looking for a truck or suv thatll get the best gas mileage, suggestions on vehicle
 

I am sorry if I do have this question in the wrong place, I am new to this website, but im looking for a new work truck or suv, right now I have a trail blazer, dont remind me of how bad the gas mileage is in that thing lol, im a tall (6'4) subcontractor for directv so the biggest thing that I have is a ladder, it is a Werner MT-26 300-Pound Duty Rating Telescoping Multi-Ladder, 26-Foot, found on amazon

The rest of everything is just small boxes or dish pans, all together around 150 pounds work of equipment and me (200 pounds).

I know, about not lead footing, coasting when you can, nitogen in the tires, no roof rakes, and all that stuff I already do, so im looking for the best mpg vehicle I can start looking for, has to be over 30 on the highway, just because I know its possible, was thinking about a 4 banger, was thinking more about a toyato or a nissan, just because of the reliablitly, but not really picky, just want the best gas milege I can get, then after that what mods that are possible to

Basically I need to know what type of car, engine, etc to look for and after I get that what can I do to it to allow it to have better gas mileage

I would suggest a pick-up with a canopy.
For a small truck i like the 2.4 L 4 cyl. Toyota Tacoma, also the new f150 would get better mileage then your trail blazer.

New Truck?

How about the Ford Transit Connect? I was able to flirt with 30 MPG highway with it ... it's rated at 26. Lots of room for a little truck, tho its unique looks aren't everyone's cup of tea.

Among the small SUVs, maybe the Mazda CX-5 or Mitsubishi Outlander Sport? Not sure if there's enough room for your ladder.

Amazon.com: Werner MT-26 300-Pound Duty Rating Telescoping Multi-Ladder, 26-Foot: Home Improvement
Nice ladder. I have the smaller 17' Little Giant. Yours folds up to under 8' right? I believe you can fit that inside a Honda Fit with the front passenger seat folded flat. The idea of a Transit Connect is also a good one. Or any minivan, or even the sub-minivan Mazda 5. The new Ford Explorer 2.0T is rated 28 highway I believe.

D'oh! I forgot about the Mazda5 ... I need to get that review video done, the tape's been sitting on my desk for too long. Interesting little critter, that one.

Counter-intuitive thing about the Transit Connect ... I got better highway mileage with the windows down-A/C off then I did with the windows up-A/C on. I'd like to test that one again.

That said, Ford really needs to bring a diesel version. And pop on some LRR tires perhaps, while they're at it.

I have began to start looking at the chevy colorados if u get the 2wd version u can still hit mid 20s stock and have more room then u would in a s10, ranger, etc

I found this little disgusting tidbit while reading the Wiki on the Ford Transit Connect:

Wiki Link

I looked into pickup trucks because I'd like to have one for home improvement projects etc. I found the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series had the best mpg ratings of the small trucks sold in the US market.

I think they came in different bed lengths; you'd have to figure out if one will hold your ladder without using a ladder rack. The only issue with a ladder rack as far as MPG is concerned is that it will add drag and so reduce your fuel economy.

A 'cap' that's tapered downward towards the rear actually improves fuel economy, if done right. If that's not possible then a flat cover over the bed is better than an open bed. See various discussions on this in the "Aerodynamics" subforums.

Hmmm. If the ladder doesn't fit in the bed laying flat, it MIGHT fit if you put the front of ladder up at roof level and the back end down on the floor. Not much aero penalty that way either, I would think. Especially if you put a tapered cap over the whole thing.

Definitely go for a manual transmission.

Yeah the ladders defanilty nice, I have a 17 foot one, but its really hard to get to the 2 story building without a taller one lol, but I think the 26 foot one (all folded up) about 6 foot, I think. But a conapy ill probably need, just to fit everything, manuel transmission, defanitly, I just don't want to spend a lot of money on the vechicle, basically I don't want to buy a brand new one, just thinking of one that around 80-02, with atleast abs and power everything

Here you can look up the EPA estimated MPG for any car or truck since the '80's.
Search by Model
They changed the test procedure during that time but they've standardized all the published numbers at that site so you get an even comparison between models.

Like I said before, pick your year and take a look at the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series.