The best power train for towing?

jdtopper

have you ever made the trek along the Duzy Trail? Over Voyager Rock? I've been part way up that trail from Courtright, but never went all the way to Huntington. I was always by myself, and didn't want to venture terribly far up the trail without backup...

Treadltly, I'm not certain, but I think you're probably looking at a 7% grade (or more) getting up the hill to Shaver. You'll want a fairly gutsy setup to be able to stay out of 2nd gear with that much load. A diesel would tow it best, but probably a 3/4 ton rig with at least a strong 350 motor if you go with gas.

kg11

I drove the dusy trail in '81.I was in a stock '80 toyota 4x4.Once you get to the top it's pretty easy going.Most of my backpacking in that area is south along the Kings river,and if you like fly fishing you should go that way.

kip

tomh12

I have been paying attention to what vehicles I see towing, lately. I have noticed you find lots of Toyotas in college towns, and not too many in between. Just returned from 3788 mile, two week, 3 wild turkey trip. East Coast to NW Arkansas, back through Alabama,(didn't see our favorite resident), Georgia, SC, NC, and VA. Did not see ONE toyota towing anything on the highways. Did see one taco hooked up to about a 16' flat bottom boat....It was broke down beside HWY 58 in Southern VA. LOTS of GM and Ford products towing. Not as many, but several Dodge trucks towing. Heaviest thing I saw loaded on a Toyota was a 17' Old Towne canoe near the Buffalo River in the Ozarks of NW Arkansas.
Good luck on this one now!
Tom

treadltly

Thanks for the input. I can tell from your posts that you've both seen that country. It's incredible! I lived up there for a year at Wishon, and loved every hike I took. I just hope I can remember the trails well enough to take my kids to some of my favorite spots.
I haven't been here for awhile, I've been truck shopping! Still haven't bought one, but like a lot that I've seen. Saw a nice 3/4 ton Chevy crew cab w/ tow pkg. was a 4x2, '99 with 50K miles; husband keeps pushing to get new. But, then doesn't like the price of the new ones, and wants to get something with better mpg. I'd rather get the one a couple years older that'll work harder and sacrifice a little mpg. Still trying to strike that balance. I'd consider a Dodge just for the price & warranty right now, but NO rear head restraints at all! Don't go for that, as I lost a few friends in mountain terrain wrecks.