Frank, They're right about the Ford 5.4, only gets 15 empty! I get around 11 to 12 pulling 7000 lbs in an 8 x 16 box trailer. BUT, it isn't a diesel, you can tell into a western headwind or Appalachian mountain. An older 7.3 powerstroke with reasonable mileage is worth consideration. I am also in Favor of 4wd in anything less than sunny dry weather.
My 01 2500hd truck has been flawless!!! 6.0 4.10 gears 12-14 milage now matter what. Been a great all around truck.. Come to the chevy side of the force!!!!p
Frank good luck with the search.I have owned a few 8.1/allison GM trucks.Very good engines and awesome tranny combo.When I was looking for a 6.0 truck a few years back I ended up with a 8.1.One thing to keep in mind if you are comparing a 6.0 to a 8.1 is the fact that with the 8.1 you can get 3:73 gears were as the 6.0(I think) you could only get 4:10 gears.My 8.1 were good for about 11 mpg.And the 8.1 as a lot more torque.Just some thing to keep in mind. Ty
My '04 2500HD also has the 4.10 gears, same mileage as Tim's. If MPH is an issue, you don't need to worry with the 6.0 engine - we've run 80+mph across western IN and all the way across southern IL with no problems. We usually have 5-7 rigs pulling from the east coast to the SuperCar Reunion each year. Four of the rigs are 2500HD crew cabs with the 6.0 & 4.10's, one is an 8.1 & 4.10, another is DMax, another a Ford P/Stroke, and finally an older GM diesel. All of the above rigs are pulling around 8-10,000 lbs, and each has it's advantages, but they all pull fine - I'm just bit biased with the 6.0 because with a young family it pulls double duty as the soccer mom mini-van, deer hunting 4x4, landscape hauler, home project runner, - and trailer puller! M
Hey Frank, Convience Karen that you need the new SuperDuty. They have a special feature that could help out in the grass pits. I will take my hot dog well done!!:shock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v36MCcRPRTc
Yeah, how could Navistar screw up that bad. Couldn't be the algorithm and software in the engine controller, could it? Like how it "cleared its throat". Sounded like it ran pretty good after that.
Stay away from the older GM duallies, they run great but they suck the fuel. I had a GMC crew cab 454 tbi., 400 trans with 410 gear, 9.2 highway, 6.9 pulling 37 ft. camper.
I agree, back in the day you had 3 choices, turbo 400, 4 speed or 700 w/overdrive. That 400 sucked fuel be sure is bullet proof.
Frank: talked to my buddy with the V10 finally...said it's been trouble free until just the other day [just quit, thought it was fuel pump, but that didn't fix it?]...anyway, he said it's not the easiest on fuel, but it runs pretty good, but you have to drive it like a Detroit when pulling a trailer, as it's power is from 3k-5k. He's like a 3rd generation logger, and says he occasionally moves skidders from site to site without too much trouble...this guy is notoriously hard on vehicles [has been his entire life], and if it's tough enough to hang with him then it can't be too bad!
Thanks for all the input guys! I'm sure we have all learned something new from this post!! An update on the V10 4x4.......I traveled to Trenton to look at this Ford. 99,000 miles. ALL city driving towing a 16' construction trailer for every bit of the 99K miles. The truck has never been on the expressway!! The front suspension sounded like I was dragging bodywork on the ground when I turned around in a parking lot on the test drive and it shimmied too much to be a wheel balance problem. Not good. For the money the guy was asking, I don't think I should be planning on a front end rebuild. My search continues armed with my new tow rig knowledge!! Thanks again!!
Dave, When I hit the lotto that's what I'll be showing up in. Although it'll be a 32'er with a stacker trailer. 2 cars at Pure Stock would be cool. Heck one would be more than I have right now. Matt
Any luck on the search Frank? I'd sell you my '98 V10 QC SB 4x4 5spd but you'd hate the mileage. Mine gets 7gpm towing and only 9 around town. My '95 V10 was a much better engine, it got 16-18 highway and 11 towing. Watch the Dodge V10 though as they had trouble with head cracking, mine were replaced at 48,000 under warranty. Indication is the overflow bottle being empty (and green sparkplugs).
Oh yeah Frank, here's another thing to consider, 86K on my 6spd cummins, and it's already CLUTCH TIME BABY! I did a little research for my replacement parts, the diesel hot rod guys, say to go with a dual disc tractor-pull set-up, as the factory clutch is a wussy boy unit. Probably 40% of my mileage were hiway miles with the 10,000 lb. race trailer or the 15,000 lb. construction trailer. Needless to say, I was a little surprised.
I have had great luck with my 1500 silverado, with the littlwe 4.8. I have pulled a small travel trailer (5k pounds) without issue and my 65 special on an open trailer. With the car hauler I had no problems running 75-80. I got a buddy with a 3/4 ton avalance with a 8.1 (i think). He loves the truck and toys a big sled trailer and had a big toy hauler that he pulled without problems. He really likes the 3/4 ton chassis with the big block. Depending on how much you need to tow, a 1/2 ton with a 5.3 might do the job. I have heard nothing but good things about the 6.0 as well. The nice thing about the Chevy is the mileage. I save a ton of mpg by having 2wd. I've had my truck for three + years and have towed several different trailers and have been happy with the performance. Go chevy, you wont regret it.
