trucks needed to tow for an event

[jsmorrow2s]

looking at getting a 25x65 cabinet and trailer style shirley with a warming oven and was looking at towing for a truck should i stick with an older diesel (say a 7.3L f350 or 2nd gen dodge cummins) or would a newer 6.2L silverado 1500 tow everything comfortably?

 

[yakdung]

I own a 3rd gen Dodge Cummins Diesel (03). It has no catalytic converter and DOES NOT require DEF. The engine is the best I have ever owned, but unfortunately, the dodge truck it sits in has been nothing but problematic. For towing I would ONLY consider a diesel. Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[Ron_L]

How heavy is the Shirley? I would think that even an SUV would be able to tow it. A couple of the guys local to us pull their Jambos behind minivans.

 

[LTG]

Any newer v8 gasser would pull that fine.

 

[toys4dlr]

They are not that heavy, any SUV (or minivan for that matter) can pull that cooker. But, if you are going in, go diesel and you wont have to trade up later.

 

[Doog]

I bet the smoker is around 2000lbs. Fullsize pickup truck should be able to pull it fine.
I think for that amount of weight a diesel would be a little overkill.

 

[tkegumby]

Diesel would probably be overkill, but the fuel savings would more than make up for it. The torque from any diesel will make any kind of towing a pleasure. If you have any kind of hill to climb, the diesel would motor up that thing without batting an eye, where the gasser would more than likely have to downshift & suck fuel like you wouldn't believe!

 

[LTG]

Diesel would probably be overkill, but the fuel savings would more than make up for it. The torque from any diesel will make any kind of towing a pleasure. If you have any kind of hill to climb, the diesel would motor up that thing without batting an eye, where the gasser would more than likely have to downshift & suck fuel like you wouldn't believe!

That depends upon how many miles per year. Diesel maintenance is not cheap.

 

[jsmorrow2s]

right now it would be an occasional trip to st louis (80-100 miles) and maybe to chicago or memphis. im thinking a gasser would work just fine! thank you all

 

[bbqbull]

How far and what type terrain you looking at?

 

[jsmorrow2s]

90% highway and interstate. max 1000 miles per year. illinois, which is on par with what people believe, is extraordinarily flat. maybe an occasional trip further but nothing too far

 

[ewchippe]

I have a Shirley now and my brother in law hauls it to comps using a Jeep Cherokee. You don't even know its back there. I haul with a Chevy Silverado and it pulls great.

 

[yakdung]

That depends upon how many miles per year. Diesel maintenance is not cheap.

I've always heard that about diesels, but simply don't understand it. No spark plugs, no spark plug wires, no distributor. I've owned a Cummins for 12 years and maintenance has been minimal. Also a diesel engine will outlast a gasser many times over.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I've always heard that about diesels, but simply don't understand it. No spark plugs, no spark plug wires, no distributor. I've owned a Cummins for 12 years and maintenance has been minimal. Also a diesel engine will outlast a gasser many times over.

I understand some of what you are saying, BUT climate and diesels dont always mix. Last year or so havent been too bad up here for us but with my wife working at a convenience store, I used to work at a gas station/tank wagon service and numerous farmers, and every year I hear stories about diesels gelling up unless special steps or add ons are done or leave the engine running 24hours a day. No bearing on towing but that is sometimes why diesels take some taking care of as well.

 

[yakdung]

I understand some of what you are saying, BUT climate and diesels dont always mix. Last year or so havent been too bad up here for us but with my wife working at a convenience store, I used to work at a gas station/tank wagon service and numerous farmers, and every year I hear stories about diesels gelling up unless special steps or add ons are done or leave the engine running 24hours a day. No bearing on towing but that is sometimes why diesels take some taking care of as well.

Winter now that presents a different set of circumstances. My truck has mainly driven in the south, and have never experienced any issues. The truck I own has a plug in 110v block heater to make the engine toasty when temps drop below freezing.

 

[Rusty Kettle]

If you can get a diesel I would get it. I have cars and wish I got a truck or a mini van. Got the cars before competing more.

Now, we plan to upgrade my wife to a van this next year and hopefully a nice truck for me the following year. If your in the market get more than what you think you will need.

We got another car before my wife had our second child and wish I would have thought more about the future than worrying about getting a cheap car. Now we need to upgrade after getting our tax refund.

My point is plan for the future and get more than what you think you would need or you will kick yourself later. Trust me just because of life changes and wanting to compete more I am kicking myself.

 

[kenthanson]

I have 2014 ram 1500 with a hemi in it and we pull a 16' enclosed with 4 wsm's, 2 pop ups, 5 tables, 2 cots, and countless other pounds of odds and sods and it pulls just fine. The only issue we've run into is when we are driving into the wind, the trailer is just a huge umbrella and gas mileage goes down huge.

 

[LTG]

Winter now that presents a different set of circumstances. My truck has mainly driven in the south, and have never experienced any issues. The truck I own has a plug in 110v block heater to make the engine toasty when temps drop below freezing.

A block heater is great until biodiesel gels up in the tank and you are stuck on the side of the road in zero degree weather because you are not running any fuel additives.

 

[LTG]

If you can get a diesel I would get it. I have cars and wish I got a truck or a mini van. Got the cars before competing more.

Now, we plan to upgrade my wife to a van this next year and hopefully a nice truck for me the following year. If your in the market get more than what you think you will need.

We got another car before my wife had our second child and wish I would have thought more about the future than worrying about getting a cheap car. Now we need to upgrade after getting our tax refund.

My point is plan for the future and get more than what you think you would need or you will kick yourself later. Trust me just because of life changes and wanting to compete more I am kicking myself.

A 3/4 ton diesel is a terrible recommendation for someone to tow a 2k lb BBQ pit less than 1k miles a year in IL. It's overkill.

 

[yakdung]

A block heater is great until biodiesel gels up in the tank and you are stuck on the side of the road in zero degree weather because you are not running any fuel additives.

I only run #2 diesel no bio. I always carry and run additives from Power Service. If gelling is a concern, carry an emergency additive. Never had this issue and not a concern.
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