Need New Tow Vehicle
12-21-2009 | 03:41 PM
#11
Gold Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 437
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From: Cromwell, Indiana
Elite Marine what year is your truck and are you planning on trading it in or trying to sell it yourself and if I can ask what would your asking price be? I posted on the other form you started. We are thinking of finding a 3/4 or 1 ton truck come spring time to tow our boat. We are in no hurry to find anything since our suburban will tow our boat and we really don't tow that much but we have talked about going to other places and if we do I think a bigger truck or suburban would be nice. We would like to get something that's white if we can.
Good luck in finding something.
Good luck in finding something.
12-21-2009 | 04:21 PM
#12
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 346
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From: Austin,TX
I have been looking at the same vehicle.. I have been told the 2500HD is the way to go.. heavier axles and brakes, etc. The 2005 has the 5 speed Allison, while the 2006 has a 6 speed. Not sure if the 6 speed is a plus or minus. Seems if you could find one with higher axle ratio and the 6 speeds, it may help mileage?? Those in the know, tell me you have to chip it to get better mileage. Friend has a newer one and had to replace the exhaust system and chip it to get back up to where he was with his older one.. I have heard over 20mpg in some cases.. But I am not sure how it is driven or what gears, trans, etc???
Would love to hear from others on this subject.
I drive an 09 Suburban for work with a tow package and 6.0 motor.. I doesnt start to pull unless you have your foot in it and it is winding above 3500rpm.. At 4000 it will come on the cam and pull like mad.. feels like a drag motor to me.. I was headed that way, then drove an 8.1 and it had reasonable power, but 10-12mpg.. I have only driven one diesel and that was my friends older crew cab 2500HD.. I could not believe how easy it pulled his 36' trailer empty.. I gently stepped down on the loud pedal and I thought I put it to the floor.. Very impressive for fuel oil!! The mileage alone is a good reason.. the pulling power is unmatchable by gas..
Dick
Would love to hear from others on this subject.
I drive an 09 Suburban for work with a tow package and 6.0 motor.. I doesnt start to pull unless you have your foot in it and it is winding above 3500rpm.. At 4000 it will come on the cam and pull like mad.. feels like a drag motor to me.. I was headed that way, then drove an 8.1 and it had reasonable power, but 10-12mpg.. I have only driven one diesel and that was my friends older crew cab 2500HD.. I could not believe how easy it pulled his 36' trailer empty.. I gently stepped down on the loud pedal and I thought I put it to the floor.. Very impressive for fuel oil!! The mileage alone is a good reason.. the pulling power is unmatchable by gas..
Dick
The 6spd and a higher rear end will give you better MPG. Thats how mine is set up and its a 4x4 dually. I average 15 around town driving normal with the occasional jump off the light and 17ish on the highway running 75mph. Towing a 42ft fountain I got about 13 running 65-70. From what i have heard, the older Dmax's are better on fuel, but less power. I have a straight pipe exhaust and no chip. I have heard claims also of 2 or so better MPG with a programmer, but I dont have one so I do not know for sure.
12-21-2009 | 04:42 PM
#13
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 348
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From: bristol,Ct
02 dmax, programmer, turbo back exhaust, 3.73 gears, and 33" tires. 20 plus MPG driving 70 or under highway. Towing Va. to Ct. 450 miles averaged 12.2 MPG highway and city. The 33" tires helps mileage when not towing but def. hurts torque while towing around town.
12-21-2009 | 07:01 PM
#15
Charter Member #601
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,276
Likes: 5
From: Holland, Mi USA.
boatntrkr, Tcudda, Cold Sweat,
thanks for that input..
The one friend with the newer Crew Cab Duramax (year?) Could not match his old truck for milage. It has the particulater filter, I think.. He found a company that sold him a package, pipes and programer. That brought him back to where his older truck was, or close to it. I will have to talk to him about it.
But I like the idea of the 6 speed and higer gear. My little 28' Check will not a truck like that back..
Keep the numbers coming.. learning a lot here!!
Thanks to everyone!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Dick
thanks for that input..
The one friend with the newer Crew Cab Duramax (year?) Could not match his old truck for milage. It has the particulater filter, I think.. He found a company that sold him a package, pipes and programer. That brought him back to where his older truck was, or close to it. I will have to talk to him about it.
But I like the idea of the 6 speed and higer gear. My little 28' Check will not a truck like that back..
Keep the numbers coming.. learning a lot here!!
Thanks to everyone!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Dick
12-21-2009 | 09:36 PM
#16
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 329
Likes: 2
From: New Lenox IL
Oil burner is the way to go over gasser for pulling for sure. I have the 6.0 with 410s and love it but I am only towing a 28 foot boat. I keep my truck in my garage and dont want to deal with the diesel smell otherwise I would probably go with the dmax. Carefull with the aftermarket upgrades on any of the vehicles now whether gas or diesel if you are under warranty. GM is requesting computer snap shot downloaded to them when any major component is replaced or any abnormal repairs. They can see the history of programs that were installed in the computer even if you switch it back to factory before you bring it in. It is not just the dealer being petty, but GM requesting the info before you can get an OK to do the repairs.
12-22-2009 | 10:07 AM
#17
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Fredericksburg, Va
I can tell you this if you end up with a 6.0 ford diesel, do NOT chip it...pistons very weak fail regularly and even if you remove what you did the ford computer leaves a hidden code letting them know what had been done before and bounces the warranty claim....so saying that have to be very carefull on buying a used one if you don't know the history real well. the new 6.4 I'm told by my ford guys when you buy new you have to sign a paper stating you will not modify the engine, tuner, exhaust, etc.... I run a edge programer on my duramax, was on the truch when I bought it, I keep it on the lowest 2 settings.....turn it up, power level unreal !!!!! afraid of breaking something and milage suffers....Rob
12-22-2009 | 10:23 AM
#18
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 346
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From: Austin,TX
boatntrkr, Tcudda, Cold Sweat,
thanks for that input..
The one friend with the newer Crew Cab Duramax (year?) Could not match his old truck for milage. It has the particulater filter, I think.. He found a company that sold him a package, pipes and programer. That brought him back to where his older truck was, or close to it. I will have to talk to him about it.
But I like the idea of the 6 speed and higer gear. My little 28' Check will not a truck like that back..
Keep the numbers coming.. learning a lot here!!
Thanks to everyone!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Dick
thanks for that input..
The one friend with the newer Crew Cab Duramax (year?) Could not match his old truck for milage. It has the particulater filter, I think.. He found a company that sold him a package, pipes and programer. That brought him back to where his older truck was, or close to it. I will have to talk to him about it.
But I like the idea of the 6 speed and higer gear. My little 28' Check will not a truck like that back..
Keep the numbers coming.. learning a lot here!!
Thanks to everyone!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Dick
Yea, the 07 (i believe) and newer chevy trucks have a DPF...you can find a hand full of companies that will sell you a DPF delete kit that comes with everything your friends did. It will most likely void any type of warranty you have though. Its not cheap, but you will pay it off in no time with fuel savings.
12-22-2009 | 11:55 AM
#19
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,306
Likes: 1
From: Between A Womans Leggs in IL
Fixx
Chevy or dodge! look at what you see on the highway always pulling trailers cross country! 90% of them are dodge's because of their great pulling power and the fuel economy,they will average 15 mpg puling and 20 mpg not.. i put a banks kit and exhaust on a friends a few months ago then i used his truck to pull my 10,000ldb formula and could not believe the power! i could spin the tires with all that tongue weight
.........
do this show up at a dealer with your boat and ask them if you could hitch up the boat and take the truck for a test drive with the boat hitched up! do it to chevy ,ford and dodge and then you can decide on what will work best for you..
.........do this show up at a dealer with your boat and ask them if you could hitch up the boat and take the truck for a test drive with the boat hitched up! do it to chevy ,ford and dodge and then you can decide on what will work best for you..
12-22-2009 | 12:32 PM
#20
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 19
From: Washington, MO
My 2500 Avalanche has 93K on it and it is probabaly a good time to trade it in. What do you guys think about a 2500 Silverado Crew Cab with either a 6.0L Gas or the Duramax?
Anyone have one - whats the good/bad? Towing about 9500#currenlty unless i upgrade my boat in a couple years!!
Looking for input please.
Anyone have one - whats the good/bad? Towing about 9500#currenlty unless i upgrade my boat in a couple years!!
Looking for input please.
This thing tows great and the ride is relatively smooth for an HD truck and not too noisy. We love it.
