need different truck.

[kydonky]

I have a GMC sierra 4x4 V8. I think its rated for 8000 lbs. Funny it has the Z71 off road decal on the side but it really has the Z85 towing suspension. I can't tell my boat is back there without looking. My tandem trailer with the Ford 4000 tractor you notice a little but no problem with acceleration (trailer has brakes) The tow mode button on the shift lever changes the shift pattern for heavy loads. Usually shifts around 1800-2000 rpm but in tow mode it will wind out to 2500-2800 rpm.

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.

The decal issue is a little strange. The Z71 package is rather expensive with the full undercarraige skid plate, springs and shocks for off road. The Z85 towing suspension is more as well but not as much as the Z71. This dealer did not even know this truck did not have the Z71 package. I had him crawl under the truck with me and showed him there was no skid plate. Running the VIN showed it reallly had the Z85 package (I would rather have the towing package). Anyway I beat him up on it and he cut the price by a lot of $$$$$.

I sometimes wondered if you actually got some options on cars or just paid hundreds for a decal. They said this was just an honest mistake, but I will check every option from here out.

[TyroneBiggums]

I pull my big aluminum rig with a 78 Ford that I bought brand new! Yeah its not super heavy boat but that truck is one strong mother! It has to be cause im a big feller and need lots of room, its a 4x4 too so i never get stuck in the mud when i go after the chickens on my land.

[walkeraviator]

I have been lookin at trucks for a while. It seems that the V-8 1/2 ton offerings from all teh big three are more than capable of pulling a nice load. So I started looking at which models would give me more bang for my dollar. GM trucks have the best resale value and cost the most compared to the other two. Ford is usually the cheapest around here, simply because of supply and demand. There are a load of F-150's around. Dodge is close to being as cheap as ford but not quite there.

If you want to go back and buy a 90's model truck, Ford is teh way to go. An F-150 w/ the 351, not the 302. 96-98 Chevy/GMC trucks are ridiculously high in value. Couldnt tell you why. My dad has a 98 GMC Sierra Z71 and pulls a 24ft RV that weighs over 5000lbs with no problems at all, so i could see a 21 foot boat being easy to tow with that.

[HURRICANEBOB]

I pull the 3800 pound Raider rig with a Ford E-150 Van with the 5.4 liter V8. It pulls great, ebven up the ramp at Jamestown, and even with the AC on full tilt. Get about 12-14 mpg towing. I like the van because it has plenty of seating to tak friends, pack luggage inside to keep it secure and dry, and plenty of room inside for tackle boxes and rods to keep that stuff secure to and from a trip. And the bonus is, if you want to go overnight and safe a motel room, the van has a ton of space to stretch out full-lenght if you take the back seat out and leave it home. Not sexy, but for me, its darn practical.

[kydonky]

I had the Gmc Saffari Van a 2000 moldel the the vortec V6. That truck was a billy goat. I pulled the old pontoon with it without any trouble with trips as far as Huntsville Al. Rode as smooth as my wife's cadillac.

I AGREEE!!!!. Vans are awsome with plenty of room, resonable gas milage, had rear heat and AC, camped in it many a night, was a great road trip vehicle. Everyone had a comfortable seat to Florida.

It was a great truck till the idiot broadsided it running a red light. Bent the frame and was all over.

Got a nice truck (also still have my 85 K1500 4x4) but I do miss that van.

GM stopped making the Safarri and Astro vans. I don't know why. They were really good vans built on a truck frame. Look at all of them as service vehicles.

[raincheck]

GMC but Chevy will do...............

[09Z7SC]

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.

There is E85 at some Thorntons in Louisville

[etcfishin]

Quit supporting Obama Motors and buy a 2007 or above Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 liter. It will last forever with no problems.

[Embrey]

Quit supporting Obama Motors and buy a 2007 or above Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 liter. It will last forever with no problems.

and support completely different country ...brilliant

[kydonky]

Quit supporting Obama Motors and buy a 2007 or above Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 liter. It will last forever with no problems.

I will second the comment about brilliant thought. I have a 1985 GM 4x4 I use on the farm and it has been abused and abused, but it sitll is very much operational. The air conditioning is still ice cold. I never see any Toyotas from the 80s or even early 90s' All the clunkers that were on the road? 99% were early 80s GMs and Fords.


Try pulling a 9000 lb farm tractor with that toyota? Ever wonder why on the interstate any 5th wheel or big camper, big boat or any big trailer is being pulled by a good old american pick up???

Because Toyota's won't pull crappyola!!!!

You are the real problem with America, bashing your neighbors and your Country.

Why don't you imigrate to North Korea????

[Dave Stewart]

OK boys and girls...we are not going to get into a truck bashing thread here...make your recommendations and leave it at that.

[onemorecast56]

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..