29Fever

iTrader: (1)

I have a 98 29' Fountain Fever with twin 454's, sitting on a Myco steel (imron painted) trailer. A majority of the time the boat sits in dry storage at a local marina, however I'm interested in taking it to events within my area. I do not do much local driving, I live close to work, water, and church so I might put on 10k miles a year but more realistic is 7k miles a year. Before I put the boat in dry storage I bought an 04 F250 that was nothing but 6.0 problems so I got rid of it. I loved the truck it pulled the boat like it wasn't even there, but the cost of owning a 6 point blow pushed me over the edge and its long gone. I'm trying to stay within a budget and considering the mileage I drive. For example, buying a $55k diesel truck isn't cost effective for my local needs. I'm trying to stay under $18k and considering "gas" trucks too, but I have seen older diesels in that range.

I'm currently looking at an H2 Hummer, 2010 Crew Max Tundra 4wd, or an 2005 Dodge 2500 Cummins 4wd.

Does any one have any suggestions? I would like a median vehicle that fits my local and towing needs. I like the Dodge bc the Cummins but the cab space sucks for a crew cab, I also have 2 daughters 9 and 3 so I have to do daddy daughter stuff too. I'm leaning toward the Hummer...

thank you in advance for your thoughts

kensfourwinns

The Hummer is basically a Tahoe. Most people including me would tell you want a 3/4 ton truck .

TooLateVTEC

iTrader: (1)

Not really, the H2 Hummer is on a 3/4 ton truck chassis and used 8 lug wheels, as well as the 6.0 gas engine.

No love for the crew cab short bed GM's with the 6.0 or even the 8.1 if you could find one?

Sydwayz on here has an extended cab long bed Chevy 2500 with the 8.1 you could ask him about.

Griff

The Chevy or GMC 2500HD with the 8.1/Allison Trans is a great package. They were made from 2001 to the 2007 Classic Model.
I'm on my second truck with that package. Traded my 2001 with 140k on my 2007 Classic which now has 130k on it.
The MPG sucks, but they pull great and since you don't put a lot of miles on, the MPG should not matter that much.

Blueabyss

Dodge 2500 hands down. I have a H2 and a Dodge 2500 with a Cummins. The H2 is much more comfortable but the Dodge with the Cummins is much more of a puller. Oddly the stock brakes are better on the Hummer. The stock brakes on the Dodge sucked. I swapped them out for Powerstop dimpled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads. Now it could stop a dump truck. A few people have swapped out the motor in H2 hummers for a Duramax and put a larger Rear end in them. That would be the King of the road.

Chris

97FASTech

iTrader: (6)

I have a 2008 DBL cab Tundra that has worked flawlessly for 8 years now. It suits my needs just fine for a single engine 271 FASTech (apprx. 6200 lbs loaded with fuel) However, I don't tow long distances, the Tundra is horrible with gas mileage when towing, one might get about 10 mpg while towing a boat, less than that with any kind of travel trailer. Daily runaround mileage is about 15. Tundra only has a 26 gal fuel tank, 22ish usable fuel tank. Payload is not very much, around 1100 - 1200 lbs based on model, crewmax and 4wd will lower this significantly. Choose the best truck for your needs. Good Luck in your search.

Chart

A bit confused here, will this be your daily driver as well as boat pulling truck, or just a special purpose truck for boat pulling and other truck needs?

Either way, as little as you drive, you really don't want the expense and hassle of a diesel truck. I know, as one has been my daily driver for 14 years now, and maybe, maybe, it's finally paid off the diesel premium and maintenance costs. Yes, it pulls the boat well, but so would a big block gas engine, and they cost a lot less, even when figuring in mileage as you drive so few miles.

If this is not a daily driver, consider an older 2500 Suburban with a big block and 4wd. You can get one for a few thousand, and it has all the room your kids would need.

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

Yep, it's been a great truck for me. I may be selling it sometime in the next few months. I have a 7.3L PSD too, and am considering going down to one (new(er)) truck.

I had one with 200K miles on it (silver) to use as a beater (LS model). I liked it so much, I bought another one fully loaded, LT model.

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RogerThat99

I have a GMC 2500 HD with the 6.0. I really like it. I would look at the 8.1, but I didn't find many of them when I was looking. Or possibly a V-10 Excursion.

RogerThat99

I also saw a 2500 Suburban w/ 8.1 with 123,000 miles for sale recently for $12K. That would be a great option also.