Not a crucial thread...

[michaels601]

Howdy. Planning on trading in my car for a truck, much as it pains me to do so, but I can´t fit a motorcycle in my trunk. I know my way around gas-guzzling, rear-wheel insurance nightmares, but when it comes to flatbeds, i´ve never been too into them. I knew a kid that swore every Ford he´d ever owned was crappier than the one before it, but I know other guys that have had their Rangers or 150s for almost ten years.

Doing the usual online research, but I´m currently out of the country so asking people in person is kinda tough. Figured this would be a good source of guys who not only know what makes a good vehicle, but have roughed up and fvcked up their share in the past.

Not opposed to a two-seater, just has to be able to haul a (sport)bike and dig it´s way out of sand. Any trucks I should flat-out avoid?

Thanks for the help-

 

[VetteMuscle427]

Try a Dodge Dakota... my family had a 1993 5.2L V-8 extended cab for 12 years. Never gave us any trouble. Perfect size for everything....

 

[HOORAH]

My ex-fiance had a 1998 Dodge Dakota V-6 (he probably still owns it but I don't know). It was a very nice truck, had nice power, especially for hauling our dirt bikes, motorcycles and my 4x4 Polaris 500 fit perfectly in the back without any tie downs. The major downside was everytime it went in for yearly inspection it needed new suspension and/or ball joints! We barely off roaded the thing. It was all highway miles for the most part. When we spoke to the mechanic about it he said that he never had a Dakota that didn't need this done every year!

On the other hand a very good friend of mine's family is all abour Fords except that they are constantly complaining about them. They all own one, different models, but all have major problems with them. My friend is wishing he bought a Chevy instead of an F150.

I, on the other hand, love the Toyota Tundra 4x4. I have heard really good things about it and also that it lasts longer than American trucks with less major problems. Surprise there?!?

 

[Grant]

I love my '99 Chevy Silverado Z71. I've had it since brand new, and have no regrets. Being a gas hog doesnt bother me.

 

[Super18Ordie]

I have a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT V6 Extended cab 4wheel drive and it has never let me down except for the time when I was coming home from watch and my brakes went out. But thats about it. Its been off road, on road, on the side of the road. Its a dream.

 

[rare21]

My dad still has his 1987 Ford Ranger 4X4. great freaking truck, practically grew up in it. Never stranded or broke down. I like full size better though.

 

[Jolly Roger]

I love my '99 F-150 XLT. I have had no troubles out of it and it has 111k miles on it. No major repairs, yet. Hell, my whole family runs Fords and have had no trouble out of them. My grandfather had an 88 F-150 that he put about 150k miles exclusively in pastures and pulling a trailer with a tractor on it (in other words 150k of hard miles). He sold it last year when he got his F-250, so he could pull the larger tractor he bought.

 

[gregsivers]

I, on the other hand, love the Toyota Tundra 4x4. I have heard really good things about it and also that it lasts longer than American trucks with less major problems. Surprise there?!?

I drive a 2002 Tundra 4x4 and love it. And I get paid more than enough to weather the high gas prices. I'd def check into one.

 

[michaels601]

I love my '99 Chevy Silverado Z71. I've had it since brand new, and have no regrets. Being a gas hog doesnt bother me.

I figure the more I use my bike for transportation (easy to do for most of the year in Florida... just gotta wait out some storms every now and again) the more I save on gas money. So however thirsty my truck may be, ok by me.

Speaking of fuel, anybody an advocate of going diesel?

Growing up I had a neighbor with a Diesel F-350. Maybe the impression was stronger because I was younger, but that was the biggest, meanest truck i´d ever seen in my life.

 

[Grant]

No, unless you're towing VERY heavy trailers on a regular basis, deisel is not worth it. The initial cost is usually in the $4k neighborhood compared to a gas engine, and routine maintainance is more expensive too. You never really break even, unless you keep the truck for 200k+ miles.

Since you're even thinking diesel, I'm guessing that you're looking at fullsize trucks (Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram, Ford F150), and not compacts (Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, Dodge Durango, Ford Ranger). I'm partial to fullsize trucks, and highly recommend Chevy/GMC. I love mine. My family has owned 3 Ford trucks... they're nice, but I just like my Chevy alot better.

The suspension lift and bigger tires arent helping gas mileage.

 

[rare21]

I've owned a GMC and Chevy truck (not full size though so they may be different) and i will say...NEVER AGAIN!

 

[michaels601]

I´m dreaming full-size, as usual, but my budget may limit the reality. Only expecting my baby to fetch five or six grand, which doesn´t leave me a whole lot of room to play around with.

And I don´t tow squat, so no need for that kind of capability. I only need to pull as much weight as I can load into the back, which i doubt would ever be more than two rice-rockets. The off-roading will be more demanding: probably the biggest advantage to being a private pilot? I know where all the street patterns are =)

 

[T-man]

If you're planning to off road, definately don't get diesel. If you're planning to haul stuff in the bed (especially motorcycles) then definately get a long bed (not a short bed). If you're planning to haul more than 2 people, get at least an extended cab with suicide rear doors, if not a full 4 door.

 

[sonshine]

I had a '95 Chevy Silverado up untill my sister totalled it a couple months ago. I never had any major problems with it and it ran well. Now I drive a '97 Dodge Ram 1500 ext cab. It's a pretty good truck but I liked my Silverado better.