glboatdriver

For the original question... We have a 330SS on an Eagle trailer and have towed it with an F-350, SRW with the Powerstroke. We bought it in southern Illinois and trailered it a day and a half to home. It did fine. I think a quality trailer is critical. A poor trailer might make the dually necessary if it doesn't track well

buck35

True enough at the pump, but things go down hill rapidly from there. Oil changes,tires, scheduled maintenance.... Adds up quick.
Edit in. I did say depending on amount of towing which is a game changer.

MichiMike

A diesel truck makes not so much sense as a daily driver.It's a TOW truck.Mine sits in the barn.... 15 years old 120,000 miles.almost all tow miles.
Use the right tool for the job.

fordf350

This is not dig on anyone. But the 08 F350/6.4 has 136,000 with 30,000 being tow miles and it is my daily driver. Not to mention it match's the boat. The 01 F350/7.3 has over 300,000. With 150,000 being tow miles. And if it wasn't for my buddy scratching it up on a hunting trip. It would still be one of the best looking trucks in the county. If I could keep my foot from being so heavy I might get better mileage at least out of the 6.4 the 7.3 has the wrong gears for mileage. I feel that if you are going to do any kind of valuable towing i.e. our boats. Than diesel is the way to go. BUT. Lets not forget transmission coolers. Large powerful brakes for stopping. etc. The truck must be able to handle driving that boat down the interstate and maneuvering the parking lots at the boat ramp. Without making your drive so tiresome that you cannot enjoy the trip. If I was thinking on buying a second hand daily driver and still tow a boat around town for less than $12,000 it would be a 1997 or 96 F250 or F350 diesel with tall gears for mileage and the diesel will handle the power requirements and maybe add a tuner just for the heck of it. In my humble opinion.

Jupiter Sunsation

I daily drove a Duramax for 8 years......bought truck brand new for 32K (crew 2WD SLE, 43K MSRP 2003). I spent 39K in fuel for that truck in 8 years (170K miles). That fuel cost stunned me!

As a daily driver it was nice, comfortable and only left me stranded once (150K+ miles a pulley sheared off). I was tired of the fuel filter changes, the 10 qt oil changes and was ready for a new truck.

Chart

It's my experience that your statement is true when working the engines hard with a heavy load. But, when not working the engines hard with a heavy load, the mileage savings isn't that much. Buck's point was that for little actual towing, the numbers don't support a diesel truck. And he's probably right.

Rookie17

To the original question -

I daily a SRW Duramax 3500. Love the damned thing and enjoy driving it every day. Chose the SRW with 3500 on purpose, but my boat is a lot smaller than yours.

The difference in payload is only an extra leaf spring when the truck is loaded. So ride quality is the same as a HD2500 (truck doesn't get to the extra spring leaf until loaded).

As for fuel economy, the dash computer says 14 ish around town and anywhere from 17 to 18 on a trip. Depends how you drive it of course.

As for maintenance costs, I bought the all inclusive bumper to bumper warranty that includes all service work (for about $1500 if I remember right). Just drop it at the dealer for oil changes etc and pick it up, no extra costs. So apart from that up front buy at the dealer, the truck is no more expensive to maintain than the 1500 gas burner Silverado my girlfriend drives.

Hope that helps you some.

Edit: The thing pulls like a train. I wouldn't tow with any gas truck by comparison, but each to their own.

ROB FREEMAN

iTrader: (2)

plus when the last time you seen a gasser with 400 k on it lol, trailerd miles ..

Mseuro

Ace Trailers is where I just bought mine. Great guys, good communication, and fair price.
http://www.ace-trailers.com/

Mseuro

Also I know I will catch some flack but.....https://plus.google.com/photos/yourp...53020303620169
F350 SRW v10 gas 4x4 pulling 16000lbs and getting 11MPH while doing it. No problems unless your in mountains, then it's working real hard. I use this to pull the boat (405 Performance), going out in woods, and for crap chores around the house that I don't want to do with a new truck. Paid 13,000.00 with under 100k miles. Could not be happier with the truck and the V10 and from what I hear I don't want a Ford diesel because of all the problems with them.