My first tow rig... Need suggestions

Three trucks I'd look for then...

1. 1500HD, it's a 3/4ton with different badging and registration papers. It has LD 3/4t running gear, suspension, brakes, and chassis. The nice thing about them though is that they come with a 6.0L engine and likely have a cheaper insurance and registration rate as it's still considered a "1/2" ton.

2. Any 01-present 2500HD with a 6.0L, but likely might be out of your price range.

3. YES, the 350 vortec can pull 7K, I know because we have that engine in a Suburban and it manages our 27' enclosed snowmobile trailer that weighs right below 7K. Just don't get in a hurry with that engine, you live in 2nd gear in decent mountain ranges. But.... it will get the job done.

 

x2 I couldnt have said it better myself.

 

Yeah I got my 5.4 thats gets its fair share of hard times around here but the 5.7 will work wonders after all with the F250 I think I will keep my weight down to around 14K at most if I need more I will get a diesel.

 

If your thinking about a 2001 or so Chevy or GMC 2500, have you ever concidered one with the 8.1L engine? I know they're big, but 2 guys at the shop drive them (both 4x4's and both manual transmissions), and they don't seem to get any worse fuel mileage than the guys with the 6.0L gassers there (they all claim between 10-11 mpg average). But the 8.1L's have a heck of a lot more low end torque and will walk trailers like nobody's business. If you don't want a diesel or a 1/2 ton, the 8.1L may be worth looking into. It's thirsty, but so is a 6.0L or a 454 and it tows great.

If you think you could live with a diesel, another thruck I'd consider if I was shopping would be an F250 with the 7.3L Powerstroke . It's a solid truck and the 7.3L was a reliable, gutsy engine without near the trouble people are having with the 6L, plus most seem to be at or around 20mpg. Just my $.02.

 

He's lying through his teeth.

 

Funny you say that. My wife is trying to get me to lean toward a suburban instead of a truck. Although it seems they are rated a few thousand less than pickups when it comes to tow capacity?

 

Don't know, I think my pop's burb is rated to pull somewhere around 6,500lbs max trailer load, don't know how that compares to a similar pickup.