Hmmm... some good points made...

Actually, with the state of importing in Canada, and particularly in AB, I could "trade up" so to speak for maybe 3-4k if I do it carefully. I'd be surprised if I could do a 2.8 swap or sufficient upgrades to the 2.5 without spending at least that much.

As far as handling, I haven't had an issue with towing our current rig - braking is sometimes iffy, but its at the upper limit of what is an *unbraked* trailer anyways, and the next one would definitely have trailer-brakes. But to go bigger - your experience is kind of what I'm expecting - a larger, higher, heavier trailer will probably toss the little SWB around a lot more. WD-hitch would definitely be a good idea. And airbags in the coils would also be a help.

Mainly, my issue (in my limited towing experience) is with lack of power. Its about starts, and big hills (I'm talking Roger's Pass, Selmo Pass, etc, through the Rockies in BC). These are extreme increases/decreases in elevation, but they are on the way to where we go camping, so I need a rig to handle them.

I'm sure I could improve the little rattler for everyday drive-ability, but I doubt I can get it to pull a bigger rig to my satisfaction. Just this summer alone we've passed literally dozens of broken tow rigs in the mountains. All of them much larger than my little rig. This is the land of the fullsize truck, and the big diesels. I need a bigger safety margin if I'm gonna tow bigger. Maybe the 2.8 would do it, in front of a <sigh> long-wheelbase... Which of course brings up the old "towing with a 5sp versus auto debate" again, since most of the available 93-94 LWB 2.8s are auto. Hmmmm...

Oh and Patrick, if I do lean towards the 4M40, I sure appreciate input/info from you guys on the cat-connection. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

remember with an auto you don't loose your boost when you shift like a 5spd so towing thru mountains keeping that boost up means keeping the power up to tow that trailer, but on the down side you don't have the lower gearing to help slow you down when coming down the the mountain.

My $0.02:

You could not find a more perfect time to pick up a new or used full-size pickup for cheap than right now. Considered a non-mitsu dedicated tow-rig?

Maybe you're looking at it from the wrong perspective. Get a motored RV rig and pull the SWB... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I own a Gen II.5 and an Gen III. We have had the Gen III for almost 6 years (bought it new). We used to tow a 2500 pound Snowmobile trailer back in Michigan on a regular basis. We never had any issues regarding power or stopping. When we moved to Colorado, we towed a Toyota Corolla with no issues (car and trailer around 3500 pounds). One note however, the gas mileage really seems to drop while towing with the '03 3.8 equipped monty. Normally my wife gets around 18 mpg on the highway, towing dropped that to around 12 mpg. (I actually get better mileage with my '98 3.5, but I have never towned with it.)

The Gen III is very cushy and has been rock-solid as far as reliability for us. Nothing but scheduled maintenance since new. I personally don't feel it is the best tow vehicle due to the gas mileage issue, however it is a great 7 passenger vehicle.

I am a bit late to this thread but a few comments from my 3.8 conversion in my gen II.
MPG, in general I see mid 18s which drop to mid 17s driving in the Adirondacks. When I get to do a day on the highway and can keep the speed up I get in the low 20s for mileage.
The brakes really need good pads, the ceramic jokes went away on one heavy deceleration and the grip has not returned. Hawk HPS are going in.
I only have a small amount of towing with this rig so far, to me the transmission ratios are spaced way to wide in the top gears and the torque converter lockup is there just to raise my blood pressure. The six speed is sitting in my shop waiting for the adapter to be made. Once it is in this should be a nice rig.
The engine makes power, good power. Most is lost in the transmission but when I go to pass someone this truck has no problems, in a normal pass I back off once I am next to the other vehicle, if a stay on it till I am clearing his front bumper I am clearing 80 mph. I like being there but it is frowned upon by some. So the 40 to 80+ pull is strong.
How this relates to the factory 3.8 I do not know. They run taller gears and a different automatic. I can not imagine the tall gears to be of any value but I hope the new 5 speed transmission is better than what came in the Gen IIs.

Thanks again guys. Charlie, your perspective helps, swapped or not. Ed, no fullsized for me. I did the three-vehicle-thing for a while (one for wife, one for work, one for play), but the bike has taken one space, so I need to have a do-it-all tow/wheel/commute rig. Not to mention the parking... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

MMV, that's funny! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> A diesel pusher pulling a diesel! I'm sure there's irony in there somewhere? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks to all for your comments, esp the MPG figures. It helps a lot....

At this stage, I *think* Betsy V may become a genII LWB 2800TDi? Need to see what I can get for Betsy IV first. Too bad one of you <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> guys couldn't buy her... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I fit the LWB and my bike in one space! I know what you mean, I need to downsize my "fleet" too. Mostly so I can buy a Delica or a Hiace camper. Also, almost bought an old FJ1100 last weekend, but I was too slow.