Help me purchase the right tow rig.
08-04-2011, 11:25 AM
#1
Help me purchase the right tow rig.
Hey guys,
I’m going to be in the market for a boat hauler this winter/spring. I’m trying to stay under $20k if possible. I don’t know much about what to look for in a diesel tow rig. Here is what I will be doing with it… Drive it a few days a week to work (10miles roundtrip), Pull the boat and move the whole family to the lake. It’s me the wife and 4 kids so I NEED a Crew cab. It needs to have the full bench seat up front so a center console won’t work. Guess I’m stuck with the flip up/down jump seat cup holder thing.
So imagine 6 people, bags, and a boat. Boat weighs in at 4700lbs+1500lb trailer, plus fuel, water, gear…so I’m estimating 6500-7000lbs behind the hitch and 1000lbs worth of people and bags in the truck.
MPG isn’t a big deal as the lake is close and so is work. For the 1 or 2 times a year I’d make a long haul with the boat I’m not worried about spending and extra $100 on gas that weekend ya know?
I’ve been reading up and I think a pre-2007 without all the emission stuff is the way to go. Tune it and call it a day. Duramax/Allison combo. What do you guys think?
I found this but, the seating isn’t gonna work… otherwise I love it. The lift, tires, and color are pretty much what I'd want but, I need 6 seats. I'd also prefer a short bed if that's possible with the CC.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/06-K3500-LT3-DURAMAX-LBZ-ALLISON-LIFT-BULLY-AFE-TV-/270784749835?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3f0c07610b
Suggestions are welcome!
I’m going to be in the market for a boat hauler this winter/spring. I’m trying to stay under $20k if possible. I don’t know much about what to look for in a diesel tow rig. Here is what I will be doing with it… Drive it a few days a week to work (10miles roundtrip), Pull the boat and move the whole family to the lake. It’s me the wife and 4 kids so I NEED a Crew cab. It needs to have the full bench seat up front so a center console won’t work. Guess I’m stuck with the flip up/down jump seat cup holder thing.
So imagine 6 people, bags, and a boat. Boat weighs in at 4700lbs+1500lb trailer, plus fuel, water, gear…so I’m estimating 6500-7000lbs behind the hitch and 1000lbs worth of people and bags in the truck.
MPG isn’t a big deal as the lake is close and so is work. For the 1 or 2 times a year I’d make a long haul with the boat I’m not worried about spending and extra $100 on gas that weekend ya know?
I’ve been reading up and I think a pre-2007 without all the emission stuff is the way to go. Tune it and call it a day. Duramax/Allison combo. What do you guys think?
I found this but, the seating isn’t gonna work… otherwise I love it. The lift, tires, and color are pretty much what I'd want but, I need 6 seats. I'd also prefer a short bed if that's possible with the CC.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/06-K3500-LT3-DURAMAX-LBZ-ALLISON-LIFT-BULLY-AFE-TV-/270784749835?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3f0c07610b
Suggestions are welcome!
09-06-2011, 07:12 PM
#2
I've got a 2008 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab with the LY6 6.0 I have listed for sale a couple places. It's not a diesel but will pull anything my cousin's duramax will without the expensive parts later down the road. PM me if you're interested. - Midland, TX
09-06-2011, 09:46 PM
#4
I had a 6L/Maggie 112 in my Tahoe, w/4.10 gears and it struggled to pull my 4000lb boat for some reason. My wife’s 2010 Tahoe 5.3L w/3.73 seemed to pull it just fine so figure that out. I’m sure my new setup would pull the boat (408,2300,4L80E,4.10) but I want to have something that I don’t have to worry about as far as braking with a load behind me and overall frame strength so I figure I need a 2500.
If I’m going to step up to a 2500 platform I may as well get a diesel and not have to worry about tow rating. Some of the boats I’m looking at are in the 10,000lb range. I want a tow rig that will be very reliable. I may tune the truck but other than that it will stay stock.
What do you mean by “without the expensive parts later down the road.”
If I’m going to step up to a 2500 platform I may as well get a diesel and not have to worry about tow rating. Some of the boats I’m looking at are in the 10,000lb range. I want a tow rig that will be very reliable. I may tune the truck but other than that it will stay stock.
What do you mean by “without the expensive parts later down the road.”
09-06-2011, 10:04 PM
#8
What do you mean by “without the expensive parts later down the road.”[/QUOTE]
I mean a set of bad injectors and lifter pump could really ruin your day. I had a 2006 Dmax for a work truck and stuff started getting reaalllly expensive around the 120k mile mark, that's why I opted for what I have now. I really liked the power better but for infrequent towing and such the extra cost for fuel and maintenance isn't worth it IMHO. But if you can get a good deal on a low mileage dmax then go for it, just think of the total cost of ownership.
I am in no way trying to slam diesels - I would love to have one but they are mucho expensivo when it comes to replacing parts
I mean a set of bad injectors and lifter pump could really ruin your day. I had a 2006 Dmax for a work truck and stuff started getting reaalllly expensive around the 120k mile mark, that's why I opted for what I have now. I really liked the power better but for infrequent towing and such the extra cost for fuel and maintenance isn't worth it IMHO. But if you can get a good deal on a low mileage dmax then go for it, just think of the total cost of ownership.
I am in no way trying to slam diesels - I would love to have one but they are mucho expensivo when it comes to replacing parts
09-06-2011, 10:19 PM
#9
honestly with as little as your driving it, I would get an older 7.3 f250 or cummins dodge. only thing about the dodge is the cab is smaller, and actually chevys is even smaller. I would look at an f250 if i was hauling 6 people. and 7.3 is the most reliable and can tow anything.
