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and here enters the need for a small diesel mid-size truck. You don't want to tow 10,000lbs, but you want the economy that the diesel offers. American Automakers fail.
/rant.
I'd suggest the Dodge Sprinter, but the cost may be prohibitive, as well as finding the smaller setup so you're not hauling around dead space. From reading a few forums, owners are returning 20-35mpg, with and without loads. I'd assume you could pull 25mpg with the boat. A lot is determined by the setup, axle ratio, tall, extra long wheelbase, etc.
Seems the newer 6 cylinder nets quite a bit better FE. But that'll run you over $25,000. You can pick up the earlier 5 cylinder diesel, a 2002 model, for under $10,000. Could the fuel savings make a difference? If it's 21mpg at 65mph versus 29mpg at 65mph, wouldn't take too many loaded towing miles to show it.
That's my top pick. Not 4WD, but a good set of tires fixes that. Plus you're not towing the boat in the winter, are you? I'd rather drive your escort in the snow than a RWD van. (for safety only. For hooning totally the van)
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