what truck to buy?

grady23

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I have a 2012 Duramax with the 6 speed Allison --- AWSOME TRUCK! expensive but AWSOME! The monster pulls my 232 like it's not even back there. 70 MPH at 1400RPM 12.6MPG.
 

Daman858

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Well, here goes...I have a '99 Ford F350 Lariat crew cab w/4x4 7.3 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel dually with 229,000 miles. It was mostly used to pull a 4 horse goose neck trailer all over the country to horse shows ( you have no idea what showing horses costs...like owning five boats). The engine and transmission have been fabulous with no problems at all. I had a DP tuner chip put on and I get 21MPG in economy mode if I stay between 60 and 65 mph. The only problem I have had is with the brakes.....the Ford calipers like to rust up and seize in a very short time so I had powder coated calipers put on. The crankshaft position sensor went out but was replaced on a recall free. It pulls my 208 Adventure like it isn't even there but it is definitely overkill using that truck for my relatively small boat.
 

roughrider123

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Pull my overnighter with 08 tacoma 4x4 with tow pkge. Get 11.5 mph and it pulls better than my old 97 ford v8 f150 4x4. My son in law thinks its no match but that truck has some balls to it. Have to have trailer brakes though and I. Installed whole brake system last year. Towed 450 miles last weekend. 2000 miles a year.

Roughrider IV
 

gw204

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When did this become THT??? A 3/4-ton diesel is not needed to pull 5000 lbs.

I pulled my old 204 all over the place with a Jeep Cherokee and not once did it fail to perform.
 

magicalbill

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I prefer a Diesel over gas for towing.

Case-in-point.

I acquired my current Gulfstream 232 and it weighed in at 10,100 Lbs. at the Cat Scale. I had a 3/4 Chev. 454 circa 1998. It pulled it OK, but got 8 MPG and wouldn't stop it.
I bought a 2007 Dodge Dually Diesel and couldn't be happier. Tows fabulous, stops great and gets 9-11 MPG. Far better in every way than the gas Chevy. I have had to have one transmission fix, some computer adjustment-reset or something. Other than that it has been perfect for 89000 miles.

I do agree with Grouper Duper that it is not practical for a daily driver. I also concede that for smaller boats a Diesel is not necessary, as gw204 said.

I do believe that given a similar towing load no matter how big or small, a Diesel will outperform any gas engine.

My needs are totally met by my Dually and my 1999 Toyota Corolla for everyday driving. I will not buy another gas-powered pickup.
 

SmokyMtnGrady

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If you want a Toyota, then get one. These kinds of.threads are like asking on THT which boat should I buy...a Grady, Pursuit or Contender. :D. If I ever get a new truck it will either be another Tundra or Ford F150. I tow as much as anybody here if not more from the NC muntains to Florida several times a year with my 228 and I loce my tundra and when it is flat we get around 12 MPG. Towing is easy, stopping is the key and Toyota puts massive rotors on the new body style tundra. I did learn a lesson here from a friend who found a solid running Ford F250 or is it a 350 ...a 1996 truck to specifically tow his 330 here and there in Florida. He bought the truck used for like $1,800 or something. It aint pretty but man does it tow well. My advice though to get a 4 wheel drive truck. There are some ramps you encounter that you will be thankful you have it.
 

Compuserbs

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Pull our 208 with a 2019 Honda Ridgeline and all is good, 15mpg, when full and loaded it’s close and you know you’re pulling. But have traveled 5-6hour trips without a problem just double the fill-up.
 

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vocz

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Get at least a half-ton (make sure it can tow 9-10k with transmission cooler) for towing your Grady and +brakes for the trailer. You want your boat to follow your truck not the other way around. Towing is stressful if you max the weight limit of the vehicle. I tow my 228 Seafarer with a 5.8 Tundra and never happier. Solid, straight, stop and plenty power to spare. Doesn’t matter how far I travel, never stress about the trips. I have a 265 Express now, the Tundra can pull and stop but it’s not the same as it did with the 228. I am glad she is in the slip now. Go Grady!