Truck vs. SUV

[Guest]

The truck you have now should pull that just fine?
What motor did you get? That boat alone weighs about 1100#
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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[This message has been edited by Derek Johnston (edited 05-20-2003).]

[Benfishin]

D-man,

I got the 75hp Yami 4-stroke. The Explorer pulls it but not much pop. I have a feeling I will go thru a tranny ot two, plus we need a new rig.

[Grabs]

Do you do ANYTHING, that you would need a truck bed for?

Hualing landscape materials, home remodeling projects, ATV, hauling a deer after a successul hunt, Tailgating, list goes on and on. Do you own a utility trailer that you could use to do these sorts of things?

If you need an open bed for these various activities that should be proof enough to get a truck. If you don't see yourself needing a truck bed its going to be hard to prove your needs over your wants.

One note, if you buy a truck, I highly recommend the Truxedo tonneau cover. I have one and really like it over my hard style fiberglass Leer that I used to have.

[This message has been edited by Grabs (edited 05-20-2003).]

[Labby]

Go with the full size SUV
If you are looking I have a Ford Expedition for sale cheap 5,000 under book
Call me 507-438-7252
Great truck but I need a pickup to tow my 5th wheel camper

[Benfishin]

Labby,

What year Expedition? Miles? Price? Let me know.

[bturck]

I'm pulling my pro v 17.5 with my Tahoe. Vortec engine it has plenty of jump. I have a 115hp on the boat. I'm also selling my Tahoe (its the LT, loaded...67000 1999) Getting a Suburban, need the room for the extra dog kennel, ( new puppy ). I'd go Tahoe again if it wasn't for the load space needed. Bill

[Benfishin]

I recently purchased a new 17 ft Lund Angler. Love the boat but now need a new vehicle to tow it with. I presently have a 1999 Explorer with a V-6 and need more pop. My wife is hooked on SUV's and I want a truck. How can I convince her that a four door truck is the way to go? We have two small children, both in car seats. Any suggestions? And how big of truck should I get?

The boat and motor weigh approx. 1700-1800 lbs.

[Labby]

It is a 2000 with 73,000 miles I need to get around $17,500 to pay off the banker Eddie Bauer edition Leather loaded in excellent shape. I will be around Wahkon almost every weekend this summer if you are from the Millacs area

[Guest]

Chevy Avalanche is what your looking for! It's the best of both worlds. I've had mine for 6 months now and love it. Seats 5 Adults very comfortably, plus you have the power your looking for. I know they are a little different but take a look at them if you have a chance.

[Walleye Guy]

Ben Fishing,

Go with the 4 door pick-up. I have two young girls (3 & 6) and it works with car seats or without. Get a nice topper and absolutely get a spray on bed liner. You can get a Chev Silverado for $10,000 under sticker with 0 percent financing at most dealers. There is not a better time time buy new than right now.

Good luck,

Walleye Guy

[BarTender]

Convince the wife to go with the turck????

Who wears the pants in this house?...hehehehe

all kidding aside, look at the $$$$ difference between the two. if this isn't a problem, go with the point of you can throw all your dirty hunting and fishing gear in the back and keep the front clean.

this way there is no minnows on the carpet, no blood from ducks , deer ect.

good luck.

[GutesAngeln]

BenFishin,
I went through this a year ago. I spent quite a while looking at the different vehicles. I checked out Explorer, Trailblazer/Envoy, Expedition, Tahoe, Suburban, F150 crew, Avalanche, F250 crew, Silverado Crew. I didn't look at the smaller 4 door pick-ups because I didn't think those size beds/payloads would do what I wanted when considering a pick-up, like haul heavy landscaping materials and large items like atv's, furniture, woodworking equipment, etc. I ended up going with the F250 crewcab. Reasons for my choice where the ability to haul the above items, and keep the nasty stuff out of the cab as the previous post mentioned, and pure capacity (5-6 people and all their stuff). I don't use it for commuting or downtown/uptown driving. I chose the Ford over the Chevy for the price I was able to get and I preferred the Ford cab (especially head room and visibility). If I were doing it again I would go through the same process. I learned a lot about what I really use my vehicles for. If you are going to commute in traffic, and drive a lot in the cities, I would not recommend this size vehicle. You will feel silly having it for only a once in a while occurance where you take advatage of its capacity. And you don't want to be in a hurry in one, it's too dangerous to yourself and others. If almost all of it's time will be rural/suburban, traveling with lots of gear or people and gear, and decent size projects which require materials to be hauled around, I would recommend it . I couldn't be happier with mine over the first year of use. Its been a super travel vehicle, landscape/house/cabin project vehicle, and once you have a pick-up everyone needs to use if for something which I think is fun. I enjoy helping people with projects and this vehicle has been great for that. If no one in your circle of family and friends has a pick-up you will be amazed how just about every weekend there is something to haul. For a happy medium between the full size crew cabs and suv's like the expedition/tahoe I would think the Avalanche or F150 crew would not be a bad choice at all. They are a little more nimble in the tight places than the longer wheel base pick-ups. For a full time commuter and short time project car I would recommed the Envoy/Trailblazer. That V6 will pull your boat just fine and not use up the countries oil reserves all week on the way to work and they are easy to manuever. I think they might have or soon will come out with a longer wheelbase version of these which would be an even better vehicle. If you choose a pick-up I also agree with the truxedo cover. It is nice and doesn't limit at all what you can carry. I do see the benefits of a large topper though too. I guess that is a whole additional decision to make. Hope this very long post is helpfull and doesn't crash the system. Take your time mulling over what is best and enjoy nice new boat on the lake this summer. That explorer should pull the boat just fine for a now. Who cares if you cant make a quick pass with the boat back there. It's vacation. Good luck.

[wallyH]

I'm going through this same thing right now. I just bought a pro angler 16 and am currently pulling it with a 1990 Chevy S-10 blazer(don't laugh). I've actually taken it from the twin cities up to Hayward area and up to the St. Louis river and it handles it fine. However, I know I need more power and I'm afraid the transission will go.

I personally don't want a large vehicle like a tahoe or expedition and most of the Pickups that I've looked at are just as big as these.

After blowing alot of money on the boat, I don't have the means to buy a new vehicle. So, what I've narrowed my search down to is a 2000 Ford Explorer Limited. For me, it gives me the mid size SUV with a V-8 and it's listing on Car Soup for about 15-18k.

Wally H

[Benfishin]

Thanks for the replies, especially GutesAngeln. I had to take a break from reading it but appreciate all the info. Anybody else have a four door pick-up with small kids? The problem I have in convincing the wife is that she does not think it is practical for two small kids. She will be the primary driver of any vehicle we get because I have a company car so it is her I have to convince. You know the motto "if mama ain't happy ain't NOBODY happy". Keep the suggestions coming!!

[Sifty]

Benfishn, We just bought a 1500 chev crew cab. I pull a 1850 Sportfish and she has plenty of power and gets pretty good mileage. My wife drives it because of the miles I put on and I have a problem when I want to take it during the week! Once your wife gets inside and gets use to it she will love it. Sifty

[Grabs]

Sifty, that must be a 1500HD with a 6.0?

If I am correct they only sell the crew cab in the HD version of the 1500, which is unfortunate!

[Benfishin]

Anybody have a Ford F-150 Super Crew? If so, how do you like it? Positives/Negatives.

[Guest]

If you want I can give you some good info. on trucks vs suv. I sell at a dealership. Have lots of info I can send you. Let me know.