jejeosborne
Veteran Member
I ordered my last two trucks. Get what you want. Dirtbikes wouldn't fit without taking off the tires. Not going to convince me that a suburban would suite me better but nice try.
Finally replaced old truck
- Thread starter gsganzer
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I ordered my last two trucks. Get what you want. Dirtbikes wouldn't fit without taking off the tires. Not going to convince me that a suburban would suite me better but nice try.
s219
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My kayak is 18' long, and is even impractical for a long bed truck. For stuff like canoes and kayaks, I have always thought roof racks were better. Actually, when I did carpentry a long time ago, roof racks were better for long skinny trim boards too. That opens up many other vehicle options if you don't need the cargo capability of an open bed, and I survived for years with an SUV, roof rack, and trailer.
When shopping for a pickup, I was planning to go with standard cab and long bed, but because of needing to carry a rear-facing baby seat, ended up with crew cab and 6.5' bed. At least with the GM models, I didn't see much benefit to the extended cab, as the back seat wasn't real usable for humans (or baby seats), and you still could only max out with a 6.5' bed. So crew cab with 6.5' bed suddenly became a no-brainer for me. Main downside was cost, as they really hit you for those extra doors and 6.5' bed. Almost like they know most buyers will realize it makes the most sense if people and cargo hauling is a factor.
When shopping for a pickup, I was planning to go with standard cab and long bed, but because of needing to carry a rear-facing baby seat, ended up with crew cab and 6.5' bed. At least with the GM models, I didn't see much benefit to the extended cab, as the back seat wasn't real usable for humans (or baby seats), and you still could only max out with a 6.5' bed. So crew cab with 6.5' bed suddenly became a no-brainer for me. Main downside was cost, as they really hit you for those extra doors and 6.5' bed. Almost like they know most buyers will realize it makes the most sense if people and cargo hauling is a factor.
jejeosborne
Veteran Member
The extra doors is where the price jumps. Only about $300 more to get the 6.5 bed over the 5.5 bed when I ordered my Supercrew. Very tempting when I ordered but still went with the smaller bed because of practical parking.
Code54
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If you are interested in hauling a Kayak with a truck a hitch rack works great for me. I haul a 17' canoe with a short bed without a problem. The rack goes in my hitch and extends out about another 6' or so from the tailgate so the canoe is well supported and level with the bed. Beats dragging a trailer and I find it much much easier to load and unload by myself , a roof rack is a little tricky (plus always worried about dinging my roof/cab up)
two_bit_score
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Those hitch racks can come in might handy. Ive thought a few times that I could use one but those times were few and far between and I never bought one. I'll probably need it next week.
Code54
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I ended up building mine - ended up spending a grand total of $34 on it. Bought the steel out of the scrap bin (dirt cheap) at our local steel supplier and welded it up one evening. Figure it would be good for the canoe but ended up needing some 16' deck boards and the hitch "helper" worked great! Saved having to pull the trailer over to Home Depot.
jejeosborne
Veteran Member
I bought one for my FIL from harbor freight an he is happy with it. I think I paid $45 after it being on sale. They get good reviews and he too uses it for kayaks.
Truck Bed Extender
OP
gsganzer
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We just took the truck on its maiden voyage from Dallas to Corpus Christi and it was comprised of 100% highway miles with speeds from 55- 75. The computer showed an average of 16.3 MPG. I would have thought we'd get better mileage, but the truck still only has 750 total miles on it, so I suspect the mileage will improve. It certainly has plenty of power and is very smooth.
OP
gsganzer
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On the ride back, my wife got 19.9 MPG. So the mileage is improving with the break in.
s219
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You mean it's improving with the right driver! MPG on the eco-boosts do seem sensitive to the right foot of the driver. I wouldn't expect a sudden 3.6 improvement from break-in over a few hundred miles, it's more subtle than that. Also uphill/downhill trends matter a lot on trips. I always do a lot better coming home from ski trips when the overall trend is downhill, versus uphill on the way there.
