I currentl have an 03 Dodge 2500 Cummins Diesel pickup and it has no problems pulling my boat. The problem is it rides like a stiff legged mule and my wife refuses to ride in it anymore. (I know for some of you that isn't a problem but I like having her around!) I am looking for something that can pull my 21' aluminum Jet Boat that when full fo fuel and fishing stuff, weighs, I guessing just under 6000 pounds. I know the AVE is rated for about 7000 lbs but I pull my boat through the Idaho mountains and do not really want to be at the head of a long line of not so happy people following me. Have any of you had any experience putting the new 5.4L to the test? WIll I be sorry? I test drove one and really like the ride. I thought about a 2500 but I am sure the ride suffers as well as the fuel economy! Thanks in advance!
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Can I pull my boat with a 1500 AVE?
- Thread starter blueox
- Start date
TLB
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Full Member
I had a 1500 AV before that I thought I was going to use for towing 
Don't judge the ride of the 2500 untill you drive one
Terry
Don't judge the ride of the 2500 untill you drive one
Terry
I would make sure exactly how much your boat, trailer and added equipment weighed. To be on the safe side, subtract 15 to 20% of the tow rating of your vehicle. Like TLB said, drive a 2500 to make a fair comparison. I think you'll be surprised.
BTW...Welcome to the club.
BTW...Welcome to the club.
02-Z66
Full Member
i think you will many different opinions on this subject. my opinion is that a 1500 with 4:10 gears should handle the job just fine. of course the 2500 will make childs play of towing that boat. the ride a little more harsh though. i drove a 2500 AV once. it was for a short distance, and i truly do not remeber how the ride was. on the other hand i have driven a 2500 DuraMax also. the ride was noticably more harsh than the AV. i think if the 2500 AV's ride was as harsh i would have definitely remembered.
*weight carrying hitch limit is 5,000lb trailer with 600lb tongue weight. a weight distributing hitch and sway control required over 5,000lb trailer weight.
1500 Model's
Max Trailer Weight Required Axle Ratio
2WD 7,300lbs 3.73
8,300lbs 4.10
4WD 7,100lbs 3.73
8,000lbs 4.10
2500 Model's
Max Trailer Weight Required Axle Ratio
4WD 10,100 3.73
12,000 4.10
*weight carrying hitch limit is 5,000lb trailer with 600lb tongue weight. a weight distributing hitch and sway control required over 5,000lb trailer weight.
1500 Model's
Max Trailer Weight Required Axle Ratio
2WD 7,300lbs 3.73
8,300lbs 4.10
4WD 7,100lbs 3.73
8,000lbs 4.10
2500 Model's
Max Trailer Weight Required Axle Ratio
4WD 10,100 3.73
12,000 4.10
02-Z66
Full Member
GreyAvalanche said:
yeah. it's a lot of mountains, or hills, in that area, right?
Even with the tow/ haul mode that is standard. I would think that if I were going to pull 6K on a regular basis or for long hauls over the Blues, Wallawas or Boise Mountains I'd get the 2500. No sense in spoiling a good fishing trip! 
BTW I can barely tell the difference in ride.... like a dream.
I'm leaning toward a 2500 next time myself.
BTW I can barely tell the difference in ride.... like a dream.
I'm leaning toward a 2500 next time myself.
King43
Full Member
This is what I tow with a Z66. The 2 tractors weigh about 1000lbs apiece plus two extra engines and the weight of the trailer and tools. No problems what so ever going through the hills of eastern Ky.
ava_2500
Full Member
The ride of my 2500 isnt bad, but you wouldnt notice any difference on a 30minute test drive. Your inner redneck comes out with the power of the 8.1 you completly forget about any roughness in ride.
Thanks for all the feedback. I guess now comes the challange to find a 2500 at a dealer to test drive. After reading other notes on other topics I also need to consider brakes and transmition. When I owned a 1/2 ton Suburban, my smaller boat really put the brakes to the test. Seems like I was having to have the rotors turned pretty often. The trailer does have surge brakes that do a good job. It will be hard to give up the Dodge with the Cummins but a smoother ride is worth quite a bit.
The 2500 has an awesome ride
It is still plush for a 2500 truck - but it is a perfect balance for me
The coffee in the cup holder does not spill even with the horrible potholes of NYC metro area
I have never said that my truck was harsh - even mom loves it
Anthony
It is still plush for a 2500 truck - but it is a perfect balance for me
The coffee in the cup holder does not spill even with the horrible potholes of NYC metro area
I have never said that my truck was harsh - even mom loves it
Anthony
I pull my boat with mine and love it. The gas mileage is not all that much worse than the 1500. It will be hard to find a 2500 on a dealer lot anywhere. They don't order them for stock very often. Good luck in your hunt.
E.
E.
why do they not stock as many 2500s?
Ky Av said:This is what I tow with a Z66. The 2 tractors weigh about 1000lbs apiece plus two extra engines and the weight of the trailer and tools. No problems what so ever going through the hills of eastern Ky.
Did you include the weight of all those trophys??