What's the best towing truck you have had?

[Roberte52]

Nitrous powered Ford Pinto!

[Brother Les]

The one that is paid for....

[Theb2b]

Put me in with the diesel group, on my second one. First one Ram ecodiesel, little 3 liter had the power but upgraded to larger TT it was a case of tail wagging the dog. Now have a Ram 2500 CTD, might be too much but like others have stated, love how a diesel pulls.

[SlowrideHD]

No doubt my present truck. I previously had a 2002 F250 with the last 7.3 international diesel. It was a terrific truck that was slightly turned up for towing and I drove it for 14 years. Then I traded it for my present '16 F350 Powerstroke.

No comparison! The dually tows my fifth wheel absolutely without effort, through any weather or road conditions. I have often towed my dozer hundreds of miles (with the trailer, a bit over 26,000 lb load) and it moves it easily. By the way, the truck is bone stock, with no tuners or delete.

[Brewhedd]

2018 Chevy 3500 DRW Duramax. From 2017 on the Duramax was improved with several upgrades. Truck easily towed 10,000 lb TT with unwavering stability.

[Jbrow327]

Originally Posted by Brewhedd

2018 Chevy 3500 DRW Duramax. From 2017 on the Duramax was improved with several upgrades. Truck easily towed 10,000 lb TT with unwavering stability.

Nice choice.

[onetonford]

My 1 ton dually 2001 F350 with the 7.3 powerstroke previous truck 1995 F350 with the 460 gas didn't pull my fiver with it but pulled a goose neck flat bed weighing in over 10000 lbs. up a small grade in Calif. by San Luis reservoir would only go up at 35mph and get around 8 mpg so definitely the diesel was far better it pulls my 10000 lbs. fiver up the same grade as fast as you want to go and fuel mileage is around 14. and both trucks were paid for.

[flyflotrtim]

Originally Posted by azfansinnc

Blinders on, towing ONLY? Diesel, hands down. You really can't argue with the torque of a diesel.

However, if you are primarily using it as a grocery getter and town once a month, the newer gassers are solid choice and will do the job quite well.

Absolutely correct. Loved my large trailer and diesel duramax but my F150 is great for the current TT

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by jmcclocklin

I was towing my CC 36CTKS with a 2019 Chev 3500 HD with Duramax and 8 speed Allison. I just changed to a 2021 3500HD with the Allison 10 speed. Haven't towed yet but excited to find out how it will be with the 10 speed

Similar we were towing our 2018 CC 36CK2 with a 2015 Chevy 2500HD SRW 4x4 with Duramax & 6 speed Allison. Traded it in last week for 2021 Chevy 3500HD DRW 4x4 with Duramax & 10 speed Allison. Haven't towed with the 3500HD DRW yet as don't have new hitch yet, but we are anxiously anticipating taking our 1st trip with it.

OP
Prior to buying our 36CK2, we had a 26 ft TT (6800 GVW) that we used to pull with a 2010 Chevy Avalanche (gas). It pulled it fairly well but when going up hills it would really wind up the RPMs all the while shifting gears to where I would kick it out of cruise control so I could keep the RPMs reasonable and keep it in one gear. The Avalanche fuel economy would run from 6 to 9 on average, with going in a head wind probably 6.5-7.5 average. When I towed the TT with the 2500HD it's fuel economy ranged from 9.5 to 12.5 going uphill or into a wind. When I got the 36CK2 (16,500 GVW) the fuel economy stayed roughly the same and it wasn't unusually shifting or running high RPMs when pulling uphill or into a wind either.

Last month I posted a thread 'Poll on TV size and fuel'. Didn't ask which brand as that wasn't the question I was interested in, but stated if they wanted to elaborate on why they have the TV they have to feel free to do so (was interested in mostly what size). Only 3 out of 55 voted they had a gas engine which was about 5.5% of those that voted in the poll. While 94.5% voted that they had a diesel TV. That should tell if you plan on towing a heavier unit (TT or 5er don't matter) that you should go diesel (again don't care brand).

Here is a link to that thread - https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...el-226218.html

Good luck and safe travels -

[SailorSam20500]

My current F150. Very comfortable while driving. More than enough power for everywhere we've been. Current trailer has been pulled about 30k miles with F-150's with the 3.5 EB engine.
Safe travels.

[5er_tom]

1977 International Travall. Strong, great cooling system and very spacious inside.

[AlaskaErik]

My 2019 Silverado LTZ 1500. It has the 6.2L engine (420 HP and 460 lb ft of torque), 10 speed transmission, 3.42 gearing and the max trailering package. I have no problems maintaining the speed limit in mountainous terrain. It also has what I think is the best towing technology available. When backing up to hook up, I can switch from the dynamic guide lines to trailer hitch guide line, which makes lining up a cinch. As I get close to the coupler I can switch the camera to downward view, which makes it even easier to line up the hitch with the coupler, both laterally and longitudinally. Once hooked up, I can have the advanced trailering system run a light test for me, rather than having to run back and forth to test the various lights. I then log into the trailer profile, which sets the integrated brake controller to the correct setting. The trailer profile also logs the number of miles driven, so I know the cumulative mileage that the trailer has been towed. Once underway, the advanced trailering system displays the trailer tire pressure and temperature and alerts me should the tire pressure drop below the preset limit. All this technology is especially useful for those times you are travelling solo. And it just makes for safer towing. Definitely the best tow vehicle I've ever had.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

My 2019 Silverado LTZ 1500. It has the 6.2L engine (420 HP and 460 lb ft of torque), 10 speed transmission, 3.42 gearing and the max trailering package. I have no problems maintaining the speed limit in mountainous terrain. ......... And it just makes for safer towing. Definitely the best tow vehicle I've ever had.

But it's not a diesel! Hahaha.

I'm with ya. The integrated technology has made for some awesome tow vehicles that truly are the best.

I bought my truck used but was very pleasantly surprised to have the power extending and folding tow mirrors, back up camera, integrated brake controller, etc. All those little options add up to a really good, purpose built tow vehicle.

I too have a 6.2, only in a Ford, and it maintains the speed limit without issue. Plenty of power and all the bells and whistles to meet my needs.

[Chicken Corners]

2001 Ram 2500 5.9 CTD 6 speed manual transmission and exhaust brake.

[badger5301]

I would hope the poll referenced above would have more diesel responses then a gasser. If I read it right it was for folks towing a unit that is over 15,000 IBS.
I'm in the circle of going from a diesel to a gasser and am very satisfied. I'm only pulling just over 10,000 IBS so the gasser is working great for us.

[Jbrow327]

On one side you have the gas camp. They'll say things like diesel emissions systems are very problematic. You have to drive tons of miles to hit break even due to the very expensive diesel engine option. Oil changes and fuel filters definitely add up for diesels.

On the other side is the diesel camp. They'll say things like diesel engines last much longer than gas engines. Diesels pull better in the mountains. You can just delete it(illegal) and get rid of all of it's emissions equipment problems. Some of them will recommend a diesel for someone looking at pulling under 5k pounds. Seems like overkill.

Personally I think gas does fine up to 12k or 13k, using a 3/4 ton or 1 ton of course. Above that, diesel seems to be the correct choice.

What do you guys think? Debate.

[Traveling Circus]

Originally Posted by Jbrow327

On one side you have the gas camp. They'll say things like diesel emissions systems are very problematic. You have to drive tons of miles to hit break even due to the very expensive diesel engine option. Oil changes and fuel filters definitely add up for diesels.



On the other side is the diesel camp. They'll say things like diesel engines last much longer than gas engines. Diesels pull better in the mountains. You can just delete it(illegal) and get rid of all of it's emissions equipment problems. Some of them will recommend a diesel for someone looking at pulling under 5k pounds. Seems like overkill.



Personally I think gas does fine up to 12k or 13k, using a 3/4 ton or 1 ton of course. Above that, diesel seems to be the correct choice.



What do you guys think? Debate.

Like you said, really depends on your needs. I’d like to have a diesel, but I really haven’t had a need for one at this point. It would Just be over spending, I’ll leave that up to the politicians.

[HangDiver]

Gas. Or older diesel.

[FordMastertech]

Originally Posted by HangDiver

Gas. Or older diesel.

I love my older coming up on 22 years old 7.3 diesel Excursion with just over 103K miles.

[aceinspp]

Lets get the pop corn out this question has been asked so many times its a joke. Later RJD