Re: [A/S] Yet Another Tow Vehicle Question - Chevy Duramax

["Craig Eldridge" <craig_e@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

MaryAnn,
I have a '01 Chevy 2500hd ext. cab 4X4 with 8.1 gas engine and Allison 
transmission.  It tows my '77 31' Excella with ease.  While I am pleased 
with the performance of the gas engine, I would have selected the diesel if 
I would have had the extra money.  At 10 cents more per gallon for diesel 
than gas where I am, I don't feel it would benefit me now.
Yes, diesel gets better mileage but I get 10-11 mpg towing now.  You will be 
pleased with the Duramax whether in the ext. cab or the crew cab.

Talking about towing with liquids, I tow with nothing in my tanks.  Some 
people claim that their trailer tows better with the fresh water tank half 
full to full.  Water is weight and that means less gas mileage at least for 
the gasser.  With my rear bath '77 I want no weight in the rear which might 
affect the rear frame.  It seems to travel fine with the weight I carry over 
the axles and the front of the trailer.  I am no where near max on cargo.  I 
boondock much of the time so I may carry a 5 gallon container of water in 
addition to a 2 1/2 gallon dispenser I place on the kitchen counter when I 
arrive at my destination.  The 5 gallon rides in the back of the truck near 
the cab when traveling and the 2 1/2 rides on the kitchen floor.

Clothing is kept in wardrobe cabinents, dresser drawers and a Rubbermaid 
container which are centered over the dual axles in the mid bedroom.  It is 
rather simple to grab underwear and a few other essentials, throw them in 
the trailer and hit the road.  I throw a small grill in the bed of the truck 
with the water, a cooler, some wood for a fire, charcoal and a few other 
pieces of equipment (hopefully a Yamaha 3000iSEB one day).  My bed is 
sprayed with Line-X and has a rubber mat on top of the bedliner for added 
protection.  All this seems to work for me with minimal unloading once I get 
to my destination.