the 15k budget going to be tuff, only diesels at that point going to be 6.0 fords(for a reason) for the most part unless they have a ton of miles. My son has that same boat, tows with a 2500 duramax, works great.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e031e71c50.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cc2fab349c.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...01d7bd1f0d.jpg
An 08 with a new motor 7000 miles ago, truck has 128000miles on it. Not going to be 15k but not too far off and everything is done. text 70549918 five one

Nice looking truck, who did the new motor and I assume you put a 6.4 back into it? I know about the radiator issues, regen, stuff like that what else was the week links on those motors?

I towed a 33 Outlaw (12,500 on trailer) with an 7.3 excursion. I put on add a leaf, adjustable shocks, programmer etc.
I hated it. the steering is loose as **** and the suspension sucks, and the ride is bad due to a short wheelbase. Keeping it in a lane was a full time job.
It felt like a workout every time I towed anything with it. plus it sounded like a school bus.
Power was great however.

Tried towing a 38 cig with it and sold it the next week that was downright dangerous.

Had a 8.1/allison dually . It ate gas like it was going out of style (6mpg highway, 8 downhill, 4 mpg around town.) (38 cig) and it was constantly downshifting. Got rid of that as fast as I could.

Bought a 2012 3500Ram best truck ever. Love it. Even more now that it`s deleted.

Ford really missed it on selecting springs for the Excursion. Most of the horrible steering and tracking is actually due to the rear springs not holding the axle 90 degrees to the truck, even with add a leaf's. I added radius rods to my rear springs, and holy moly had a different truck. It tracked straight, and rode better over bad bumps. It was amazing.

ICDEDPPL, do you get any soot on you're boat with your truck deleted?

I don`t get any smoke for whatever reason .. but I only run the 20hp tow tune.

What tuner are you running?