What do ya tow with?

[gnarley]

Just wondering what you all tow with and how much weight are you towing and do you have a 4X4 or 4X2 and why you made the choices you did and what mileage you get towing???
Inquiring minds want to know???

[Hotcrusader76]

Gnarley....
I will keep this short and simple for now, but I may expand on my fustrations at a later time.
Do not invest in a 99-2004 Chevy:mad: ...period! They are junk and have more recalls then Gray Davis.
I own a 99 Z-71 Extra Cab 5.3L and wish I had my 1986 F-350 6.9L back.
Please....understand my grief and heed to my warning.
~Ty

[Jet City]

My rig is a '97 F150 4x4 Ext Cab, real nice truck but it has the dinky 4.6L engine (thats a 281 for us Americans). I bought it as a repo from my bank for 0%, so no complaints. It's no powerhouse, but it gets the job done. It gets 14 mpg towing and 16 empty, just like my old (more powerful) '91 Silverado did, the Chev ran great on 87 octane, the Ford complains if it doesn't get 89.

[cyclone]

best truck i've ever owned is the one i have now.
2003 Toyota Tundra SR-5
TRD Supercharger and braking package.
It'll haul anything i put behind it and stop it too. :)
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/45IMG_1064-med.JPG

[Liberator TJ1984]

F250 SD 4x4 4:30 gears 5spd.manual V-10
4" suspension lift w/ 305-70/16's
pulling 19' Blown Liberator boat about 11-12mpg...no boat 11-12mpg:D

[Dave C]

I got a 99 Chevy silverado. Great truck..... no problems here.

[RACER52]

2001 F150 with 3/4 ton springs in the rear. Tows like a s.ob. 5.4
100,000 miles of serious towing==26' enclosed race trailer with late model stock car, and all pit equip.
soon as the boat is finished were going to and F250 or 350 deisel.
Gas milage sucks!!!!!!!!!!!1 15-16 empty and ????? towing
Racer

[HP350SC]

2003 Ford Lightning with 2800 miles. Tows my little 22' boat like
it's not even there. Even when towing, will boil the tires P295ZR-18's with 2/3 throttle.
2 days ago some dildo at work hit my parked truck. At least he gave me his ins. info. Not even the first oil change yet and my fender, tire, wheel and bumper are damaged! You have to know me, I'm anal about my shit being nice. For the past 2 years, I'd been driving my junker work truck. Anyway, sorry to rant. Here's a picture of damage....

[HP350SC]

Don't know if you can read the license plate but it's 4RC-FED

[powerplay230]

HP350- two things to say and hope I don't get flamed, but....
1) Love the Lightnings', and you have my favorite color. That Sonic blue almost perfectly matches my Chevelle. Having a hard time finding one they were still making in 2004 but think they have shut down production getting ready for the new bad boy..
Any idea how heavy your rig is your towing?
2) Here'll be the controversy- I'd get your tag number off any sites web accessible. I would not worry about any of our members but who knows who accesses this site and IMO there is a little too much info' available from a tag#. No offense or harm meant!
Rick

[HP350SC]

Thanks for the heads up. Can't think of much anyone can do with license plate, no more than when you're driving around? We have an '04 Sonic Blue on our lot. I paid 27,500 for mine. MSRP 33,560? or close to it.
Not too many cool boats up here so I get lots of looks when I tow the Stoker with the Lightning. The HP500 blue is pretty close to the truck color, boat is somewhat lighter. I figure the license plate works for the boat or truck...

[powerplay230]

Guess you have a valid point there, just what has been told to me in past. Lot of goofs online with nother better to do than make trouble..LOl.
Do you work for a Ford Dealer? Keep looking for one and everyone around here only has silver. Even most the 2003's with low miles have had pulleys or something done to them voiding the warranty. Might be worth it for me paying $750ish for shipping if I can't do a dealer swap here in the state. If you don't mind and are in sales in a dealer out there p.m. me a message and I will return an email address.
Thanks,
Rick

[Cas]

V1- a '93 GMC 3/4t 4x4 extended cab w/ 5.7 and 410 gears. The truck pulled the 21' Tahiti just fine and a lot better with the 18' or the 19' boats. The truck also has 189,000+ miles on it and it's still going very strong. The next best thing about it, it's paid for.
With or w/o a boat, about 11-12 mpg
V2- a '85 Chevy 21' Class C motorhome also with a 5.7 and 410 gears. 34,000+ orig miles. Pulls the 18' and 19' boats just fine and it gets about 12mpg. I haven't pulled the 21' boat with it yet so I have no idea how it will do.

[matt1]

'02 chevy 2500 HD 2WD w/6.0 4.10 gearsTotal weight of truck 8000 lbs. I carry alot of tools Im an industrial mech. gets 12 to 14 mpg but I always run 80 85 on the highway.The truck will be 2 years old next month it has 82,500 miles on it the only thing that has ever happened to it was at 25,000 something went wrong in the transmission and it wouldnt shift into overdrive so the dealership replaced the whole tranny (4L80E) and it hasnt missed a lick yet.This thing hasnt even had a brake job yet.My last chevy '99c/k 2500 had to have a brake job every 15 to 20,000 miles.

[gnarley]

Well thanks for the info so far and keep'em comin. I kind of wonder what to expect with our new ride.
We just bought an 04 Yukon SLT 2WD loaded with 3:73 with locking diff and the 5.3, towing package that has both coolers and bigger air filter, the 17's and the 265/70 all season rubber. MSRP was $43,643 and got a total discount of about 25% that equated to $36,253 with tax & license and all other B/S charges out the door, so it could have been worse.
We almost went with the Denali but I wanted better mileage since it's a multi purpose vehicle and only tows part of the time and the Denali only got 16 HWY and was AWD. Then thought about the 4X4 Yukon and figured I have rarely used all 4’s in the last 8 years on my 76 Jimmy so why buy that much more and it was rated at 17 MPG HWY.
So we settled on the 2WD that got the best mileage and is still rated to tow 7700 lbs. It should be way nicer for day trips than the Jimmy and I just got tired of the rough ride towing 5000 lbs.
Anyone wana buy a 76 Jimmy with a 454? And we're also selling our 96 Impala SS, bone stock and unadulterated with 65K miles on it.

[rivercrazy]

2000 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4. Its also the best truck I've ever owned. I've put 125K hard miles on it and it doesn't burn any oil and nothing ever goes wrong with it (knock on wood). I pull a 25 Shockwave with it that weights at least 5,500 pounds.

[Dragboat Dad]

This is my new set up, '04 F350 6.0 . I got my class A license so I could pull both trailers. This truck has a lot of power and so far no problems. The combination of trailers weighs about 11,000 lbs. I only get about 11 miles around town but it's not really broke in yethttp://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1349111-1187_IMG-med.JPGHvaen't done much towing yet but figure I'll get about 14mpg

[gnarley]

Originally posted by rivercrazy
2000 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4. Its also the best truck I've ever owned. I've put 125K hard miles on it and it doesn't burn any oil and nothing ever goes wrong with it (knock on wood). I pull a 25 Shockwave with it that weights at least 5,500 pounds.
So what's the mileage?

[rivercrazy]

Gas mileage? I get 17-18 non towing but about 10 towing the boat.

[HP350SC]

Originally posted by Dragboat Dad
This is my new set up, '04 F350 6.0 . I got my class A license so I could pull both trailers. This truck has a lot of power and so far no problems. The combination of trailers weighs about 11,000 lbs. I only get about 11 miles around town but it's not really broke in yethttp://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1349111-1187_IMG-med.JPGHvaen't done much towing yet but figure I'll get about 14mpg
I just can't get used to seeing two vehicles towed at once, how the hell do you back up? Not even legal up here! You're probably going to tell me it tows great......nice stup btw.

[DogHouse]

Originally posted by gnarley
Just wondering what you all tow with and how much weight are you towing and do you have a 4X4 or 4X2 and why you made the choices you did and what mileage you get towing???
Inquiring minds want to know???
04 Dodge 2500 quad cab 4x4 Cummins w/6spd manual, no mods. My boat on the trailer, full of gas and junk is in the 7500-8000 lb range. At 65ish, I get 14.5 towing on the flats (to Havasu), or 13 in the hills (to Apache). Pulls many hills without downshifting, steep ones I drop to fifth. Towing up a grade, it will run away and hide from the 8.1 gasser it replaced (which got 9 towing on the flats, less in the hills). I bought a 4x4 because Apache is on a dirt road with some steep spots, and also because I use the truck for other camping trips in the desert, forest, etc.
-brian

[riverbound]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/681f-350-thumb.jpg
99 f-350, lariat, 4x4, 7.3diesel, 6.5" lift, 17" weld cheyenne, 35" procomp xterrain, will tow anything you can hook up to it if the 350 wont tow it then we use this:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/681Picture_017-thumb.jpg
00 freightliner fl60 sportchasis

[Bryan Rose]

I tow with a 2001 Ford superduty 4x4 diesel with the 6 speed and training wheels ( dually) Over kill for the boat towing but when hualing the 48 foot gooseneck enclosed trailer it is the shit.... 148,000 miles and no problems out of it... Got the Lariet crewcab ....all white chipped, exhaust, injectors . the whole shooting match , really huals the mail.
Bryan:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[gnarley]

Some of you guys say how much you like your tow rig but you didn't mention the MPG towing or not, so what is it?

[sigepmock]

2003 Chevy 2500HD CrewCab 4x4 with the 6.0L/Auto. Added a Whipple supercharger, programmer, K&N FIP kit, FLowmaster exhaust, custom ceramic coated headers, bunch of stereo stuff, and BFG 285/75R16's tires. Tow a 21 ft Hawaiian open bow 454-jet, don't even know it's behind the truck when towing, and the reason for the S/C - a 26ft Weekend Warrior Toyhauler weighs somewhere around 12,000 to 13,000 lbs loaded up for Glamis. Trucks tows it no problem now with the S/C....13 to 14mpg around town....10mpg or so towing. Haven't had a problem with the truck yet....30,000 miles so far.
I had a 99 Chevy Z71 lots of recallsat the begining, dealer always took care of me and once the original problems were worked out, it ran like a champ for 80,000 before I sold it. I should have taken the advice "never buy the first year of a new model car or truck".

[cyclone]

Originally posted by gnarley
Some of you guys say how much you like your tow rig but you didn't mention the MPG towing or not, so what is it?
when my truck was stock it got about 16 mph unloaded/14 towing the boat.
with the supercharger i get about 13-14 unloaded/10 towing the boat.

[Hotcrusader76]

Need I say more...
Chevy 01-04 (http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42524)

[78Eliminator]

You are saying not to buy a chevrolet truck because the tailgate cables have been recalled????
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/374tosser.gif

[Jordy]

Sounds like you need something more to worry about. Maybe somebody is having carb problems and you could steer them in the wrong direction instead of bitchin' about tailgate cables. :rolleyes:

[Blown 472]

Originally posted by 78Eliminator
You are saying not to buy a chevrolet truck because the tailgate cables have been recalled????
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/374tosser.gif
WHat is this? I have broken one on my 94, you think I can get it replaced?

[Hotcrusader76]

Originally posted by jordanpaulk
Sounds like you need something more to worry about. Maybe somebody is having carb problems and you could steer them in the wrong direction instead of bitchin' about tailgate cables. :rolleyes:
Do your research over there Jordy first before opening your mouth, you may discover it's more efficient that way. But then again that's why your on the forums pot-shoting people instead of sharing your wealth of knowledge...
BTW--- What beef do you have with me anyway? Just curious...matter of fact don't answer that. I don't believe anybody gives a shit about your opinion on my carb advice anyhow. But apparently you feel you've been burned by me in some after life or something so please PM me explaining your discomfort. Thanks:D
~Ty

[Hotcrusader76]

Originally posted by Hotcrusader76
Need I say more...
Chevy 01-04 (http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42524)
Just to expand on my Chevy problems here lately.
1999 Chevy Z-71 Ext Cab 5.3 motor Automatic tranny...
So far this is my warranty repair and or damaged items at 65000 miles
- blew up A/C compressor 48000miles
-electric window failure drivers side
-severe clunking steering column...re-lube and seal
-ext cab windows replaced for warranty -due to hissing from wind- recall item
-front diff seal leaking- replace
-bad transmission yoke- out of warranty at 36k..had to replace- recall item
-emergency brake failure- out of warranty at 36k- $500 to replace
BTW---these all all common problems with all Chevy trucks of this era...BS if you ask me.
~Ty

[Jordy]

Originally posted by Hotcrusader76
Do your research over there Jordy first before opening your mouth, you may discover it's more efficient that way. But then again that's why your on the forums pot-shoting people instead of sharing your wealth of knowledge...
BTW--- What beef do you have with me anyway? Just curious...matter of fact don't answer that. I don't believe anybody gives a shit about your opinion on my carb advice anyhow. But apparently you feel you've been burned by me in some after life or something so please PM me explaining your discomfort. Thanks:D
~Ty
Ty,
You know exactly why I think you're a clown. Having talked to you on the phone pretty much nailed it down.
You're not worth the time to PM because you wouldn't get it anyway.
Still having 78Eliminator up on your website as a satisfied customer just adds to it, especially after the ****ing you gave him. Funny thing is, I had his carb problem diagnosed long before you ever laid your criminal hands on them and made them pretty. They looked good but didn't run for shit. But he's still up there as a satisfied customer. That's funny.
All the complaining you do about Chevy and then you post a thread about how bad ass one is? Like I said, I'd PM you but you just wouldn't get it.
As far as me taking shots at people, you and MMD are the only two that I take shots at and that's only because it's just too hard not two with the level of ass clown you both operate at.
Everything you spew about carbs is something that you picked up in a book and merely regurgitate to those who don't know any better.
Everytime I see you post my bullshit meter just goes into overload.
:rolleyes:

[Jordy]

Originally posted by Hotcrusader76
Just to expand on my Chevy problems here lately.
1999 Chevy Z-71 Ext Cab 5.3 motor Automatic tranny...
So far this is my warranty repair and or damaged items at 65000 miles
- blew up A/C compressor 48000miles
-electric window failure drivers side
-severe clunking steering column...re-lube and seal
-ext cab windows replaced for warranty -due to hissing from wind- recall item
-front diff seal leaking- replace
-bad transmission yoke- out of warranty at 36k..had to replace- recall item
-emergency brake failure- out of warranty at 36k- $500 to replace
BTW---these all all common problems with all Chevy trucks of this era...BS if you ask me.
~Ty
Wow, so you have problems on one truck out of how many Chevys on the road? I can give you a list of people with Ford problems too. I don't know much about the reliability of the 1500 series anyway because I've never had much use for one. I have two 2500HDs in my driveway that I've never had a lick of problems with, other than apparently the tailgate cable... big whoopity do.
Why do you drive a Chevy anyway since you're such a Ford fan? Just more of a hypocrite perhaps?

[Liberator TJ1984]

Hey 78 ...pass the popcorn:D
and get Blown a beer:D

[Rexone]

This thread was going so well too. Let's get it back on topic. Disagreements and arguments on unrelated shiznit, past deals, whatever, won't continue here. There are places for that on ***boat and this isn't it. :)

[shaun]

Well i never had much use for a truck, Right now i have a 95 Integra GSR with 110K on it, and 60 of it is me BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF IT, i love that thing, trying to force my self to get ride of it but it's tough. Now that i have a kid and boat i need somthing more comfertable, quiet and capable of towing a boat. I've been looking at the chevy tahoe's for a while now, i really want to get one but with the new baby and some other things that are going on i dont know if i want to fork out the extra cash for a new one. I really like the new body styles, i'll probably buy a used one.
I was also looking at 1500's at one point in time but there's just not enough space IMO unless i get a supercab.

[gnarley]

Shawn, we don't know how the 04 2WD Yukon tows yet but man is it nice! You might consider looking at a used one if you can't afford new. It's hell'a quiet and the Boise XM radio cranks pretty good for us and can haul 8 bodies in comfort if needed. The 5.3 is getting 20-21 MPG without the trailer hooked up so I think the towing MPG should be pretty good.

[shaun]

gnarley,
Ya before the year switched over i test drove a new '03 tahoe. Man it was nice, 5.3L, leather, 3rd row seats. I should have bought one then when they where having mad deals on the 03's.
I can afford one, but i'm just worried that i might end up needing that extra 600 bucks a month with my new son, i had no idea what my expenses where going to be like and didnt want to screw my self. I'll probably end up buying a used one for now.

[LOWRIVER2]

01 GMC 2500HD-6.0 gasser with 36k. No problems with truck except the loss of a OEM Firestone Steeltex radial at 36k. It's debatable if the tire was a defect (side wall blowout) or if it was simply age. Carcass is en route to Firestone for their review. Body work was $670, will see if F-stone compensates.
Truck has been great, it's a gas hog, but I knew that when I bought it, and it's more efficient than the 98 Chevy dually it replaced.
Besides, it's only a river driver, my city owned take home car (city gas) makes up for the bad mileage any day, LOL!

[Rexone]

Originally posted by LOWRIVER2
01 GMC 2500HD-6.0 gasser with 36k. No problems with truck except the loss of a OEM Firestone Steeltex radial at 36k. It's debatable if the tire was a defect (side wall blowout) or if it was simply age. Carcass is en route to Firestone for their review. Body work was $670, will see if F-stone compensates.
Sidewall blowout at 3 years old isn't from age. it's either a road hazard as in something damaged it or it's defective.
I'll never run Firestones again. Had an older Suburban blowout a Firestone rear sidewall in the early 90's. Insurance bought new side of the truck, new trailer, and some boat repair. Once was enough. I wouldn't run Firestones again if they were free.

[quiet riot]

ditto the firestone thing, The sidewalls have always been week on the ones I've seen (light truck type tires.) Many failures with offroad and ranch use have been seen as far back as I can remember. First noted one was on my dads new 76 ford high-boy that lost all 4 new firestones the first week when we used it on the farm.
I hope the firestone firehawks are better cause I realized they are on our car we got this past year, no offroad use but I push em on the pavement pretty good.
jd
Oh yeah, I tow with a 94 ford 1/2 ton. Haven't had any issues in 120k except regular maint and a few minor things (window switch.) I have changed a lot of stuff including gearing, suspension, exhaust, and other upgrades but they were just for making the rig like I wanted.

[CustomCruiser]

I had a '97 F150 5.4 4x4 and it was a great truck. Towed my stuff to and from Havasu and Temecula for 7 years and never had a problem. Gas mileage averaged between 10 & 16, depending on what I was towing and where.
Current truck is '04 F350 6.0 diesel 4x4 and so far, it is also a great truck. I've only towed my boat once to date, but I couldn't even tell it was behind me. Gas mileage is straight up 11.5, regardless if I'm towing, pussy footn', or mashing the pedal. People have told me the mileage will improve as it breaks in. Hope so...

[LOWRIVER2]

I'm glad I was'nt towing anything during the blowout. I was two miles into the Chiraco grade on the 10 E/B when it went. Was sudden, no typical slow loss, just a loud bang. The tread completely separated and the tread wrapped itself on the brake caliper, bending the brake line. I came home as I did'nt want to have another go out on Rice Rd. in the middle of the night.
There's a class action on the Excursion OEM LT steeltex. Mine was a Steeltex R4S. There's no recall and I think it's only because most owners of 3/4 trucks (ie:old guys) know how to handle a blowout at speed versus the young soccer moms in all the Excursions who panic and end up rolling those things. There's over 60 rollovers and 3 deaths according to the sites I visited.
Anyways, the local F-stone mgr. said the co. usually covers the body work to avoid a bad rap. We'll see. My tire looks very similar to the Excursion. F-stone just can't figure out how to hold steel belts onto a tire I guess.
Oh, and I'm putting 285/75 BFG A/T KO's on with spindles next week. I got the set for $154 a piece. Best I could find else where was 156 on tirerack and that's before shipping or 167 at 4wheelparts. I had BFG's on two other trucks with no problems, looking forward to regaining my peace of mind in my truck/lol.

[Hotcrusader76]

During a recent comparison in prices on trucks I felt the Z-71 Chevy was the cheaper option over the Fords and Dodges.
Unfortunately my pocket book decided on which truck to purchase for the business despite my "wants". Sure I could be driving a SuperDuty on 35s with a Powerstroke, but I'd be strapped to the hilt. The 99' Z-71 seemed to be the better option over my previous 86 Ford 1-Ton Diesel. Oh well...lessons learned right?
I did however test drive a Hemi-Four Door 4X4 over Xmas and was very impressed. The price was right and the options plentifull....not bad for under $28k w/rebate. But the test drive was 5 months too late. Maybe next year we'll upgrade our tow vehicle.
~Ty

[DansBlown73Nordic]

98 GMC 1 Ton Dually 4x4 350 with Extended cab. It has 411 gears. Auto with O/D. I get 11-12 towing and a 11-12 without towing.....:D
So far it has been a really great truck. The tailgate cables were replaced a couple weeks ago.......:p

[Foggerjet]

'01 Ford F-250 Powerstroke, Auto. Banks Git Kit, Banks Exhaust, Bully Dog programming, 75hp propane. Hauls utter ASS! 19mpg light, 14 loaded. 123,000 on the ticker. only problem the trans took a dump at 85000 or so. It's hard on rear brakes for some reason too. But no biggie. Good truck.
fog

[STV_Keith]

2001.5 Dodge 4x4 QC LB w/Cummins 5.9 and some Diesel Dynamics (http://www.dieseldynamics.com) goodies. Can you say 500hp/1000ft-lbs? :D
http://www.speedcraving.com/keith/01dodge/dodge3.jpg

[gnarley]

Originally posted by STV_Keith
2001.5 Dodge 4x4 QC LB w/Cummins 5.9 and some Diesel Dynamics (http://www.dieseldynamics.com) goodies. Can you say 500hp/1000ft-lbs? :D
Can you say what MPG?

[jstwkd]

02 chevy 2500 HD, allison, 8.1L 6 in lift with 35's gas mileage Sucks . averages about 8 mpg with 4000 pound boat on the back.Around 12 mpg if I stay out of it with no load and a good tail wind . Suspect its going to hit the can next week when I add the whipple and gear it. Just cant stand the smell of a deisel.

[STV_Keith]

Originally posted by gnarley
Can you say what MPG?
It was getting 16.5 or so with only 340hp/675ft-lbs last week, so I'll let you know after I get a tank of fuel through it.

[gnarley]

Originally posted by STV_Keith
It was getting 16.5 or so with only 340hp/675ft-lbs last week, so I'll let you know after I get a tank of fuel through it.
Hey I just looked at what you're towing, hell that ain't a fair test! I bet you aren't even 2500 with trailer.