Towing recommendations for a single car trailer?

[1BEATK5]

if you want to get a big 3 car gooseneck, look at the smaller 2 axle daycab semi trucks. you can get them for under 5k, they get good mileage and can obviously tow way better than a 1 ton ever thought of

examples

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd/2086402230.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd/2086396399.html

 

[76zimmer]

My first towing truck was a 85C20....305...forget that. put in a 79'350 mildly modded, got 13 everyday driving and 8-9 pulling a 6K load, with a 700R4 in Drive not overdrive and 3.73's

2nd truck was a 96 Dually with a Vortec 454...12 mpg everyday driving, great creature comforts, 4.10's and 4L80E. 9mpg towing 8K load in overdrive @ 75mph.

3rd truck (not mine but I drove) a 03 8.1 Avalanche. 9mpg towing a 8K load, and handling absolutely sucked with it.

4th truck a 95 Burb. 350/4L60E 3.42's. again a great tow vehicle, but way underpowered for pulling 7500lbs. Worked its nuts off in Drive @ 65. 7mpg.

5th truck 99 2500 Silverado LT...my present truck. 6.0/4L80E 3.73's 11.5 everyday, 9mpg pulling 7500 lbs on mildly hilly interstates (midwest) I feel power is pretty good with this truck, but for the same mileage I was getting with the 454 dually, I would much rather have that drivetrain combo again.

Had a friend with a 2500 04 Dmax and we pulled 8-9000 lbs....effortless on hills and pulled down 14mpg with it doing it.

 

[Avery4jc]

It seems everything has been covered but if I was in your shoes I'd skip the gas truck and look for a 90's dodge diesel w/ a stick. Even if it has high miles it'd be worth it compared to a gasser IMO.
Also, why does it have to be your DD as well? What do you DD now?

 

[USSkoval]

i would look for a 96'and newer. a vortec 454 makes alot more power, and would be plenty reliable. i wouldnt rule out a 6.5td, but keep repair cost in the back of your mind, especially if you dont do your own on 6.5.

I agree 100% with this. Decent power, decent mileage, good reliability, and very affordable to buy.

 

[63chevyll]

umm, i guess your budget dictates what truck more than anything, but i dont know ivce never purchaced one

I drove a tow truck in Phoenix that had a 292 aqnd 4.56's it towed freakin awesome, if you werent in a hurry

My tow guy runs two trucks (one flat bed and one hook) with 350's and he does it everyday.

Mainly depends how YOU drive

I feel the cummins is better than the Dmax for 5500's and up, but thats just what i see around here.
and we are at 4000 Ft,

we tow a car trailer with my 86 454 CC and approx 5500 lbs all day long and cant complain.

one the same note theres old dudes towing with old ford 360's around here