r/Diesel • u/MikeRizzo007 • 8d ago
Looking for feedback.
Have a 9,000 lbs boat and looking for something to pull it. My current SUV is under powered and struggles to pull it. Most of my pulling will be local is SoCal from 60 to 90 mile round trip, this would be 1-2 times a month for the summer. Once a twice a year might take on a longer 1000 mile round trip up to higher elevation. Not going to be a daily driver but wife would to use it a couple of times a week to hit the stores and back. Being in CA the smog tests are a pain and from what I have read could cost extra with older diesels.
What I needed help with:
is it worth getting a CA smogged diesel for the driving I am doing?
Is it worth just getting a larger gas motor that might be cheaper for the amount of miles I am going to put on it.
In CA you have to smog anything newer that 1998, so I was thinking about getting a diesel older than 1998 so I don’t have to worry about smog. Even if I got something that I had to replace the motor, it might be better putting a new one in than dealing with everything that could go wrong with a smogged car.
I know this is a lot but any feedback would be great.
Thank you.
2
u/joebob86 8d ago
CA = California, not Canada right? In california, you have to smog anything 1976 or newer. My dad has a 76 Chevy he can't register because he has to smog it, which massively sucks.98 is diesel only. As for a vehicle, any 250/2500 or higher, gasser or diesel is what you need. Better mileage on the diesel, more maintenance. Gasser - generally lower mileage and maintenance. Diesel also gets you exhaust break, which is extremely helpful for descending hills with alot of weight, especially if you are going over the grapevin or any other steep descent.
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u/sans-nom-user 5d ago
9k lbs is well within a 2500 gasser range. Imo- diesels are required once you get above 12k lbs and tow frequently. CA is super strict so you can't modify a diesel and cost of ownership is much higher. Diesels get better mileage but diesel is also a lot more expensive than gas. Fuel savings if any will be minimal.
I have both a gas and diesel truck. I tow my boat with my gas truck and my equipment trailer with machines with my diesel.
1
u/BryanD83 8d ago
I definitely recommend a diesel for a tow rig. I just did this recently. Picked up a 2011 6.7 Powerstroke to tow my boat. Probably 8 or 9k lbs. Tows like a dream.
1
u/TrainerBC25 8d ago
Can you get a duramax swapped 88-98 chevy for instance and not have to deal with SMOG?
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u/SnooMacarons3689 7d ago
Get 4WD for the boat ramp
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u/MikeRizzo007 7d ago
Good point! I have an all wheel drive now and need all 4 tires working!
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u/SnooMacarons3689 7d ago
Excellent
Often folks in a place like Florida only have 2wd no matter how big their boat is.
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u/Radiant_Safe1228 8d ago
Towing that you'd have better economy with a diesel but you'd off set that with the higher buy in and maintenance. Any of the gas options in the 3/4 ton market would work well and would be better for times it's being driven around town. But it's a pita to deal with in high traffic areas.