Selecting A Truck For Fishing Boat...

[DLM84]

Ok guys here is my dilemma. I am looking at small trucks for a fishing/Hunting vehicle. This will be my only vehicle so I am leaning heavily on the I-4 5 speed manual 2x4 set up because of the gas mileage. They are around 20-25 mostly. I know I can pull quite a lot on my little trailer and my little car, which is a I-4 manual with a trailer hitch basically the same engine/gear box. The car simply is not set up to tow or haul much as the car squats badly when the trailer is loaded up near the cars max towing capacity (its listed in the manual) so I think a Truck frame will solve the problem.

Well the Boat is either the canoe or the little John Boat. The little John boat is the little fella they like to sit out front of bass pro shops front doors, Trailer and a Merc Motor they ask between 5-10k for it. They say its a 2 man boat and do they ever mean it but it does what I need to do. Scoot around on The Sac and Conservation Area lakes (all no wake zones) so you know I really don't need much and this boat is it.

Question is you people that use the small trucks to pull little boats like this, what engine do you get? will the I-4 do the job? or do you think the v6 is a must? The v6 in a small truck seems to do 15-20 on millage all around while the I-4 is at least 20-25. If that's true then the 1/2 tons with a small v6 or v8 will get the same millage but the cost may be a bit more. I haven't checked their price difference.

Id hate to give up boat fishing just because I can't afford the gas bill to bring the boat to the water.

[denjac]

I would get a half ton if you can swing it . That new Ford 150 ECOBOOST is boasting 26 mpg. In a few years you might want to get a bigger boat or trailer. The 1.4 motors would be worked hard towing even small things. I would at least get a V6.

[Dutch]

Two of my friends have owned the smaller trucks and pulled aluminum rigs with them. They both had auto. trannys so it may not help you much for my ovservation. Having ridden with both I noticed that the one with the 6 cyl engine just pulled it down the road while the 4 cyl had to down shift at every little grade.

[gotmuddy]

I pull my riverboat with my wife's 1.9 TDI beetle. it pulls it fine.

[DLM84]

I would get a half ton if you can swing it . That new Ford 150 ECOBOOST is boasting 26 mpg. In a few years you might want to get a bigger boat or trailer. The 1.4 motors would be worked hard towing even small things. I would at least get a V6.

Those motors are going on only the most expensive half tons first. It will be a loooonnnnnggg time before I can think about one of those. I don't think the Half Ton option is for me. The I-4 barely makes enough MPG to get considered and I know I can tow the rigs with my car. I am wondering about pulling it out of the river loaded up with cats and a buddy. I know I have seen little trucks pull such a rig out with out any trouble but Ill be darn if I can figure out which engine they are using or for that mater 4x2 or 4x4.

[DLM84]

I pull my riverboat with my wife's 1.9 TDI beetle. it pulls it fine.

Well maybe I will just stick with a little car then. I wonder if you could get me the HP/TQ numbers that 1.9 TDI will put out? I just want to know how it compares to the little I4's I have been driving. Mine does 200 hp 185 FT Torque.

[FishinCricket]

Good catch, I was gonna point out to Dennis that the ecoboost isn't available in the configuration/price range you're looking for..

My suggestion (based upon the assumption that you are mainly considering new trucks and my professional expertise coupled with the info and backfill you have provided) is to go with a GMC/Chevy regular cab half ton 2WD with the 4.3l V-6.. You won't lose too much mileage from the midsize segment and you'll gain plenty of capacity (which translates to more available power if you aren't loaded to max capacity, meanwhile the small truck in 4,5 or 6 cyl configuration would be loaded to max capacity with the load you've suggested coming out of the water)

I know where you can find some of these..

[FishinCricket]

Well maybe I will just stick with a little car then. I wonder if you could get me the HP/TQ numbers that 1.9 TDI will put out? I just want to know how it compares to the little I4's I have been driving. Mine does 200 hp 185 FT Torque.

The Jetta's TDI is 140hp/236torque on a 2.0l turbo 4... I didn't see (after a cursory Internet search) any solid info on towing capacity, but many articles and such online seem to conclude that it's limited to 2k pounds... (as opposed to the trailering capacities of the midsized truck segment ranging around 2500-3500 lbs and the full sized segment ranging over 4500 lbs)

[DLM84]

Good catch, I was gonna point out to Dennis that the ecoboost isn't available in the configuration/price range you're looking for..

My suggestion (based upon the assumption that you are mainly considering new trucks and my professional expertise coupled with the info and backfill you have provided) is to go with a GMC/Chevy regular cab half ton 2WD with the 4.3l V-6.. You won't lose too much mileage from the midsize segment and you'll gain plenty of capacity (which translates to more available power if you aren't loaded to max capacity, meanwhile the small truck in 4,5 or 6 cyl configuration would be loaded to max capacity with the load you've suggested coming out of the water)

I know where you can find some of these..

I am NOT looking for a brand new vehicle, I buy used only and I am not stoked about the v6 fuel mileage. Most seem to be the same as the little v8's which still ain't goood.

[FishinCricket]

I am NOT looking for a brand new vehicle, I buy used only and I am not stoked about the v6 fuel mileage. Most seem to be the same as the little v8's which still ain't goood.

Hey, calm down!! I got used ones too...

Seriously though... I dunno where you're getting your mileage figures, but It's been my experience (10 years in the used auto business, specializing in trucks) that the V-6 will get within 10% of the mileage of a midsize truck for the same trip and BETTER mileage when hauling that load.. (a GM I4 manual has a total trailering capacity of just 2400lbs as opposed to the full sized V-6's 5400 lb capacity... so when you ARE hauling OR traveling over 55mph you'll be cranking twice the RPM's)

Since you are buying used I assume longevity of powertrain life would come into play... The full sized truck won't work as hard as the midsize, that should lend to a longer (more maintenance free) life... If you're less than stoked about a truck getting truck mileage, imagine how incensed you'll be when that little 4 banger blows up from being overworked..

Just trying to give some solid advice....

(and now that I've advised you I simply must insist that you buy your vehicle from me at a maximum profit margin :rubs_palms_together:)