Most affordable, fuel efficient 4x4 set up

[Rove Adventures]

With a bit of work, you can seal your shell fairly well. The tailgate will need the most attention then the bed corners and the odd holes under the top rails. The ease and versatility of a shell (and cost) seem to make it a much better choice than a tent, especially if you have enough room to sit up. The cost of mounting a tent and securing whatever you want to keep in your bed is not insignificant either.

Good points as well, any ideas of what people of been using to seal the tail gate area with?

 

[str8t six]

Good points as well, any ideas of what people of been using to seal the tail gate area with?

truxedo makes a kit to seal the tailgate.

i also think a RTT wouldnt be the best option because of the snow if you camp in winter.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Yeah I wont be towing anything, it will be my daily driver in the city, good amount of highway to get to spots, gravel roads and some trails. Just not sure about the Eco boosts yet, it seems like most people either love them or hate them lol

Usually the ones that hate then have never owned one...lol. I have had two and neither had problems.

The 2.7 is a great motor and will shock the hell out of you when you press the happy pedal. One thing: the new 10 speed takes a little while to "learn" your driving style, so the brand new ones on the lot might feel sluggish if they only have a few miles on them.

The 5.0 is a great motor too and going from the 6 speed to the 10 speed really helped it performance wise.

While some on here might knock the 10 speed as complicated... its damn near indestructible. They have been doing full boost launches in 4 hi for years now and they don't flinch... even when you add a couple hundred horsepower to the equation. The Mustang crowd has been running 600+ who through them and they have held up quite well.

 

[Rove Adventures]

truxedo makes a kit to seal the tailgate.

i also think a RTT wouldnt be the best option because of the snow if you camp in winter.

Thanks for the input! Also just noticed ford offers a tailgate seal as an accessory for $35

 

[Rove Adventures]

Usually the ones that hate then have never owned one...lol. I have had two and neither had problems.

The 2.7 is a great motor and will shock the hell out of you when you press the happy pedal. One thing: the new 10 speed takes a little while to "learn" your driving style, so the brand new ones on the lot might feel sluggish if they only have a few miles on them.

The 5.0 is a great motor too and going from the 6 speed to the 10 speed really helped it performance wise.

While some on here might knock the 10 speed as complicated... its damn near indestructible. They have been doing full boost launches in 4 hi for years now and they don't flinch... even when you add a couple hundred horsepower to the equation. The Mustang crowd has been running 600+ who through them and they have held up quite well.

I am def going to go with the f-150 and canopy i think...... just need to decide on a engine. Thanks for the input!

 

[Morgan Weafer]

If practicality is high on your list, have you considered a trailer for your Mazda? I drive a 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and a trailer is going to be my next build. My current setup includes a RTT albeit functional and comfy, it's not super practical for stop and go travel. Having a trailer for base camp and still be able to roam in the Jeep is more practical in my opinion. Searching high and low over the internet I have found Dinoot Trailers by TVenturing out of Salem, OR. They offer lightweight DIY kits with fibreglass tub panels in two variations. If you are not wanting the added cost of another vehicle but still want to get out with your Mazda this might interest you.

 

[Christian P.]

I am bit late to this thread...but I am also looking to buy a pick up truck this year and interested in fuel consumption. Because of my "lifestyle" these days, I get to rent a new car almost every week. These are just my own personal impression, so take it with a grain of salt..



Last week my rental was a basic 2018 Ford F-150 4x4 XL with a 3.5 V6 (not eco-boost). The mpg was at 19mpg when I picked it at the SFO airport and I got about 18.5 hand calculated mixed driving. I was not impressed with the handling, steering felt "loose" - given it was a rental, but that's the second one I rent and they both had the same issue (the other one was 2wd). Maybe just a bad coincidence, but it did not feel that different than the old beat up 2001 Ford Expedition we used to have... They are the best selling vehicle after all, so they must be good vehicles though. I am hoping to try one soon with the Eco-Boost and better options,

This week for my rental in Houston I have a new Ram 1500 "LoneStar" edition with the 5.7 Hemi and about 3000 miles on it. The power and driving is awesome. When I got it the average mpg showed 15.4. I reset it and I am about 16.5 right now. I love the truck but I am quite disappointed about this - my father has a 2015 Ram 1500 with the Hemi and it seems like the mpg is about the same, despite all the "improvements" Ram has added in their new truck. I still have it for a few days and I will report back when I am done, but if the average really stays around 16 mpg, then I would think you're even better to go with the 2500/3500.

Oh and before that, I also rented (twice) a brand new Tacoma. Damn I am not impressed with the automatic transmission and the way it shifts. It feels like it's always searching for the right gear. I think Toyota really dropped the ball with this engine/transmission combo. Anyway, I got about 18mpg each time. Again mixed driving,

And since we're on the topic, I also had a brand new Jeep Wrangler 4-doors 100% stock a couple weeks ago and barely averaged 18mpg. No doubt the new Jeep is better overall, but I was also a bit disappointed by that. I can't imagine what it will be once you add larger tires and a roof top tent...

When I am home (rarely...), I drive an old 175000 miles 2003 BMW 4.4L Sport that has 300Hp and gets about 17mpg...still one of the best handling cars I have driven in my life.

I think they only way to get anything with a significant mpg increase would be to go diesel - either the Chevy Canyon diesel or the Ram EcoDiesel.
Or perhaps the new Ranger with the EcoBoost. They look very nice in person, I can't wait to try one.

The quest continues...

 

[Rove Adventures]

If practicality is high on your list, have you considered a trailer for your Mazda? I drive a 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and a trailer is going to be my next build. My current setup includes a RTT albeit functional and comfy, it's not super practical for stop and go travel. Having a trailer for base camp and still be able to roam in the Jeep is more practical in my opinion. Searching high and low over the internet I have found Dinoot Trailers by TVenturing out of Salem, OR. They offer lightweight DIY kits with fibreglass tub panels in two variations. If you are not wanting the added cost of another vehicle but still want to get out with your Mazda this might interest you.

Thanks for the reply, I have thought about a trailer, my main issue is my only parking stall is in a parkade so I would have to find another spot. Basically i want something ready to go all the time so even after work if i decide to just hit the road i can.

 

[Rove Adventures]

I am bit late to this thread...but I am also looking to buy a pick up truck this year and interested in fuel consumption. Because of my "lifestyle" these days, I get to rent a new car almost every week. These are just my own personal impression, so take it with a grain of salt..



Last week my rental was a basic 2018 Ford F-150 4x4 XL with a 3.5 V6 (not eco-boost). The mpg was at 19mpg when I picked it at the SFO airport and I got about 18.5 hand calculated mixed driving. I was not impressed with the handling, steering felt "loose" - given it was a rental, but that's the second one I rent and they both had the same issue (the other one was 2wd). Maybe just a bad coincidence, but it did not feel that different than the old beat up 2001 Ford Expedition we used to have... They are the best selling vehicle after all, so they must be good vehicles though. I am hoping to try one soon with the Eco-Boost and better options,

This week for my rental in Houston I have a new Ram 1500 "LoneStar" edition with the 5.7 Hemi and about 3000 miles on it. The power and driving is awesome. When I got it the average mpg showed 15.4. I reset it and I am about 16.5 right now. I love the truck but I am quite disappointed about this - my father has a 2015 Ram 1500 with the Hemi and it seems like the mpg is about the same, despite all the "improvements" Ram has added in their new truck. I still have it for a few days and I will report back when I am done, but if the average really stays around 16 mpg, then I would think you're even better to go with the 2500/3500.

Oh and before that, I also rented (twice) a brand new Tacoma. Damn I am not impressed with the automatic transmission and the way it shifts. It feels like it's always searching for the right gear. I think Toyota really dropped the ball with this engine/transmission combo. Anyway, I got about 18mpg each time. Again mixed driving,

And since we're on the topic, I also had a brand new Jeep Wrangler 4-doors 100% stock a couple weeks ago and barely averaged 18mpg. No doubt the new Jeep is better overall, but I was also a bit disappointed by that. I can't imagine what it will be once you add larger tires and a roof top tent...

When I am home (rarely...), I drive an old 175000 miles 2003 BMW 4.4L Sport that has 300Hp and gets about 17mpg...still one of the best handling cars I have driven in my life.

I think they only way to get anything with a significant mpg increase would be to go diesel - either the Chevy Canyon diesel or the Ram EcoDiesel.
Or perhaps the new Ranger with the EcoBoost. They look very nice in person, I can't wait to try one.

The quest continues...

Thanks for the feedback! Wow that is one good way to try out different vechicals if you can!!

Yeah I use to have a 2012 ram 1500 with the Hemi and that thing just drank the gas!

My ideal setup would be a Chevy Colorado with a popup canopy shell like the vagabond camper, but after figuring out dimensions it will not fit in my parkade....

So I am left with going with a full size truck and canopy... just trying to decide on engines!

 

[jmodz]

As far as engines for the f-150, I owned the 3.5L eco boost and it was a really powerful engine so once I didn’t need to tow anymore I sold the truck. So I’d rule that one out immediately. I’d also rule out the 5.0 since you want better fuel efficiency. That leaves the 2.7l or the 3.3l. Personally I’d go with the 3.3l, it isn’t as powerful but I think it’s the better option. Compared to the 2.7l, it’ll have a lower cost of maintanance, I think about 1mpg better overall, and a cheaper purchase price. Enjoy the savings and put it towards some modifications or a nice canopy for it.

 

[Rove Adventures]

As far as engines for the f-150, I owned the 3.5L eco boost and it was a really powerful engine so once I didn’t need to tow anymore I sold the truck. So I’d rule that one out immediately. I’d also rule out the 5.0 since you want better fuel efficiency. That leaves the 2.7l or the 3.3l. Personally I’d go with the 3.3l, it isn’t as powerful but I think it’s the better option. Compared to the 2.7l, it’ll have a lower cost of maintanance, I think about 1mpg better overall, and a cheaper purchase price. Enjoy the savings and put it towards some modifications or a nice canopy for it.

Thanks for the input, yeah at this point that's kind of the way I am leaning, is towards just the 3.3l as I dont need any crazy amounts of hp. I know the other engines have alot more torque which would be better for trails and more hardcore offroading but that will be a bit more minimal for me as I will be on gravel roads and rough gravel roads more then anything vs hardcore trails.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Compared to the 2.7l, it’ll have a lower cost of maintenance

How so? the 2.7 doesn't come with any special maintenance requirements.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Last week my rental was a basic 2018 Ford F-150 4x4 XL with a 3.5 V6 (not eco-boost). The mpg was at 19mpg when I picked it at the SFO airport and I got about 18.5 hand calculated mixed driving. I was not impressed with the handling, steering felt "loose" - given it was a rental, but that's the second one I rent and they both had the same issue (the other one was 2wd). Maybe just a bad coincidence, but it did not feel that different than the old beat up 2001 Ford Expedition we used to have... They are the best selling vehicle after all, so they must be good vehicles though. I am hoping to try one soon with the Eco-Boost and better options,

The steering on the new F150's is electric. It's not "lose" rather it's just very, very easy to steer. I had to get use to that when I bought mine.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Thanks for the input, yeah at this point that's kind of the way I am leaning, is towards just the 3.3l as I dont need any crazy amounts of hp. I know the other engines have alot more torque which would be better for trails and more hardcore offroading but that will be a bit more minimal for me as I will be on gravel roads and rough gravel roads more then anything vs hardcore trails.

I promise you that if you drive the 3.3 and the 2.7, you will drive away with a 2.7.

 

[Buliwyf]

I'd still go 5.0.

Reliability, and simplicity.