which one is the best besides the standard Ford (F150,F250,F350), Chevy (1500,2500,3500), and Dodge Ram? im interested only in american produced trucks that can haul an 18-20 foot jon boat with a 20hp motor.

They are all good but my choice is the Ram. For your boat you only need a 1500. Mine is a 2500 w/Cummins. I pull a 5th wheel RV. Rides a bit harsh when not towing but the fuel milage is outstanding. I am sure you will get plenty of votes for the other wo makes but just find the one that fits your hiney best. and then go

i said besides, bc im searchin for a light duty truck that can haul a jon boat (im looking for fuel economy in the mid-upper 20s)

I don't know this for fact; I was just told by a friend who has one. He has a Toyota Tundra with the v-8. I was asking him about, and he said he loves it. I made the comment about it not being made in America and he just smiled. He then went on to say that the more of the Toyota is "Made in America" than the chevrolet. I am not sure of the gas mileage; I know it is in the 20mpg range, but I think he said about 23-24 on the hwy. I think the v-8 in the tundras' is putting out around or a bit over 280 horses. It might something worth checking into.

G3

can't beat a cummins!

i got my truck, its rather decent mileage. Ford Ranger V6

A truck with fuel economy in the 20's?!?!? Dream on.

Unless you get a 4-banger Ranger, Colorado, or Tacoma (unsuitable for towing a 20' boat), dream on.

And if your computer says you're getting in the 20's and you actually believe it, you're nuts.

I've got a 6-cylinder Jeep Grand Cherokee. The best I've ever done on a road trip, going 65-70 mph is 19.7. That's done by taken how many miles I drove on that tank and dividing it by how much gas I put back in.

And V-8's are going to use more gas than a 6 cylinder.

In the real world, expect between 13-15 mpg city (or worse, depending on how much stop and go), 15-18 mpg highway with a V8. V-6 you can stretch it to 14-16 city, 18-20 highway.

You'd probably be OK with a midsize truck if it's just a jonboat. I'd do the Dakota for midsize, Ram for fullsize, but I'm a biased Dodge guy.

Any of 'em with at least a V6 will get the job done.

I have a small construction company and have had 2002 Toyota 4wd crew cab Tacoma ,2003 Dodge 1/2 ton w/magnum motor(terrible gas mileage worse than my H2), 2002 Ford F250 powerstroke and now have a 2004 GMC w/Duramax. Everyone has their opinion and mine is the new Tacoma puts out 240 Hp and if you get it in a prerunner they have a differential lock for the rear if you have trouble at the boat ramp and the mileage will be where you want it. My Duramax crew cab pulling my Nitro gets 17 - 18 mpg.

CUMMINS!!!

Diesels are the only pickups that I'll actually believe mileage in the 20's, but you have to pay over $5,000 to get that mileage and power.

there are a ton of used dodge diesel's out there (old body style - the best one's ever made) for cheap.

just make sure you do a fuel pressure test before you buy.

http://dieselram.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=2

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/f...&forumid=89

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/

I have an F150 SuperCrew and a 18 1/2 ft flat-bottom center-console with 70hp. My truck has the 5.4 V-8 and tows the boat 75-80mph @3000rpm. 60-70 mph @ around 2500rpm. It'll burn about 11 gallons on a 150mile trip (14mpg). It does alot better on my uncle's boat that doesn't have a center-console. Just some numbers.

itzalex, I know everyone is thinking TRUCK, but with the lightweight boat and motor your talking about anything car or truck with a V6 will pull it easilly. So how about a midsized car with the towing package and front wheel drive to "pull" you up the ramp. Your rig cant weight over 800-900 pounds.

Front wheel drive cars are not designed for any type of towing! The Dodge 5-speeds diesel or not where having problems with the big nut on the output shaft coming undone and you would loose 5th gear. Pretty hard to beat a Chevrolet with 3.73 gear ratio. My step sister bought one of the Honda Trucks and she really likes it. The make a pretty good car I am curious to see how their truck holds up.

the dodge 5th gear problem was on the nv4500. 5th gear does not have a fully splined shaft, so if you were towing HARD, you could lose it (this usually happens when someone is towing at or over max rating and lugging the engine i.e. going too slow in 5th). there is a kit to fix this. never had a problem with mine, but i only tow about 4k lbs and i dont lug.