I have towing my 31ss with a f250 right now and I love the truck but everyone I know that runs diesels just seems to pour a ton of money into them. I personally just dropped 7 grand into mine in 2 weeks. I would really like to be able to SAFELY tow my boat with a newer chevy tahoe or escalade. Is anyone found a way to beef things up and use other vehicles like these? It seems tow ratings are raising a little bit each year.

Take your boat to the local CAT scale full of fuel and all the crap your wife normally packs in the boat every weekend. Go at an off hour so they will let you detach and weigh just the boat and trailer. You will then have your tongue weight, axle weight and total weight of the boat and trailer. Then you will be able to answer your question with facts, not just guesses or opinions.

I can answer this one from experience, not from guessing. I was towing my 31SS with a 2005 HD2500 with a 6.0 gas, bought a H2 after a few friends said it would tow it just fine, and it sucked. I mean SUCKED! I ended up trading the H2 in for another truck and lost my a$$. Lost 10k on the 05 and another 8k on the H2 to get back to where i was.

If your running flat land like Florida, I'd say you could get away with it, but if your pulling hills, the suspension of an HD and torque of the diesel is what you want.

I had a 31ss and boat, trailer, fuel, etc, your at 11,000lbs.

Ford does have out the new big gas motor this year, with a 3/4 ton and that gas motor, it would do the job.

FORD Ranger

GM had the TowMax for awhile, knew of a guy that pulled his 38 TG with it.

I have towed a 31 sonic with a 1500 silverado and it was one of the worst tows ever. no pulling power, suspension not up to par, and felt like the front wheels werent even on the road

I wouldnt suggest it even for a 15 mile trip

My '03 31SS weighed in at exactly 10,000lbs on the CAT scale on an aluminum trailer. An older boat is probably a little heavier. I towed with a Suburban 2500 6.0L for 3 years and just sold it. I wouldn't use anything smaller. It was completely capable, just too slow getting up to speed and really struggled with hills. Now, I'm in the market for a 3/4 or 1-ton SRW diesel.

You would be foolish to sell or trade your truck after your $7k investment, you will NOT get it back. What did you spend it on?

And I assure you you would not like your fuel mileage changing to gas, nor the strain on the powertrain and suspension. Stay with diesel you will be much happier. I had a 1987 F250 and loved it except for the weak motor...

I would just keep what you've got. You just spent a good chunk of cash on it. Hopefully you ar edone spending on it for a while.

I would never consider towing my 32 AT with anything less than a 2500.