with a 1/2 ton truck. I had a 253 I towed with my 1500 5.3 chevy and that is about all I would want to tow with that rig. The 3/4 ton chassis just handles the load so much better. I also had a 2004.5 duramax crew that was awesome that I sold a few years back when i sold the 253. That towed great, mileage towing 253 was about 14 or so. Unloaded I got about 17-18 mpg. When looking for another truck I too was worried about huge repair bills (and i own a shop) and the extra cost of the dmax I felt wasn't worth it.

To give you some idea of how long the gms run, I just looked at an 02 2500hd 6.0L with 410,000 miles on it. Shes tired but still runs and drives. We think nothing of selling a newer silverado with 200k on it anyore, just getting broken in!

 

[keith4216]

Whats a 303 weight?

 

[DropTop5.0]

Thanks 82! I appreciate your feedback.

Iboats has the weight listed at 6500 dry.

 

[RNGRDVE]

I believe iboats is lying or that weight doesn't include the power. I would guess a 303 with power and a trailer is going to be around 10k.

 

[RNGRDVE]

I would not tow a 303 with a 1/2 ton truck. I had a 253 I towed with my 1500 5.3 chevy and that is about all I would want to tow with that rig.

I towed a 38' fountain with my 1/2 ton chev with a 5.3, it did the job but I wouldn't recomend it. The fountain owners tow vehicle was in the shop and he needed it out of the water. Thnakfully only had about a 2 miles drive from the ramp to his place.

 

[corey331]

I pull my 253 with an 03 Silverado SS, and it really does great. The extra power from the 6.0 is nice, the AWD is perfect on mossy ramps and the upgraded brakes are a BIG help. And there is no doubt in my mind that the truck COULD pull a 303, but not sure that I would want to through the mountains and what not. Mostly because of the short wheelbase, I would be afraid a boat that size would push the truck all over the place. With that being said, I am kind of halfway looking for a new truck right now. I love my SS, but with the twins, a crew cab would be really nice. I have looked at two 8.1 Chevy's. One 2500 short bed, and an Avalanche. Tons of power, but with it being my daily driver, the mpg's made me say no. So I am almost 99% sure that my next truck is going to be a Cummins, or possibly a Dodge 1500 Mega Cab with the Hemi. I have been doing a ton of research and that dodge Hemi is just about the most reliable motor out there, and nobody can argue with the reputation for the cummins.

 

[ckaluger]

Well I towed my brand new 1978 Vmate ll with a 200 Johnson back in the day the 1 mile to the boat ramp with my 1978 Chevy Chevette. The little Iron Duke 4 cylinder was like a tractor motor. Anyway for what it's worth, one of my old friends that owns a very successful excavating company and is a Chevy freak, has Chevelles, Camaros, Vettes, two Escalades and an Impala SS, drives exclusively Dodge Cummins diesels. Now this did not come easy to him and it took years of failed Chevy trucks. Prior to that his trucks of choice were older Chevys that he custom built with one ton chasses, and local speed shop built big blocks. Another choice would be a Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 o believe, another local gent has a Baja 30 footer with twin 454's and he liked the Tundra. And I don't think a 78 Chevette would work!!

 

[Gimme Fuel]

The Tundra's are gas pigs when towing. There is a reason the pro walleye tournament guys ditched them after sponsorships and wen back to suburbans.