Tow Vehicle Decisions-Help

Hell, it even gets better mileage than the Avalanche.

I don't know what’s up with those Avalanche's. My sisters 1/2 ton Avalanche gets something like 13 empty. Drops down to single digits when towing a single horse trailer. My 1/2 ton gets 17 empty, drops to 11 when towing 7500# car/trl. These newer HD's get damn good mileage. Awful lot of money though. If I could afford a new truck, I’d probably opt for a bigger boat and bigger used trk.
 
I don't know what’s up with those Avalanche's. My sisters 1/2 ton Avalanche gets something like 13 empty. Drops down to single digits when towing a single horse trailer. My 1/2 ton gets 17 empty, drops to 11 when towing 7500# car/trl. These newer HD's get damn good mileage. Awful lot of money though. If I could afford a new truck, I’d probably opt for a bigger boat and bigger used trk.
I think it's because the AV is built on the Suburban chasis and weighs 5500 pounds dry:wow: and works the crap out of that 5.3. I use EFI Live and tune my Dmax myself so I worked with a professional "tuner".. nick@duramaxtuner.com... to help out with the performance and firm up the shifting after I had the right side cat break up on the AV. I removed both cats and reprogrammed. Installed a Flowmaster system along with a "resignator" to keep the "drone" down with the panels installed (makes an echo chamber with loud exhaust). I have it up to 12-13 in town and 17-19 on the highway. Haven't towed with it since 06 and acquiring the Dmax. It has been the best vehicle I have ever owned as the cat exploding is the only problem I have ever had and now it's at 156k, had 42 miles on it when I got it. Makes an awesome parts running vehicle, hauls 4x8 sheets of plywood with the tailgate up and keeps it dry and locked. Then it is a pick up when needed.

Sorry to the OP for the off topic.
 
I tow my 280 with a 07 Chevy 2500HD with the 6.0ltr and 6spd auto trans.
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While I tow 100 miles one way twice a year it does a pretty good job. Normal driving without towing it averages 15-16mpg and with the boat and trailer around 9mpg. We ordered the trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes on all 3 axles and it stops very nicely, but you know its back there. The truck is my wifes daily driver and for the little towing we do, we could not justify the extra cost of a diesel. Good luck on your search.
 
I tow my 280 with a 07 Chevy 2500HD with the 6.0ltr and 6spd auto trans.
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While I tow 100 miles one way twice a year it does a pretty good job. Normal driving without towing it averages 15-16mpg and with the boat and trailer around 9mpg. We ordered the trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes on all 3 axles and it stops very nicely, but you know its back there. The truck is my wifes daily driver and for the little towing we do, we could not justify the extra cost of a diesel. Good luck on your search.
Wow! You get great mileage! Most of my friends with that set up rarely break 12mpg. They get around 7-9 with that kind of load. That truck is a "keeper":thumbsup:
 
You guys are making me jealous with your pretty truck pictures... :smt001
 
Get a Duramax/Allison and forget about it!

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I'm still doing the search for a new tow vehicle as well. Although renting has worked out great for me because of the convenience and the wonderful brand new 2011 trucks I get, having my own would be really nice. I miss not having to think . . . "how am I gonna get that home" when I head out to Home Depot in my only car (Audi A6) and having the ability to move my trailer or just keep the boat at home for extended periods of time.

I'm a Ford guy and am looking F250/350 but can't decide if I want a dually or not. I notice some less rear end sway with the dually I used but the SRW weren't bad at all. The early 6.0 powerstrokes did have a lot of warranty claims. They change certain things on all engines from time to time (not just one model year to the next). '05 claims were way down as I've read they had modified it enough to fix the early problems. I've read that the '06 powerstoke had the fewest warranty claims and was the most reliable of ANY powerstroke year.

I can vouch that the 6.0 powerstrokes will have PLENTY of power to tow your load. BUT, compared to the 2011 6.7 its not the same animal. I have to say, that 6.7 in the 2011 is an absolute BEAST. The ease that it pulls my boat up steep grades is shocking. The 6.0 needed a few more RPMs to keep the speed that the 6.7L did without breaking 2000.

I have never driven a 7.3 so can't compare. I've been told reliable, yes. Would love to drive one and see how the power is.

I think I'm going to go for an '06 in the spring. BUT I'm also going to consider the Duramax as well.
 
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I'm still doing the search for a new tow vehicle as well. Although renting has worked out great for me because of the convenience and the wonderful brand new 2011 trucks I get, having my own would be really nice. I miss not having to think . . . "how am I gonna get that home" when I head out to Home Depot in my only car (Audi A6) and having the ability to move my trailer or just keep the boat at home for extended periods of time.

I'm a Ford guy and am looking F250/350 but can't decide if I want a dually or not. I notice some less rear end sway with the dually I used but the SRW weren't bad at all. The early 6.0 powerstrokes did have a lot of warranty claims. They change certain things on all engines from time to time (not just one model year to the next). '05 claims were way down as I've read they had modified it enough to fix the early problems. I've read that the '06 powerstoke had the fewest warranty claims and was the most reliable of ANY powerstroke year.

I can vouch that the 6.0 powerstrokes will have PLENTY of power to tow your load. BUT, compared to the 2011 6.7 its not the same animal. I have to say, that 6.7 in the 2011 is an absolute BEAST. The ease that it pulls my boat up steep grades is shocking. The 6.0 needed a few more RPMs to keep the speed that the 6.7L did without breaking 2000.

I have never driven a 7.3 so can't compare. I've been told reliable, yes. Would love to drive one and see how the power is.

I think I'm going to go for an '06 in the spring. BUT I'm also going to consider the Duramax as well.

Love my 2006 F-350 Dually/Crew/Long Bed for towing....she has 15,000 miles on her and the fuel mileage is getting better with each tank. Getting 16 mpg on the highway now (no tow) and 10 mpg towing my 2006 260 DA.

I love this truck and it is dead stock....if I step on the gas it scares the passengers. My truck has the 4:10 gear I believe and standard with the class V hitch. I can see getting the single rear wheels for easier parking and ability to get into the autobell carwash. :smt038

I would not want anything less than I have to tow the 280 or 290 DA.
 
Well I have a 99 F350 Diesel with 450,000 miles and it will still stomp a Durajunk inot the pavement, and I highly doubt that the 06 Duramax is running 495hp and 950 Torque without being tuned up ir chipped up, and still that's not recommened for Towing..
I tow a 2006 320 dancer, and have towed it with a 99 F350 with a 7.3 liter diesel for years, it is onmy now that I have boughten a new 2010 6.4 liter F450... it's great. Give your bought weight an F250 or F350 would be fine, if you could find a 7.3 liter like an 01 or 02... buy it....they are worth their weight, if your not familar with diesel's then don't buy a diesel, but I would not recommend anything else but.... either Ford,Gm Or Cummins, the only thing BAD about a CUmmin, is it comes in a Dodge.. and well They speak for themselves.. Look at Most big Heavy Duty Tow Rigs and you'll see FORDs.....they have been the #1 Selling truck for 35 years and ther's a reason for that..... CHEVY has Never been #1 and Never Will Be... they just don't make the strength in their Trucks as FORD...
If you find a 6.0 for sale, most liekly all the problems have been worked out already....but it's tough buying any used diesel, because you never know what they've done to it in the years past...

OK Time for all you Chevy and Dodge boys to take your best shot....but bottom line.. Ford has been #1 for 35 years... oh and again this year too, did I forget to mention that....Sorry.
 
Well I have a 99 F350 Diesel with 450,000 miles and it will still stomp a Durajunk inot the pavement, and I highly doubt that the 06 Duramax is running 495hp and 950 Torque without being tuned up ir chipped up, and still that's not recommened for Towing..
I tow a 2006 320 dancer, and have towed it with a 99 F350 with a 7.3 liter diesel for years, it is onmy now that I have boughten a new 2010 6.4 liter F450... it's great. Give your bought weight an F250 or F350 would be fine, if you could find a 7.3 liter like an 01 or 02... buy it....they are worth their weight, if your not familar with diesel's then don't buy a diesel, but I would not recommend anything else but.... either Ford,Gm Or Cummins, the only thing BAD about a CUmmin, is it comes in a Dodge.. and well They speak for themselves.. Look at Most big Heavy Duty Tow Rigs and you'll see FORDs.....they have been the #1 Selling truck for 35 years and ther's a reason for that..... CHEVY has Never been #1 and Never Will Be... they just don't make the strength in their Trucks as FORD...
If you find a 6.0 for sale, most liekly all the problems have been worked out already....but it's tough buying any used diesel, because you never know what they've done to it in the years past...

OK Time for all you Chevy and Dodge boys to take your best shot....but bottom line.. Ford has been #1 for 35 years... oh and again this year too, did I forget to mention that....Sorry.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/11/chevy-vs-ford-in-heavy-duty-rumble-in-the-rockies.html

BTW...of course I'm "tuned"...not "chipped". And yes, the 7.3 engine is a great motor....the last "great motor" Ford has had.

When towing I'm only using about 40hp/80tq setting with a very aggressive turbo brake when I let off the throttle. I have setting optimized for towing my weight...along with mileage and stopping.
 
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Might as well weigh in on this;I was always a chevy man ,1 ton dooly's 454 engine....Then fuel prices got crazy, After doing the math, A cummings in a dodge would be free if I put 300,000 miles on it. In '97 I bought a new Dodge dooly, crew cab -357,000 miles later have not had any mechanical issues to date . This truck has really been used hard. I have a second dodge 2003 with 160,000....I hauled my 268 from Wis. to Texas, over 1,000 miles. Pulling the boat 65-70 mph I ave. 17-19 mpg. no trailer, ave 21 mpg. The fuel economy and reliability of the cummins diesel put in a class by itself. I have owned and driven both the Ford and chevy diesel trucks and if you are going to put any kind of miles on a truck, the dodge with a cummins is the only answer. one more thing-The dual rear wheels are a must .You have much less "walking" caused by what ever your hauling with a dooly than a single wheel truck... Over the years I have probably logged a million miles or more hauling every thing from livestock to timber and the Dodges are the best trucks I have ever hauled with... And no, I don't have any interest in Chrysler, dodge or any of those co. There just good trucks
 
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jason78;413328 [FONT=Calibri said:
My other concern is that I seem to recall that there was a certain engine/model year combination range to stay away from on the F250 due to a heavy amount of engine problems. I can’t recall what that was if anyone can help. [/FONT]

Thanks
Jason

That would be the 6.0 diesel, it was a dud. Engines from before and after are much better.
 
The Ford 6.0L Diesel had some problems early on. Mostly due to trying to meet new EPA diesel emission guidelines and the addition of an EGR valve and EGR cooler. Remember when gas engines had all the EPA emission equipment added? Those engines were dogs and plagued with problems. It's a learning curve for both gas and diesel engines.

I have a 2004 F250 6.0L and had the turbo replaced 2 times and one EGR valve under warranty. The 6.0L has a VGT turbo where the turbo vanes change pitch based on engine load. When it works correctly, it a great setup with gobs of power and torque for a 2004 stock diesel engine. I have several buddies that own the 2006 MY and haven't had a lick of trouble with their 6.0s. The only time I hear about injectors or head gasket failures is when a tuner is added and not used correctly. Last time I checked, Ford, Chevy, Dodge and even Toyota have service departments!
 
Ford bought 3 of our 2004 F350's with the 6.0 back from my fire department after they were out of service for over THREE HUNDRED DAYS EACH. You couldn't give me one. Now the 7.4 is the real deal.
 
Ford bought 3 of our 2004 F350's with the 6.0 back from my fire department after they were out of service for over THREE HUNDRED DAYS EACH. You couldn't give me one.

We have three 2006 6.0 Fords we are currently remounting the boxes onto International chassis....could not keep them running. How did you get Ford to buy them back? I thought the class action suit was settled by a warranty extension.
 
Replying to an old thread...

I towed my 310 (14,000 dry) with my 2001 Chevy 2500HD, 8.1L/Allison, about a 90 mile trip in the mountains of WV, twice now. :thumbsup:
No problem... although I would like to trade for the 3500HD Dually!
 
I'm a Ford guy I guess!
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6.8 V10 and 4.0 V6 OHC.....both run awesome, Mike.
 

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