Tow vehicle for 2004 283 RKS

[malfar]

I really want to buy the above 5er (max weight rating 9700 lbs.) Would travel extensively from southern Ontario - to southern US and west Canada/US. Was planning on buying a gas 2011-2012 HD 2500 or F250 4x4to pull it. Now I'm having reservations - seems like I'm at the limits or slightly over (payload) for a HD 2500 SRW - unless I get the 4.10 rear end ( which seem to be hard to find). F250 seems to have higher ratings but power wise is almost identical to the HD in terms of HP and torque. From what I have read this set-up would probably be marginal in term of mountains/grades. Alternative is to go to a diesel - no question about pulling power, - payload only issue - but then cost comes into it and I need the truck for local driving as well, which creates other problems.

Guy who has the trailer, has a mint 60k mile 2008 2500 HD 2wd set up for towing it, that he wants to sell too . Tempted to get that - price is right but it's 2wd and I'm not sure that it would have the torque either - he towed it to Florida every year since new and says it tows it with no problems.

Anybody with experience towing this trailer or similar size have any comments/advice.

Thanks.

[UPCamper]

What is the pin weight of the trailer? Diesel would definetly pull better through the mountains but I would assume a gasser should pull a 9700 trailer through them ok. As far as an everyday driver, my diesel is and it's not a problem.

[Jeff61]

I have a 2014 2500HD, CC,4X4 6.0Lgas, 4.10. I would say go for the diesel, unless the fuel economy don't bother you. Towing a 24RKS you'll do a squeak over 7 mpg. Unloaded with a cap on the box you'll never see much over 13.5 mpg.