So I recently sold my my lifted/geared/supercharged etc = gas guzzling Silverado 2500HD ecsb 6.0L, because fuel prices are ridiculous and it was getting 9.8mpg average. I am looking to replace it with either another Silverado 1/2 ton ECSB (2wd) or a Dodge Ram 1500 QCSB (2wd)

I am looking at used trucks '02+ model year... I know what I need to know about Chevy's, but I am not really familiar with the quirks and what to look for when it comes to Dodge. I like the bigger cab of the Dodge and for a comparable model to the Chevy they are cheaper. So my main question is what to look for, what to avoid... how are the tranny's in these trucks, what kind of gas milage do each of the motors get... 4.7 vs 5.9 vs 5.7 Hemi... and what would you recommend for towing duty? it would be towing a ski boat regularly in the summer (about 4000lbs) and occasionally a 6800lb travel trailer (short distances and only until it is sold (so quite possibly never))...

About the only thing I know about Dodge's drivetrain is the the 4.7L is the 318 that's been around forever, the 5.9L is the tried and true 360 and the 5.7 Hemi is the "new" modern motor... Any info would be appreciated so I know what to look for when I start shopping... My main concerns are Gas mileage, reliability, and towing capability... and knowing what quirks to be on the look out for.

Thanks for any input... btw it would be staying stock with the exception of maybe some wheels and a slight drop...

 

Not a lot of mopar guys here eh? Ah well... going to check out an 03' Dakota QCSB w/ 4.7 and an 04' Ram QCSB w/ 5.7 Hemi...

 

FWIW almost every dodge ram I've driven gets **** gas mileage. My buddies with the 4.7 gets 10 with a 6" lift and 35s. Another buddy has the hemi and gets 12 bone stock. The best I've seen is 14.2 on a highway trip. I definitely wouldn't get one for the gas mileage.

 

....my hemi qc get's about 21-22 mpg highway and 15-17 mpg city...then again i'v modded my engine to make it pretty efficient...if yur goin used, get an 04/05... iv got a 3/4 drop too...