Tow Vehicle ?

[upstaged]

Looking for a "new" tow vehicle to pull a 28 foot Haulmark trailer, dual axle. Inside is my pride & joy, 1972 Stage 1 convt. Regarding duallies, gas or diesel, 2 or 4 wheel drive? How about a 1 ton Suburban type ? I have looked at some crew cab duallies and it is a buyer's market right now. The trailer is a bumper hitch with equalizers. Regards, Upstaged in Michigan.

[70 gsconvt]

I own a 2005 2500HD Chevy crew cab, long bed, 4x4, with the LLY duramax engine and allison trans.

I've owned about 4 trucks before this, none of them diesel. But I've always hauled either a camper, car trailer, 40 sheets of drywall, whatever. All I can say is there is no comparison between a gas engine, big or small block, and the torque and power of a diesel.

They did make 3/4 ton Suburbans with a diesel option. I almost bought one. Then GM had their buying program 2 years back and that's why I got the truck I did. I couldn't give up my bed for throwing junk and other stuff (like fuel cans, oily car parts, etc). You just can't do that with a Suburban.

Some people will squauk that a diesel costs so much more. And it's true that on my new truck, I did spend about an extra $3,000 for it after it was all said and done. But they get 30% better mileage. So especially if you drive a lot and with today's fuel prices, it only takes 3 years or so to get that back. Plus, if you're into it, you can make your own fuel (biodiesel) or run waste vegetable oil in the thing as long as your filter it enough. So you do have options for fueling it.

As far as a dually, unless you're going to get a fifth wheel, you don't need it. And those extra tires, axles and fenders are added weight, drag, and roll resistance. That all adds up to lower mpg's. But I guess if it's a smokin' deal, then it might be worth it.

So my advice is to get a diesel. The crew cabs are great and have tons of room actually for adults. And as far as fuel economy, Dodge's are the worst, followed by Ferd, and then Chebby on top. I personally get around 19 mpg overall with about 70% of my driving being on the highway. Four wheel drive is nice. But it only gets you going. It can't help you stop any quicker. Your post doesn't say where you live, so I can't comment any more on that. Good luck.

[monkeyy337]

Gasoline motored dually's are just that, gas hogs. I would recommend a diesel powered vehicle as it will pay for its self in the long run and have more towing power especially with a 28' trailer. I only have a 20' enclosed trailer but I found with both a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton tow vehicle if I had to make a quick (panic) stop in any kind of weather (moisture) it would jack knive the tow vehicle. Even though my 1 ton dually (chevy, 454) is killing me with the gas mileage I don't have the same jack knive problem if I have to make a panic stop in weather. I only wish now I had purchased a diesel powered dually. Just my experience.

[upstaged]

Thanks for the replies. I am in Michigan and we do get alot of Lake Effect snow all Winter long. As I stated, earlier in my post, It is a buyer's market right now. I just saw/ heard a statistic from the presidential race that Michigan has the highest unemployment in the country ! I am confident that we have the most potholes in our state roads & highways. Regards, Upstaged.

[Poppaluv]

Keep 'em comin' guys. After all, Don't we all need to tow a barn yard find/steal home !!!!:)

[SmallHurst]

I am fortunate to have space and a somewhat understanding wife. I have my everyday car (that I will have put 22K on this year) and I have my tow beast, a 1984 Ford,standard cab, dually with a 460/ c6. I don't get the best mileage out of it, but I also don't have to drive it every day. It cost very little to insure, taxes are low, and I can do all of the maintenance on it myself. Besides, when I go to Michigan, my gas bill may be high, but I don't have to spend that same amount on a truck payment every month!!! I was trying hard to justify getting a diesel in the driveway and when I put pencil to paper, I could not make it work out. I also have realized that my wife and son will not be making these trips to Michigan (or other places) so the standard cab works fine for me. I don't know if you have a brand preference, but I know locally of a Dodge dealer that advertises 3/4 ton, quad cab, 4x4, diesels, with the Big Horn package for under $30K. For a new truck, that is alot of truck for the price tag.

[Nothingface5384]

hey you can always find a 500 dollor truck and do a diesel swap!!!! :Brow:

but if you do buy a 4wd diesel, look into converting to manual locking hubs as it'll save you abour 5mpg over auto hubs

[TexasT]

Gasoline motored dually's are just that, gas hogs. I would recommend a diesel powered vehicle as it will pay for its self in the long run and have more towing power especially with a 28' trailer. I only have a 20' enclosed trailer but I found with both a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton tow vehicle if I had to make a quick (panic) stop in any kind of weather (moisture) it would jack knive the tow vehicle. Even though my 1 ton dually (chevy, 454) is killing me with the gas mileage I don't have the same jack knive problem if I have to make a panic stop in weather. I only wish now I had purchased a diesel powered dually. Just my experience.

I'd like to disagree with the idea that the gasser is a gas hog. While mine doesn't get diesel fuel mileage it isn't that bad at 13-14mpg around and 9-10mpg pulling my 28' toy box. With the extra expense up front, the fact that diesel is 30-50 cent more per gallon, and the extra upkeep in fuel filters and oil changes the math I did for my situation put me into our k2500 Suburban 454 for a lot less. I'll admit if I intended to keep it for decades maybe I could make it work out but not for the short haul. My next one might be an Excursion Diesel but I doubt it as I can get the Suburban with the 8.1L for less and come out ahead on paper.

As far as the jack knife I'd look into some type of sway control. I use a cam type from etrailer.com. It really helps in my opinion.

We love the 'burb. Heated leather seats for me and the mrs. Plenty of power. Lots of room for the squids. The next one will have extenable mirrors for towing and a moon roof.

[69lynchman]

I use a flat bed, seeing as to how my father owns a repair shop.

[BuickBuddy]

I'd like to disagree with the idea that the gasser is a gas hog. While mine doesn't get diesel fuel mileage it isn't that bad at 13-14mpg around and 9-10mpg pulling my 28' toy box. With the extra expense up front, the fact that diesel is 30-50 cent more per gallon, and the extra upkeep in fuel filters and oil changes the math I did for my situation put me into our k2500 Suburban 454 for a lot less. I'll admit if I intended to keep it for decades maybe I could make it work out but not for the short haul. My next one might be an Excursion Diesel but I doubt it as I can get the Suburban with the 8.1L for less and come out ahead on paper.

As far as the jack knife I'd look into some type of sway control. I use a cam type from etrailer.com. It really helps in my opinion.

We love the 'burb. Heated leather seats for me and the mrs. Plenty of power. Lots of room for the squids. The next one will have extenable mirrors for towing and a moon roof.


I agree.. My van gets 10mpg towing.. So 1000 mile trip today at 3.09 a gallon costs me $309.00

My van with a diesel will get about 15mpg towing so a 1000 mile trip at 3.59 per gallon will cost about $233.00

76 dollars savings per 1000 miles..

I'd have to drive 150,000 miles to make up the $12,000 difference the vans cost. :Do No:

[70 gsconvt]

$12,000 difference in price!? My truck was about $3300 more getting the diesel/allison trans.

[BuickBuddy]

I paid 22,000 for the extended Express. The Duramax was 33 and change. :Do No:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/GKsGS400/DSCN1440-2.jpg

[Smartin]

Yeah, the Dmax vans are quite a bit more expensive. We have one, and it was about what Dave said it is.

This year, we bought a gas powered van - and it was over 10k cheaper than a diesel.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i got a 2500 dmax cc pulls what ever you put behind it at whatever speed you want to run

20 mpg with a tuner rides like a car and has enough room for 6

[70 gsconvt]

Yeah, mine's an '05 crew cab, long bed, 4x4, with duramax/allison trans. I'm currently get about 18 mpg overall (winter time) with about 60-70% freeway driving.

[upstaged]

A good friend of mine owns a Goodyear dealership and he suggested parking a duramax and powerstroke next to each other and "listen" to the difference. The Duramax is much quieter at idle and under acceleration. I am a few candy bars away from making the purchase but I am leaning toward the Chevy/ GMC with the Duramax and the Allison tranny. If anyone else is looking at these two motors, try the side by side comparison. Regards, Upstaged in Michigan.

[oem6pak]

Dodge diesel HO 6spd,285hp,20mpg unloaded,10-12mpg loaded.Powerstroke's are good but won't get near the mpg,16 on a good day.Chev's are good too the Allison trans is a must,if your buying used some year's had injector problems,i don't think their mpg is as good as the cummings but im not sure.

[upstaged]

What ever happened to 3/4 or 1 ton Suburbans or GMC's version? Are they now called Tahoes or Denalis? Still in the hunt but 40 "K" plus is still alot for a new tow vehicle. Regards, Upstaged in Michigan.

[BuickBuddy]

Chevy still makes the Suburban.. The Tahoe replaced the Blazer.

GMC calls it the Yukon now.. Denali is just the spiffed up version of the Yukon, Sierra and Envoy.

http://www.chevrolet.com/suburban/?seo=goo_chevy_suburban

[HADA-X]

I have a friend that is going though a divorse and is selling his 2001 d max excab short bed for $16000 in Colorado he has put injectors in every time it hicups under warrenty.

[dl7265]

I have a friend that is going though a divorse and is selling his 2001 d max excab short bed for $16000 in Colorado he has put injectors in every time it hicups under warrenty.


My co workers '02 has had several set as well ? wonder what the deal is ?

I saw a Brand New 2500HD 6.0 today was 26k for 18k and 0% interest. id prefer a Diesel but at 43k whats the point ???

[racenu]

My new 07 duramax has the LLM engine and its terrible on fuel, computor says 17.4 ltrs for 100 kms. The dealer says the computor is not accurate, so i figure its prob more like 18 or 19 ltrs for 100kms....
I have been averaging 10-12 miles to Canadian gallon, towing or not. My 02 Duramax is probably double that, I'm not impressed with the mileage on the new truck at all. Be thankfull the diesel in the USA is 43K, in Canada that same truck is 65K!!!

[stagetwo65]

My '03 Chevy Duramax Crew Cab Dually hauls my 28' Pace enclosed like it's on auto pilot and is a pleasure to tow with compared to my old '87 Suburban 2500 454, but I was a little confused by the mileage that everyone claims to get from their Duramaxes. I think I figured it out though. When I got my truck it had peewee tires on it and I despised them. Besides hating the way they looked, I noticed that when I was flying down the highway (without the trailer) the speedometer was reading 90 mph! I know I was speeding, but that's ridiculous! The next time I drove through a construction zone that had a radar-controlled speed warning sign (the kind that tells you how fast you are going) it told me I was driving 8 mph slower than my speedometer said!! The speed sensor is wrong from the factory, which will cause you to a) slow down, b) think you get better mileage than you really do, and c) run up the miles on your odometer so you wind up out of warranty sooner.
I put taller tires on my truck (because I like them) and reprogrammed the computer for the correct tire height and, low and behold, when I pass one of those flashing speed warning signs, my speedometer reads exactly the same as the sign! My truck gets 11.5 mpg towing, and that's a legit number. I've clocked it with mile markers on the highway as well and it's on the money. I think there's a bunch of guys out there that aren't getting the mileage they think they are. If the speedometer is off, the computer function for the gas mileage readout on the dash is incorrect as well. I'm still happy with the mileage since it's double what I got with the Suburban!

[70 gsconvt]

Towing with my '05 chevy 2500HD with duramax, I get about 18-19 unloaded, 15 or so towing the car on an open trailer, and about 12 towing my 30' camper. All hand calculated. I don't trust the DIC in the truck too much. Like Doug said above, it appears to be off. I have mostly corrected it with a Hypertech programmer, which can adjust for different wheels. I currently took off the puny 245/75R16 tires and have 285/70R17 on Hummer wheels.

[stagetwo65]

Towing with my '05 chevy 2500HD with duramax, I get about 18-19 unloaded, 15 or so towing the car on an open trailer, and about 12 towing my 30' camper. All hand calculated. I don't trust the DIC in the truck too much. Like Doug said above, it appears to be off. I have mostly corrected it with a Hypertech programmer, which can adjust for different wheels. I currently took off the puny 245/75R16 tires and have 285/70R17 on Hummer wheels.

Your mileages all seem about the same as mine, although Engie Bauza said he got 18 with my truck towing his GN home from Salem on an open trailer, back in '06. His tranny went bad on the way out there from eastern PA, so Dave Hanlon lent him his open trailer, I lent him my truck, and he turned right around and towed his car home, returning the next day with his wife's car on the trailer so he'd have a ride home. He said he clocked it going and coming and it was a solid 18 mpg at 72 mph. PA TPK is pretty hilly too, so that's pretty good.

[dr]

Check this out!! http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=20063
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