With my vehicle getting older and just collecting the miles I am starting to think about my next purchase.  While my vehicle is still a reliable everyday driver, it can't pull a rig, at least not the rig that I want.  

I wont be purchasing for probably over a year or so but I still would like to be prepared for when the time comes.  I was looking for something that will be a decent amount of gas mileage, seeing as gas prices aren't going to be getting better.  I know a friend of mine has an Envoy and really likes it.  Any other ideas?

Depends on what you're pulling?

How steep are the boat ramps?

Just 2 concerns  

I'd be pulling anywhere from a 18' to a 20' Fiberglass bass boat.  I'm not sure about the ramps exactly since I fish a very diverse variety of lakes.  I'm sure having optional 4x4 would be a nice.

A full size ½ ton V8 pickup should handle it nicely under normal conditions  

A full size ½ ton V8 pickup should handle it nicely under normal conditions  

I'm not quite sure that would even fall under the sort of good gas mileage field lol.  I looked at some full size single cab trucks that got just over 20 mpg highway which isn't terrible.  How do you guys feel about diesels?

Well, I like the new Toyota Tundra.  To me, they're nice looking, powerful, dependable, a better resale value...gas...trucks are bound to burn gas like crazy anyways.  I like this truck, I don't know if you do.

A buddy just went from a Serria to full size Tahoe and said gas mileage is better on the Tahoe. The new ones cut back cylinders on the hwy. He also tows a 225 zx Skeeter and it's not even there.

Garnet

It depends on how much are you looking to spend.  If price isn't a problem then you can look at the Chevy/GMC hybrids or newer V8's with the, I just forgot the name but it shut downs 4 of the cylinders when you are cruising, and uses all 8 cylinders when taking off, towing, and when you need the extra power.

If you can afford those, like most of us, then you could look at maybe a Dodge Dakota with the V8.  I have a Dodge with the V6 and one of my friends had one with the V8 and we got about the same gas mileage, he might have got 1mpg better.  He drives slower then me, but not much difference on gas mileage and the V8 has a lot more power then my V6.

So remember even though V6 are suppose to get better gas mileage, doesn't mean they do.  You are still moving the same amount weight but the V8 has more power and can do the job easier then a V6 that you will need to push a little harder to do the same job.  Just like if you have a 150HP motor vs a 200HP motor on the same boat.  The 200HP you won't need to push the throttle down as far.

The best gas mileage from best to worse, normal vehicles (no hybrids),  mid size truck, full size trucks, mid size suv, then full size suv.  A truck gets about 1-2 mpg better then a suv.

My top choices for you would be, Dodge Dakota with V8, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier (V6), or maybe a Ford Explorer Sport Trac (I'm not a ford guy but if you are).  I think these mid size trucks will give you enough power and will better on the gas then a full size truck.

Thanks guys.  Yea I am a huge fan of Toyota and all their products so if I could find a nice Tacoma that would probably be my sale.  I wouldn't mind a Nissan Frontier either.  Cost is going to be a huge issue since I'm only going to be a college grad in about a year or so, all depends on the job market.  And as anyone knows, Michigan is not good for jobs.

The mileage one will get while pulling depends on how the truck is setup; one with the proper gear ratio in the rear end will get better mileage than one setup like a car. Most people can't tell you what kind of rear end is in their truck.