3/4-ton minimum largest engine you can afford. bigger is better. i've driven the ford V10 ... smooth and powerful. i've also done time on the powerstroke diesel: top notch motor for hauling. my folks have an F250 with the 460 (7.5 liter?). this is a good combo for their 24' 5th-wheel ... that weights LESS than the M23. this rig has been across the country twice. i've also taken trips with the setup and it is an excellent combo. the folks old rig of a chevy 2500, 454 engine and a 22' trailer crossed the country three times. be sure the rig has the proper towing coolers for both the transmission and engine. some 'street rigs' have big engines but CANNOT haul a load ... ex., the F150 (and similar chevy, dodge, honda, toyota): looks like a truck, smells like a truck, engine like a truck, but NOT set up to haul real loads over hills, mountains and for long distances. as a WA native, you will run the MANY hills and mountain passes and you need BOTH engine power and brakes. in eastern WA you need engine power to overcome the STRONG winds ... my prior truck was a ranger with the 3L engine. i couldn't run a highway speeds in over a 25MPH headwind. i spent many years fighting the winds in eastern WA (when i lived in cheney); and minnesota (when i lived in morris). horsepower IS YOUR FRIEND. IMO a must have is posi-traction rear end on slime-covered ramps. if you plan on doing many ramp launches a 4x4 would be good insurance. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Sun, 2/28/10, Jeff Packer <cjpacker@theofficenet.com> wrote: Jeff here. Still lurking although I haven't posted for awhile. I'll be sure to check my centerboard pin on "Clarity" after the recent posts on them coming out I'm going to be purchasing a truck and want something to tow my M23 (possibly for long road trips). The boat is listed at 3600 lbs displacement. With the trailer and misc. gear I'm thinking its probably at least 5000 lbs I'm looking at a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8. I believe the 5.3L engine is comparable to a 327 cu in. Since I won't be towing the boat all the time and I need a work truck, the 5.3L gets better mileage than the traditional 5.7L (350 cu in). Anyone have any thoughts on towing with this particular truck? I've been thinking that it would tow it fine even if I did have to slow down on hills a bit. I loved towing it with a friend's diesel pickup, but not sure I want to drive a diesel everyday. What other suggestions for a truck might someone have? By the way, projects for this year are lining the inside of the hull in cabin with wood. Building shelves all around on the inside. And building a fold down table. The cabin was left unfinished when built. This should add the comforts that I want for longer trips. I have great photos of other 23's with completed interiors thanks to all you out there that have posted them online. :-) Thanks, Jeff M23 Clarity Marcus WA