Pickup Philosophy Question
- Thread starter ShenandoahJoe
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How a little modern car crashes:
Smart car vs concrete wall at 70 mph crash test video. I don't know if a person would have would have survived the sudden stop and twist, but the car interior is surprisingly intact. Looks like the windshield didn't even break out and the door still opened.
Smart car vs concrete wall at 70 mph crash test video. I don't know if a person would have would have survived the sudden stop and twist, but the car interior is surprisingly intact. Looks like the windshield didn't even break out and the door still opened.
aczlan
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Mercedes C300 vs Smart FourTwo in 40 MPH Frontal Offset crash test (Which one would you prefer to be in?):
Aaron Z
aczlan
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Also, from the IIHS "SUVs and pickups pose less risk to people in crashes":
Aaron Z
Aaron Z
techwrtr2
Platinum Member
That's how my family did it for many years from when I was a wee sprout (71 Suburban w/3 doors 2wd purchased new through an 85 diesel 4x4) until about 3 years ago when the last one had a fatal meeting with a round bale and tractor.
Always had multiple trailers, 17ft flat for cars, Bri-Mar dumper for "stuff", travel trailer for family vacations and even a tiny one that really was meant to go behind my old Jeep CJ7. Tools, lumber, people all fit nicely inside the Suburban. In the days before 4 door pickups were common, it was a better option for the family. Plus a standard crew cab truck was a lot longer. Suburban fit in the garage. Barely, but it fit. They replaced the Suburban with a well used diesel Dodge (dad loves his diesels). Even though he no longer drives, I keep it around to maintain their property. It pulls that Bri-Mar fully loaded with coal very nicely. Same with the other trailers. The only thing a 2500 series truck does better than a 2500 series Suburban is being able to dump a ton of coal in etc in the bed or carry a load that's tall. Beyond that, the Suburban did everything else well.
Of course I'm nto sure if you can get a 2500 series Suburban new anymore. I know you can't get a diesel.
Would I buy a truck for my uses? If I had the funds, absolutely. But having previously done pretty much all of it with a trailer, I could use that just as easily. My little Subaru supposedly can tow up to 2000lbs. Have not cared to try it. My Cherokee can tow more. Many things I might use a truck for, a 5x10 trailer will do just as well. Considering that the Dodge just cost me $153 to renew the tags where my car and Jeep cost $36 and a trailer costs $12 per year... It's also going to be cheaper from that standpoint.
Truck is useful and more convenient, but for most things it's not essential. The costs probably won't benefit for most people. Somethings I would have difficulty doing with my Jeep and a trailer (like hauling home 3ton of nut coal). And if I finally find time to continue to restore my old CJ I will be happy to have the trailer for dragging parts rigs back. But again, it could be done without.
:2cents:
MRSDOUGLAS
Bronze Member
That is what we have done for the last 3 years that we have been without a truck. We have rented one from Lowes or Home Depot 3 times. Of course that is living in the city. Now that we have bought some land we are thinking about a trailer to pull behind one of our jeeps.
heviduty
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A very good question.
When struggling to raise a family you make purchases that make sense. I needed and had several well used pickups over the years, and got by with a garden tractor for a home garden, road and yard maintenance. They both served the purpose and would do so today. BUT, when the kids are on their on and doing well, and you see retirement on the horizon, it's just natural to think about things you want, not just things you need. If you have the means and want a nice truck for you and the wife to take to the mountains in winter, off road, on the beach, or just to putter around the countryside in on the weekends, I say go for it, I don't have a problem with that. If not, what have you been working and saving for all those years?
When mom and dad retired my brother and I both told them that we hoped they spent every dime they had because we were both doing fine and didn't need it. Mom died right after retirement and after that dad lived like a hermit. He wouldn't go anywhere and wouldn't spend a penny he didn't absolutely have to. We don't want to grow old living like that, we want to enjoy what time we have left even if it means buying a 4 wheel drive, 34 hp. hydrostatic drive tractor with a front end loader that I really don't need and one of them stick steer zero turn lawnmowers the wife, who loves to mow, always wanted, and letting her pick out the car she wants, then loading it up with all the bells and whistles I want...
So the question "How many times per month do you have to need a pickup, before it makes sense to buy one?" begs other questions such as, how big of a garden or how many cattle do you need to justify land purchases, or, how many times a month do you rent or borrow tools before you buy your own?
indianaEPH
Silver Member
I guess this video says it better than any words, there is no substitition for mass in a head on crash.
aczlan
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Ayep. The Smart may not have "passenger compartment intrusion" but what difference does it make if the people are dead from bouncing across the road like a pinball.
Aaron Z
