Hello,
I was debating on a truck to get for my first vehicle. I was thinking that I would either get a Ford Ranger or a Ford F-150. I know that they mostly get the same gas mileage but I wanted to know what you guys think is better. The truck will need to be able to pull a couple dirt bikes or a trailer and it needs to be a 4x4 because of michigan winters. I want to know which truck will get better gas mileage and which is overall a better truck. Also, I was debating if it should be a manual transmission or an automatic transmission. I know that there is not many newer f-150's that have a manual transmission so let me know what you guys think.
Thanks

 

gas mileage matters to me, but it ain't in the top 5. top ten,,,yes. i'm willing to pay for safety, so i drive bigger vehicles because of other idiots on the road. just my opinion. and yes, they're ford. i was never going to overload a truck, so i went with bigger "just in case" a load i pulled was bigger than what i originally planned. i would have a truck that could handle it.
as far as transmissions, i'm lazy and don't want the expense of a clutch, so i use automatics. just my two cents! but, it'll be your truck and you're using your money, so get what you want and be happy about it.

 

I was thinking automatic also, Ive only been driving since august and I've drove manual, they get annoying and it is a pain in the butt when you are in traffic. I'll most likely get an automatic transmission. Thanks for the help .One more thing, What engine would be most fuel efficient and offer enough power to haul things?

 

sorry i can't tell you on that one. i own a diesel. i'm not a gasoline engine fan when it comes to trucks. but i can tell you that a lot of guys i know have hardly any issues with the triton V8 in the F150. i have no experience in that dept.

 

Had a 95 Ranger with over 300k on it when I sold it to a relative. Still running and they won't give it back. Pulled a small 5x10 with two atv's and a small pop up trailer with it. Never gave me any problems and was the most dependable vehicle I ever owned. Wouldn't pull my toy hauler or carry more than two people comfortably.

Is this going to be new or used? New, the F150's get good mileage and still pull quit a lot. To get one in manual, you'd probably have to order it. If they still do that.

 

A Ranger is not a truck is more of a suv. The trucks now a days seem to fuss over the rear passengers comfort over the cargo bed load now.
good luck carrying a load in this. A mini van with a few seats pulled out could carry more.

 

that looks like the F150 rearended the ford edge and then lost its suspension and broke the leaf springs. i love ford, but they're really screwing up here!!!!!!

 

Definitely not the Ranger I had.

I remember back when they didn't have all the luxury stuff added, and they got really good gas mileage. Had an old SR5 Toyota that got about 26mpg, and a 91 Ranger that got about 25. Both were pretty much bare bones as far as stuff went. Heck, the Toyota only had an am radio. The 95 was a lot cushier and was an extended cab. It got about 20mpg.

 

My friend bought a new Toyota pick up I swear the rear passenger's doors are longer then the front drivers doors now.
You can carry 3 fat passengers in total comfort but need a red flag for a load of 8' lumber. its just almost pointless as a load hauler now.

 

When I bought my Titan, they just came out with the 7 foot bed on the extended/quad cabs. Would have really liked that, but the wife drove it as well. I could just see here trying to get around a crowded parking lot in that.