What do you use to tow your boat?

[Big Shasta]

@Big Shasta..we're seriously looking. We're thinking about the GMC Denali (6.0 or 6.2..whatever the heck it is), but all this talk about horrible gas mileage has me a bit nervous. Although, right now we're doing good to get 15 mpg on both my Trailblazer and @DawgDaze Silverado. All I know is something needs to happen if we plan to pull this boat anywhere and not end up stranded on the side of the road.

Towing is just one of those things you can't expect to get good mileage doing. Unless you shell out big bucks for the diesels made to pull stuff. But even then, you spend more on the initial cost, fuel and maintenance. I guess if we wanna play we gotta pay.

We tow the boat to Lake Martin Alabama every summer and I get about 10-11 towing when I hit the hills in Alabama, about 11-12 on the flats. But I'm not going slow either..that's 65-70 mph when the road allows...our route even has some interstate on it. The truck handles it like a champ...tons of power.

LOVE the interior of the new Tundras. There is talk of a cummings diesel in the 1/2 ton 2016 tundra so it won't be a big HD truck. Just not sure of the cost...probably pricey. Check out www.tundratalk.net if you want to research before you buy. I have the same name there. Sorry, I'm very anti GM....and I grew up a loyal supporter. But I'll leave it at that...pm me if you want details.

 

[sysinu]

Amen to what @Big Shasta said. If all you do is tow, get a diesel. My dad's dodge gets 16MPG towing my boat if he is under 80MPH. I get 6-9 MPG with my 5.3L gasoline. Oh, what's that? a 15-20% grade hill right there that is 4 miles long? ... I'm great in my truck if I'm 75MPH in the power band. Some dickhead in a geo metro practically stops in front of me and I'm screwed (55MPH and I'm red-lining). My dad's diesel... no sweat, gets back up to 75MPH.

BUT... when he's not towing, he's driving a Mazda 6 because the maintenance and city milage on his diesel sucks balls.

I tow 30% of the life of my truck and for that... it's good enough .

 

[Jr15g]

2007 Ford F 150 FX2.

 

[ScarabMike]

2013 F150 STX 5.0 Coyote w/3.55 and 33x305X20 tires and a 3" level. Pulls @ 75mph with no issues at all. I haven't checked mpg but I can imagine 15-16.

 

[Big Shasta]

2013 F150 STX 5.0 Coyote w/3.55 and 33x305X20 tires and a 3" level. Pulls @ 75mph with no issues at all. I haven't checked mpg but I can imagine 15-16.

If you're getting 15-16 while towing then you're either going 45mph on flat ground or going downhill. I doubt you're getting that MPG going 75 while towing even on flat ground. Especially with those tires.

 

[DoubleThrust]

I think for the price difference we are ultimately going to end up with a minivan and save the $20,000.

Holllllllly whaaaaaat...



The F.



LOL

 

[Julian]

GM is adding more diesels to their line up finally! Love my Audi Q7 TDI as it gets great gas mileage towing or not towing, so I don't feel so bad about commuting in it!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2014/08/06/plans-projections-show-that-gm-finally-is-embracing-diesel-market/

 

[octavio3311]

If you're getting 15-16 while towing then you're either going 45mph on flat ground or going downhill. I doubt you're getting that MPG going 75 while towing even on flat ground. Especially with those tires.

He lives in Florida! It's all flat. Uphills and downhills for Floridians are called bridges!

 

[Big Shasta]

He lives in Florida! It's all flat. Uphills and downhills for Floridians are called bridges!

LOL...mostly true.. I live in Florida also. Still pretty sure he isn't getting that mileage while towing or it would be compared to every other brand in every commercial.

 

[Volffas]

Holllllllly whaaaaaat...



The F.



LOL

We paid $14,000 for a 2010 Town and Country minivan. The dealer had a 2010 Suburban with about the same miles for $33,000. Since I already have a pickup truck, I just can't justify paying almost $20,000 more for a suburban. When we take road trips (which is usually 2 or 3 times per year) we will just take 2 vehicles.

 

[mark_m]

'13 Chevy Tahoe, 5.3 v8

It did great towing the sx230 500+ miles from Ocean City, MD to Columbus, OH. I took the more conservative route via the Pennsylvania turnpike, I suspect I would have been fine using slightly more direct route with the mountains using I68. No issues all with the Tahoe.

 

[BravoMike]

2003 Chevy Avalanche Z66, 5.3L, 205,000 miles and climbing.
Kind of Patriotic looking...Red, White, and Blue

 

[kthrash]

2013 Ford F150 FX4 SCrew Ecoboost

 

[Team Bristow]

When my Cherokee finally does kick the bucket I will replace it with a used Avalanche. I love the whole idea of it.

Well the wheels didn't fall off but it did end up in the shop 5 times in 6 months bleeding me for almost $1500, plus about a half dozen things stopped working including the gas gauge. So that pushed me over the edge and into a new-to-me pick-up. I know that I previously said I wanted an Avalanche but I could not resist a 2013 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi. I can not wait to hook it up to the boat 6 months from now when the weather breaks (not sure why we decided to leave Florida).

It wont fit in the garage though.


Cheers!

 

[TonkaTuff]

Nice truck man!

I've never been much of a dodge fan, but I've been fairly impressed with the newer Ram 1500s and 3500s we have at work. Plus they are pretty sharp looking. My wife's '06 Durango has been descent too, but I've not been too thrilled with that fact its rusting already.

 

[BlacklimitedS]

Just bought a 2014 Toyota Tundra 4X4. It is the 1794 edition. I am looking forward to hooking it up to the boat!

 

[MikeyL]

What do you use to tow your Yamaha boat ?

ANSWER: My Seadoo IBR Jet Ski !

Hey ! 'Jes sayin .... and ... Keepin' it real. LOL !
Merry Christmas all - Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[BlacklimitedS]

Here is a pic of my new tow vehicle.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

View attachment 15365 Here is a pic of my new tow vehicle.

That cab looks HUGE.....maybe I need to look at Toyota too?

 

[brockhals]

Picked up this beauty a few weeks ago...I don't even know the boat is there, and it's 8,500 lbs!! Makes the boat look small

New Rig!!

• brockhals
• Dec 16, 2014

2014 F250