If I was going to do a LOT of pulling, I'd go for a Duramax. It has the highest HP rating at 300, but it's the 500+ lb./ft. of TQ that makes it unreal to tow with! My cousin is constantly hauling huge horse trailers, and she used to have an '01 GMC HD2500 ext. cab with the 8.1L/Allison combo. She said it pulled like a freight train, but the gas mileage sucked all of the time. I have another friend with an 8.1L HD, and he said he gets 10 MPG all of the time; it doesn't matter if he's empty or pulling a trailer. My cousin recently updated to an '02 GMC ext. cab dually Duramax/Allison combo, and she said that it pulls even better than the 8.1 did. She said that it gets better gas mileage for sure, but she didn't mention a specific #.
I came very close to getting an 8.1L HD/Allison combo, but I decided against it due to the gas mileage. I bought a GMC ext. cab w/ the 5.3L and 3.73's, and it pulls just fine for me. With my all steel 18' dove tail and the car on it, it comes in right at 5,500#. Last week, I got 15 MPG pulling the SS! I was running 70 MPH, a/c blasting and all. This isn't a freak either. My '00 Silverado got the same gas mileage pulling a trailer.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Raughammer:
<strong>Looked at an Avalanche?

Here is mine. Truck? got it covered.
SUV? more than covered.

This thing is OVER engineered. I mean so many little things....self dimming mirrors, an alarm when the turn signal has been on too long, power EVERYTHING standard, HUGE towing capacity, It can carry 6 adults... easy. The back seats are HUGE, larger than the front seats for shear room...CD= standard, Power seats= standard, 5.3 standard, HUGE tires and wheels= standard, an AWERSOME smooth ride, an errie silent cabin, towing package included in the Z66 "on road" package, window tint and theft alarm = standard.

This thing once you start looking at it... is so fine. I mean they thought of everyting.

Carlos... i REALLY like this new truck/SUV.

Here are some pics...
http://xs-fx.com/raughammer/avalanche.htm</strong><hr></blockquote>

Nice truck Campbell... <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">

 

[quote]Originally posted by Trevor D:
<strong>If I was going to do a LOT of pulling, I'd go for a Duramax. It has the highest HP rating at 300, but it's the 500+ lb./ft. of TQ that makes it unreal to tow with! My cousin is constantly hauling huge horse trailers, and she used to have an '01 GMC HD2500 ext. cab with the 8.1L/Allison combo. She said it pulled like a freight train, but the gas mileage sucked all of the time. I have another friend with an 8.1L HD, and he said he gets 10 MPG all of the time; it doesn't matter if he's empty or pulling a trailer. My cousin recently updated to an '02 GMC ext. cab dually Duramax/Allison combo, and she said that it pulls even better than the 8.1 did. She said that it gets better gas mileage for sure, but she didn't mention a specific #.
I came very close to getting an 8.1L HD/Allison combo, but I decided against it due to the gas mileage. I bought a GMC ext. cab w/ the 5.3L and 3.73's, and it pulls just fine for me. With my all steel 18' dove tail and the car on it, it comes in right at 5,500#. Last week, I got 15 MPG pulling the SS! I was running 70 MPH, a/c blasting and all. This isn't a freak either. My '00 Silverado got the same gas mileage pulling a trailer.</strong><hr></blockquote>

That is why I think I would rather go with the Duramax. I plan on doing alot of driving and gas mileage is going to be a big factor...

The Powerstrokes do pretty good on mileage also... <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">

 

Not flaming the 8.1, just have a good story about it. A kid comes to this GTG near here with his paper tag 8.1L single cab/long bed Chevy. My friend has a Cummins dually (5 or 6 speed). So we get bored and decide to hook them up and have a little pull off. Probably the funniest thing I have ever seen. The Dodge pulled that 8.1 about 300 yards in the shape of a big C across this Kroger parking lot. Hilarious. The kid had to cut the wheel a few times to keep from hitting parked cars. Really has nothing to do with the towing capacity or anything, but funny none the less. Oh, my two cents would be to go for a diesel. Towing is better and so is gas milage. Cummins, Powerstroke, Duramax...any will do. I think the Chevy is WAY more comfortable though.


Ryan

 

Benefits to Duramax:
1) TORQUE = PULLING POWER
2) GAS MILEAGE - AND DIESEL IS USUALLY CHEAPER IN THE SUMMER
3) LONGEVITY - DURAMAX PROLLY GOOD FOR 300K miles

Benefits to 8.1
1) 455 LB/FT TORQUE - PLENTY!!
2) 340 HP BIG BLOCK - FUN TO DRIVE !!!
3) GAS IS OFTEN CHEAPER IN WINTER, BECAUSE MANY REFINERIES PRODUCE HOME HEATING OIL INSTEAD OF DIESEL
4) AVAILABILITY OF GAS OPPOSED TO DIESEL

I own an 8.1 so obviously I am not objective....my gas mileage is a rock solid 10 MPG all the time, hauling or not, 2WD or 4WD, I can live with it....

 

Go for the 8.1 I test drove the duramax before the 8.1, they are both great for towing, but the 8.1 is like driving an old muslce car, and with a few mods.. it can pump out a lot more than 455ft/lbs