need different truck.

[kydonky]

Now Now guys,,I haven`t got the kind of money to but one of them Yota`s anyway,,,chevys are high enought. I `m trying to stay under 7-8k if that much. Just need a truck JUST to pull my boat,,Don`t need anything fancy,,but got to get something,,,my Durango has 240k on her,,been a great truck and going to keep her,,got a motorcyle to ride in the summer,,,LOL..love that 40-50 mph..

I have a 1985 GM K2500, bought it as a lease turn in in 1987. Use it on the farm now. I have had this truck for almost 24 years. In 08 I bought a new to me 2006 sierra 1500 4x4. I use it to tow my boat and as my primary transportation. No complaints what so ever. Have towed from St Joe Mich. Springfield Mo. Huntsville Al, Huntington Va. Really a good truck.

The reason I did not trade that 85 as a clunker was it is the best farm truck. The new truck for some reason will not drive through a barbed wire fence. The gas pedal will not engage when I get to the barbed wire (or just a thick briar patch in the back 40). The old 85 gos right through it. I hope the new one will last as long as the 85 has.


I had a ford F150 I bought new in 1978. But it was not made for towing. Had a really high 2nd and 3rd rear. Did not tow much then but when I did it was sluggish. That was probably because it was not set up for towing (had 4 speed manual with a 5th gear overdrive) It did get good gas mileage though.

I would go with the Ford or the Chevy, but look for one with the tow package.

7-8 K, probably standard cab. If you can't get 4x4 at least get locking differential (positive traction).

Good luck hunting.

[idbefishing]

Wish it was Flex Fuel though. When you burn E85 fuel towing capacity is increased as well as HP. But then I would have to drive to St Louis to fill up.

E85 only has a very slight advantage in performance over the other stuff but definitely not enough to suffer the terrible gas mileage.

E85 vs. Gas

[00SKEETER]

Now Now guys,,I haven`t got the kind of money to but one of them Yota`s anyway,,,chevys are high enought. I `m trying to stay under 7-8k if that much. Just need a truck JUST to pull my boat,,Don`t need anything fancy,,but got to get something,,,my Durango has 240k on her,,been a great truck and going to keep her,,got a motorcyle to ride in the summer,,,LOL..love that 40-50 mph..

Consider yourself lucky with the Durango. I just started my 02 Dodge Ram up this morning and it sounds like the valves are rattling and it's running very rough. Ever since it turned 100K it been nothing but junk. It uses antifreeze and the heat doesnt work. I was taking it in to get a new headgasket next week now I'm not sure what's wrong with it this morning. I will never own another Dodge/Chrysler product. I've done nothing but take care of that truck because it still looks brand new and people can't believe it's a 2002. My grandfathers 99 Dodge Dakota blew up at 110K a couple of years ago and that truck never seen over 55mph. Sorry for the rant and rave, i just seen this thread and I'm a little irritated this morning.

[bassmaster]

Been driving Dodge trucks since 1991. Put over 130,000 on all 3 trucks and not many problems at all. New trany in one which Dodge replaced (out of warranty) no charge cause I am a loyal customer. Pull great, look great, and drive great. I'll send you a pm on my truck which I am wanting to sell. 2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 360 motor. Everybodys got opinions on each make. They all make bad ones and good ones.
Later,
Merry Christmas
Tim
bassmaster

[Rangerman]

Doug, get you a good used older Chevy Duramax something in the 2004 range with an allison transmission. If you will recall, that is what I pull mine with and it does an excellent job pulling it or just about anything else. Unloaded I get 20mph on the highway and 17-18 around town. Pulling my Ranger520, I get about 15 which is just about as good as anything else (unloaded) with any kind of power. Hope this helps but there is no question what I would do. Been there done that with Tahoes, regular silverados, etc. I'm sure most of the major diesels such as Cummins, Power Stroke, etc will work but I have found I get better fuel mileage than most of those in the same age class. Good luck!

[imthemedic]

Doug if you go for a later model chevy make sure it has the 3.73 gears. This even more important if you end up with larger tires or wheels. The 3.42 gears are ok but not good in the hills.

[billm_usa1]

What about experiences with the Ford Excursion, Expedition, Chevy Tahoe and Suburban

[waterdog101]

I have a 2wd gmc auto with towing package, 5.3 vortech v-8 it has more power than I've ever needed. but it's a gas hog 13 mpg towing and 17 on I-75 empty.I have a small boat 16 and 1/2 ft.with 90hp mercury and it's real cheap on gas. plenty room for myself and a friend to fish off. and with the gas prices now back above 3.00 per gallon. I'm glad I downsized when I replaced my last boat. just a thought, but instead of getting a bigger truck, you may want to downsize your boat.

[waterdog101]

Doug, if the guy on the news tonight is right. all you have to do to get a big four door 4 wheel drive gas hog pickup truck real, real,cheap almost for free. is wait another year. the man said gas will be over 5.00 per gallon in 2012. I for one hope he is wrong, my gmc only gets 17 mpg on the open road empty.

[onemorecast56]

well i bet i get me a knock around cheap car, or little truck,,,but DARN,,just when i get me a real nice 20ft gas suckin boat,,,the gas goes up,,,maybe your right,,I`d take a boat like yours,,would be fine,,,but dam that stratos is nice

[MagikSmallie]

I just got a 2010 Silverado and it's a beast when it comes to pullin a boat, took it to TN from Pikeville and going up and down those mountains can be tough but it handled it like a champ, going over Pine Mountain my Tranny temp never got over 140 degrees. Pullin my boat I get about 16 MPG with it. and it's flexfuel so you can use ethanol even though that crap kills your mileage...but I shopped the big three for months and finally decided to go with the Chevy and I am super happy I did. I just got the Extended cab 5.7L.

[00SKEETER]

I just got a 2010 Silverado and it's a beast when it comes to pullin a boat, took it to TN from Pikeville and going up and down those mountains can be tough but it handled it like a champ, going over Pine Mountain my Tranny temp never got over 140 degrees. Pullin my boat I get about 16 MPG with it. and it's flexfuel so you can use ethanol even though that crap kills your mileage...but I shopped the big three for months and finally decided to go with the Chevy and I am super happy I did. I just got the Extended cab 5.7L.

Are you sure it's not a 5.3L?