New vehicle for pulling boat

[gregens]

I currently have a 2002 V8 Ford Explorer that I am thinking of replacing with something newer (1-3 years old) and better gas mileage. I really like my Explorer for pulling my boat, but it is just terrible for gas mileage. I get about 13 mpg pulling my boat and only 11-12 around town. Pulling the boat and around town consists of most of my driving with this vehicle. My boat is a 17 foot Alumacraft that weighs about 1,000 lbs. I estimate (tell me if you think this is too high or low) about another thousand pounds with the 70 HP 2 cycle motor, 23 gallon gas tank, trailer and gear. I would like to get something more economical, but I still feel like I need the 4 wheel drive for power to pull the boat out of some of the landings out there. Any suggestions?

[LightningBG]

I have a 2005, 6cyl Envoy, and its kinda a dog with 1500 lbs worth of sleds. I think you're gonna want to stick with a V-8.

The newer pickups and full size SUVs get pretty good mileage. Upwards of 20 on the highway (not towing)

[Northlander]

Heck my F-150 with the 5.4 gets better milage than a lot of the smaller SUV's. For me nothing beats a good 4X4 truck for towing.

[FM_Mike]

Had 2002 6 cyl Envoy and it did OK pulling 1650 Fish hawk. Now have a 2007 Envoy Denali and it has a V8. Pulls the boat very easy compared to the 6 Cly. I get about 14 to 17 MPG towing the boat but the wind makes a big difference. I can get 18 to 23 not towing. I like it in the winter because of the 4 wheel drive and unlike a pickup has enough weight that I do not need sand bags in the rear. Very seldom even use the 4 wheel drive because does very well in 2 high. Has rear locking Diff. and would not own a truck or SUV without it.

Good Luck it your search.

Mike

[Esox_Magnum]

My 5.3 GM gets about 15-17 towing a 17' glass deep v, wifes 6cyl Trailblazer gets aroud 10 towing the same rig, truck pulls it like it's not there, blazer you know it's there. Overall milage the 5.3 wins easily by a 3-5 miles per gallon.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Rav 4 with v6, santa fe, cross over suv also get better milage.

[gregens]

Thanks for the input. After reading the replies, I agree that having the extra power is probably worth the loss of better gas mileage. Before this vehicle I pulled with a V6 Ford van and I always felt underpowered.

[ib_jigged]

I have pulled a two place trailer with 2 600# sleds with no problem behind our '07 Edge. I also have pulled my boat a 16' Lund around 2500# total with no problem at all either. The Edge is rated to tow 3500#.

See about 24-25mpg when not towing and around 15-17 towing. Now with my Super Duty (5.4) it is another story about 15mpg empty and 8-10 when towing.

[gregg52]

i'm not so sure weight is the big deal its more about drag

that really makes a difference

the other thing is going down the road i have a 20ft boat

behind a xl yukon i can run 65 with no swaying

last time i checked from nisswa to vermillion i got bout 11 maybe alittle better i can live with that i have good power and dont worry bout the boat behind me i run it in 3rd not drive seems to help

i'll pay a little extra for a piece of mind

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Trailer brakes would also give a ton of peace of mind, especially if you downsize in tow vehicles.

[JohnMickish]

If the price of gas is killing you, what is a car payment for the next 60 months going to do? If you are upgrading JUST BECAUSE of your fuel bill you will end up spening much more on payments and increased insurance than what you will save in gas.

Now, if it's time to upgrade anyways, that's another story. The newer pickups get some great milage. Heck, it wasn't all that long ago that if you got 10 MPG on the highway you where doing great, so getting 17 is just a blessing. I happen to be a Ford truck guy so that is the one I recommend. I've got a 5.4l in mine and when she pulls a 619 Ranger on a 600 mile round trip it still gets 11+ overall MPG.

[Slob_Samurai]

My nissan murano pulls my 17.5ft alumacraft invader just fine. I figure I'm around 2500lbs fully loaded. The AWD works great at the poor landings, and I see a nice improvement on gas mileage after replacing my f150 w/ 4.6 v8

[slammer]

I had a GM with 5.3 and it got about 12-14 pulling my boat(1700 Lund fisherman w/150) Last summer traded and got the 6.2 with 6 speed tranny. Much better milage and not much downshifting. It will run 16-17 pulling when not bucking the wind. Otherwise its about 15 without the shifting. Truck alone will go 18-20 mpg. Lots of power.

[Powerstroke]

I kinda agree with MNfishingguy. Unless its time to upgrade there won't be much of a cost savings in getting a new vehicle.

If you're looking for more economy with equal ability I would avoid the small SUV. I made the same switch back in '04 when fuel prices went through the roof the first time. All I got was a smaller vehicle with a smaller engine. It also had less towing ability than a truck.

MId to full size SUV's will do that job, but tend to get worse mileage than an equally equipped truck because they weigh more. Unless its a large truck like a 3/4 ton. Most of the new half tons will get in the high teens on mileage during the above freezing months and will tow any boat just fine.

I can't speak to which of the brands is best. I'm a Ford guy, even moreso since they spiffed up their interiors. Chev is still a great choice too. That's my second choice.