Selecting A Truck For Fishing Boat...

[MrGiggles]

On 7/28/2017 at 2:53 PM, Haris122 said:

Just to piggy back off this older thread, my dear to me Oldsmobile Alero seems to have hit the end of the road (was just about 7k short of 200,000 too). And while I'm trying to troubleshoot and identify the cause, and hopefully figure out that the problem is actually not as serious as it seems, I've also been trying to figure out what my next vehicle might be, if I can't fix it within a reasonable amount of time.

My first branching off question is whether I would get a truck or a regular car. I'm a big fan of little trucks, since my dad really got a lot of use out of his for diy building projects, and furniture moving and such, but at the same time I'm also for more eco-friendly fuel efficiency and I'm kind of disappointed that I'd barely get any better mileage out of the most efficient common light truck I can afford if bought new or lightly used (think 4cylinder, 2wd extended cab Canyon/Colorado), as I would out of my 14+ year old Alero if it were running like normal (low 20's city, 26-27 highway). So I'm trying to figure out what you guys think my best choice would be? Whatever I get would also be my work commute vehicle, which is where fuel efficiency is a big deal (I live about 35-40 mins and probably 30 miles from work). I also have a lot of random fishing and other hobby related stuff that I carry in my car at all times, so I don't have to drive back home when I don't have much time, to the point that just about all the space in the backseats, and the trunk is kind of used up, and my fishing rods are constantly leaning along the front passenger seat into the back. One of the pro's of the truck would be that it would help me haul my kayak around more conveniently, as well as a deer if I got one during deer season and accompanying items to get it out of the woods. I'm pretty much just a rifle hunter and the deer scenario would basically just come up one week a year, though I hunt public land and drive an hour and half each day down 44 to get to it that week, and while scouting it out. The kayak situation would definitely be another story, and I think I would use it a bit more frequently and further away if hauling it didn't involve strapping it to the car roof and hoping it doesn't come loose somehow. In the past it wasn't as much of an issue since I only had a 9.5' regular kayak I modified for fishing use, but since, I've got a 12' Shadow Caster and man, it's heavy to put on the roof, and it sticking out more past the roof also makes me more leery about taking it out when it's windier, cause driving at high speeds is not comforting when you see the wind lift up the front of the kayak even if just a bit. Putting that on the truck should be easier to do, but it would still stick out quite a bit past the bed, seeing how that's 6 foot, and the kayak 12. Though with a few straps it would probably be a lot more comfortingly secured, since the wind wouldn't be having as much an effect on it, with the cab of the truck cutting through the wind/turbulence first. Another pro for the truck would be that I could potentially get a small boat and trailer later on (how big of a boat you guys think would be safe to tow with those?), and that I wouldn't have problems getting building supplies right when I want to, such as fencing material and lumber and such. On the flip side driving just to wade or bank fish spots more than an hour away would be better with a regular or small sedan. I guess I'm trying to weigh all the pro's and cons appropriately, so that's why I'm posting this.

I downsized from a Chevy K2500 to a 4 cylinder 5 speed Ranger.

The small trucks don't get nearly good enough mileage to justify how limited they are.

Unloaded, the best I've gotten out of the Ranger is 21 mpg. It drops to 18-19 while pulling my boat, which it does fine. It's a 14' Alumacraft, much less than 1000lbs altogether.

My close friend had a basic Colorado, 4 cylinder, manual. His average was around 18.

If you get a V6 model, you will get the same or worse mileage than a full size.

A half ton V8 4x4 will get 20 on the highway these days. And you can actually put them to work, fit more than two people, launch on a steep or slimy ramp without worry, and not have to worry about buying too much boat.

I'll be selling the Ranger soon and going back to a half ton gasser or diesel. Haven't decided yet.

[Haris122]

Quote

My close friend had a basic Colorado, 4 cylinder, manual. His average was around 18.

What year was his Colorado, do you know? I think the newer ones are supposed to get 20/26 for 4 cylinder, and 18/25 for the V6. Granted it really isn't much better than some of the smaller motor full size trucks, but they go for more too. 

 I imagine if I do get a boat somewhere down the road, it will be on the cheaper, lighter side and the new Colorado's/Canyon's are apparently decent at lighter hauling (3500 lbs for 4 cylinder, and 7000 lbs for the v6). What's a good average weight for a fishing boat and accompanying trailer?

[MOPanfisher]

I ended up buying a full sized pick up simply because as you said the little ones are just too limited.  Plus you can buy small beater cars for driving backk and forth to work for under a 1K pretty easily.  Drive them till they are no longer reliable sell it and repeat.  My little Corolla make rhe 50 mile round trip to work most every day.  Check engine light and all.

[MrGiggles]

21 hours ago, Haris122 said:

What year was his Colorado, do you know? I think the newer ones are supposed to get 20/26 for 4 cylinder, and 18/25 for the V6. Granted it really isn't much better than some of the smaller motor full size trucks, but they go for more too. 

 I imagine if I do get a boat somewhere down the road, it will be on the cheaper, lighter side and the new Colorado's/Canyon's are apparently decent at lighter hauling (3500 lbs for 4 cylinder, and 7000 lbs for the v6). What's a good average weight for a fishing boat and accompanying trailer?

It was a 2010. My Ranger is supposed to get 27 too, but I've sure not seen it. 

Compact trucks will pull 90% of boats out there down the road just fine. Pulling them out of the water is a different ball game, and you'll find out just how limited they are. Don't back in past the waterline (slick algae), and avoid ramps that are steep. 

A basic tin boat like mine will weigh in at around 600lbs altogether, while a decked out fiberglass bass boat can top 3000. I'd say the majority fall between 1000-1500 llbs.

[176champion]

I have a 2002 Ford Ranger supercab 4x4 that i tow my boat with has the v6 in it with 4.10 gears, my boat motor and trailer weighs somewhere around 3,000 pounds, truck pulls does a good job pulling the boat i have no complaints and where i live it's all hilly, i just lock it out of overdrive and go on, the only issue i have is stopping power as there are no brakes on boat trailer. Truck weighs around 4,000 pounds with a 3,000 pound trailer pushing it....i get about 13 mpg towing 17/18 running around here empty and about 19-20 on highway if i keep it under 80mph...truck also has 260,000 miles on it.

[Gavin]

I  would go with a 1/2 ton 4x4 over a compact truck any day. Most vehicles tow anything up to about 3/4 of the rated tow limit easily, but seem to struggle toward the larger end of the rated range even if they are rated for it.  Would install some hydraulic surge brakes on any boat trailer over 2,500lbs. Trailer brakes are not required in Missouri, but neighboring states require trailer brakes on any trailer over 3,000lbs.

 

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

The ram 1500's shut down 4 cylinders when now under a load.  I get 15 MPG around town with a 2013 RAM 1500 with a Hemi. I can average 18-19 on the highway.

AND it'll even pull my ex wife's mom off her couch.  Bonbons and all.

[Old plug]

whT ever you choose  be sure you find out how many fses there are in a trailor harrness. I thught there was only one (thinking itvwas sonething simple like us old farts understand. checked the fuse on myblittle Ranger and it was fine. still no power sp took it to a dealer thinking tgere was a break somewhere way up inide the harness. Tirns out for was not 1 fuse but theor are 3. One 15 amp in the cab and 2  pther 71/2  under the hood one for left and th other for rght side. 

 

[176champion]

I just put together a 1997 F 150 supercab 4x4 with the 4.6 V8 in it..tow capacity for it is 6,000 pounds tow capacity for my 2002 Ford Ranger is 5750 pounds...doesn't make much sense...Both trucks have 16 inch tires and same rear end in them...lol

[MOPanfisher]

I had a 97 F150 with the 4.6 v8, and before that I had a V6 ford Ranger 4x4, Ranger had enough power, but not enough "butt" nor room.  And the mileage was not much different either.  My truck now is a 2010 F150 v8, 4.6, but has the 6 speed transmission.  Much nicer and has more low end torque than I have any need of.  Averages about 18 on the road will get up to 20 or a bit better on long open road, or less pulling say a uhaul trailer across the country.