got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

hey guys,
I have a ford ****** zx2 car. i got it becuase the inshurance is dirt cheap on it and it gets 30 mpg. its a good paid for car. and it is the only vehicle i have. the trunk is just barely big enough for my regular sized tree climer to fit in there. if i get a deer id have to make a trip to the house (about an hours journey) to get a truck (if available). so thats the dilema. I need more cargo space if im gona continue hunting. just a plain fact right there. so naturally i start thinkin truck. ive got the car so if im just driveing around id use it. if i want to go hunting/fishin/use the boat/atv id use my truck.
so i guess the question is, would you get a small ranger kind of truck or a full sized reg. cab ram 1500. I guess if i looked at the ram 1500 i could debate whether i needed a v8 or could get by with a v6. id usually be just going out side with this vehicle, hunting, fishing that sort of thing.
so what would you do?? get a little truck or get a full sized reg. cab truck.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

If you've got a place to store it when not in use I'd buy a little used Datsun pick-up if I were you. 2WD, cheap on gas, and will go just about anywhere. They're throw away trucks, but they'll last a long time. We had one for about 10 years before the motor finally kicked the bucket. Sold it for parts after that. They're great little rigs if all you're using them for is hunting and fishing.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

Switchback,
What state you live in? Do you hunt in snow storms or need a 4x4? Also how big is the boat you will be pulling? ( this will depend on v6 vs v8 ). I have an 03 F150 Fx4 for hunting fishing, and weekend driving trips that I just made my last payment on yesterday!!!! :)It sounds like you could be fine with a used ranger. The difference in mpg in an 8 vs 6 is not that noticeable.

Jim

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

whatever size you end up try to get it with a extended cab.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

just a small lowes kind. not really rich here, plus i dont think it takes a 40k boat to catch a few bass on the weekend you know. so maybe 5k on the boat max. im acually looking at 10k max on the truck. what do you think would work better? a full sized truck v6 or a small truck w/v6?? they seem to be about the same price on kbb.com. decitions decitions...

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

All my buddies have trucks.. and one of the guys has a newer (2004ish)ranger 4wd w/ the V6... and it gets worse gas milage than my other 2 buddies that have mid-late 90s w/ the 318 V8.

Personally I'd opt for a Toyota 4wd w/ the extra cab.. or Toyota 4 Runner. But that's my personal opinion. If you're going to tow a large boat.. then look at something a little bigger.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

Keep in mind, and I say this even though I own one, the RAM 1500 V8 is wellknown as being the biggest or one of the biggest gas quzzlers out there. That's the magnum I'm talking about. Also, They come off the lot with a kick butt sounding exhaust but I really wish I had something quieter when pulling into the woodsat 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning trying to get set up.And, no I can't change it, it is the wifes truck, LOL. It looks like you really just have a good excuse to get a truck, lucky you, but if ins./gas/and amonthly payment is a concern just but a small hitch on the ****** and buyone of the hitch carriers thatcabelas or other folks sell. I know a gut with a jeep and that what he has onthe jeep. Just be careful securing the buck back there, and maybe cover it with a tarp so the Anti's don't have something to complain about. Good luck.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

You could just buy a small utility trailer to pull behind the car if you don't want to spend the cash on a truck.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

buckeye: do you know where to get one of those trailer hitches for a small car?? i know ive seen em on cars but never seen em in a store.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

You can get them from Uhaul or order them from about any auto parts store.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

I would get a smaller truck, 4X4 with an extended cab. Nissan, or Toyota are the best bets. Mazda makes good little trucks but parts are hard to find and expensive if you need to fix them.

If money is a concern and only using it to hunt and fish this is the way to go. You should be able to buy one for around $3000, late 80's model with resonable miles on it. They last forever if you take care of them. I would go with a 4 cylinder, you will get 25-30 mpg and it will pull your boat just fine.

I currently have a mazda and it has pulled a 17 foot fiberglass bass boat around Texas for 2 years. Replaced the clutch once and don't have any trouble. The aluminum boat wouldn't be a problem.

They are kind of like having an ATV with a cab and heater. They go many places that a big one won't and you can usually get them unstuck yourself.

I would recommend the Nissan, they are cheaper than the Toyota's, easier to find and IMO just as good.

RE: got a little problem, thought id ask u all's advice...
 

i agree with most people here. especially about the nissan. i believe mez said it the best. "They are kind of like having an ATV with a cab and heater. They go many places that a big one won't and you can usually get them unstuck yourself."

my friend had a two wheeled drive nissan forever and that thing bounced down the trails like nothing. they're so light that they dont sink into the soup.

they are especially good with a manual transmission, and are good on gas. that would be my reccommendation if you dont wanna spend alot of money and you dont need a big V8.