I've got a friend back east looking to buy a truck that will be his only vehicle. Up to now he has owned small fwd cars (Corolla, Cavalier, etc) He is not overly mechanical, but can handle simple duties. He will be towing a 12' fishing boat... and using it for pick up duties AND daily drivering it... so mileage and durability are important.
So not knowing (me) that much about pick'mup trucks... I turn to the hive - What should I be advising???
Newest Ranger he can find for his budget.
If he needs fullsize, I'd say the same as above but replace Ranger with GM 1500.
Ranger, if you need a small vehicle for space constraints (MPG ain't great, unless 2wd 4cylinder) They don't command the premium of the toyota's/nissans are durable, reliable, and fairly comfortable.
Other than that Nissan/Toyota
Gm half ton. Extended cab. With water tight tonneau cover.
Ranger. He should be able to find a damn nice truck for about half his budget. Seems like a lot of little old men have owned and cared for Rangers, plenty of creampuffs out there for cheap. Buddy of mine just bought a pristine 2wd 2.3 '96 with about 100k miles for $1400.
Tacomas are really nice, drove one with the 3.4, 4x4, 5 speed a couple months ago and liked it a lot. Problem is $13k doesn't get you very much Tacoma, and the whole frame rust deal is a very legit issue. Take a screwdriver or ballpeen hammer and poke/bash both frame rails from front to back, visual inspection is insufficient.
No personal experience with the Nissans.
Stick with another Corolla? Rated for 1500 pounds and unless the 12' boat is made of lead...he should be good.
Does he really need a truck or would any of the innumerable sport cutes do the job?
Or combine the two and get an Explorer Sport Trac
A 2wd 4 cyl taco or ranger is just going to slide back down a slick boat ramp with a loaded trailer, in my experience.
My wants would be between the ecoboost f150 and either a diesel gmc or dodge for mileage and towing.
The internet makes me think that a 12' alum boat with small outboard motor is about 600 lb. Trailers are about 200. I could write out an extensive and not all that funny joke about needing a serious truck for this task. But that's been done a lot here lately.
It doesn't seem like he needs a truck for this task at all unless my weight data is way off.
Mileage is important? But not overly mechanical?
Best mpg you'll get out of a modern truck is probably a Tacoma 4 cylinder. It'll also be dead reliable and comfy.
I'd normally never suggest it, but if he doesn't care about power (it will be wheazy). If he needs more power than that, a 3.7L F150 of any model year is right up his alley and are dead nuts reliable as well as being comfy. They just lose a mpg over the tacoma.
dj wrote: My wants would be between the ecoboost f150 and either a diesel gmc or dodge for mileage and towing.
Is this in reference to the listed 12 foot aluminum boat, or a boat & trailer situation that applies more to your own situation, and doesn't really take into consideration that we seem to be talking about less than a thousand pounds of tow weight? I mean, you're suggesting a Duramax as a possible solution here, I want to make sure you know that.
Yes, if you're talking about an aluminum John boat you could tow it on a bicycle with a trailer, no need for a truck. If you're towing a full size fishing boat, 2wd isn't going to cut it. Hence the thread asking what 4wd daily truck with good mileage and towing ability.
It just depends if you're talking about an aluminum John boat or a loaded fishing boat.
I've daily driven a 4 cyl 2wd Tacoma for a decade now and it's never been an amazing gas sipper, it's ok but it's a small truck that can't tow. If you go 4wd the mileage goes to hell even with a 4 cyl. I'd say 4 or 6 cyl 4wd Tacoma but I'm sick of the weak mileage for a daily driver and keep hearing about these new full size trucks that match my mileage and can tow.
oldeskewltoy wrote: He will be towing a 12' fishing boat... and using it for pick up duties AND daily drivering it... so mileage and durability are important.
What are the pick up duties? Could they be contained within a minivan? Mazda5 with a trailer hitch would be my outside the box recommendation.
12ft isnt much of a boat guys, the 1000lbs guestimated is an over exaggeration..
Lol someone legitimately suggested he needs a diesel for that?
Mazda 5 with hitch sounds good. What about a Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Forester? If he wants a pickup, how about a used Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab?:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2016&zip=19446&engineCode=4CLDR&doorCode=4&maxPrice=14000&showcaseListingId=407152188&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BCOLORADO%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&doorCodes=4&modelCode1=COLORADO&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=1981&showcaseOwnerId=1393171&engineCodes=4CLDR&searchRadius=300&listingId=409060456&Log=0
Petrolburner wrote:oldeskewltoy wrote: He will be towing a 12' fishing boat... and using it for pick up duties AND daily drivering it... so mileage and durability are important.What are the pick up duties? Could they be contained within a minivan? Mazda5 with a trailer hitch would be my outside the box recommendation.
This is a key question, really. Are you goig to be carrying small loads of smelly, messy stuff like wet mulch, garbage, yard waste, etc that really needs to be OUTSIDE the cockpit area, or can it safely be contained inside an enclosed space with the driver? For many, the need to occasioanlly carry stuff that you wouldn't want inside with you removes minivans from contention. Unless, of course you keep another small trailer onhand (storage and licensing fees and space requirements are a consideration, here).
Sliding side doors would be soooooo convenient. I wish the Motovan had a slider instead of the passenger side barn doors.
He is in NW NJ... so winters are kinda tough - thats why the 4wd. As to using a different vehicle, he needs the truck bed capability as a truck bed... What he wants is a 4wd pickup, that will tow a small trailer (no need for a trailer towing pkg), and get acceptable mileage for $13k>
If he needs 4wd, then he should spend less and get an inexpensive older truck, as an older truck for $4k will do everything a newer truck for $12k will, with all the same options (cruise, a/c, power windows and locks), the only difference is if there is a mpg difference (which there wont be, at least not one that is noticeable), he'll be $8k ahead to start.
dj wrote: A 2wd 4 cyl taco or ranger is just going to slide back down a slick boat ramp with a loaded trailer, in my experience. My wants would be between the ecoboost f150 and either a diesel gmc or dodge for mileage and towing.
Is this what your boat ramp looks like? I tow a 15' Fiberglass Whaler every weekend to the local ramps with a 2005 Corolla and I've never slid down a ramp. Last trip I had 4 people inside the boat and there was a torrential downpour and I barely lost any traction.
This is barely going to cut it;
It sure enough sounds like the answer for your friend is two Miatas taped together.
GRM loved their Ridgeline, and $13k will get you one.
Enyar wrote:dj wrote: A 2wd 4 cyl taco or ranger is just going to slide back down a slick boat ramp with a loaded trailer, in my experience. My wants would be between the ecoboost f150 and either a diesel gmc or dodge for mileage and towing.Is this what your boat ramp looks like? I tow a 15' Fiberglass Whaler every weekend to the local ramps with a 2005 Corolla and I've never slid down a ramp. Last trip I had 4 people inside the boat and there was a torrential downpour and I barely lost any traction.
I can believe it, driving wet rear tires vs dry front tires.
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