School me on late model trucks

[sqrlnts]

When it comes to the old trucks I am heavily biased toward Chevy/GMC trucks. BUT

I need to start doing some research on newer 3/4 ton trucks. Reason is my wife and myself will be getting a slide in truck camper and hopefully a boat in the near future. We first need to get something to tow it with.

To be honest I don't really care if its Ford, Dodge, or Chevy. What it must be is tough as nails. Here is what I am after.
1. Best fuel mileage available when towing
2. Don't want a diesel.
3. Must be under $14K
4. 4x4 is not necessary
5. Have the GVWR to carry a slide in camper and a boat or trailer and quads.

I know this is a Chevy forum but I would like to open up the discussion for all makes and models. I have never owned a new truck before so I don't have any experience to guide me.

[G&R's57GMC]

If your looking for a new truck under $ 14k that will do what you want it to, Good Luck.

The 1/2 tons start in the high $ 19k , 3/4 ton Start in the mid 20's.

So go online to the various web sites for Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota and Nissan they all have a build section where you can build your truck and price it.

This will give you the best idea of what the market is.

For used check out Cars.com

For trailering spec's check out Trailer Life towing guide for the year and model truck your looking for.

[sqrlnts]

Thanks for the info, def looking at used trucks.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

Must be under $14K

:Lol: hard to do with a used 3/4 t. Unless it has 100k and beat to heck

[blackdiesel]

would be hard to bet a chevy with a 6.0 and a 4l80e.

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by blackdiesel

would be hard to bet a chevy with a 6.0 and a 4l80e.

Funny you should mention that. I have been looking at the 07 Chevy 1500's and the 07 Toyota Tundra, 5.7L. Has anyone owned/driven both by chance?

In fact this was parked next to me after work. 50 years apart. I don't think I will be needing a 3/4 ton. I can stuff a lightweight, folding Hallmark or a Camplite in the back and still tow with ease. Why suffer 3/4 ton gas mileage when I will only be towing like this a dozen times a year??

[meter swinger]

Between the chevy and the toyota i would go with the chevy just on looks alone. The tundra looks like a snub-nosed revolver to me. My wifes burb has the 5.3/4l60E in it and has about 180K on it. Put a trans in @ 170k, not to bad i dont think.
If you were doing a lot of towing, and in areas with lots of hills i would do a 3/4T just for the 4L80E alone. A 1/2T with helper bags, load leveler hitch on a trailer, decent brake controller and an easy headed driver that dosen't need to tow @ 85mph over mountain passes like these kooks around here and youll be good to go.
Posted via Mobile Device

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

..... need to tow @ 85mph over mountain passes like these kooks around here ..... Washington / Oregon
Posted via Mobile Device

I had to LOL after being passed by a moron doing at least 80 mph in the Columbia Gorge towing a 5th wheel triple axle trailer , about a mile up the road there was a debris trail of tires on the road.

At the end of the trail on the side of the road with 3 shredded tires and body damage was the moron. ( 'How's that speed workin' for ya ?' )

Don't people know that trailer tires have a 65 mph speed limit ?
And in a bunch of the western states the trailer towing speed limit is 55 mph.

I don't run trailer tires on my trailers.

[meter swinger]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I had to LOL after being passed by a moron doing at least 80 mph in the Columbia Gorge towing a 5th wheel triple axle trailer , about a mile up the road there was a debris trail of tires on the road.

At the end of the trail on the side of the road with 3 shredded tires and body damage was the moron. ( 'How's that speed workin' for ya ?' )

I know, i really don't get it either. I see it almost every time i go through the gorge, why would you not want to slow down and take in the scenery?
Sorry, rant over.
Posted via Mobile Device

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I don't run trailer tires on my trailers.

we have an enclose 30 ft trailer that hauls a lot of product to shows.
it took a few trips to figure this out, one that shredded 3 tires and a fender.
we use only load rated truck tires now

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

Between the chevy and the toyota i would go with the chevy just on looks alone. The tundra looks like a snub-nosed revolver to me. My wifes burb has the 5.3/4l60E in it and has about 180K on it. Put a trans in @ 170k, not to bad i dont think.
If you were doing a lot of towing, and in areas with lots of hills i would do a 3/4T just for the 4L80E alone. A 1/2T with helper bags, load leveler hitch on a trailer, decent brake controller and an easy headed driver that dosen't need to tow @ 85mph over mountain passes like these kooks around here and youll be good to go.
Posted via Mobile Device

Man, people are proud of the 5.7 Tundras! I do like the rock solid reliability and the 6 speed that goes with the Toyota. I would agree with you that the Chevy and GMC are way better looking.

I have searched around for information on the 6.0's. I think this might be the route to pursue. I am thinking an extended cab '07, VHO should suffice. GVWR is 10,800 lbs.

Any disadvantages to the E85 engines vs straight gasoline?

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

Any disadvantages to the E85 engines vs straight gasoline?

You'd be ahead of the game with an E85 set up.

Currently your fuel is cut with 10% Ethanol and the corn industry is pushing the feds for E15.

[OrrieG]

Bringing this back to ask a question. I was looking at something about late model chevy engines (someone had posted an rpo number I was not familar with). The chart I found had a 496 listed as relatively newer big truck motors. I also know they are used in jet boats around here. The chart said the marine models came with independent engine specific ECM stuff and wiring. Got me thinking that might just be the trick for dropping those into these old trucks and not needing to worry about what other non engine sensors to remove, rewire to fool the computer etc.

Has anyone used one??? I have avoided thinking about later model electronic stuff but if I could get a crate engine wired with the ecm siting on the top of the engine ready to mount on the firewall I might reconsider for the next project.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

I know, i really don't get it either. I see it almost every time i go through the gorge, why would you not want to slow down and take in the scenery?
Sorry, rant over.
Posted via Mobile Device

Must be those guys from Idaho, they can't stand to be behind anyone when they are in Washington or Oregon. Both the WA and Or state patrol could fill their ticket books pulling over Toyota 4x4 pckups running 80+ if they were out there to catch them.

I just did a loop in Wa and Oregon that was about 800 miles in six days. Toppenish to Poulsbo, Poulsbo to PT, Forks Pacific beach, Long beach, Astoria, Portland, Hood river, Goldendale and back to Toppenish.
Got pelted with rocks 15 miles from home following a follow me truck on fresh gravel by a Suv that decided 35 miles on gravel that had been laid an hour before was too slow for him. Around the Olympic Peninsula it was crew cab 4x4's towing fully decked out aluminum fishing boats would pass me at speeds far above the speed limit.