soldier4402

Another option is the new chevy 6.2l which has nice power, but MPG will be about the same as 6.0. My Ecoboost has a 6 speed tranny as well, and it also has the tap shift, Manual option on it as well.

Boomer35

i owned a 2004 2500HD with the 6.0liter. It towed ok and did the job, but it was a DOG. It was even a little sluggish without the boat. If i did it again and the price was the same, id go with the deisel.

obnoxus

I had a 2500 6.0 for 10 years,,,,, pulled my 272 with no issues,,,,,seemed happiest at 90 MPH to be honest.

Also pulled the 36 OUTLAW with it and probably still would be if some druck AZZhole didnt total it for me.

You will be just fine towing the Nordic with a 6.0,,,,, the only downside is hilly terrain it likes to shift alot,,,,, the 6.0 likes to rev,,,,,,let it,,,, it doesnt care !!!!

I had a custom tune done to th ecu,,,,, right before I lost the truck unfortunaltly,,,,, and it made a big difference in power to.

MAKE SURE if you get a 6.0,,,,,it has the 4:10 rear end,,,,,more power and actually gets better real world MPG

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

If you don't plan to get a bigger boat anytime soon, go wth the gasser.

But since you have the opportunity to start from scratch, definitely go with a 3/4 truck. The capacities on 1/2 ton trucks are 80% marketing race and 20% capabilities.

4bus

iTrader: (4)

I have owned a 6.6 durmax 2002, 2005 F350 6.0l diesel, and a Denali with a 6.0 gas. The awd drive denali averaged about 6 mpg this past summer towing, and compared to a diesel it didn't seem like it liked it. There are grades and hills on our highway that I had never noticed before towing with the 6.0l gasser.

You mentioned test driving both to make a decision.....DONT!

Do you need a diesel.....no, if you tow with one you will WANT a diesel. If you buy a programmer and instantly add 150HP and 200 lbs of tork by plugggin it in you will never want a gasser again. You don't need a performance boat that jumps on plane and goes 70 mph either, but you would miss it if drove a cruiser for a day.

My 02 duramax crew with 4wd was creeping up on 20 mpg by the time I sold it, you won't get that today because of all the new emmisions standards. I was buying diesel in 2003 at about $1 per gallon. Back then it made sense to pay the $6-7k to upgrade to a diesel.

My 05 F350 made 700hp and 1000 ft lbs with everything I had done to it. Driving that truck around town was just a riot. I could embarass some of today's "sports cars" with an 8000 lb truck with 38" tires. Towing a 36 ft boat down the highway at 85 mph with the cruise on was just as fun, and effortless.

With the cost of diesel the numbers do not make sense today, so it's all about what you want.

If you want to get out of it as least expensive as possible go with the gasser.

If you don't want to feel your load while towing, or want to "boost" up your engine to have the acceration of a muscle car for about $400 go with the diesel. If you have plans to go with a bigger boat anytime soon......diesel for sure

Jay Gadsby

Thanks for all the replies gents. Right now my tow vehicle is a Nissan Titan 2WD. I had the truck before the boat, and well, the truck is setup more for hotrodding around town than towing. As it is, I only see about 10mpg around town and MAYBE 14 on the highway (Full exhaust, Longtube headers, Intake Chip all that jazz). So, to see 10 or so towing would be refreshing. I am definitely going to broaden my horizons. Just poking around, I am still finding Diesels with similar appointments as the gassers for roughly the same cost. Maybe the cost of diesel is starting to take its toll on the Texas truck stockage.

I do enjoy running on the track, but I dont want to do that with the next truck (Titan has about 70 or so passes on her). I guess only time will tell. I have test driven the diesel, lucky for me its slower than the Titan, so it wasnt awe inspiring in its stock form. Oh, two reasons for getting rid of Titan, 2.94 final drive and its only an extended cab. I want a 4 door, and I need better gearing. If it werent for those two items, I would keep it.

scottw

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2500HD crew cab with the 6.6 Duramax and Allison. I tow a boat and trailer that weigh 6000lbs. Towed boat from Jersey to Virginia this summer and got over 16mpg. Also when I got on the highway while not towing I reset the average fuel economy computer and the truck got 24mpg running at 72mph on the 30mi. highway run. It has great acceleration I gues because of the high torque. If I have any towing to do I will always stay with a diesel.

tbooten

i sold my dodge diesel in the fall and with my dads 2004 6.0 2500 towing my 29' fountain (about the same load as you) gets 7-8 mpg hand calculated doing 65-75 mph. Revs high on hills if you want to keep your speed. 12-14 mpg unloaded.

Saying this, i'm buying another diesel before tow season starts back!

soldier4402

Towing my 29ft with an ecoboost. Get about 10 towing and 16-17 in the city and 21-22 hwy when not towing. Tows the boat fine

mittens

My baja is around 7000 with trailer.

I had a 2004 1500 4wd, GMC for 4 years.(5.3) towed fine, reved on hills.

towed with a 2004 2500 HD Deisel.... bought one 4 months later....