Truck Fever - Advice Needed

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-09-27, 01:00

So....

The boys are getting to the age where we need to do more "outdoor" activities. Took them fishing last weekend with our canoe, had a great time etc., but almost took the front end off of our Honda Odyssey navigating the forest service roads. I would also like to tow various small trailers (sailboat, lumber trailer, blah, blah, blah), use if for camping etc.

Requirements:

Fits 6 humans and a lot of other stuff for short trips (Crew cab)
Will be used for a lot of "wilderness management area" trips (4X4?)
Needs to be able to haul 4X8 sheets of plywood and 10-14' long boards (I'm a woodworker).
Will only be used for outings and hauling so I don't really care if it's easy to parallel park.

So I'm thinking full-sized, 4X4 with extended bed, under 150k miles, 2-3 owners and a clean carfax. If I'm lucky, this keeps it under $15k.

This is a third car, this truck will sit a lot. 5k miles per year would be a boat ton of fishing / camping / lumber yard trips. Diesel would be great, but used Diesels in this price range are just too much $$ (yeah, I'm poor bro).

looking at the usual, F150, Silverado, Sierra, Ram, Titan

What say you?

by **Gomer** 2014-09-27, 01:46

Unless you want your boys to think you're a pussy:

Truck Fever - Advice Needed 2012-ford-f650-super-duty

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-09-27, 02:15

Gomer wrote:Unless you want your boys to think you're a pussy:

lol

by **xsanguine** 2014-09-27, 02:35

SeeRockCity wrote:So.....(I'm a woodworker).

I bet you are.

by **The Pantry** 2014-09-27, 06:22

Pickups are for contractors.

Much more comfortable given your 6 passenger criteria

Suburban

by **kingstonlake** 2014-09-27, 06:50

I'd say any pick up that fits your specs would do since its going to sit alot. Comfort doesn't seem to be that important in this case. Research your motors and towing capacities, maybe a tranny cooler, and a six speed if you'd like a little better mileage.

by Izzo Court 2014-09-27, 07:32

When gas was almost $4 a gallon I found out while filling up my Silverado that gas pumps stop when they hit $100. Other than that I would stick with Chevy or Ford simply for the reduced cost of repairs considering the age and milage you're looking for.

by LoneWolfSparty 2014-09-27, 08:02

Full sized bed and off reading don't mix well.

by LoneWolfSparty 2014-09-27, 08:02

Roading not reading.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-09-27, 21:41

The Pantry wrote:Pickups are for contractors.

Much more comfortable given your 6 passenger criteria

Suburban

Not interested in a covered wagon. Want to haul lumber and a tractor, landscaping supplies, etch without having to hook up a trailer.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-09-27, 21:43

LoneWolfSparty wrote:Full sized bed and off reading don't mix well.

Good info, thanks. Not doing any serious off reading, just want something that can handle a typical timber road. Full size to me probably means 6.5 foot.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-09-27, 21:46

Izzo Court wrote:When gas was almost $4 a gallon I found out while filling up my Silverado that gas pumps stop when they hit $100. Other than that I would stick with Chevy or Ford simply for the reduced cost of repairs considering the age and milage you're looking for.

Yeah,

Izzo Court wrote:When gas was almost $4 a gallon I found out while filling up my Silverado that gas pumps stop when they hit $100. Other than that I would stick with Chevy or Ford simply for the reduced cost of repairs considering the age and milage you're looking for.

Yeah, not planning on driving a ton. Understand what I'm getting into on gas $. Interesting on repair costs. You're implying Nissan, Toyota, and Dodge would be more expensive to maintain?

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-09-27, 21:49

kingstonlake wrote:I'd say any pick up that fits your specs would do since its going to sit alot. Comfort doesn't seem to be that important in this case. Research your motors and towing capacities, maybe a tranny cooler, and a six speed if you'd like a little better mileage.

Tranny cooler? please educate me.

by 75alum 2014-09-28, 18:46

If you truly want to off road, you want a reliable transfer case and at least a diff locker in the rear. Shorter wheelbase = best off roading. Off roading I'm talking about Grayling military coarse type with deep sand. Most HD's will have a tranny cooler. You don't need a lot of HP, just good low end torque; rear axle ratio + good transfer case like Borg Warner, Magna or even Aisin (mostly used by Jeep). The bad news is that off road packages don't net the best on road mileage but a choice to make if the off roading (fun) is most important.

by 75alum 2014-09-28, 18:51

SeeRockCity wrote:

Tranny cooler? please educate me.

Tranny cooler is just an added condenser, (small radiator) that usually sits in front of the radiator. The transmission fluid has lines that run through your radiator condenser to cool the transmission fluid. The cooler can be factory option or after market add on. Most radiators are designed for normal transmission on road temps only. This is for automatic transmissions. Manual gearboxes are generally air cooled only.

by Brock Middlebrook 2014-09-29, 11:06

You can't go wrong with either one of these

Truck Fever - Advice Needed 8307

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by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-24, 22:23

It it done

Here it is while airing out, ("new car" air freshener makes me want to vomit):

Truck Fever - Advice Needed Wp_20110

by Big Ten Referee 2014-10-24, 22:42

Trucks are for guys trying to compensate for something.

by Big Ten Referee 2014-10-24, 22:43

In my case, that would be my Civic. I can't even fit a bag of goose decoys in the ****ing thing.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-24, 22:44

Big Ten Referee wrote:Trucks are for guys trying to compensate for something.

Correct.

I need to compensate for the fact that I have nothing to use for hauling garbage, lumber, or landscaping supplies; pulling trailers, going fishing and camping with my boys in north Georgia on poorly maintained service roads.

by **Death Roe** 2014-10-24, 22:45

I almost bought an F-150 a few months ago. Then I realized I would hate it after the "cool" factor wore off in a few weeks.

I'm trying to get another Taurus.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-24, 22:47

Death Roe wrote:I almost bought an F-150 a few months ago. Then I realized I would hate it after the "cool" factor wore off in a few weeks.

I'm trying to get another Taurus.

This is a third vehicle for us. I don't think I could deal with it (or afford it) as an every day driver.

by SawGreen 2014-10-25, 00:41

I'm thinking less than truck (i.e. van or suv) and a light trailer fits you better. But, if you are dead set on truck. Bump to a 3/4 ton... just because.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-25, 01:09

SawGreen wrote:I'm thinking less than truck (i.e. van or suv) and a light trailer fits you better. But, if you are dead set on truck. Bump to a 3/4 ton... just because.

1.)Already have a van,
2.)Am getting a trailer too,
3.)Already bought the truck - see photos in thread.
4.)I'm not sure if you are questioning my manhood in this post.

by **The Pantry** 2014-10-25, 04:33

SeeRockCity wrote:

1.)Already have a van,
2.)Am getting a trailer too,
3.)Already bought the truck - see photos in thread.
4.)I'm not sure if you are questioning my manhood in this post.

1) Honda Odyssey is not a van
2) Trailers are super handy if you have a place to park one for the 99.99% of the time you're not using it
3) Glad you bought American for a change
4) Your manhood and life choices are both in question for buying a pickup with a camel interior

by 75alum 2014-10-25, 10:46

SeeRockCity wrote:It it done

Here it is while airing out, ("new car" air freshener makes me want to vomit):

Nice find. You may use it more than you think in winter. Highway driving using 4 WD high makes for a nice stable drive. As long as you have a low mu surface 4 WD high is great. If you turn the wheel and feel "crow hop", time to go back to 2WD.

by **The Pantry** 2014-10-25, 11:38

75alum wrote:

Nice find. You may use it more than you think in winter. Highway driving using 4 WD high makes for a nice stable drive. As long as you have a low mu surface 4 WD high is great. If you turn the wheel and feel "crow hop", time to go back to 2WD.

GM 4WD systems also have an Autotrac 4WD setting which transfers power to the front wheels as needed. It's a nice setting for rain, light snow, dirt roads, etc

by **pulling69** 2014-10-25, 14:07

Did you order the truck sack yet?

Truck Fever - Advice Needed Truck_nuts

by 75alum 2014-10-25, 14:09

pulling69 wrote:Did you order the truck sack yet?

Do they cum in black?

by **pulling69** 2014-10-25, 14:37

75alum wrote:

Do they cum in black?

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-25, 14:41

75alum wrote:
SeeRockCity wrote:It it done

Here it is while airing out, ("new car" air freshener makes me want to vomit):

Nice find. You may use it more than you think in winter. Highway driving using 4 WD high makes for a nice stable drive. As long as you have a low mu surface 4 WD high is great. If you turn the wheel and feel "crow hop", time to go back to 2WD.

Thanks! Already using more than I thought.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-25, 14:42

The Pantry wrote:
75alum wrote:

Nice find. You may use it more than you think in winter. Highway driving using 4 WD high makes for a nice stable drive. As long as you have a low mu surface 4 WD high is great. If you turn the wheel and feel "crow hop", time to go back to 2WD.
GM 4WD systems also have an Autotrac 4WD setting which transfers power to the front wheels as needed. It's a nice setting for rain, light snow, dirt roads, etc

Yup. 4wd "auto". Looking forward to trying it out if we get snow down here this winter.

by 75alum 2014-10-25, 14:48

SeeRockCity wrote:

Yup. 4wd "auto". Looking forward to trying it out if we get snow down here this winter.

New Venture Gear transfer case

by **Turtleneck** 2014-10-25, 14:50

SeeRockCity wrote:

Yup. 4wd "auto". Looking forward to trying it out if we get snow down here this winter.

Congrats on the nice purchase. I mean, it's not a Ford, but it is still a very nice looking truck that will serve you well.

SeeRockCity wrote:It it done

Here it is while airing out, ("new car" air freshener makes me want to vomit):

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-25, 15:03

Turtleneck wrote:
SeeRockCity wrote:

Yup. 4wd "auto". Looking forward to trying it out if we get snow down here this winter.

Congrats on the nice purchase. I mean, it's not a Ford, but it is still a very nice looking truck that will serve you well.

SeeRockCity wrote:It it done

Here it is while airing out, ("new car" air freshener makes me want to vomit):

Ha. Yeah, my first GM vehicle. tWife's late father was an engineer at "Ford's" for his whole career. I started out looking for an F150 but this was too good a deal. After some research, I was sold on the 5.3l V8. This one is also before AFM was introduced.

by **The Pantry** 2014-10-25, 15:05

SeeRockCity wrote:

Yup. 4wd "auto". Looking forward to trying it out if we get snow down here this winter.

Does your new ride have a locking rear differential? If not, Autotrac is great in the rain and other situations where one of the rear wheels might spin

by **Turtleneck** 2014-10-25, 15:12

SeeRockCity wrote:

Ha. Yeah, my first GM vehicle. tWife's late father was an engineer at "Ford's" for his whole career. I started out looking for an F150 but this was too good a deal. After some research, I was sold on the 5.3l V8. This one is also before AFM was introduced.

Honestly, it just comes down to preference. I am not sure that one is so much better than the other.

I can't believe I typed that. Must be the solidarity of Michigan day.

by **SeeRockCity** 2014-10-25, 17:18

The Pantry wrote:
SeeRockCity wrote:

Yup. 4wd "auto". Looking forward to trying it out if we get snow down here this winter.
Does your new ride have a locking rear differential? If not, Autotrac is great in the rain and other situations where one of the rear wheels might spin

It does. One of the reasons I couldn't pass on it. Towing package / Suspension, 4wd, Z off road package, 2 owners, always a Georgia truck.

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