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="" />