Pickup Philosophy Question

[RoyJackson]

Well, a Subaru outback or Forester are not big cars, and with the AWD will probably take you skiing with no problem. Add a ski rack or case on top and you would still have room in the back for other gear. The downside is, although small, they don't get great mileage. They are very popular as daily drivers around here with our snow and hills.

Anyways, if you can take the skiing requirement off the big SUV/truck, you may have an easier choice, maybe get by with 4X2 which saves a bunch.

Yep, there's a lot of room in those Outbacks and 25 MPG for most driving.

 

[Bird]

I don't think they do any skiing, but one of my wife's brothers lives in the north edge of West Virginia and he and his wife both drive Subaru SUVs. I think she has an Outback and he has a Tribeca.

We have a dealer in our area, but it doesn't seem like I see many Subarus, but in 1991 when I spent the summer in Alaska, I was surprised at seeing so many there.

 

[s219]

Well, a Subaru outback or Forester are not big cars, and with the AWD will probably take you skiing with no problem. Add a ski rack or case on top and you would still have room in the back for other gear. The downside is, although small, they don't get great mileage. They are very popular as daily drivers around here with our snow and hills.

Anyways, if you can take the skiing requirement off the big SUV/truck, you may have an easier choice, maybe get by with 4X2 which saves a bunch.

We have owned a Forester and three Outbacks over the years -- they have all been outstanding ski vehicles and great for suburban life. Unfortunately, towing a tractor pushed me into a bigger SUV last year, but I have to say I do like the comfort. Also get 20-23mpg, which isn't bad, though it plummets to 14-16mpg when I tow the tractor!

 

[sixdogs]

You are thinking about it backwards. Its not having something to haul and in need of a truck.

Rather its having a truck and in need of something to haul

You will find all sorts of uses for a truck. (at least I do). And would never be without one.

Need a sheet of plywood and a few 2x4's......forget it without a truck.
Need to seed some grass and need a few bales of straw.....
towing a trailer....
Firewood....

And how in the heck are you supposed to go tailgating withtout a truck??

I think we have a winner here and that is the answer we all should be looking for.
Plus, my wife feels way safer in a pickup and now prefers it over a car. Who would have thunk it?

 

[RoyJackson]

We have a dealer in our area, but it doesn't seem like I see many Subarus, but in 1991 when I spent the summer in Alaska, I was surprised at seeing so many there.

There's not a lot of need for All Wheel Drive in the south...but those Suby's surely are popular in the Northeast!
Frankly, I'd rather drive my Suby in the snow then the F-150.

 

[chkntrktr]

Yeah, I know. A few years ago my brothers were going to move a portable storage building and were going to do it with a 16' tandem axle trailer pulled by a Chevrolet Suburban. At that time, it was 50 miles to the U-Haul rental place and one of my brothers was by there in his little Chevy S10, so he thought he'd go ahead and pick up the trailer. No go. He told them he'd just be pulling it empty that 50 miles and then use the Suburban, but nope, they refused to rent it to him until he took the Suburban to get it; just an extra hundred miles for the Suburban.

But in 1962-63, the only thing U-Haul required was money; the rental fee.:laughing: I think they'd have been happy to rent it to you if you had a donkey to pull it.:laughing:

It's all about liability now. I'm sure a lot of people would sue if something bad happened. Too bad some of the travel trailer salespeople don't make sure their customers have vehicles with the right towing capabilities. I had one tell me that the limits were understated on pickups, they would pull a lot more than the book says.

 

[JD435Bill]

I've had at least one and sometimes 2 trucks on the road in the last 37 years straight. I couldn't even imagine not having one. Anytime I had just one and would be working on it, therefore temporalily not available, I almost felt like a fish out of water.

Bill

 

[jomar215]

All this talk of pick up trucks has made me reminiscent of my old fave - big green. Alas, we parted ways when I threw a rod on the highway like 10 days before moving 6 states away ... The wife was not happy about that one, my cell phone battery died as I was pulling off to the side and I didn't show up until 3.5 hours later in the passenger seat of a tow truck. I can smile about it now, but I still sorely miss my old friend ......

 

[heviduty]

All this talk of pick up trucks has made me reminiscent of my old fave - big green. Alas, we parted ways when I threw a rod on the highway like 10 days before moving 6 states away ... The wife was not happy about that one, my cell phone battery died as I was pulling off to the side and I didn't show up until 3.5 hours later in the passenger seat of a tow truck. I can smile about it now, but I still sorely miss my old friend ......

View attachment 280128

Is that a Unimog?

 

[WM75Guy]

We could not be without our trucks. My wife and I both drive 4WD pickups. We are both nurses so there is no calling in when the weather is bad. She traded in her Yukon so no more "I need the truck to tow the horsetrailer", a 3 horse slantload GN. Her 2008 has a sunroof so she's happy. We both haul feed and farm stuff on a frequent basis. No more having to take out the back seats in the Yukon to haul stuff.

We get a new vehicle every 5 years. We will buy another Yukon or Acadia for her to drive next year. Smaller and easier to get around, something to take trips in. I plan on keeping both trucks, my 2003 just turned 175,000 miles.

 

[SPIKER]

I have my ole F150 (owned for 12 years paid 1850 w 75K on meter,) treated it pretty good till last weekend where I sideswiped the concrete steps when the woman ran out in front waving her hands. must have run over a roofing nail then too as the front was flat yesterday... only about 500 miles on those tires in the last year. The ole truck idles high but again about 500 miles a year in the last fewe years only used a s a TRUCK not a commuter car (unless the t-bird broke or the honda SUV broke which the honda breaks more than it runs and the t-bird has to be left for woman to drive.) Yesterday picked up a 600 buck Cougar and will park the dam honda until I need the 4x4 in a foot of snow. Never bought a new car/truck spent the $ for New Tractors though I keep the F150 as I need a truck to haul things the Cougar was a buy for my area for 600 bucks my t-bird a 94 paid 1800 w 100K now at 160K still going parts are cheap and fix em all myself.

I think people that spend 60K for a truck (that sets around all time) have more $ than brains (work truck is more OK but still 60K is a LOT of greenbacks for a truck...

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

Once - When that EXPENSIVE item you REALLY needed became available REAL CHEAP or FREE if you could go pick it up NOW but it REQUIRED a pickup.

You're right. Hadn't considered that possibility at all. Makes an old, used F-150 sound reasonable. Of course, if I wanted to justify a $60K truck, that item had better be gold bricks.

 

[MossRoad]

How many times per month do you have to need a pickup, before it makes sense to buy one?

We haul more people and cargo that needs to stay dry than anything else, but we do need to haul the tractor, dirt, landscaping material and firewood, too. Soooo.... we bought a Suburban that can seat 8 and an 18' car hauler trailer for the needs mentioned. Works out great for us.

 

[jomar215]

Is that a Unimog?

Yup, that was my 1963 Swiss Military Mercedes Unimog. Nothing but sheet metal and leather in the cab and beef in the box! That thing was a tank! 9' x 13' bed, front and rear locking differentials, independent suspension, crawler gears, rag top ....

I once got boxed in at the bank by a 4' tall snow bank in front of me and some dipweed in a Lexus behind me. I drove right up on over that snow bank and the guy in the Lexus looked at me like he was glad I didn't drive up over his car. Haha .... oh, how I miss that rig!

 

[CBW1999]

I've considered getting a "bobbed" Deuce. Big, Ugly, Tough. Wife won't have any part of it. I like Unimog's, perhaps she would consider that....

 

[jomar215]

I've considered getting a "bobbed" Deuce. Big, Ugly, Tough. Wife won't have any part of it. I like Unimog's, perhaps she would consider that....

When my wife first saw it she said, "Oh, it's kind of cute."

 

[heviduty]

I've considered getting a "bobbed" Deuce. Big, Ugly, Tough. Wife won't have any part of it. I like Unimog's, perhaps she would consider that....View attachment 280190

You could tell her you're buying her a Mercedes.

 

[cropdusting]

For me the truck is like a sawzall. I don't need it all the time but it sure comes in handy when I do.
Wedge

I think this logic applies to most peoples situation. I will throw my experiences in the ring as well. I come off a family farm, I am a desk jockey now, but aside from my "day job" I manage a few rental properties as well as have hobbies that require a pickup. I have never been without a pickup but was for a short period of time was without a full sized 4x4 pickup. Durring that time period I only had a 2wd Chevy S-10 (with a pushrod tech 4) It did most of what I needed for basica hauling, but could not do much of any mountain driving. I have 2 pickups now, which I might admit it is overkill for my situation, but the one was just too good of a deal to pass up.

1997 Dodge 1/2 ton (360) The "trip" pickup. This was the one that was just too good of a deal to pass up when I saw it for sale, I didn't really NEED it at the time. I bought it with 80K on it and it is used almost strickley for long trips (when I need a pickup on the trip), mountain driving, pulling my motorcycles on or off road, 'light duty" trailer towing (trailers like a car trailer). It almost never sees any in town or short trip driving. I have mildly modified it for some functionality and slight performance but it is mostly stock. I have had this for 2years. This pickup is more comfortable on the road than my Ford (see below)

The originonal workhorse 1989 Ford 1/2 (302) I have had this pickup for nearly 15 years, it is now relegated as the "beater" only I realy don't "beat" on it, but it is now for short trips, hauling supplies, tools, light towing, genreral "pickup" duties. Early in its life I modified it for better trail performance to get me into the remote areas with my motorcycles and camping as well as long trips when I was racing more. This pickup has been across the US toting my race bikes around. Modifications include 4 inch lift, add a leaf in the rear, improved radius arms for the TTB in the front, Loc-rite automatic locker in the rear, homemade rock slider/nerf bars/steps that mount to the frame, reciever style rear mounted motorcycle carrier, on board air tank/compressor, improved transfer case, rear disc brake conversion, deep trans pan, trans cooler, oil cooler, 5 core radiator, headers, free flowing exhaust, 120 amp alternator. The pickup has close to 200,000 miles (bought it with under 100K)

So I guess I split hairs on how and what purpose I use my pickups in an attempt to match the vehicle to the job at hand. I have two cars as well, a commuter/erand and a "trip" car. Honestly if you don't know if you NEED a pickup get a full sized 2wd and it will be there for you when you need it.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I got a trailer that can be pulled either by my CJ7 or by the family Grand Cherokee. I like it that way, but when hunting, I would love to have a pickup, easier that way.

 

[dave1949]

I've considered getting a "bobbed" Deuce. Big, Ugly, Tough. Wife won't have any part of it. I like Unimog's, perhaps she would consider that....View attachment 280190

Size matters. Ask her about this one :laughing:
http://www.easternsurplus.net/images/632/632d.jpg
I think it would be just the thing for hauling firewood out of the woods, if I had a place to turn it around.