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Decisions to be made
After moving full time to my little slice of paradise, I got hit with some late winter weather and was stuck for most of the first two weeks I lived here, not yet having anything resembling a four wheel drive truck...I then bought a plow for my quad, but by the time I got that semi operational, the fallen snow was so packed and iced, that it was near impossible to plow effectively.....I thought I had all summer to get ready for winter, but winter had other plans...
Anyways, I need to get a 4x4 of some kind.....I currently have a 2001 chevy service van (1/2 ton), and an 85 ford F350 stakebed (460ci)....Both are terrible on gas mileage, which needs to be a concern for me (for obvious reasons).....I am a general contractor and electrician....so I need a 'work' truck of some kind....currently I use the van for this....I had been kicking around the idea of getting a newer 1 ton van (extended), having it converted to 4x4, setting it up for camping (I do live in paradise now, and will also be working out of town from time to time), and then setting up a trailer with all my work tools/materials, etc...possibly getting a dump trailer to replace the stakebed, and to use as a hauler should I ever get to where I can buy me a 'real' tractor too.....then I could by a little rice burner of some kind to use for general transportation when weather permits and cut down on gas costs...
Another option would be to convert the stakebed to 4x4 and use it as a work truck, and get the dump trailer, travel trailer and rice burner.....or I could get a 3/4 tom pickup (4x4) a camper, and then set up the work trailer and dump trailer,,,and get a rice burner...
Or, I'm wondering, are there 'any' 4x4 vehicles/light trucks that get decent mileage and will pull a travel trailer, work trailer, pontoon boat, or dump trailer? Obviously, I don't want to so underpower things so that the tow vehicle is dust in two or three years....Do the mid sized 4x4 trucks (ie V6 ford ranger, toyotas, nissans, etc...) have enough power to haul around trailers up and down mountain roads?....can they be used for plowing? Or would this duty be too hard on them and wear 'em out...
I want to try and keep it to two vehicles for insurance and maintenace reasons (but I'm dreaming of adding a harley to the mix at some point ..)....
what would you do if you were in a similar situation.....the less I have to spend getting this all going the better as moola is tight and I'm in the middle of starting to build my house....Any of you been in the same situation? What worked for you...I have to resolve this by december/january when the harder weather stars up again....my house should be done by then, so I should have a little more money, but not a lot...
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".....or I could get a 3/4 tom pickup (4x4) a camper, and then set up the work trailer and dump trailer,,,and get a rice burner..."
Between the plowing and towing you've described this might be your best option. I would sit down and figure out the relative costs of all your options and that will make your decision easier. If you go with the above, and you're considering a used Jap car, I would consider a used domestic. Used Honda's and such are really expensive and an Accord or equivelent will not get that much better mileage than say a Buick century or similar domestic (if you can stand to drive it). And the domestics will be about half the cost of a used Jap car with the same mileage and initial price.
I'm considering the small good mileage car too so I've thought alot about this. IMHO what it comes down to is if you're buying new and you want one, a Honda or equivelent is a good deal. If you're thinking used, get a chevy.
Dave
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Does the Dodge Sprinter come in a 4x4? It might get you into the 25 MPH range.
Have you considered the hauler and with live in quarters. There are a few on RacingJunk that are fairly reasonable. You might able to carry the small car with you to the extended work location.
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Hey..that's not a bad direction to look either....do the haulers come with shower/toilets (or can they be added easily)?
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Some have full living quarters like the horse trailers with all the necessities. This might allow you to unhook and use both the truck, car and trailer.
I wonder if you can put a goose neck ball in dump box? I guess you could have a folding one that would stick up through the box when required.
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DeTwang
For a rice rocket you might look at the nissan sentra. With the stick shift 40mph with the auto is right at 35mph. It is a good small car with good holding power. Used they should be the same price as a US model.
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Do any of these rice rockets have enough power to pull a small trailer or boat and still get decent mileage over a pickup pulling a boat?...if so, I might sell the stakebed amd get one of those right away...
by small trailer, I'm thinking about 10' long with loads that would be of a 1/2 ton or less...and the boat I have right now, is a little 15' fiberglass tri hull with an 80 hp merc outboard on it....
or is this too much to expect out of one of those things?
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DeTwang
The sentra is a 1.8 liter I think with pistons the size of coke cans low compression. I would not expect any passenger vecihle to pull any trailor for very long. I know I will get alot of flack for that. I have been there and done that. I had a japanese engine in a S-10 at 70,000miles. I pulled a 2200lb bass boat for about 30,000miles gas peddle to the floor.
We were fishing alot of tournments and driving alot of miles. That is when I found out about Blow By. That is when your pistions dont have the time to take the oil back down with them they just blow it out the top. I held it to the floor for so long it wore a hole in the mat and would stick. It was a poor mans cruse control, step on the bottom of the peddle and it would pop out of the hole.
A friend got 25k out of a 302 ford in a full size bronco, he got 35k out of the second engine. I was told to by a hi torque engine which I did 3.4liter v-6 vortex. Pulled a 3500lb bass boat for 70k and ended up getting 230k over all before it blew up.
Then there is alway trying to stop, it wont happen very quickly. You have to plan your stops. With small vechiles the stern of the boat will pass you while trying to stop. When you can read Mercury on the engine out of the driver side window pucker up.
The sentra is a good small car good gas mpg, you can get a lemon in anything. I does not have enough ass to carry a load for long.
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DeTwang
Dodge Sprinters have a Mercedes 2.7L 5 cylinder Diesel engine and we have sold a billion of them. Many have bought the 158" 2500 and loaded are getting over 22 mpg. empty close to 30. They have a 5000 lb towing cap with coolers etc. If you get one with Traction Control and Anti-slip and put some good tires on, there won't be many places you can't go. If you live in a real Cold area, be sure to get the dual batteries.
For a rugged, 4X4 truck that won't kill you and give you towing cap that you need and ruggedness you demand, look at the Dodge Dakota, it isn't a truck for just Dump Runs. It will work and work HARD unlike the imports and smaller trucks. It isn't as BIG as the 1/2 tons but bigger than the S-10s and Rangers. Mileage" well if you work it you will get working mpg. usually about 13 to 15. Empty, 19 mpg. Keep the RPMs down and the MPH up for the BEST results.
I would also suggest running NGK V-Notch Spark plugs, they Generate MORE spark and will increase HP. I use them in My Snowmobiles and they don't foul as easily and my truck doesn't need to be downshifted two gears coming up the mtn and there is more power. I have also used Slick 50 every 50,000 miles and Mobil Sythnetic oil or a Good Pennsylvania Grade oil. I have over 320,000 miles on it now and it is still working. Of course it is a 318.
You buy a Touring Suspension vehicle that gives you a lovely ride and you will kill it when you need to get work out of it.
Good Luck
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04-21-2006, 10:34 
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