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Random Quote: Most fishing problems are caused by the connection between the boat and the rod.
Can anyone tell me their experience towing 12000lbs with either a Ford or Chevy DIESEL? From the information I've dug up, it looks like the Ford and Chevy are pretty similar with the exception that the Ford has a higher power curve than Chevy. This might be why the Chevy doesn't tow heavy loads well at highway speeds.
Please inform of your experiences
drove both, I am biased b/c I am a GMC fan(i drive an hd2500 duramax), but the F350 super duty pulled better at low end, hence pulling a 12000 lb. boat up the ramp (brother owns a ford F350 w/powerstroke), at highway speeds i prefer the gmc, better ride and economy, any time I fish locally with my brother (singer island fl) we use the ford, When we tow north to my town(hampton, va) or anything beyond 50 miles from singer island my brother begs to use the GMC......I will sum it up as six one way/1/2 dozen the other...or you could buy two trucks...one to tow locally and put in water and pull out, then use the HD Duramax to tow distances
__________________ 1967 Boston Whaler 13'
"The Cox'N"
Hull # 20940
Ford makes a good diesel, but I ride in a friend's Duramax 3500 Duallie 4-Door towing a trailer the size of a tractor trailer truck trailer, with 8 snowmobiles and all gear tools, etc inside. We drive up to Canada in it, and I'll tell you, the Duramax coupled to the Allison tranny? No comparison on a long trip to any Ford or Dodge.
For short trips to and from your local ramp? It doesn't matter, LOL.
__________________ 1974 Formula F-233-C
Original Mercruiser Ford 302/TR Outdrive
The Chevy's have historically had a more car like ride. I had an 00' 2500 that rode well except for the vibration that they couldn't get rid of. After 8 tries by 3 dealerships the final straw was when they returned it stating that "vibration is normal due to frame flex". I immediately traded it in for the Excursion. I'm sure they're not all that way but GM will never see another penny from me. To bad for them, my family has always driven nothing but GM products, I figure they're out well into 6 figures over the next 40-50 years from me alone.
I currently have an 01' Ford PowerStroke Excursion & 04' Dodge Cummins 3500. The Excursion pulls nice but does not have the torque down low like the Cummins (both vehicles are chipped). If you are considering the Ford, check out some of their online forums to see if you are comfortable with spending $40K on the 6.0 PowerStroke. Obviously I wasn't (combined with a few other minor things I liked better about the Dodge).
Can't comment on the Chev, but I tow a 9000 lb trailer/boat package with my 2002 Excursion diesel. The engine has plenty of power for the trips. My excursion is used for many purposes, if it was a dedicated boat puller, I would get an F350 dually diesel.
I am a Ford supporter, however, never pull anything that heavy. By looking around at the local Construction market and Boat Manufactures, most are using Ford and\or Dodge trucks. They may get a special deal from Ford and Dodge dealerships over chevy, however, this is what they are using.