I tow with a 2006 Frontier with the 4.0 and an automatic. I haven't had any trouble. It gets terrible mileage but can handle 5500lbs without any trouble.

If you want an enclosed trailer definitely go V8. I have a 2011 2500HD with the 6L v8 and wish I had a diesel. ~8mpg with my 24' trailer and ~15 without.

It pulls the ~10,000lb trailer just fine but the gas is a killer. One of the guys has a Ford with the turbo 6 and loves it... gets 15-20 mpg towing his open trailer.

I have the same truck and essentially the same 24' trailer and get 10-11 mpg. The diesel does a lot better obviously.

Wow. What kinda speeds? I would probably be better on gas if I didn't tow at 70-75mph... With 70mph speed limits I feel like I'm getting run over.

I have a 2008 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L. Wish I had the 6.0L (or, newer 6.2L) but I never imagined I'd be towing a flatbed in the future when I bought it. The 5.3L has gotten my car, all supplies, and a UHaul trailer (VERY heavy flatbed) around ok...hills can be irritating though.

I try to keep it close to 65, but will do 70 on the flats. I had a trailer tire blow out at 75 mph from what appeared to be tread separation (overheated) and it sounded like someone had dropped a bomb under my truck. Took a while to unweave the separated tread that was wrapped around the axle.

I get the biggest improvement by not trying to steam up the hills too hard. Build momentum before the hill, let some of the speed fall away slowly as you climb and use as much throttle as possible that doesn't kick down a gear until you need it. Using this technique I climb most hills in 5th, and only have to use 4th near the top of the really steep ones. If it needs 4th then I back off a bit and cruise up at around 60.

The savings on a 500 mile tow is about $40. That buys a lot of beer.

TROOF. I do the same - accelerate down the hills leading toward an uphill, and feather it as long as possible on the uphill.

I use to drive one everyday as our work van! Now we have a ford transit connect!

So we wont be seeing you on America's Most Wanted!

Economical rape van.

This type for the molestation

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/48/117...eb347979c7.jpg

This one for the raping and bank robbery

http://images01.olx.com/ui/1/49/67/14774267_1.jpg

Overkill is your friend in a tow vehicle. I used to have a Dodge Ram 2500 Sport with Cummins diesel for towing a 6000lb boat back and forth from Florida to Chicago. The truck had something around 12,000lb towing capacity. The 'going' was never an issue and we'd routinely cruise rock steady around 75-80mph despite the massive aerodynamic drag of the boat. However, stopping could often get hairy. The trailer had pressure activated brakes (not electric) and they worked for $hit. I recall a couple instances of ditching into the emergency lane when traffic stopped abruptly.

My suggestion would be to get as capable a vehicle as possible if you're looking at long distances or highway speeds. It could save your life. If you're just moving around town, then you can get by with significantly less in the tow vehicle. Just remember the limitations and err far on the side of safety. Just like in a track car, the braking ability is far more important than the power. And those maximum tow ratings are not where you want to be living with your setup...you'll be struggling if you're near your vehicle's max towing capacity.

But, you are probably towing once a month at most, and driving the truck around all the other days too. Maybe a v6 with a stoptech upgrade and take it easy while hauling

I am with Mike. I ended up with a V6 CUV with no towing capacity, I figure it is cheaper to rent a truck or borrow a rape van for the occasional run to school, I meant track

http://www.mediafire.com/conv/5d2a29...100dfbda6g.jpg

Instant panties liquidifier

Or you can spend a little more and get one of these for like $6000.

http://images.auction123.com/1385a20...g?webimage001l

I am leaning toward this option.