Tow vehicle

[mrobel]

I am looking for a truck to pull my 1998 Ranger 518 w/single axle trailer. Ideally, I would like to put a camper in the bed and have weekend trips all fishing season. I would prefer a GMC/Chevy 2500 long bed regular cab 4x4. I don't specifically need 4wd because I would only be using this truck to pull the boat from April-November; however, a 4x4 is a luxury I’ve always had. The bad part is, I am only looking to spend 4-5 thousand dollars on the truck and camper. My questions are:
Will a half ton truck be capable of pulling the boat with a decent sized camper on it? I like the mid to late '90s style Z-71 pickups but am concerned about the short bed with a large camper (with shower and bathroom).
Were there certain years the GM made 2500's that had better mpgs? Everything I read says the 6.0 liter is a gas hog. (It's difficult to find a diesel in my price range)
How much better mpg's will I get if I decide to stick with a 2wd?

Thanks for any help I get.

[croix-man]

I never saw any difference between two wheel and four wheel drive chevys for mileage. 1999/2000 was the first year for the 6.0, before that it was either a 350 or 454. Or the 6.5 diesel which wasn't a bad motor just not the power we have today. I would think you would be better of with a 3/4 ton.

[Sharkey]

Ive had newer gm's for the last 3 trucks, but in my opinion a 3/4 ton is all benefit... Meaning I dont see a downside. Mpg of my 03 chevy crew cab 3/4 ton wasnt much worse than my yukon 1/2 ton that I drive now. Plus it tows way better. the longer the vehicle is the better it will tow imo. Youre budget is going to be the biggest issue, but trucks of the late 90s were always pretty easy to maintain as long as you dont have tranny issues.

[Skeet'r89]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by mrobel &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Were there certain years the GM made 2500's that had better mpgs? Everything I read says the 6.0 liter is a gas hog. (It's difficult to find a diesel in my price range)
How much better mpg's will I get if I decide to stick with a 2wd?

Thanks for any help I get.
</td></tr></table>
I have a 2004, 2500 non HD. It has 373 gears. It is not that great on gas for evryday short hops. Somewhere about 10+ to 12mpg. On the highway at 70 mph it gets around 15mpg reguardless if it has two people, six people or towing my boat. Not many of the other trucks do much better than this while pulling a load. NOW, a camper top sticking up over the top of the roof is gonna KILL some more gas milage. The 90's era 1500 chevy's will do a little better for everyday driving but will drop to the same or worse with much of a load. Just make sure that the 1500 has gears for pulling.