Michael Ward

IF YOU PLAN ON TOWING A 10,000 LB BOAT W/ A 6.0 GET READY FOR DISAPPOINTMENT. THE 8.1 W/ ALLISON IS THE BETTER CHOICE. I TOW A 42' FOUNTAIN FROM OKLA. TO FT. LAUDERDALE BEHIND AN 02 2500 HD W/ THE 8.1 / ALLISON AND IT IS A GOOD MATCH FOR SOMEONE WHO ONLY TOWS LONG DISTANCE A FEW TIMES A YEAR.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE TRAILER YOU ARE PULLING NEEDS TO BE SET UP W/ THE BEST BRAKING SYSTEM POSSIBLE. I CAN DEAL W/ NOT BEING ABLE TO RUN UP HILL QUITE AS FAST AS I WOULD LIKE, BUT I HAD BETTER BE ABLE TO STOP GOING DOWN HILL WHEN I HAVE TO.

Michael Ward

YOU WILL DO FINE AS LONG AS THERE IS A FELLOW BOATER THERE W/ HIS BIG TRUCK AND A GOOD CHAIN.

IT'S NOT THE ASTROTHAT WON'T PULLIT BUT THE LACK OF REAR TIRE TRACTION ON THAT WET RAMP THAT WILL KILL YOU

MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE STRAP OR CHAIN W/ YOU SO MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST

Half Nutz

Cgarrett,

I have a 2001 standard 3/4 ton (not HD) with the 6.0

It pulled my Top Gun all the way home from Ft Lauderdale to Toledo! My Friend who picked it up said the power combo worked fine, (he is also a truck driver by trade), he only wished for more brakes and suspension. Both are addressed when you purchase an HD.

Of course more truck is always nice but the upgrade to an 8.1 or a duramax is sizeable $$$$. Of course I would love a duramax dually but I also drive my truck everyday. I work for a Chevy dealer and my next purchase will be a 2500HD with the 6.0.

I trailer my boat a lot in the spring and fall, then I rack and launch in the summer. I also trailer to cleveland and michigan a few times during the year.

Hope this helps

Dan Burtscher

Michael Ward

WARPARTY 36 AND I RECENTLY TOWED UN-ORTHO-DOCS TO SARASOTA FROM GRAND LAKE W/ DELO'S NEW 3500 DURAMAX INCLUDING THE TURBO KIT UPGRADE. IT IS A 47 FOUNTAIN ON A VERY HEAVY DOOLIE TRAILER.

THIS CHEVY IS A PULLIN' MACHINE.

obnoxus

I bought my 2500 in 99 before the 8.1 and Duramax were out. It pulled the 272 Baja with no problem.

When I bought the boat shop I was a bit nervouse it wouldnt pull the larger customers boats I would be dealing with. Not to worry.

It has pulled a 38 Sonic, a 36 Outlaw, and a 38 Donzi ZX (owner states 16,000 loaded and with the trailer ).

The Sonic and Outlaw were no problem. It definatly knew the Donzi was back there although I was WAY over cap for the truck too. I just took it real easy getting it going so I didnt hurt anything. Once it was rolling it went down the highway at 55 MPH no problem.

I would say anything under 10k and the 6.0 would do just fine. I get 15 MPG nontowing expressway. 10-12 around tow. and 12 MPG towing the 272 at 65 MPH.

It only has 38,000 miles on it and I have no intentions of getting rid of it anytime soon. It does just fine !!!!

Dave M

I just bought a 2500HD Crew Cab with the 6.0/4.10. I didn't get the diesel because of the $$. I'm getting around 13 MPG empty. It's not my daily driver so the MPG isn't a huge issue.

I'd like to see some resale statistics gas v diesel. I started out looking for a used diesel. The price between used gas and diesel did not seem as big as the initial difference in price.

birdog

I have a 7.3 with 3.73 gears my buddy has a 8.1 Burban with 4.10.....Me..31 Bullet Him..312 Formula........
We tow together up to Lake Erie.....75-80 mph...
He gets me leaving stops...I get him on long hills..
When we arrive he is on E....I still have 1/2 tank of fuel.

Another buddy with a 6.0 gas with 4.10......He can run with me on the flat, although he always has the pedal on the floor {Cant be good}...Hills ? I leave him BAD !

Also...resale on the gas motors is waaaay lower & harder to sell.......You decide

Hi-Tech Marine

Funny how these threads always end up in a gas vs diesel topic. Both have there advantages and each person has their own unique needs. Why so many boats for example. Some want no thrills go fast/some want TV /Fridge/AC/Genset,etc.

General Motors is putting there money where their mouth is on the vortec engine sponsorship program. They have developed an engine that will hold up to the rigors of racing and using this for R&D. I am thankfull they have chosen offshore racing for the 8.1L. Nascar usually gets the benifit of mfg. R&D.

The torque curve on the diesel is lower RPM thus lower gear ratio (numerically). The 8.1L torque cuve is lower than the older 454 although in the 3500 class is only availabe with 4.1 (due to the fact this is set up for the 16K 5th wheel load. THe 2500/8.1 is available with the 3.73. the 8.1L at 1800 to 2000 rpm gets awesome milage and pulls hard (a 42 Fountain is a comfortable tow).

Back to POST #1 - CGarrett - The 2500HD/6.0/4.1 will get the job done. If you can swing the 8.1L/3.73 you may be happier for both towing and everyday driving as you will be turning lower RPM. Gas milage should be comprable due to Lower RPM and higher torque on the 3.73 gears. You'll also jump from a 10,600 rating to a 12K rating (Same as the diesel).

Take advantage of the discount program and the savings should be enough to More than cover the upgrade to the 8.1.

SummerObsession

OK, I'm interested. Tell me about the turbo kit upgrade!
BTW: 2500HD, diesel/allison/35"tires/ 16mpg city/19+ hwy/ 14+ towing 11,000lbs at 75 mph.
Never buy another truck without a Duramax/Allison.

Here are some average towing/empty numbers:

Gas powered:
60,000 miles/ 12.5 avg MPG= 4800 gallons x 1.75/gallon= $8400.00

Diesel powered:
60,000 miles/ 15.5 MPG=3870 gallons x 1.65/gallon= $6387.00

So, using the above example, you will save $2013.00 over 60k miles, not including the cheaper cost of maintenance (change oil every 5k miles in diesel)

Resale value will make up the other cost of upgrade over the gas powered truck, plus you don't have to drive a weenie mobile in the mean time!!

SummerObsession

Yes I know the above are some major assumptions, but tailor the figures to yourself! Who knows what fuel prices will do? I don't.