Just put about 1200 miles on and my biggest complaint is finding gas stations that you can get in and out of with a 38 ft boat. Even some of the truck stops don't have gas side set up for it. So what's the secret to finding stations you can get a 45 foot trailer through? That would be the biggest reason I'd look into a diesel in the future.

Well thats always an issue towing boats. I buy gas not based on fuel prices but accesablity with the boat attached.

Wannabe

You were at LOTO???? Wish I would have known. We were down Thurs-Mon.
I tow with a Chevy 2500HD CC 8100/Allison. I've always had gas trucks and never a problem. Its my daily driver as well.

Even if gas was 3.15 (it's not in ohio, its about 3.30) and diesel was 3.85 (it's about 3.69 when I bought at the lake last weekend, that's still only 20% increase. I'm getting at least 13.5 mpg when I haul the 357 at 20k lbs combined. It would be a %70 increase in my towing fuel to switch to a gas truck getting 8 mpg, that's not insignificant, and it more than evaporates the difference in the fuel prices. There have been a couple times locally where diesel and regular have been the same price That being said, I also shopped hard for my truck, it's a 2002 24v cummins with a 5 speed, 128k miles, flawless leather interior and darn nice exterior all for around 10 grand. There is not a single gas truck on the planet that could make me want to switch right now. That being said, Anyone who doesn't think a big block truck is capable of pulling a heavy trailer is on crack. If I was feeling patient I have no doubt I could get around with a small block truck just like my boat's previous owner.

Best tow rig I ever had was my 97 k3500 with a built 454. Som ***** would pass diesels up hill in 5th gear, but I averaged 4-6 mpg towing. It's bad when my wife's bladder can outlast a 38 gallon fuel tank.

Towing this:





Gas:
Loses speed on any slight incline, always downshifting and revving to 3000rpm plus, doesn`t wanna shift back to overdrive unless I let off, horrible gas mileage, still horrible when empty not allowing me to use it in the off season.
Wanna pass, better have a half mile to build speed.
440tq @ 4200rpm gas
or 650tq @ 1600rpm Diesel.
9mpg empty gas
15mpg empty Diesel

Plus mine has a tune that requires me to use 89+octane so gas price difference vs. Diesel is nill.

Maybe I should just get a smaller boat

Have a 7.3, Wish I would have bought a v-10 truck. Love the 99-04 superdutys with the v-10. Yes the turning radius is **** on the 99-04, and they are a bit bumpier of a ride, but thats the price ya pay for leafs all the way around.

this is what piss's me of about gm,,they only offer the 6.0 in the 3500 trucks but you can get a 6.2 in a gmc denali 1500..boy what a bunch of idiot's..

Mild you are just a trouble maker.

First you say that a blown 468cu in? is better then a 540 NA motor! pssssssssss

Then you tell people your fountain isn't really a feather lite 33 foot like everyone knows.

Now you are trying to say a DRW long bed GAS truck is just as good or,,,,,,,,,,, BETTER Then towing as a SWR short bed diesel,,,,,OMG

What's next? You going to tell us other boat companies count the bustle in the length of their boats?

I averaged 11.2 mpg at about 75 since it was a cool night and the egts stayed around 1100. That was with a 'junk' 6.0 stroker 4:10 geared dually with 37" swampers turning 1900! To each their own. Just shy of 28k. Shifted a few times around Jefferson city but i don't use the cruise so i cheat. Start getting out of it around 98.5% power usage and you're good. Boost in the mid-upper 20s all the way with no studs...i impressed myself even! Don't murder me but i would never in a million years go back to a gas engine. Not saying its not more than capable but i couldnt be happier with its first long test with the boat!