Tow Vehicle, what should I get?

[THawkbh]

Merry Xmas...I have a 2002 HD2500 Chevy truck with an 8' bed and cap. It has an 8.1L 494(LOL) and a 4spd Allison tranny. Been great so far and didn't break the bank. Has the towing package, as well.

Would I be able to pick one up for under 10k? That's a diesel, no? I think diesels are running a little out of my range right now.

Merry Christmas everyone

[ed325its]

2500 Chevy Avalanche! I have a 2002 Avalanche 1500 Z71 for towing my open trailer (and snowmobile trailer) and it's been running all over the northeast for many years. Best truck I have ever owned!

[JoshS]

Would I be able to pick one up for under 10k? That's a diesel, no? I think diesels are running a little out of my range right now.

8.1L (496ci, actually) is a gas motor, the last of the Chevy big blocks. Available in the 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks (2500/3500), and the 3/4-ton Suburbans and Avalanches (2500). Beast of a motor, I have one in a Suburban, and I absolutely love towing the 8,000lb trailer with it.

And yes, they can be had for under $10K. Look for something in the model years 2000-2006, although I think the later years might be out of the price range unless they have super-high miles.

[THawkbh]

8.1L (496ci, actually) is a gas motor, the last of the Chevy big blocks. Available in the 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks (2500/3500), and the 3/4-ton Suburbans and Avalanches (2500). Beast of a motor, I have one in a Suburban, and I absolutely love towing the 8,000lb trailer with it.

And yes, they can be had for under $10K. Look for something in the model years 2000-2006, although I think the later years might be out of the price range unless they have super-high miles.

Oh no kiddin? That's good news. Most ads dont mention engine size. Do you know what I should look for as far as vin codes?

What tow packages should I look for? I've never been quite sure about the tow packages. Sometimes it seems like the dealer just threw on a hitch, other times it seems like the truck might have the load leveling feature.

How is the mileage while towing; anything above 10mpg?

[pballance]

I have a good friend that tows his DSR with a 20' enclosed using the same spec'd truck that BruceG has for sale. IT is a beast and he gets around 9 mpg when towing. I use a 2500, 4wd, 6.5' bed Diesel and Allison 4 speed auto. I tow a 24' enclosed and get ~12 or a little less if I go above 70 mph.

FWIW, if you look at a 2500 Chevy or GMC make sure you get either the 8.1l gas engine or the 6.6 Diesel and the Allison tranny. You can then tow just about anything you might want to tow.

There are some pretty good buys out there as well.

[BruceG]

I towed a 24ft enclosed featherlite with a 48 Plymouth inside(has a 54 hemi in it) from Southern VT to Torrington CT with the 8.1l. Barely knew I was towing a load.

[THawkbh]

man, those 8.1s are tougher to find than I thought they'd be.

Bruce, I didn't realize you were selling the truck?

[JoshS]

8.1L can be identified if the 8th digit of the VIN is a 'G'.

Anything with the 8.1L will have the heavy duty tow stuff.

[BruceG]

man, those 8.1s are tougher to find than I thought they'd be.

Bruce, I didn't realize you were selling the truck?

Drew...I'm not selling it.

[pballance]

man, those 8.1s are tougher to find than I thought they'd be.

Bruce, I didn't realize you were selling the truck?

That's my fault. I fail at reading

He is not selling his truck.....

Thanks Bruce, IT is also a sometimes daily driver. I actually got 23 mpg out of it on a trip this year (not towing). Then again, I hate Virginia 65 mpg speed limit...............

[BruceG]

Nice rig, Paul!