Newbie here, advice on tow rig?

[Jbird2200]

To preface, sorry for the long first post. I've read about 50 pages of the diesel vs gas thread and it's exhausting, so I thought I'd start my own in hopes of getting some realistic non-biased advice.

Need help deciding on which truck would be best for my specific use, I know this debate has gone on for decades, but I hope my specific scenario doesn’t turn out to be beating a dead horse.

How I will be using the truck:
I will definitely be buying used, likely in the sub $25,000 range.

I work less than 1 mile from my house, as of now, I drive to work (lazy) and drive my own truck (a OBS GMC ½ ton). I could easily take the wife’s car to work if I wanted to still drive to work as my shift is overnight from 9pm to 7am and she rarely needs to be anywhere at those hours. I also work every other week (7 nights on, 7 nights off), so my truck generally sits every other week as it is.

We are planning on getting a toy hauler camper. The current model we are looking at has a manufacturer dry weight rating of about 6,000lbs, but I’ve been told that those are typically underrated, and a fully optioned unit would run closer to 7,000lbs as a realistic number. Add motorcycles, weekend supplies, fluids, etc, and I’m thinking the max load should be under 9,000lbs for sure. This is assuming we go with the unit we’re looking at which is about 30ft, bumper pull. I would like to have the capacity to go larger if I were to find a good deal on a different trailer, but at the time, we’ve pretty much decided on the model.

So, given that the truck will sit most the time, it will not accrue a lot of mileage. I’ve only put 5,500 miles on my ½ ton in the past year, but it has not been used for towing an rv, so as we will start doing that, the annual mileage can expect to increase somewhat.
At first, I was set on a 06’ or 07’ 8.1L w/Allison 6 speed, as fuel consumption shouldn’t be a huge issue considering the annual mileage. But now am second guessing the option of diesel.

I have never owned, diesel, but am aware of many of the nuances that go along with owning one, filter changes, oil capacities, warm up/cool down times, etc. But I am having a hard time coming to a decision as to which gas vs diesel I should be considering. The 8.1 truck seems hard to find with reasonable mileage at a reasonable price, and the only ones in my area that have popped up are asking almost diesel prices ($20,000 for a 2006 8.1 w/ 77k miles for example). I should note that I am not necessarily brand loyal, but have had decent experience with GM trucks, and as far as gassers are concerned, I’m really only considering the 8.1L big block.

Thoughts? Anyone have experience with the 8.1 pulling a comparable load?

Sorry for the novel, I just want to invest in the right truck for the job, and that will fit our use best.

[1oldtruck]

You should check insurance rates as well. My insurance dropped $350 per year when I traded my 2005 for a 2014. The new truck is way more equipped, maintained the same coverage with the same company, and now costs less to insure.

[kw_00]

See sig, this is my setup and it works well. Diesel or gas it's personal preference, just as brand name. Any 3 of the gas 3/4 line trucks should work well for u if u go that route. Go with the 6 speed in a gas engine if offered. I have the GM 6.0 with 6 speeds and can honestly tell u, it's no slouch in pulling. The new Hemi appears also to be a good choice from what I have read on here. Whether it be the GM 6.0, Ford 6.2 or Dodge 6.4 they are all good and appear to be very reliable overall. The Gm 6.0 has been around the longest and has definitely proven itself. The other 2 appear to be on a good track as well in durability. So take the time, drive each truck and search out which one works for your taste and pocketbook.

[Jbird2200]

I've noticed the same thing on cost difference between a 2500 and a 3500. In Texas that would be eaten up in registration fees after the 2nd year. The 2500 (<10,000 GVWR) costs $54 a year while the 3500 (>10,001 GVWR) costs $110. In this respect buying more truck than needed wastes money. You may be able to select your own weight to register. YMMV

Good point, I'll have to look into that.

[Sport45]

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
One other thing to consider is depending on just what the tw may end up being, go to a 3500/350 srw. Even more so if you go new. Though it may have changed since last Sept when got our 2500HD, a 3500 optioned exactly the same as a 2500HD was actually just a little cheaper (few hundred if I remember exactly).

Reason being is 2500HD options like the tow pkg and tow mirrors are standard on the 3500. This is only for the Chevy, can't remember if it was the same for GMC.

I've noticed the same thing on cost difference between a 2500 and a 3500. In Texas that would be eaten up in registration fees after the 2nd year. The 2500 at 10,000 GVWR or less costs $54 a year while the 3500 at 10,001 GVWR or more costs $110. In this respect buying more truck than needed wastes money. You may be able to select your own weight to register. YMMV

Edited because some of my post was cut out maybe because I used greater than and less than signs?

[Jbird2200]

Biking/walking to work is definitely an option. I've walked before, takes 12 minutes. I'm just lazy, I know this. As I said before, I could just as easily hop in the wife's suv and take it. She doesn't go anywhere at night, she's got the kids, and would have the truck in case of emergency.

The more I read opinions and comments, it's becoming more of a cost effectiveness and capabilities issue.

[Need-A-Vacation]

One other thing to consider is depending on just what the tw may end up being, go to a 3500/350 srw. Even more so if you go new. Though it may have changed since last Sept when got our 2500HD, a 3500 optioned exactly the same as a 2500HD was actually just a little cheaper (few hundred if I remember exactly).

Reason being is 2500HD options like the tow pkg and tow mirrors are standard on the 3500. This is only for the Chevy, can't remember if it was the same for GMC.

Another crazy thought, what about biking to work if possible?

[1oldtruck]

The GM 6.0 liter has plenty of power. I would highly recommend getting one new enough to have the six speed transmission. My last truck had the old 4 speed and 4.10 gears. It was terrible on fuel.

I bought a diesel this time. Having never owned one before I didn't know what to expect. I've only had it a month and so far I have to say it is amazing. I am getting a little better than 16 mpg in town and 20.5 on the highway. I have only done a test run with my TT to check out my hitch set up. The exhaust break is an awesome addition. The pulling power is outstanding.

The diesel added nearly twice the towing capacity that will allow for future upgrades to just about any camper we choose. I was originally looking for a 2006-07 Duramax but found they were high mileage or absolutely beat up with a price tag between $25-$30,000. I bought a 2014 so I am hoping to get at least 10-12 years out of it to help recoup my investment.

I did seriously consider a Ram Mega Cab but could not get a dealer to work with me. Their trucks are very nice so definitely consider them.

[Jbird2200]

I gotcha.

I was joking about the h1

[Bedlam]

If you're considering going in to the Appalachians or heading west into the Rockies, I would push you toward a diesel since the turbo helps at higher elevations and exhaust braking will get you safely back.

My diesel may sit for week but is run every weekend under load or up at least 3000' elevation, so I don't have much experience with diesels sitting around. I have plenty of gasoline toys that may sit and find adding stabilizer to the fuel and maintenance charger on the battery is the trick to keeping them running without frequently having to clean carburetors or replace batteries.

Hummers don't make good tow rigs for heavy toy haulers. I know two people that had a H2 and H1 - Both of them sold the hummers for 3/4t and 1t trucks once they bought toy haulers.

Your forum name is common to someone I know in MO with Harleys, so I had to ask...

[PRodacy]

I had a k2500HD with the 8.1 and a. Allison transmission. Pulled a 8000 lb trailer. More than enough power - rarely even downshifted in the mountains. The only downside was that mileage was about 11 mpg empty and 8 mpg when towing. I now have a GMC dually diesel, Allison transmission. I have a 4000 lb cabover camper and tow a jeep on a trailer. I easily get 14 mpg, and about 20 empty and have a lot more power than the 8.1 had. If you drive a lot of miles, the diesel will pay for itself in fuel costs, but either has more than enough power for what you're pulling.

[Jbird2200]

Bedlam wrote:
MO is relatively flat with no significant elevations. Most of the 6 liter or larger gasoline engines will tow what you want. Be aware that tongue weight is heavy on bumper pull toy haulers - You may have to upgrade the receiver on which ever truck you choose.

You wouldn't happen to have a Hummer?

Very true about most of Missouri. But things do change a bit as we head south and into the Ozarks.

I don't have a hummer, although an H1 diesel might not be a bad rig :h

[Bedlam]

MO is relatively flat with no significant elevations. Most of the 6 liter or larger gasoline engines will tow what you want. Be aware that tongue weight is heavy on bumper pull toy haulers - You may have to upgrade the receiver on which ever truck you choose.

You wouldn't happen to have a Hummer?

[Jbird2200]

Thanks for the insight everyone. I was under the assumption that the 6.0 would be underpowered. I'll consider that as well, they seem to be much more common anyhow. At the moment, my suspicion of diesel is falling by the way side. Bottom line is I probably don't NEED it, and with what little use the truck will see, I don't know that the extra cost to own it would make sense.

I've looked at the Ford v10, but have yet to see anything reasonably priced that was 3v and decent mileage. I haven't considered the 5.7 hemi trucks, for a totally different reason in that I really don't like the interiors, but I'll have to consider them as well if I can find a decent deal on one.

The comment about buying new also makes sense. My only thought regarding new would be that if it were a great deal, and warranty was extended, I wouldn't likely have to buy another vehicle for 10 years, which would be great.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and non-biased opinions.

[Sandia_Man]

We use a 3/4 ton Chevy HD gasser (6.0 and 4.10) to pull our similar sized toy hauler TT although weight is closer to 10K fully loaded, and it does the job quite well. We run synthetic in the tranny/motor and have no issues letting it rev 4-5K to get us over the mountain passes, and tranny temps rarely breach 200. Obviously the main downfall is towing mileage, but as long as there is plenty of gas it has no qualms powering our combo throughout the four corner states.

Would have considered a diesel (DW hates diesels) but our TV is 100% dedicated to just hauling our rig around and just sits in the garage awaiting duty which during certain parts of the year could equate to a couple of months of non-use. If and when we go bigger we will again go with a gasser as today's versions such as the 6.4 Hemi are rated for roughly 15K, who knows what the ceiling will be in a few years. We have 50K towing miles thus far on our current TV with just over 55K total and it performs just like the day we drove it off the lot, just routine fluid changes, a battery and tires is all that we have done service wise over the last 7 years, it's never been back to the dealer.