Perfect Towing Vehicle

I'm happy with our 2008 Tundra pulling our CD-25. The mileage does go down to about 10 mpg but I do like Toyotas. They had talked about putting diesel engines in the Toyotas here in the U.S. but I think the crappy economy sank that.
 
Like some of the others a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton pickup 4 x 4 would be my choice. We put a lockable cap that is even with the cab on the back of ours so we can carry stuff like the dink motor,dink, extra water, fishing equipment,we needed the eight foot bed for the one piece fishing 7' rods and all the other stuff you put on the boat once you get to your cruising starting point with security. We are Chevy people so we use a Duramax diesel. In mho the 3/4 ton rides a little better empty than a one ton and we don't need the extra capacity. The 4x4 combined with a diesel offers excellent resale value when you are ready to make a change. The four wheel drive means no problem on steep slippery launch ramps. The diesels in general have 10,000 mile oil change intervals but take 10 quarts of oil for an oil change and get a little better mileage towing. The diesels tow effortlessly,with a 39 gallon fuel tank they can give you a 4 to 500 mile range in between fill ups.The newer diesels are a lot quieter,don't smell,and don't smoke. The newer trucks are quite comfortable most have separate climate controls for you and the significant other as some times one temp does not fit all :o Buying a tow vehicle that can get pushed around in a cross wind and that waddles everytime a truck passes is no way to enjoy the ride. It's much more fun to have the power, stability and the suspension to be able to rid yourself of those pesky fools quickley that can't run a steady speed on the highways. Besides the more effortless towing becomes the more places you will enjoy traveling to visit. For me passing the small econo boxes going up hill never gets old. Tow proudly.
D.D.
 
And Safely

.......which is, or should also be, much of the consideration in "what am I going to use to get where".

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I towed my 26' ventura (it was actually pre suit version) from Tacoma to Stanwood with my 2006 Tundra. That was several years ago and my blood pressure is not back to normal. Subsequently found a 97 F350 dually two wheel dr with low miles. $8000 and its been great. I keep checking craigs list and ebay mostly to see how much money i lost (LOL)

Point is there are still good buys on those old trucks. Mine had 50000 miles on it.

Neilc
 
Will-C":3lghmhps said:
We are Chevy people so we use a Duramax diesel. D.D.
Click to expand...

So, you bought a Chevy with an Isuzu engine in it because you are chevy people???? Just ribbing you a bit....LOL....I just find that extremely funny.
 
I have owned both Fords and Chevys I like Chevys better just my own person choice, hence me being Chevy guy. The Duramax is the only choice if you want a diesel in a Chevy and its a good engine. The fact that Isuzu designed the engine makes no difference to me. One of the pieces of the puzzle is the Allison transmission which makes for a great combination which in 2009 was only available in GM pickups I think. Another reason I went with Chevy.
I have a Yamaha engine on my C-Dory so I'm a C-Dory guy with a Yamaha engine not all that unusual. It's pretty much a world economy these days in my world who builds things is something I had to get over. I'm a Vietnam veteran I bought new tires for my kayak trailer they were made in Vietnam. I thought that was funny too! I look forward to more of your posts. :roll:
D.D.
 
DMAX of Moraine, Ohio is a manufacturer of Diesel engines for trucks. Originally a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu, now all owned and operated by General Motors, the formation of DMAX was announced in December 1998. The company's Duramax V8 engine has been extremely successful for GM.

Prior to the founding of the DMAX venture, the Moraine plant produced GM's 6.2 L Diesel V8. Production of that engine began in 1982.
D.D.
 
I was a Chevy Guy too until I bought a new One ton dually silverado all the bell and whistles four wheel drive 454. headed for Disney world with the family at 40000 miles the motor threw a rod through the block in new mexico spent a week getting a new goodwrench motor put in. my warranty was up at 36000 miles so the five grand was on me . then with new engine and 50000 mile warranty in hand I head for home to Montana, we i arrive home I have water in my oil go to the chevy garage feeling good about my warranty they inform me the shop in new mexico used the old head bolts so i was not covered I would have to take it back to them and sent me on my way. Hence i went and bought a new Ford and have been a Ford Guy ever since. that Plus Ford didn't take a bail out. Ford has my business for life. Had Chevy stood behind there work they would had had my business for life.
 
Duff,
I had one engine throw a rod. It was on a BSA motorcycle. I deserved as much because I was beating on it like a step child. After hearing your story I wouldn't like Chevy's either. I never shared your experience with any Chevy motor. I thought the 454's were reasonably reliable. 454's were used in a fair amount of boats. Sorry for your troubles. Old head bolts? You must have just bought a short block. Complete engines come with heads already on them.
G.M. is back on top as the number one manufacturer of cars in the world according to the news the other night. They are paying the money back from the bail out. I think it was good that the gumint saved G.M. Money better spent than handing money over to banks. G.M. employs a lot of people anyway. It's alway good to hear from a Ford owner that says they are going to happy for life. Happy Trails.
D.D.
 
I didnt mean to start a ford & chevy war here. But it does remind me, when I was a kid in the early 50's in western Montana and Dad and I would go on a driving trip. He would pick Fords and I would pick Chevy's and if we passed more fords, he won. It was pretty even. We even kept track of how many times we won. And you would see the odd Nash.

neil
 
I have a significant amount of towing experience but most of it has been below 2 tons. I had a chance to tow the 25 this week on a couple of 20 mile back and forth trips with an empty uhaul box E350 van with the 5.4 liter gas engine and it seemed to do a decent job. It was no speed demon but didn't struggle too much and stability on freeway and backroads was better than I would have guessed. The tow hitch on these units is a little low for the venture bunk trailer we have but it works well enough for short trip duty.

That boat really is quite heavy and I would support all the folks who recommend stacking the towing deck in your favor so you can actually enjoy the tow a bit. Unless you only tow low demand, very short distances of course.

Greg
 
I have a 2002 Ford Excursion with the V10, that I pull my fully loaded 9800 lb SeaRay 268 Sundancer with. Nice tow vehicle. Very comfortable and a lot of room. But it is a gas hog. If I keep my foot out of it with the boat in tow, (ie, speed limits), I can get about 10 mpg. Maybe a tad better. Without the boat in tow, I can get anywhere between 13-15.5 mpg, depending on my speed and the wind. Diesel is probably better, but with the cost of deisel, I'm thinking it's probably an even trade off. The only complaint I have about my Excursion is the brakes are not great. And it's not the easiest thing to park in a small parking lot. But it does tow! Colby
 
Also the idea of electric brakes is a good one. I've ran electric brakes on all of my boat trailers with no problem. Albeit I've only boated fresh water, and I unplug the harness before backing down the ramp. I suspect with a fresh water rinse frequently when used in salt water there would be no problems either. The electric brake magnet itself is sealed, so only the wires, just as the light wires, are what get wet. (However, the magnet, like all other trailer components will be dunked, and it's probably going to rust a little faster in salt.) The electric over hydraulic systems I saw some time ago were a little too pricey, but maybe that has changed.
 
There are a lot of ways to skin a cat. New diesel pickups are not the cheapest method to tow a boat. I mentioned are fond of Chevy pickups as I have had more than one and have had good luck with them. I have nothing against the other brands Chevy is just my personal preference. This is my first diesel pickup and it has become a favorite. Feel free to bash anything you want. I have been accused of overkill and actually I'm well aware of my idiosyncracies. At 63 years old I have had a lot of experences. In my younger years driving a tractor trailer I hauled everything from gravel,cinders out of the steel mills, oil in tankers to the steel mills,hot asphalt, suspended beef from Chicago east in refridgerated trailers. Bannanas and imported ham, lobsters, processed meats west in all kinds of weather. I've seen my share of wrecks etc. The road can be a dangerous place. Having something a little over built for the job does improve your chances. Doing it with out the white knucles helps you better enjoy the ride.
D.D.
 
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