your truck

[Master_Hunter_1977]

Hey there everyone I was just wondering what type of truck you use to tow your boat.  Gas Diesel?  I'm looking into a diesel.  I fish tournies and have 10 this year that I'm going to fish in.  The closest one is over 300 miles round trip.  So i'm leaning toward a diesel.  For those of you that have a diesel what type is it.   Cummings, duromax, or the ford?  Also what type of gas mileage do you get?  What type of boat do you guys tow also is it heavy or a lighter one.

Thanks for your help

Scott

[redboat]

Dodge 2500, Cummings diesel.  I get about 17 around town, 15 to 16 pulling the boat.  Had it about a year and a half, so far no problems.

My nephew has the same type truck.  He recently put in a 5 step controller, maxes out around 400 HP.  If he runs it on "safe tow" he gets about 20 MPG.  Before that he said he was getting around 13.

[j-bass]

I guess it all depends on what you're haulin.  I have a v-6 standard F-150 and it works just fine for me (helps save on gas).  of course though, my boat and trailer are quite light.

[Master_Hunter_1977]

I have a 20' skeeter and it comes in around 2500lbs so I'm looking for something more than I have right now.  I have a 1997 GMC w/305 and it just isn't the best but right now its getting the job done.  

[fire22driver]

I'm driving a 2005 DuraMax - it defiantly has all the power you will need for pulling, remember though the fuel price for diesel is the same or more than premium gas (2.38-2.47 around my part of the country). I also tow 4 ton horse trailer, when fully loaded, which is the real reason for the D-max.

I have no complaints except for the high cost of fuel, but then don't we all. Just be sure to weigh the cost of the equipment over cost of fuel. If you are looking to go diesel just for the fuel mileage, I don't know if it is worth it. 8-)

GOOD LUCK

[c_ball]

I tow my 17 1/2 ft Stratos W/120 Evinrude with a 04 F-150 5.4 gas .I get 14-16 not towing ,,towing I'm afraid to check..

[DeereRun97]

I drive a 95 bronco 5.8L 351 and i'm with you C-ball. I don't want to no the MPG while towing.

But Master Hunter, if you go with a diesel, then check this artical out. It was in my local newspaper. http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2006/03/29/news/hometowns/doc442a226c1daa3335535731.txt

[Cabela101]

I own a 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab LT (gas) and normal everyday driving I get between 14-16mpg. When pulling a boat that weighs around 2500-3000lbs, I get 10-12mpg. I would say go to a Duramax Diesel. You will pay a little more for the fuel put you will be saving in the long run. It all really depends on how much you are pulling a boat compared to everyday driving. You will pay a lot more for a Diesel engine over a gas engine. So your gonna have to put that into play.

If your pulling a boat more than your doing anything with the truck, get a Diesel.

If your just driving everday to work and such and not towing much with it, I would say use a gas truck. No point of getting a Diesel if your not using it for what it's basically made for, Towing.

[redboat]

You will pay a lot more for a Diesel engine over a gas engine. So your gonna have to put that into play.

Maybe initially - but a typical diesel will outlast a gas engine three to one or better; also the maintenance costs are somewhat lower, so over the life of the truck the diesel will cost less. Also the resale value of a diesel is higher than a gas engine. Also even though diesel fuel is more expensive (this week) the increased economy usually offsets that.

Diesels have three main advantages over gas: Since its a more efficient engine a diesel will get better mileage; they have much higher torque (about twice what a comparable gas engine has); and since they turn slower and have fewer parts they last longer.

The downsides are the higher initial cost, increased strain on other components (trannie, drivetrain) from the higher torque, plus they just plain stink. The newer engines aren't noisy like the earlier ones were.

[WV_waters]

Hey guys,

I am new to the forums. I dont have my boat yet, it should be here in the next two weeks but I do tow a lot.

I have a 03 Ram 2500 with a Cummins and a 6spd. I towed a car hauler with a jeep on it roughly 15k miles last year. Total weight apprixmately 7500lbs. Towing my truck gets 15-16 and empty I average 20.5 daily driving. Thats in the mountains with 3.73 gears. With the boat loaded and in tow I hope to average about 18 towing.

Before that I towed the same load with a 98 ram 2500 with a 360 and an auto. I got 14 empty and 8 towing.

Currently in my area 87 octane and diesel are the same price so the better fuel mileage in the diesel really helps. Oil cahnges are more expensive but they are also less frequent. The CTD uses 3 gal of oil and only needs changed every 5-7500 miles. The initial cost of the truck is higher but the diesels also hold there value very well.

I have many friends that tow regularly and all have switched from gassers to diesel. The majority run a Dodge but I know several Duramax and Powerstroke owners as well. They are all good trucks. I just prefer the Cummins because I know I can get 300k miles out of it.

Good luck with your choice.

Thanks

Jeremy

[Cabela101]

You will pay a lot more for a Diesel engine over a gas engine. So your gonna have to put that into play.

Maybe initially - but a typical diesel will outlast a gas engine three to one or better; also the maintenance costs are somewhat lower, so over the life of the truck the diesel will cost less. Also the resale value of a diesel is higher than a gas engine. Also even though diesel fuel is more expensive (this week) the increased economy usually offsets that.

Diesels have three main advantages over gas: Since its a more efficient engine a diesel will get better mileage; they have much higher torque (about twice what a comparable gas engine has); and since they turn slower and have fewer parts they last longer.

The downsides are the higher initial cost, increased strain on other components (trannie, drivetrain) from the higher torque, plus they just plain stink. The newer engines aren't noisy like the earlier ones were.

I was only talking about the initial cost and not how long they last.  For me, personally, I don't like having anything over 5 years old.  So having a Diesel for it's longivity doesn't really suit my needs.  Diesel fuel is always more expensive around here. (Minnesota)