i had a 98 Ram with a 5.2(318) but with a load going up a hill it would shift out of OD to climb the hill and its tongue would be hangin' out, but now, i have a 99 Ram Cummins and WOW what a difference i went to Alabama from NE ohio a couple weeks ago pulling a trailer with a 4x4 truck on it(total of about 8000#'s) and running the A/C i set the cruise at 70 and even climbing the hills through Kentucky and Tennesee it never shifted out of OD. it was cool pulling all that weight going up a hill and passing other trucks pulling a small trailer:grin: and i still got almost 18mpg:Brow: splurge for the diesel whatever truck you decide to go with, you wont regret it:TU: and you will never trailer with a gas truck again:laugh:
Here is the long term plan. Not a tow vehicle yet but I hope to make it one. I know what you mean RaceBuicks about the trucks being the safest, but how much of a difference have I got here? 4200 or 4800lbs (I can't remember which it is) 455, TH400 and posi rear.
Brad and Jim, Why not just buy a crew cab w/DMAX instead of a Suburban? Seems to me you can always put a topper on the crew cab and basically have a Suburban without the addtional space putting a load on the AC system. Of all the Suburbans running around Pinellas county, I don't think I have ever seen more than 2 people in them. Seems to me the back area is wasted space and more versatile for hauling if it is a bed instead of an enclosed cabin. Am I missing something? Oh yes, my tow vehicle is a 84 Chevy fleetside w/355 Chevy, 4bbl and 700R4. Tows great! If I ever buy a new truck, count on it being a GM Duramax!
George, My problem is of my own making, 3 kids. We need the third row seat if anybody else comes with us, even the puppy dog. While the pickup/cap idea will work for some, in our case it would not at this time in our lives.
What about a 2500 or 3500 series Van ??nicely done conversion.....full cabin interior....rigged for towing heavy Can you get one with a Diesel ?? Would this be as good as a truck ??
I don't believe GM puts a diesel in the full size van and even if they did, my wife would not want one...she's out of the "van" stage now. GM stopped putting a diesel in the Suburban's when they last changed styles...what like 1999 or something. No diesels since then in their lineup.:spank:
Cool!!:TU: Wanted a 68 to match the convert, but found the 69 BB with A/C, tilt, PDB and Power Seat for $500, so there I am. Has a Vista Cruiser 3.23 12 bolt posi now. I want to get a gear vendors UD/OD eventually. I'm not sure trucks are that much safer/better? This tows better than my Tahoe does (of course I added airbags). The braking is about the same and the acceleration of course is much better. I guess a HD 3/4t or 1 ton would probably be better, but would it look better?:3gears:
The Estate was my second choice. I think our wagons are probably equivalent to heavy 1/2t or light 3/4t trucks. A 1t crew cab dually diesel would of course be the ultimate but I don't have that kind of money. My dad has an extracab dually 8.2L with Allison and that thing tows like a banshee!
The tow vehicle belongs to my "signifigant other" . She drives a 2000 F-350 4X4 with a V10, 5 speed manual. A "cowboy Cadillac". When she's not pulling her horse trailer or hauling hay, I steal it to pull Buicks. :laugh: Awesome truck. It actually rides better the more weight you put on it. Jason
