Tow rig opinions?

[72blazerguy]

Looking for some input....

I have decided to get a tow rig for blazer. Planning on making a few longer trips in the next year for wheeling purposes and would like to tow rather than drive my old blazer. Purchased a 20', 10k, bumper pull trailer last spring and now need something that will pull it properly and by properly I mean 75 mph for 8-10 hours. Also, needs to be a crew cab as my family has grown and I need the extra room for kids and crap.

The rig I would really like would be a pre-91 crew cab with a custom short bed and either an 8.1 or cummins. Down the road this may be an option, but I don't have time for this kind of project right now.

So for now...
1. I know somebody with a 3/4 ton 96 Powerstroke (manual tranny) with about 264k. They will sell it to me fairly cheap. It has new clutch and new AC stuff. It is an extended cab (no rear doors) and I am looking a crew cab. Also, the mileage seems like I will probably end up having to do a bunch of work to this thing to keep it reliable.

2. I found a 03 Silverado crew cab 2500 HD w/ the 8.1, less than 100k miles for a reasonable price.

3. Also found an 01 Silverado crew cab 2500 HD w/ 6.0 and 4L80e w/ 150k miles. Recently had a new motor, appears to be in decent shape, but the new motor at such low miles causes me to wonder...

I would love to buy a new truck or build an old one, but that just isn't in the cards right now. This purchase needs to stay under $10k or so and I need to be able to have a reliable rig (with some maintenance on my part).

Right now I am leaning towards the 8.1. The 6.0 is still in the running as I think it will get better gas mileage when not towing. The powerstroke would be great for towing and fuel economy, but the lack of rear doors really brings the suck. I will be using this truck for some extended road trips (no towing) so gas mileage is somewhat of a concern.

So, what do do

 

[2BLAZERS]

You get what you pay for. To swing 75MPH up and down mountains and hills pulling 8-9K of trailer and stuff you'll want a newer diesel.

I'd be looking for like a 2004-2007 Dodge Quad Cab if your kids are not 6 foot tall teens.

If you could possible swing payments the new trucks are just amazing.
I loved my 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually Quadcab and my current truck/daily driver is a 2011 Ram 3500 Dually crewcab loaded up 4*4.

Stay away from Ford 6.0 and 6.4 Diesels.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Stay away from the 6.0 Chevy. Not great for towing.

 

[ssyork]

I have had great luck with my 2000 7.3l super duty. I bought it with 175k and just rolled 253k miles. With the family the full four door is the only way to go.

 

[blazinzuk]

If you get the 8.1 think single digits for towing.

 

[72blazerguy]

You get what you pay for. To swing 75MPH up and down mountains and hills pulling 8-9K of trailer and stuff you'll want a newer diesel.

I'd be looking for like a 2004-2007 Dodge Quad Cab if your kids are not 6 foot tall teens.

If you could possible swing payments the new trucks are just amazing.
I loved my 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually Quadcab and my current truck/daily driver is a 2011 Ram 3500 Dually crewcab loaded up 4*4.

Stay away from Ford 6.0 and 6.4 Diesels.

I don't know about the Dodge, might have to look into that a bit more.

I've heard the Ford 6.0 can make good power, but needs some engine work to keep from blowing it up (EGR delete, head studs, ??)

Stay away from the 6.0 Chevy. Not great for towing.

I've heard this, crappy mileage and not very good power.

I have had great luck with my 2000 7.3l super duty. I bought it with 175k and just rolled 253k miles. With the family the full four door is the only way to go.

I have been looking around. It bugs me to spend $25k on a truck with 120k miles.

If you get the 8.1 think single digits for towing.

Mileage on the 8.1 seems to be the big drawback. I'm thinking 12 on the high side not towing and maybe 8 towing. Seems like people like the power. Up front cost is much cheaper, but the fuel costs will be more.

Do the newer diesels get that much better mileage?

It appears that my budget may need to be expanded to get a decent ride that doesn't have a ton of miles.

 

[2BLAZERS]

Towing the K5 on a 14k gooseneck trailer or flatbed trailer with the 2005 or 2011 11mpg.

The 2005 could get 19MPG empty. Was a 4*4 quad cab dually with 3.73 gears.

The 2011 gets about 13-14 empty thanks to all the clean diesel stuff. And I have 4.10 gears, loaded up Crewcab 4*4 diesel with a leveling kit, I just have the worse truck for mileage cause of the loaded up options and 4.10 gears.

 

[ssyork]

I hear you on the cost of the 7.3l. I stole mine 6 yr ago for $10k. It needed brakes and he didn't like the long box. I always seem to get around 11mpg pulling my 22ft flat deck with the rig on it. Weighs around 10k lb loaded. I drive around 72-75mph while pulling also, generally don't drop below 65 on the bigger hills. Had a freind buy the 8.1 in a dually though with similar weights he would get at best 7, usually 6 mpg, and struggled on the hills more.
The 7.3l are out there just hard to find. If you keep a 6.0 stock they do pretty good, the egr coolers a get plugged up if you let them idle a ton, but pretty easy fix. If you chip it at all and want it to last head studs are needed. From friends that have had them the milage is the same as the 7.3l. I'm not the biggest ford fan, but I wanted a 4 door, for the family so to get in my price ford was my only choice for a diesel.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I bought a Freightliner for $13K. but mileage sucks. But it will pull anything.

 

[72blazerguy]

I bought a Freightliner for $13K. but mileage sucks. But it will pull anything.

Do you need a CDL for the freightliner?

I hear you on the cost of the 7.3l. I stole mine 6 yr ago for $10k. It needed brakes and he didn't like the long box. I always seem to get around 11mpg pulling my 22ft flat deck with the rig on it. Weighs around 10k lb loaded. I drive around 72-75mph while pulling also, generally don't drop below 65 on the bigger hills. Had a freind buy the 8.1 in a dually though with similar weights he would get at best 7, usually 6 mpg, and struggled on the hills more.
The 7.3l are out there just hard to find. If you keep a 6.0 stock they do pretty good, the egr coolers a get plugged up if you let them idle a ton, but pretty easy fix. If you chip it at all and want it to last head studs are needed. From friends that have had them the milage is the same as the 7.3l. I'm not the biggest ford fan, but I wanted a 4 door, for the family so to get in my price ford was my only choice for a diesel.

I have been watching for a 7.3L. Seems like they are lifted, or chipped, or have a ton of miles, or are super expensive. It appears the 6.0 has a bad reputation, but some swear by them and they are more affordable.

Anybody have any experience with a SuperDuty w/ the V10?

 

[ktmoutfront]

No CDL required if you are not getting paid. (Let the erguments begin)

We have a V10 in a 97 work truck. Loaded to 14k all the time. Runs well but I have no idea what milage it gets.

 

[72blazerguy]

We have a V10 in a 97 work truck. Loaded to 14k all the time. Runs well but I have no idea what milage it gets.

My work has a 2008 F350 SuperDuty with the V10 and it seem like it gets about 12 mpg running around. I have never put a trailer on it, but it doesn't seem that impressive for power. Just curious if anybody has experience..

 

[revvin7]

The 8.1 might be a gas hog but,

Cheap to maintain
Gas is cheaper than diesel
Cheaper initial purchase
Big blocks kick ass.

I have a few friends that have them and really like them.