Get the new Rivan truck-- 11K tow rating :bsflag:
Hope they don't need to Stop that 11K

I had an Escalade with a 6.2 that I used to tow with. Like you, mine was fine on flat ground but when I would start up even the smallest of inclines, it would be in 2nd gear screaming at 6K rpm and I always expected it to spit out a rod. I tried all of the bolt on stuff- cold air intake, headers, exhaust, tune and it did not change it one bit. I believe to make it better, it would need a pretty big improvement in low end torque. A supercharger might do it, might not. It would just have to be researched. I didn't want to buy a diesel either, but I ended up buying a Duramax and would never go back to a gas truck for towing. I have bought 4 more Duramax's since then. I got a brand new 19 model F350 6.2 gasser for a work truck, It won't pull your hat off your head. No way I would try to tow with it. Last week I got in 2 new Chevy 2500 gassers for work trucks. I haven't really put them to the test yet, but so far I can tell that they are a big improvement over my old Escalade and night and day better than my F350

My 8.1/Allison does a great job - and for the 99% of the time that I am NOT hauling anything, it's a lot easier to live with than the Diesel. My ex-wife got the Duramax in the divorce and 100%, that truck, while otherwise nearly identical, has needed a lot more love over the years.

With Longtube headers, modified intake manifold, and a tune, it's putting down 340hp to the rear wheels and 500-something lb-ft of torque.

You probably don't even need a supercharger. Depending on the miles on your truck, I'd suggest an engine refresh with Heads, Cam, Intake, Headers, Exhaust, and you will likely pick up 100hp & 100 lb ft of torque. You will want to address your torque converter and transmission with an upgrade as well. But you are going to bump up to premium gas too which will increase your towing costs. However, your MPG should be about the same.

The thing that I have noticed about towing with 1/2 ton trucks is the stress it puts on the braking system, ESPECIALLY if your trailer has SURGE brakes. As long as your trailer has brakes on both axles, AND it's an EoH setup, you are fine with the truck you have now.
I DEFINITELY recommend the PowerStop Z36 brake upgrade kit to ANY truck though. It's a massive difference for relatively low investment: https://www.powerstop.com/product/po...z36-brake-kit/

I towed a 25' Baja about 45 minutes several years ago with a overly basic trailer, surge brakes, on only one of the two axles; behind my F150 6.2L gasser. I towed it across town during rush hour traffic. By the end of that trip, I had warped the front rotors on the truck. I should have used my Ram 3500 for that trip. I got pushed all over the place. It's was a friends boat, and the trailer brakes probably didn't work.

I’ll have to look into this and see how well it would work for what I’m trying to accomplish. Thanks

good feedback on the tires. They came in the trailer but look like decent tires. I’ll see what the details are.

I actually had a tune out on the truck this last summer. It’s noticeable when I’m not towing but once I hook up the boat it’s really hard to tell. I have no problem getting up the hills but the damn motor is 4500-5000 rpm sprinting up. Can’t be good for longevity!

Hey Woodchuck, is that Raystown Lake? I had a Chris Craft 245 LTD I hauled with a 5.3 in my 2009 Tahoe up there. Seemed to work just fine. Water is so clean up there.

Yes, the Rivian is rated to tow 11k, which means it's passed all tests to do that. Which is a lot more than my Tahoe did. I like the R1S more, but it's only rated for 7500 I think. I'd much prefer the SUV, but am waiting on getting hands on with a CyberTruck before I decide if I'll replace my Model X, or just keep it. I'd like something that can tow my boat, but since I only do that 2x a year, it's not a priority.

Right now, with a marina, (and now larger boat) I only need to tow 2x a year, so I just rent a truck from enterprise rent-a-truck. I get a 2500 gas or diesel, my pick, for less than $150/day including the $20 break whatever insurance.

For $300/yr, that's less than 1 month payment on owning one, or heck even the inspection costs, oil changes, insurance, tax, etc. etc.

I did the math at one point, and the cheapest diesel 2500 ram you can get, I'd have to rent a truck, at LEAST 20x + a year. I think I tossed the excel file, but I detailed it all out renting a truck vs owning for only using a few times a year.

Of course if you need to haul 2-3x a week, certainly own one. But if it's like 10x a year - maybe rent one?

https://www.enterprisetrucks.com/truckrental/en_US.html

I used to tow my Velocity 280 plus a ton of gear with an 03 Suburban with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears, it did ok. It shifted a lot going up hills and the Zilwaukee Bridge but it wasn't unreasonable. Of course it had headers, cold air intake and a tune. My 2015 Yukon Denali has the 6.2 with 8spd and 3.42 gears and it tows like a breeze. Don't think I have ever hit 4k unless I'm passing and I use my cruise control. My elevation changes are about 800ft up and down. It's surprising what a little tuning of the shift points will do. Of course I have a cold air intake, better exhaust and a tune on that too. I do use tow mode on both and it helps a lot. The Yukon after the mods is almost 500ftlbs so nothing gained by going to a gas 2500 other than gear ratio. Whipple has a new 3L blower I have my eye on. I think I'm going to make that my birthday present next year. With a pulley change and some tuning I can make 650hp pretty easy on 93 octane.

appreciate your advice. Sounds like you know the hills I’m referring too :D TableRock was way worse regarding the hills but as you said, truck made it. Was just waiting for a rod to shoot through the block the whole time.

Yeah man I can’t justify 50-55k for a lightly used 5 years old diesel truck. As much as I want to and know it would tow night and day. If I could get a new one for 55, we would’ve even be having this
conversation.

Thanks,
Todd

Just food for thought on diesels. I have a 2017 RAM 2500 turbo diesel w/ 260K miles. I've never put this many miles on a vehicle. The truck runs great. I'm going to see how many miles I can get out of the girl. When I bought the truck new the salesman told me the truck will fall apart before you have issues with the drivetrain. I coated the undercarriage and door jams in an attempt to prevent severe rust damage. I know the cost of diesel is crazy right now and I'm hearing about shortages coming however both will be fleeting I'd imagine. If you can get a good deal now on a high mileage diesel go for it. This is my first diesel and I love it. The sounds, smells, and massive torque on hand is hard to part with.