ltc

I would suggest considering a used (since they stopped making them in 2005 ) Excursion diesel.

Plenty of room inside for everybody/everything, 250HD chassis, 44 gallon tank, diesel (7.3 or 6.0).

txhansen

When I got my 28' enclosed trailer I got rid of my Denali XL and found a clean used Excursion diesel. The utility of an SUV for hauling people and dogs killed the pickup and it is the Excurison is the last of its breed (and priced accordingly I am afraid). I see you are up north so you may look into the challenges of diesel in very cold areas as there are some downsides / inconvieniences there. Other wise the towing is soooo much better with a HD truck and diesel it is night and day.

VERBOTN

Highly subjective, I selected F350. No issues other than a new model recall for the radiator which was resloved painlessly. MPG fairly dreadful compared to old powerstroke not sure about new model as mine turned out to be a gap filler. 30-Pace Daytona attached.

race911

Tongue rating still in the 700 lb range on those (and Cayennes)? Just based on that, you're limited to about 6K load.

But back to the truck issue. With everything that's out there, why buy new? My '03 (yeah yeah, first year of the 6.0 Powerstroke) is MAYBE worth $10K right now, even with 80K miles. I'd get a cheap heavy duty truck for the little you tow, and a car you actually enjoy driving for the other 350 days in the year.

Jay Gratton

Doing an SUV doesn't interest me very much as I am constantly using the bed of a truck for the motorcycles, yard projects, etc. So a truck is a must. I really enjoyed the truck comparison test that provided on the past page. I was shocked to see what bad MPG the gas HD trucks got. 12-14 is not looking to good to me without anything behind me. After reading some of that I am almost leaning towards a diesel or a regualr 1500/F150 job.

That is also something to consider Ken! I just don't know if the wife would allow ANOTHER toy in the yard.

I really am enjoying the information you all have regarding your personal trucks. Keep it coming!

Deadeye

Jay, for what it's worth, my advise would be to go with a 3/4 or 1 ton chassis and as long a wheel base as you can drive around town, either club or crew cab. Living in NH, 4 wheel drive is a must and the diesel will not be happy outside on some of the coldest mornings. From your described usage I think the diesel would be overkill and as the previous poster said you can buy a lot of gas for the price difference. The longer Suburban or Expedition is also a good suggestion. Don't get my wrong I love my F350 / 6.0 diesel, but it also functions a a work truck for me. Also, 15 qts of oil, $30 filter and (2) fuel filters at apx $50.00 every 5K miles.

Jay Gratton

Great advice Denis! Thanks!

Gary R.

My truck has never had an issue starting in sub-zero temps and if it did I would simply put in a block heater on a timer.

utkinpol

if my memory serves me well a coworker of mine while I used to live in MO got an F250 truck as his Chevy felt 'too small' and he had to get a full tank of gas every morning after driving to work and he lived somewhat 35 miles away from where we worked in downtown st louis. so not sure about that 14mpg estimate, it was more like 6-8mpg when truck was driven at 'normal' highway speed, not at 45mph.

but i definitely understand that if you need a truck - SUV will not do, I am a city person, to get truck as a DD for me is kinda same like to get horse as a pet in a condo building.

M758

I have a 99 dodge with 8.0L V10. That thing sucks gas. I daily drove it to work 2-3 days a few weeks back. I got 12.4 mpg doing 70 mph on the hwy empty. It does however have a contractor shell on bed with ladder rack and that cuts my aero down so I might have been at 13 mpg with no shell.

I get 8 mph towing my 24 foot enclosed trailer and got 10 mpg with an open trailer.

Deadeye

As a reference point, my last trip to NHMS pulling a 7K lb enclosed trailer w/ the F350 6.0 diesel, I averaged 12.5 MPG

K964

Good thread. I've been thinking the same thing and have been researching all the above trucks as well. What about the '08+ Tundra or Sequoia? Anyone towing with either one of these?

Mike

CCA

8-10 miles per hour! Must take you forever to get to the track.

Silver Box

I guess I'll be the dissenting voter. For the OP's needs, I think the HD and diesel are simply overkill, especially if he'll use it for even a bit of DD. I've always been a Chevy truck guy, but I got pissed off at GM for going belly up and stealing all our money in government hand-outs. I'm pissed at the unions and their ties to Obama. And I'm pissed about the fact that the truck isn't even made in the USA. So I bought a made in the USA 2010 Tundra with the 5.7 motor and tow package. For my open steel trailer hauling my Boxster to track events it pulls just fine. In daily commuting (given, it is a relatively easy 60MPH highway run ) I'm averaging 18.5 MPG. When I pull the loaded car and trailer it drops to 15-16. If you get the crew cab there's plenty of room for hauling up to 5 people in comfort. A big bed for hauling whatever you want - get it as dirty as you want and then just hose it out. The turning radius is noticeably smaller in the Tundra than my old Chevy. I will say I miss the seats in the Chevy - they always fit me like a glove.

Now, if I had an unlimited budget - yeah, I'ld LIKE the hauling capacity of an HD diesel. But do you really NEED it for an open aluminum trailer - NOPE !! Lot's of better options that save you money for car upgrades or track time.

DrJupeman

+1, nothing is out in the market today that compares.