suburbank2500
Kansas City, MO
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Joined: 07/03/2003
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Okay. I would say: a Chevy 8.1/allison automatic
2500HD vs 3500? I would look for the 5th/trailer first, then buy the pickup that would tow it the best. If you get the 3500, yes then you'd be sure, BUT the 3500 is more money, and why spend it if the 2500HD will do it for you. Besides their are both build on the same chassis, as the HD designation on Chevy means the next higher rate platform is used. 1500HD is actually a 3/4 ton platform.
I wouldn't go diesel as you had said in your original post that diesel was hard to find in WY. I prefer the 8.1 Chevy vs V10 Ford.
Displacement wise, the V10 is 6.8L. Do a little elmentary math, and you'll see that Chevy's got bigger cylinders, vs a lot of small cylinders. THe 8.1 started out life as a marine engine, it's a great motor. Last comment: Get the 4.10 gears,you won't be sorry. I read about people buying the 3.73, and I just wanna say that you're buying a tow vehicle, NOT a Ferrari!
99 K1500 Suburban 3.73 5.7L
98 HiLo 28'
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topazguns
Gardnerville, Topaz Lake, Nevada/San Felipe,Baja
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Joined: 01/30/2004
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We came away staggering today when a Chevy dealer told us to expect 5 to 7 or so MPG when towing.  Geesh! We can't even get from here to Salt Lake City on a tank of gas 170 interstate miles!
Question: Is the milage REALLY that bad in hilly and mountainous country?
I tow a 13,000lb 5er through the Sierra. Mountain passes reaching 8,000ft, steep grades 6-8%. Cummins diesel gets 10-11mpg at speeds going uphill of some 50mph.
George & Ann
Boone the wonder dog (Wonder if he'll stay home or chase rabbits)
Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe, Baja Norte
Towing a 06 Jayco Eagle 323RKS
with a 04 Dodge Diesel 4x4
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HR Fan
Jonestown, PA
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Joined: 12/30/2003
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Since I have a Chevy and no recent experience with the other 2, I will only talk about the Chevy. If you are concerned about mileage, obviously diesel will be better. When I had my TT, weight around 6,200 lbs, my 5.7 gas got around 8-9 mpg and my current truck got around 13-14. So you need to decide which suits your needs better. To extend the range of the gas or diesel if you get the LB, you will get a 34 gallon tank rather than the 26 on the SB. Of course with either you can get a larger aftermarket or supplemental tank.
Another concern since you live in WY is altitude. If you stay on the eastern side, the gas engine should not be a problem. But with a substantial increase in altitude in the western parts, you will see a decline in the power of the gas engine but not with the diesel since it is turbo charged. If you decide on gas, be sure to get the 8.1 so that you will have enough power as the altitude increases. Again, you need to decide on what best fits your needs.
2004 Holiday Rambler 36RLT
2005 Chevy LT D/A CC
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m0-0m
Green River, WY
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Joined: 02/12/2004
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Thank so much. This is exactly the type of info we were hoping to receive.
Two Happy Campers Eric and Carol and Two 4 year old cats Moxie and Pixel
1993 Bronco and 22 foot Funchaser by HiLo
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sjg0190
Cheyenne WY
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Joined: 02/13/2004
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I live in Cheyenne and we're at 6,000 feet elevation. Just took my 01 2500 HD )6.0 Auto 4.10) truck to Texas and back and wow, what a difference in performance from sea level to here. Even Eastern Wyoming will suck the life out of a gas engine. I agree, western WY would be even worse, but it's still bad here. I'm thinking about going diesel, since they are not affected as much by altitude.
Steve
Steve
2001 Chevy 2500 HD, 6.0L, AT, 4.10, Ext Cab Short Bed
25' Jayco Eagle Lite TT
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RVcrazy
Puyallup, WA, USA
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Joined: 09/01/2003
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No matter what gas truck you buy, you will eat gas by towing a fiver instead of the Hi-Lo. That's just the way it is. Think of the creature comforts you will gain. I think you will be happy with either of the big block gas engines, Ford V10 or Chev 8.1. I would not go wmaller because of the mountains. Personally, I would go with the 8.1/Allison combo. The Chev has the advantage of being shorter also. I would consider the crew cab instead of the extended cab.
For a trailer, I suggest you take a look at an Artic Fox 24 5N. It has lots of storage for its 25' length and is built like a tank for off-road use. It also has excellent insulation for cold weather camping. Be careful to check the GVWR of the trucks you consider to see how much tongue weight they can handle. Also remember that the hitch weights shown do not inculde the weight of the batteries, hitch, propane or any junk in the truck!
Good luck on your decision!
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gone2dadesert
Encinitas, Ca
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Joined: 01/07/2004
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Quote:
We came away staggering today when a Chevy dealer told us to expect 5 to 7 or so MPG when towing. Geesh!
Quote:
My V10 w\4:30 gears get's that towing and my 6.0 PSD (w\3:73 gears) mileage is not much better towing... However, the PSD only has 700 miles on it and V10 has 45K miles ... I guess ut's too early to determine the true mileage for the PSD :-0
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2007 Hurricane 30Q
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