Opinions on trucks

[WilliamBos]

GM will be around as long or longer than any other automaker. The military needs them too much to let them go under. I wish they'd declare bankruptcy so they can get the unions out of the way.

I agree. They are too caulky and arrogant, and they need a reality check. Bankruptcy will take care of that.

 

[LarryRB]

At the fitness center where I swim each morning is a just retired Ford engineer, He claimed one day recently that one can take 15 thousand off the top of every new vehicle sold just to cover the contracts and retirements contracts that are in aggreement right now.,.. This is insane... I've said this here before that my FIL was a Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep dealer 51 or so years and IH class 7 & 8 Truck about 40 of those same years, And 30 years ago he compalined that the unions will push too far, way beyond reason and cause a collapse. If he were alive today, I can just hear his screaming now.

 

[Builder]

One thing's for sure, you'll rarely see a professional contractor using a man-step. He'd get laughed off the jobsite.

Whether it's a good idea or not, that's definately a homeowner/weekend warrior gadget.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Too bad your nissan don't have one.....maybe you have a man step envy.

GM won't do a man step, they already made fun of it in a TV ad.

GM will be around as long or longer than any other automaker. The military needs them too much to let them go under. I wish they'd declare bankruptcy so they can get the unions out of the way.

Actually Nissan has one but mine does not. The step they have is bolted to the frame near the hitch and comes out like a entrance step to a camper.

You are right about GM being around but I don't think Dodge will be. Just like poking fun when I get the chance, its what us Fordies do. GM will end up with 3 or so lines like GMC Trucks, Caddy Luxury Cars, and a mid line like Chevy with a few cars and that is it. I wish the would have declared bankruptcy a year ago, the writing is on the wall but that Idiot running the place was too blind to see it. Now that he is out hopefully the new management will do whats right.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

At the fitness center where I swim each morning is a just retired Ford engineer, He claimed one day recently that one can take 15 thousand off the top of every new vehicle sold just to cover the contracts and retirements contracts that are in aggreement right now.,.. This is insane... I've said this here before that my FIL was a Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep dealer 51 or so years and IH class 7 & 8 Truck about 40 of those same years, And 30 years ago he compalined that the unions will push too far, way beyond reason and cause a collapse. If he were alive today, I can just hear his screaming now.

Not sure if its true but I was told GM has about 300,000 current employees if you count all the folks at the dealerships, around the world, and management. If you just count the Union Line workers its about 83,000. I thought that number seemed low because the media makes it sound if GM goes under the world will stop. Anyway, he went on to say there are 800,000 living on GM Pensions. So that means every line worker has to support about 10 retires. You can see how they got into this mess.

Again this is all second hand info from my neighbor who parents both are retired from GM. Not sure how they did it but they have both been retired for over 6 years I have lived in my current home and neither one is 65 yet.

Chris

 

[canoetrpr]

I think that the unions are not as big a part of the problem as one might originally be led to believe.

Without a doubt the big 3's labour costs are higher than the import manufacturers in North America so they are part of the problem - just not as big as we might be led to believe. I've heard a number of auto industry analysts up here say that in this environment, GM's workers could work for free and it would not solve their problems.

I think more than anything their problems have to do with efficiency. Way too many product lines and brands that are not differentiated enough to justify the multiple brands. Not enough reuse in platforms and engines as could be achieved. Loss of reputation to the imports -something which is hard to earn back.

As an example, I could not believe the number of trim levels that Ford offers the F150 in. I think that there are 6 to 8 trim levels and within each trim level there are the choices of cabs, bed lengths, option packages and individual packages. 3 engine choices in many of those trim levels. As a consumer this was great for me as I was able to get a lot of different options and build a vehicle EXACTLY the way I wanted it. However, from the company's perspective this isn't particularly cost efficient. They've got thousands of trucks sitting out on dealer's lots and none have exactly what I want. With the number of options and trim levels they offer - this is just bound to happen. When you think about this in terms of the efficiency of processes building the trucks it's got to be horrible inefficient.

I mean I was able to pick a power driver side seat and power pedals and heated mirrors all separately. That means I could have picked one and not the others. There's no reason that they should not put things like this in a convenience package to optimize their processes and minimize the likelyhood that they would not have exactly the vehicle that someone wants to buy. If I was a buyer and wanted one or two of these three options, I'd bite the bullet and pay the extra to get the package even if it came with something I didn't like. Worst case you might have a few buyers that don't get an option or two they otherwise would. In the grand scheme of things the economies of scale savings have got to be much higher than trying to satisfy every individual customer with a unique set of selectables.

I find this across the board in the big 3. I think this has to do more with management and processes than anything else.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Hey, speaking of all these options one I would add if you still can is the integrated trailer brake controller. Hands down better then any aftermarket controller.

Chris

 

[patrick_g]

In virtually all cases people with negative comments about a "man step" don't have one (can't get one with their brand) and or are compensating with a "sour grapes" attitude. The first electric start automobiles brought on similar cries from the manual crank starter vehicle owners. It was BS then and it is BS now. If your ego prevents you from taking advantage of an improvement you are being juvenile NOT MANLY. If perceived loss of MACHO prevents a contractor from using a step in circumstances when it would be a plus then he needs to grow up and be a man not a juvenile that has to dress like the other boys at school and wear his hair like the other boys and...

My wife thinks it is the best feature we have ever had on a truck, BAR NONE. I don't need it as much as she does but there are times when it is handy, such as repetitive up and downs. There is NO requirement to folding it down. You can climb in any way you want. A Ford 4x4 stock height is such that with the tailgate down it is not super easy to climb in.

I have received exactly ZERO negative comments on mine. The BURLY LADS down to the feed store who load me out think it is really slick. I don't think you want to hint to Bubba that he isn't manly unless you hanker to be disassembled. Bubba could hunt griz with a switch.

Pat

 

[canoetrpr]

Hey, speaking of all these options one I would add if you still can is the integrated trailer brake controller. Hands down better then any aftermarket controller.
Chris

Diamondpilot - without a doubt, I got the integrated trailer brake controller. I thought for a minute that I wouldn't get it but would add it if I ever needed to tow a large enough trailer some day with brakes. Then I figured I would regret it if I didn't spend the $200 or so up front for it.

I do hope they can get those steps in my factory order! Will find out mid week if it took or not. I don't have a vin yet so I am crossing my fingers.

 

[burnetma]

One thing's for sure, you'll rarely see a professional contractor using a man-step. He'd get laughed off the jobsite.

Whether it's a good idea or not, that's definately a homeowner/weekend warrior gadget.

I don't mean to be argumentative and before you say anything to the contrary I certainly have lived in the macho blue collar world (most of my life), but I have to disagree with laughing at anybody using the right tool for a given job.

I think the step is a huge safety item and I wouldn't be surprised to see insurance companies (possibly even OSHA) starting to require them for commercial vehicles to limit injuries.

Let me give you one example where I have seen the advantage of the step. The Ford step is folded in a manner that protects it from the elements when stored. So on a typical winter day in the northeast when there is snow and ice in the bed and the tailgate, it is typically dry and ice free, thus limiting the chance of a slip/fall which is one of the leading causes of serious contractor injury.

FYI, I have fallen from a tailgate several times and I have seen others fall and get seriously injured. I am getting older now and I do not bounce like I used to, so if I can avoid another fall, I am all for it. Frankly, I could care less if I get laughed at on the worksite, as long as I am doing my job safely.