270 280 290 tips needed b4 purchase w/ trailer

[rubyray]

iam looking on down sizing, iam looking at
twin 4.3 and 5.0 's in a trailerable boat
most trips will be 10 to 35 miles, and i dont mind permits if over 8.5
i like the wider twins and expecially the 290
i also see the intr change in 98 and the reverse arch.i do want genni with a/c
i needs pointers on trailering, any difference in beam with a 270 wide and a 290 i see some 290's listed at 9.4 and some at 10.2
i plan to purchase a dodge diesel 4x4 dually
around a late 90,s and a/t trans.
so far i seem to like the 270 290 best
with twins, i need your experiences with the 4.3's vrs the 5.0's
are the 4.3's alot better on fuel with say a
1998 model, i think these are not mpi's
thanks in advance
bill

 

[Play Dough]

I don't have direct experience with the boat but we cruise with a couple that have a 1999 290 with twin 4.3L/Alpha. I have a 1989 300 with twin 5.7L/Alpha. They have to run pretty hard to keep a pace that I would call a very easy cruise rate. At the end of the day, they use as much fuel as I do. I'd probably lean toward the 5.0L package based on my obsevations.

 

[BillK]

Had a 2000 290 with twin 5.0's good power setup. 4.3's in a 290 are under powered in my opinion.

 

[kbradatzke]

I have a 2000 270 with the 4.3's twins. As far as power with the 4.3's I think it is fine . With full water and fuel and gear for a week it will do 43 mph wot. But I think I would agree with BillK that for a 290 the 4.3's would be under powered. We keep our 270 on a Tri axle trailer and pull it about 2500 to 3000 miles a year. I pull it with a GMC 2500 with Duramax , we pull it over the Rocky's to the West Coast and I have no problems at all. I think the key is to be rigged up proper. I ordered a the trailer with torsion axles, elec over hyd disc brakes on all axles. As for fuel We can go out for a long weekend put about 11-12 hrs on ( some cruising speed and some at about 7-8 mph) and use up a tank 100 gal.