If you guys forgotten what you read in Wendy's second and third post, go back and read again. She said she is looking into Yukon, Tahoe, Silverado and Suburban if must because she would commute in this vehicle as well and it will be short trip tow vehicle.Since all of these vehicles come on 1500 platform (you can get Suburban and Silverback in 2500 extra cost of course), Wendy forget about $85000 diesel truck/SUV because you don't need it. Also Kevin's post has a lot of good points. My boat is 5K lbs alone w/o gas etc and my Tundra towed it with out problems.
I towed Slow Steve's camper which was 25-28 (can't remember)foot long to Pitt with out any problems. That thing was loaded with our junk plus AJ's junk that we picked up half way because he broke down.
Point of all this is do your homework, use your common sense and buy vehicle with tow package, when towing refer to Kevin's post and you'll be fine.
Now if you have money and really want big bad diesel, well then you know what you have to do.
I don't think people are really focusing on gas versus diesel here. Yes, a diesel will without a doubt pull better than ANY gasser. But the bigger issue is that a 3/4T truck isn't necessarily a diesel. But it DOES have larger hubs, bearings, brake rotors, calipers, suspension, etc. 8000lbs is no joke to tow. All it takes is one "aw shit" moment with an under sprung truck, or rotors that are glowing red hot and fading brakes, to ruin your day. I'm not sure a lot of people really estimate their weight very well (not their body weight
). My trailer weighs about 4700 empty. My truck weighs about 7000lbs empty. When I add 4 bikes, my rolling tool chest, scooter, about 30gal fuel, generators, assorted crap, I'm usually at around 7700lbs not including clothes, riding gear, etc. I don't give a rats ass what weight distribution hitch you're using, when you're coming down a reasonably steep hill going around a bend with negative camber, the rotors, springs, calipers, etc are just not up to the task - period. There are a lot of people I see who "think" they're pulling a ton of weight, but their trailer is half the size of mine and not built as heavy, they are hauling less bikes, and less fuel. 8000lbs is a lot of weight. Make no mistake. "Tow packages" don't do anything for the diameter or the thickness of your brake rotors. Nothing. I own both 1/2T and 3/4T trucks. The 3/4T rotors are fully 3/4" "thicker" at a minimum. Two packages give you things like tranny coolers, a little heavier springs, etc. Nothing of consequence in terms of how the vehicle will actually "tow".
Think about this. You can get away with a lot of things "with no problem". Until you have a problem. Wendy is looking to "get" a vehicle - which is a far different conversation than if she already had one, and was trying to force the peg into the hole. For what Wendy is talking about, I'm not sure I'd recommend a diesel either- but just be prepared for eating a lot of fuel. But if it's 8000 lbs, IMHO that is simply too much weight behind a 1/2T truck - period.
BTW, take the above with a grain of salt. You kind of think about these things differently when you've been in situation having pulled more than 20 tons.... It kind of makes you understand the forces at work....