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[ramv]

Currently I daily drive/tow with an 8.1 powered 4.10 equipped 2005 Chevy 2500. Its an Avalanche so it has the 4L85E (HD GM 4 spd).

Its on 265s and gets 13-14 mpg and tows pretty darn good (7000 lb Dodge on a 2500 lb trialer, sometimes two rigs on a 34' trailer, about 13k lb trailer weight).

It gets about 7-8 mpg towing and will run the speed limit most of the time, however the big passes (11 000') I end up in first running about 40 mph (plenty of power just against the redline, not enough power to hold 2nd). No cooling issues except the tranny gets to about 215 deg F.

Originally I was told that the 6.8 didn't have as much power, but I think that is the 2V at the time. Current specs rate it close to mine. I am running a Hypertech programmer on the 87 octane setting.

I would like to go to a manual tranny. Since GM dropped the big block and the manual transmission, there isn't much reason to look there. I could do a diesel Ford or Dodge diesel, but that appears to be at least $5k more and may not be more reliable. (DPF, EGR etc).

So my long winded question -- Will the Ford impress me? Anyone towing 10K over the mountains? Naturally I would spec 4.30s (with the stock tires that is the same as 4.10s with my smaller Chevy tires).

I would also consider getting a cab over camper down the road if I had a pickup, so figure cabover, F-350 SRW, and a 10k trailer, I would be pushing 20k and plenty of wind drag. Will the Ford at least maintain 40-45 mph? Right now the Chevy feels like it would pull a middle gear, but no resonable way to upgrade it, (ZF-6 swap requires a body lift, and a fair amount of work, figure 5k+).

The only thing I don't like about the Chevy is the auto (which is ok for an auto but not near as nice as a TF or Allison).

Or should I just keep the Chevy, and look at some mods to get more power and beef up the stock transmission. No cab over option, but I could do a tent trailer and put it and the Dodge on my big flat deck.

Obviously a diesel would work best but I sure my like gasser for being quiet, easy to maintain, and resonably effecient.