[Barney]

I have been daily driving a 2003 Chevy Duramax for the past 3 years. The cost of Diesel has been driving me nuts for over a year! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) Fuel usually exceeds the cost of Super.

I only need it to tow to races at max once a month. It is hard to justify the extra cost of Diesel for that much towing. It gets about 14-15 mpg average. On the highway, no towing, it will get between 17.5 and 19. Towing my 28 ft white box 11.5 to 12.5. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I think I would be better off with a 6.0L 3/4 ton gas Suburban for daily use and the ocassional tow. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) I even thought about a 1/2 Suburban but I would be just over the tow rating and I am afraid it would collapse the rear suspension.

What is everyone else's experience? Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Suburban-Expedition-Excusrion-1500, 2500, minivan?

This post has been edited by Barney: Mar 23 2006, 09:39 PM

[Barney]

My perplexing delima is based on the use of a Diesle truck for daily driving, not actually needing a truck, for the daily driving. It must be a Texas thing. My neighbors seem to do the same thing. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

A good friend of mine, Mike Patterson, drove a crew cab Chevy dually with a big block for over 130K not towing anything and not having a family or any real need for the motor or size of the truck. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

Having a payment on a vehicle that may not be being utilized and possibly paying a premium to do so. I think a family truckster like the 3/4 ton Sububan may be a better choice if only to get reasonable braking.

Fuel seems to be getting even more expensive and I can justify helping Exxon's 32 billion dollar profit! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif)

Bring on the Ethanol! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

Mark, I am thinking that would not be normal. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Not for me anyway. I work from my home office but still mange to burn a tank of Diesle a week running errands and kids! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

This post has been edited by Barney: Mar 24 2006, 10:05 PM