Hi Guys,

I recently bought my first bass boat- A 2007 Bass Tracker PT 190 TX w/ 90HP Mercury Optimax. The Rig with Trailer is about 20' and the boat itself is 18'7. Sure, this is not a 'tourney official' rig by any means, but it's my first boat and got aluminum for the value/price and learning experience with my first rig.

Anyway, I drive a car and I had a nice arrangement going to use my friend's truck whenever I wanted to tow my boat but that truck is no longer working haha. With that said, I do not want to be off the water any longer than I have to so I'm thinking about just buying a used truck.

What do you guys think? Can I pickup a 'reliable enough' truck for under $2,000 to use exclusively for fishing 1-2x a week and towing the boat (under 2,000 lbs total rig) about 30 miles each way?

What would be some vehicles to look at? I was on craigslist just browsing and some very nice looking 2000 Ford F150 trucks, but obv. higher mileage- 160K+ for only $2500 and less. Let me know if you think that would be a good vehicle or if you can recommend anything else for say 1500-2000 price range. Also, with buying an older used truck, any problem areas I need to look for when purchasing? Obv. I'll bring a mechanic with me for the potential purchase. My thinking is buy from a private party and maybe I can scour the internet and local newspaper ads to find a good deal.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Personally, I think you are on the right track with a used F150. Depending on the motor, 160K for about 2K or so miles is pretty good. For your rig, I think a 6 cylinder would work, but if you can get a V8 with 160K that is what I would do. A V8 can handle the extra miles. Maybe look for a 6 that is newer with fewer miles for 2K?

I'd look for a truck that wasn't somebody's work truck and is beat all to heck. You may have to look longer and harder to find it but it'll be worth it in the end.

Secondly, the instant you get this truck do some preventative maintenance. Flush the cooling system and replace thermostats. Check the belts and hoses and replace as needed. Check the brakes. Flush the transmission and replace the filter. Replace the air and oil filter and change the oil. Change the differential fluid (and transfer case fluid if 4x4).

These little things can keep you truck working and running without major repairs for a long time. You might also consider installing a "tow package" consisting of additional engine oil and transmission fluid coolers. Excess heat is what typically kills engines and transmissions.

i would look hard and try and find a 300 6 cyl 96' model ford half ton truck with a 5 speed.

plenty of umph to pull the boat, decent milegage, less moving parts, plus now that your a truck owner, you'll find all kinds of projects to put the truck to work.

I owned a 98' 4.2 liter, the 4.2 has a bad habit of pushing rods thru the block, especially at higher mileage.

the 300 6 cyl will be more than enough, also, don't discount the same truck with a 302 V-8 in it.

I'd look for a used S-10 or regular cab Silverado with the 4.3L. You can get one of those for the prices you're looking at. I wouldn't trust a ford with over 100k miles on it.

I'm not trying to go in the ford/chevy debate, but my family has owned exactly one ford and we traded it in with 103k miles on it, and spent more on repairs in the last year of ownership than we got for trade-in.

If you get the reg cab silverado, you'll have an allison tranny too, which is a big plus.

How far are you talking about towing the boat 1-2x a week? If it's a short tow, I'd feel fine with the S-10, but if it's any length I'd get an F-150 or the silverado.

Stay away from dodge.

Only in a 3/4 ton or larger with that option and big block or diesel. Way overkill.

Hey Guys,

The application would be as follows:

Tow the 19' Tracker about 30 miles each way 2x a week. (120 miles a week, 8 trips per month, 480 miles max a month). Maybe once every other month I'd do a longer trip of about 60 miles each way to this better lake, but don't go there often.

I do know how to drive stick and one mechanic friend also suggested looking for a 5 speed because 'less moving parts' and better longevity when you get up in those high mileage trucks. He said he wouldn't trust a 150K + mile automatic, but would feel very confident in a 150K+ Mile Manual Transmission. Also he was saying the F150 4.2L V6 would be MORE than enough vs. the V8 which would obv. eat gas and might be overboard for my tracker.

If I ever do upgrade to a fiberglass (within 4-5 years in the future) I will not have this truck anymore. So not looking for the future, just looking for a reliable truck for 3+ years for this Tracker.

I'm looking on craigslist and seeing some beautiful looking F150 trucks from 1999 and 2000 model years. Some look pretty sharp. I don't want the longer cab, just standard as I live in a downtown city and this would be parked outside amongst a lot of traffic (where my Honda Accord is stowed under ground parking garage). I don't know what they call the trim packages on these trucks but some like this are awesome looking! I really like how the bed is flared out, looks sharp with the curves vs. straight edges like a Ford Ranger, etc.

http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c436275a.jpg
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/17577345/1...arters_view.jpg

Anyway, if you guys can keep the feedback coming I'd greatly appreciate it! I've driven in both a Silverado and F150 and both seem fine to me. I am just weary of an older model year. Although, I did have a 1988 Chevy S10 Blazer (first vehicle I ever bought) in 1999 when I was in HS (11 years old) and it ran for 8+ years. So maybe a 10-14 year old truck ain't that bad provided it was taken care of.

Thanks for your help.

You're right, I was under the apparently very wrong impression that the 4L60E was an allison. I had a couple of trucks with that one in it awhile back, but I was certainly told wrong.

Either way, I'd still trust a Chevy with that sort of mileage much quicker than a Ford. Had about 4 chevy's with less problems combined than the 1 ford we had.

To the OP: a full-size pickup with a V6 is still plenty of truck to tow a 17' or light 18' fiberglass boat, so that's a plus too.

Personally, there's no way I'd be buying a stick-shift half ton as a tow vehicle, but that's just me. Go with the automatic. If I had to pick between an auto light duty or stick half ton, I'd go with the auto light duty.

I prefer an automatic at the boat ramp, much easier.

Gear ratio will have a lot to do with the choice between a 5 speed vs a auto.

My 4.2 liter 5 speed with a 3:27 rear end wouldn't pull a door shut, you'd burn the clutch up at a ramp. My Tacoma with a 3:90 however, would crawl right up.

As I stated before, for around $2500-2000, look for a 96' f-150 5 speed

Looking at the 5 speed Ford F150 from 98-00 and they're all 4.2L. So really confused on your statement above. Seems contradicting or I read it wrong?

Would a V6 F150 model year 98-00 do the trick for my Tracker? Not looking to get hammered on gas with a V8...

Also any alternative recommendations such as a specific SUV?

96' and under had a 300 cubic inch straight six

That normally had a 3:55 rear end

The 300 six was not known for good gas mileage and sometimes has trouble passing emission testing for state inspection. If you live in a non emission testing county you might be ok. I agree on the automatic for boat loading/unloading. I also strongly disagree with the high mileage Fords having issues. I had a Ford Ranger with the 3.0 with 252K with no issues, have an Explorer with 162K with no issues, have another Ranger with 112K with no issues. Daughter even had a 4 banger Ranger she drove through college and beyond with no issues. I pull my 16ft fiberglass with my 3.0 Ranger, but leave plenty of room to stop.

As a Chevy owner, stick with a Ford. There is a reason Ford has had the best selling truck for the last several decades.