What to buy?
 

I am not WANTING TO BUY, just wondering WHAT to buy!We are planing on buying a used pick up truck in the spring. My wife and I both love 99-07 chevys. I would like to get some imput from you guys before we buy. Here is our must have requirements: Room for 5 sometimes 6 people (Comfortably enought to spend 2-3 hours in. (crew or extended?), able to pull our 26' travel trailer with a max towing weight of 7k lbs. (1/2 or 3/4?) Towing MPG preferably above 10. Cruising normal above 17? (Gas or Diesel?) I would love to buy a 2500Hd Duramax. I love those trucks. A guy at work has one and its killer! I have also been known to throw a car trailer on the back and haul cars and trucks all over Washington and British Columbia, but I have not done that recently.
So here are my questions for you oppinions,
1) Gas or diesel?
a)What one is most fuel efficent for the purchase price?
b)Does a gas engine have enough torque and HP to tow?
2)Crew cab or Extended?
3)1/2ton or 3/4?
Just throwing this out there, thanks for looking!
Dennis
Oh and the wife said it had to be 4x4! Dang it:metal:

Re: What to buy?
 

My $.02, if it is primarily for towing, get a 1 ton (K3500). I( prefer Crew over extended cabs if you trueluy want to carry people.

I am not a diesel person, so I prefwer gas engines. You may see slightly better towing MPG with the diesel, and both may barely be 10, but I am more familiar and more comfortable with gas engine.

A 5.3 or a 5.7 will tow what you are talking about without a problem. A big block will do it with ease. You won't have a HP/torgue issue with either gas engine. Diesel just does it with a little less effort.

I think you'll gte more bang for your buck with a gas engine right now, but you may find a good deal since the diesel has a much higher per gallon cost now, deallers and folks are offering pretty good deals on them.

Good luck on your find.

Re: What to buy?
 

Cool! Thanks for the info, Any one else have anything to add? I was kinda hopping someone would give some examples of there truck and there MPG while towing. Anyone got a good link to a site that has that info on the different models of trucks? I'm leaning towards Crew Cab but as I don't tow regularly I am not opposed to 1/2ton Gas, I just don't know how they are rated.
thanks again.
Dennis

Re: What to buy?
 

My Z71 is an ex cab with the 5.3L.

It gets 14 city/18 highway. I average about 15 with it in normal driving. I tow a 3K boat/trailer with it and I get 12mpg. Tows it with ease.

Whatever you buy, make sure it came with the tow package.

Re: What to buy?
 

Just a little tidbit, I had a 97 GMC K2500HD with a 4L80E and a Vortec 454, I could pull 16MPG on the interstate with it, and then about 10-12 towting depending on the weight of what I was towing, I really wish I would have never sold that truck, stoopid moment I guess.

Re: What to buy?
 

Beast, I really like that body style too! My wife? NOT so much. We both really love the 99 and up though so if the money gods bless me and my wifes business then one of them big dogs will be in my signature somethime before May 09! Just can't decide.... I have found some wicked threads on here that have been really, really, really informative. I am going to read them and take notes... one day. Heck if I knew I could stay motivated I would just redo the BURB and drop in a 5.3l vortec with 4l80e over the winter and NOT buy a new rig. But, I am not known for finishing projects.. too much A.D.D.