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  1. #1
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    looking to get a different tow vehicle

    I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 (Hemi). The truck drives nice, looks nice and pulls great, but mpg is horrible. 7 mpg on the way to Table Rock this weekend. I spend about 400-500 a month in gas in my truck alone. Looking to buy a new GMC 1500 crew cab 4x4. I would like a deisel but don't want to spend the extra money. Does anyone know how these tow first hand. Also am considering a Ford F-150 4x4 crew cab. Appreciate any information.

  2. Kansas Bass Club Moderator
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    #2

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    Thats exactly what I tow with. 1500 GMC SLT Z71, xtra cab though. 5.3 motor tows my Champ fine. Just gotta keep it outa overdrive in the hills. About 12-13 on the highway with the boat.

  3. Member
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    #3

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Champer196)

    I have an 02 chevy 2500hd with the 6.0 and I get 14 around town and 11-12 pulling the boat.

  4. Moderator
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    #4

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (jmw)

    2003 Chevy Z71 5.3 with 373 gears. Tows fine. Get about 12 pullin, 17-18 highway

  5. Member
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    #5

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    My dad's truck is a 2004 Silverado extended cab, 5.3L Z-71 w/tow pack (3.73 gears)......has pulled my little boat a few times gets around 14/15 in town.....gets 13/14 towing.....and gets around 18 on Hwy as long as your not trying to go faster than 75 then MPG dropps off a bit


    I'd tell ya what I have but probably too OLD for your liking

    Good freind of mine has a 2004/05 F-150 4x4 XLT ext cab.....5.4 Triton and tows on occation heading to Colorado or Salt Flats with his uncle.......clims he only gets around 9/10mpg on hwy towing but I think he's pulling max load with it too

  6. Member
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    #6

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    My last and my current tow vehicles were / are the F150 4x4 SuperCrew I had a 2001 and now a 2006. Both IMHO are great for towing. The newer truck sits lower to the ground than the 2001 did and while I’m not sure, it feels as though it tows more effortlessly. Make sure you get the 5.4 Triton V8 to get the best performance. I get about 13 MPG while towing, less if I try to tow with cruise control on.

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    #7

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Hydrilla Gorilla)

    <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hydrilla Gorilla &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
    I get about 13 MPG while towing, less if I try to tow with cruise control on.
    </TD></TR></TABLE>

    I'm thinking that might be why my buddy only gets about 10 plus I think he sets the Cruise control to "Going to PLAID"

  8. Member
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    #8

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    I appreciate the information guys. I really am not excited about getting rid of my truck. I hate dealing with stealerships. Be nice if gas went down some. Oh well my own dumb @$$ fault.

  9. Member Stein's Avatar
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    #9

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    My 05 Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 hemi got right at 12 average on a 2000 mile trip with my 19'er and about 600 lbs in the bed at 75. Dropped to 10 when I was doing 82, so I figured it was worth dropping back to 75. Will do 13 at 60-65.

  10. Member DEdwards's Avatar
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    #10

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Stein)

    I think most trucks will get around 12 mpg (4x4)....

  11. Member
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    #11

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (DEdwards)

    7 is pretty bad for a V8, even a Dodge. Heck, I can get that with my gas guzzling V-10. You sure there's not something wrong with it?

  12. Member DEdwards's Avatar
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    #12

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Jiggernaut)

    Here is a stupid question but when is the last time you changed your air filter? That will cut you MPG down.

  13. Member
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    #13

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (DEdwards)

    I put a KN airfilter on it right after i bought it. I clean it everytime I change the oil. Airpressure is good on the tires. I have never had any troubles with. I have taken it in for the scheduled services and the mechanics have always said it is good. don't know. I love the truck but it is 100 trip each time I head to a tourney. What do you think could be wrong?

  14. Member DEdwards's Avatar
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    #14

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    I had a 03 dodge that got terrible mileage too, but I can't remember what I was getting towing. Went to a Dodge Cummins and got 12 pulling a trailer and got rid of it because all of my buddies where getting 12 in a gas truck and that was when diesel sky rocketed. I have a 1500HD now and get 12. I don't know what could be wrong except the Dodges love gas. One thing you could change on your next truck is that 5 speed will ge better gas mileage that an auto. I think I would get rid of it too if you can afford it.

  15. Every Man A Wildcat!! ReelDoc's Avatar
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    #15

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    Josh - if you are planning to buy a GM product, talk to Parks Chevrolet in Augusta. I bought my '04 Tahoe Z71 there and they have always been more than fair to me.

    Parks is one of the few dealerships where you can actually talk to the OWNER if you have a question or problem. I had my Tahoe in for some service and I while I was waiting I lamented to Saretta (the owner) how much I missed the Suburban that I traded in on my Tahoe. She said "let me put you in an '07 Suburban for the weekend to see if that would suit you better - no strings attached." I drove the Suburban for the weekend, liked it but did not want to spend the $$$. I told them exactly that when I returned it Monday, and that was that. No high pressure, no BS, nothing but "thank you for considering it".

    BTW - when I first looked at the Tahoe(used) on Tuesday, they shot me a price. I told them that the price was more than I was willing to pay. Thursday I got a phone call from the salesman who said "if you are still interested in the Tahoe, you can have it for $1,000 less than the Tuesday price." I took my wife out to Augusta, we drove it, and we took it home for good on Friday after it went thru the shop for a couple minor adjustments. Great people to deal with IMHO.

    Doc


    SSgt, US Air Force, 1967-75

    Veteran - a person who at some time in their life wrote a blank check payable to "The United States of America" in the amount of "up to and including my life".

  16. Member
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    #16

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    I've got a 03' Dodge 3500 dually 4x4 and I get 15 towing, with nothing I am getting 17 city and 20 to 23 highway. and ya it's got a CUMMINS

  17. Member
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    #17

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (ReelDoc)

    Yeah, they are great people to deal with. I have bought 3 vehicles from them. I will give them the business if I can. Good people to deal with.

  18. Member
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    #18

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (Tagg007)

    That's good to know about Parks, sure wish we had a good GM dealer around these parts.

  19. Member
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    #19

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (TimS)

    Josh,
    Have you by chance put great big tires on that rig?

  20. Member
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    #20

    Re: looking to get a different tow vehicle (TimS)

    <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TimS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sure wish we had a good GM dealer around these parts. </TD></TR></TABLE>

    I used to work at a Good GM Dealer not a GM Dealer no more

    and NO not because of me either for all you smart allecs out there

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