what should i buy?

[fishingman220]

I have a boat and trailer right now that weighs in at about 6200lbs when loaded and heading to the river, i am towing it now with a 98 suburban 1/2 ton with a few mods. well it is about time to get rid of the suburban and i am looking for something else. In a few years i would like a bigger boat as well so i am looking for something that can pull around 9k lbs without killing it on the highway, or killing the tranny. i do live near the bay so there is not to many hills so most is flat towing. my budget is aroun $13-15k, i have been looking at 2500 dodge and chevy crew cabs and excursions. would like diesel but hard to find with under 100k miles. i am just wondering if any one else is towing close to that weight and who is happy with what and what to stay away from. thanks for looking and any imput

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what should i buy?

i'm towing 4800 with 99 Surburban, happy. next will be another Surburban 3/4 or 1 ton.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: what should i buy?

I own a 2001 Chevy 1500HD (6.0 gas engine) and a 2003 Excursion (6.0 Powerstroke). Both have the ability to tow 9K easily. I would warn you away from the Chevy with a 6.0 gas engine. Fuel mileage is terrible... For towing a 9K load, I would encourage a diesel. I prefer the Ford Powerstroke, as I have one and feel they are awesome. For the Price range you are looking at, you will have a hard time finding a Diesel (of any make) with less than 100K. However, I have 117K on my powerstroke and have no issues with it whatsoever.... Most of these diesels are designed to be 500,000 engines with proper maintenance.

I know this will spark and Powerstroke vs Duramax vs Cummins debate as well as a Gas vs Diesel debate when not towing regularly...

My suggestion would be to get an Excursion with powerstroke if you want to stay with an SUV. Otherswise, a crewcab diesel truck (Ford, Chevy or Dodge) will fit the bill...

 

[Knightgang]

Re: what should i buy?

Tasha, the larger suburbans are getting harder to find, and I am pretty sure Chevy is not making them anymore except under special order. That is one reason we ended up with an Excursion. I love the truck, but I was actually looking for a diesel 2500 Suburban and coul dnot find one, not even new....

 

[fishingman220]

Re: what should i buy?

i do know for a fact that they never put a duramax in a suburban even for specal order,

 

[Knightgang]

Re: what should i buy?

i do know for a fact that they never put a duramax in a suburban even for specal order,

When I was looking, I was actually considering a late 90's model with the old Detriot Diesel. I did not even consider Duramx at the time as I was not really aware of them.

But I LOVE the PSD.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: what should i buy?

no problems out of the powerstroke? i know 2003 was the first year of the 6.0 and sometime there are issues with the first production year of a new motor or truck. my buddy had a 2003 f250 and it spent more time in the shop then it did on the road because of problems with the turbo and computer.

 

[Dave1251]

Re: what should i buy?

9,000 lbs is pretty heavy load, I would consider even a one ton dually. They can handle this heavy load and keep the trailer planted to the back of the truck when the roads get wet. Also, four wheel drive might be needed to pull this heavy of load on some ramps. We have one Chevy 3500 with 175,000 miles and Ford 350 with 100,000 miles and tow heavy loads and would take either one on a cross country run. You should get 250,000 miles out trucks like these.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: what should i buy?

i wouldnt mind a dually, but it is a must that it have 4wd, the only problem is (the same as everyone else) i want the newest truck i can get for the money, and in my price range a dually is going to be almost impossable to find

 

[rbh]

Re: what should i buy?

The nice thing about a big duelly truck is that it takes away most of the sway you can expierence hauling down a hwy or twisty road, as well the old bumps get sucked up good, and you dont feal as if your going out of control
rob

 

[Knightgang]

Re: what should i buy?

Start looking at Autotrader for 3/4 ton trucks and excursions. This will give you a good idea of what you will be able to afford in price range with what mileage and options. I would look into diesel as I really love ours. You will worse mileage towing that kind of load with a gas vs diesel. I do not think you need a dually, but it is an option if you do not mind it.

 

[204Angler]

Re: what should i buy?

I pull my boat with a 2003 F350 with the 6.0 pwr stroke. Love it, no issues. 114K.
I would agree that diesel is the way to go. Everyone has their personal preferences on make of truck/SUV however the power stroke and Cummins have gotten way better reviews than the duramax. I have never owned a Duramax so can't say from personal perspective but will say that I love my Power Stroke. I think any full size (3/4 ton or better) truck/SUV with diesel will do the job