[pyr0b0y]

I recently came across a 1999 Chevy 3500 Extended Cab Dually Truck. I've been looking for a truck to tow my trailer and car to and from events. It's a friends of mine with 96k miles on it.

It just had the fuel pump replaced, but is not getting any power (hopefully just a fuse or relay).

It's the 454 motor. KBB say $5100 in good condition, so if my mechanic checks it out and its in good condition i was thinking of making an offer.

Do you guys have any reviews or comments on this model? Anything I should look for? And yes, i do realize i will get under 10 mpg when towing.

[Truck Norris]

Sounds like a typical bay area tow rig (non diesel, non 4wd)

My experience

I briefly had 93 extended cab 2wd 3500 DRW with the 454cid w/ 107k which I bought for the same reason about 10 years ago for $5k which was a good deal at the time.

It drove ok unloaded and needed the usual front suspension work as well as laundry list of of maintenance items. It also towed ok on the flats but once I hit my first grade it fell on its face and couldn't go any faster the 45mph at WOT in third gear. I ended up averaging 7mpg on that trip and only had three grades that were only three miles long. I was only towing a stock 85 toyota pickup on a regular car trailer. I ended up having to daily drive it and it didnt take long to figure out that I was spending almost $500 a month on gas and this was 10 years ago. I ended up trading it in on a new diesel the following month for less then what I was spending on gasoline.

Sounds overkill for towing a Camaro. You'd be a lot better off getting a 99+ half ton 5.3L, or a later 3/4 ton with the 6.0L because that's what my buddy had (99 1/2 ton) and it smoked me in power, towing, mpg, ride, longevity, ect.

[upflying]

You will also get under 10mpg empty.

[JHart]

if your looking for a gasser tow rig, a 6.0 2500 is the way to go. they'll get give or take 13-15 mpgs not towing,9-11 towing with my experience. and they're pretty stout engines also, not too much maintenence has to be done. especially if it's got the 14 bolt rear and the 4l80e

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by JHart

if your looking for a gasser tow rig, a 6.0 2500 is the way to go. they'll get give or take 13-15 mpgs not towing,9-11 towing with my experience. and they're pretty stout engines also, not too much maintenence has to be done. especially if it's got the 14 bolt rear and the 4l80e

This.

Dually Gasser.. better off finding a 6.5L Turbo Detroit dually if you're picky on price.

Though, if you get a 6.0 HD 3/4 ton, get stout brakes if you're gonna use it as a primary tow rig. Lost count of the amount of pads and rotors we've gone through on the '04. Has no problem hauling ass with a load but pray to god you got space to stop.

Invest in an aftermarket trailer brake too, if one already isn't installed. It's such a nice thing to have and thankfully GM offers it on the HD package now.

[Hall of Fame]

My 2006 6.0 gasser 3/4 Chevy got 8-9 pulling an enclosed and maybe 10 on a flatbed. It was gutless in the mountains. I went diesel.

[pyr0b0y]

I ended up buying a 2000 F350 7.3L dually.