I have been looking for a capable tow vehicle for one to two trips from Omaha, NE to LOTO towing a 1997 PowerQuest 380 Avenger. Really not wanting a diesel and not having any luck with finding an 8.1 GM gasser to replace my pristine, low mile 2004 Avalanche.

I have a buddy who took a job about 8 yrs ago in Vegas and is ready to sell his 1997 F250 X-Cab, Long Box Powerstroke to me for real cheap. Very clean, rust free truck with around 250,000 miles and well maintained.

I am looking for an honest opinion if this generation diesel is capable of towing our boat a couple time per year to LOTO. Boat is on a steel trailer. I am concerned, as a buddy's 2002 F250 powerstroke we have been borrowing really struggles prior to the programmer and still not impressive after that. I was thinking about buying the 1997 truck strictly for towing and keeping the Avalanche, as I put about 5000 miles per year due to company truck benefit.

thoughts?

A gas engine will never have the torque and power of a diesel, especially for long range towing. Gasser will struggle, with a 38 foot boat, and get very poor gas mileage. You need a diesel.

It will tow it but you wont be impressed. Tuners intakes and exhausts do alot for those trucks. It seems as if you wont be happy until you have the power of one of the new diesels.

They are two rigs not drag cars.
You dont need a diesel to tow a 38.
My chevy 8.1 gasser would spank the crap outta my 7.3 diesel towing my 38 fountain if it was a drag race.
My 8.1 would only drop 1 mpg towing my fountain over daily driving, never figured it out with my diesel but the gauge drops substantially quicker with a load.
8.1s have a 5 speed allison trans, two/haul mode was great, especially on down hills and it was screaming running over 65mph. 7.3's only have a 4 speed, turn off your overdrive she's singing a good tune at 60-65mph

I think the 97 for a cheap tow only rig would be a great idea. The 7.3's are well known for thier longevity
Good luck

I have a 96, same truck. You have to put a turbo back exhaust, tuner and I added cold air intake.

Different truck after the mods plenty of towing power and much better mileage, I do tow in OD but leave it off until about 50.

These old transmission have a different load path when you shift manual over just leaving it in drive. I have the paperwork somewhere, I'll try and scan it tonight and post.

The truck will have the power to pull it for sure, but a 38' powerquest on a steel trailer is pretty heavy. I would say you should look for a dually for stability.

My 2005 8.1l 95, 000 mile dually is always for sale. I don`t know what they are going for anymore... $18, 000K?
The 7.3l needs a tuner otherwise it`s a slug.

Talk to Sydayz- he has a 8.1 Allison combo-

The old 7.3 was an OK diesel- not great. If it has the turbo thats good. If not skip it and use your Avalanche.

Wannabe

I have an 8.1L 2500HD in the OSO Classifieds. It may be an option for you. It's rated to tow 12,000 lbs.

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1997 F350, 4 wheel drive, long bed crew. Totally stock. 150,000 plus miles. A 30' Baja but a lot of stuff in it and we always tow with 150 gallons in the boat and 90 gallons in the truck. We tow 300 miles to the Pacific and 400 miles to Havasu. Always tow in overdrive but never bothered to check mileage.

I won't beat everybody to the top of the hill, but I always get there. It does ride like a truck, but also it's a F350.

Not a daily driver, we only use it to tow the boat. Cheap to own and operate. We love it.