GM pickup truck plant announcement yesterday

[4570Man]

My ton will do 12 mpg in town driving unloaded which isn’t much different than daily driving a 3/4 ton pickup. But I agree it’s definitely not an economical mode of transporting yourself. But a dump bed makes a ton truck way more useful. There’s not much a 1/2 ton truck does that a suv and small trailer wouldn’t do better. A trailer is much easier to load and secure cargo on and having dry and secure cargo space is nice.

 

[Renze]

This is my version of practicality. Heaving firewood rounds into a van would probably be a bit hard on the body...
View attachment 608709

And being able to bring my home with me, using that same truck, is a big plus.
View attachment 608710

Like i said: pickup beds are only to haul inexpensive stuff that doesnt get stolen.
For bulk hauling a flatbed with dropsides is far more practical in every possible way, yet more expensive, which limits its use to commercial use, while for personal use a trailer is more practical because you dont haul a lot of cargo capacity around when you dont need it.

And when talking about practicality, a pickup bed campbox doesnt belong in that discussion, theres nothing practical about climbing three feet into the back of a pickup truck and still have hardly any room. It isnt even in the same league as a caravan trailer with double the room and 16" floor height

 

[dalola]

It would have to be an awfully big dump bed. Take a look at my photo again. This is the Nevada desert. No trees. I have to bring in my wood from Oregon. 480 miles round trip to bring in a load. So minimum of 5 cords per trip.

LOL... I was wondering about that! I looked at that pic & thought, WTH did he get that wood? Not a tree in sight! Quite the contrast when you live in a deciduous forest. :laughing:

 

[jmc]

LOL... I was wondering about that! I looked at that pic & thought, WTH did he get that wood? Not a tree in sight! Quite the contrast when you live in a deciduous forest. :laughing:

I had a similar thought- that maybe he was a supplier for a souvenir shop!

 

[DMax82]

For me the SUV (Lexus GX470) and trailer route has been the most practical. I can store tools/camping equipment/whatever else in the vehicle securely, and haul materials with the trailers. I have an old military M101a1 that is about the same size as a pickup bed. I also have another military trailer and a 16 foot flatbed deckover. I would really like to get an early 2000s Chevrolet/GMC flatbed dump with the 8.1 for heavy hauling, but that is probably a little ways off.

 

[Jstpssng]

Like i said: pickup beds are only to haul inexpensive stuff that doesnt get stolen.
For bulk hauling a flatbed with dropsides is far more practical in every possible way, yet more expensive, which limits its use to commercial use, while for personal use a trailer is more practical because you dont haul a lot of cargo capacity around when you dont need it.

And when talking about practicality, a pickup bed campbox doesnt belong in that discussion, theres nothing practical about climbing three feet into the back of a pickup truck and still have hardly any room. It isnt even in the same league as a caravan trailer with double the room and 16" floor height

I'm trying to walk away from this discussion but you make it hard. I'm happy that you've found what works for you; not everybody shares your needs, or lives/works around a pack of thieves as you apparently do. Hauling a trailer is a PITA: I drove over 200 miles today with my ATV in the pickup bed, and the trip was long enough without a trailer on back. I have no use for a van or an SUV; it's no more practical to have to crawl around in one of those than a pickup to get to the camp box which you mentioned. At least I can stand up in my truck. Carrying gas, oil, chainsaw, diesel, etc is a lot more pleasant when it isn't in the passenger compartment, I can do without the smell. Some people carry ten or more gallons of gas sticking out behind the rear bumper in a receiver carry-all; every time I see it I cringe. In the '70s we had exploding Ford Pintos when they got rear ended; later that decade we had similar problems with GMC trucks and their saddle tanks. I've been "tapped" from behind many times over the years with no damage to my vehicle; rather than break that record and go up in a fireball, I'll carry my fuel secured in the bed of my pickup where it's at least somewhat protected. Years ago when I was working for the Maine Bureau of Public Lands I was issued a Blazer. I remember all too well the dust which came in through the rear tailgate and coated everything, making it nearly impossible to keep it clean. One morning I travelled to check on the progress of a road we were having built, then had to travel about 80 miles back out around to mark wood in the afternoon. Listening to those paint cans rattling in the back all day long was enough to drive you nuts.

You found what works for you and apparently are happy with it; I have done the same. Please don't try to dictate what I should be driving.

 

[dalola]

Carrying gas, oil, chainsaw, diesel, etc is a lot more pleasant when it isn't in the passenger compartment, I can do without the smell.

I hear ya.... anyone who has kids that play sports with gear (think football, hockey, soccer, etc..) will also appreciate having all that nasty smelly gear AWAY from the cabin! :shocked:

These new crew cab trucks are the best "Jack of all trades" for a lot of us folks. They sell millions of them for a reason.

 

[jkh62]

Ford announced that they are dropping a few cars and adding capacity for trucks

Americans love their gas guzzling 4x4's

Some people use 4X4's for things other than getting groceries.............

 

[Industrial Toys]

They are BIG and Comfy for the Drive-In Theatre too.

 

[Renze]

I hear ya.... anyone who has kids that play sports with gear (think football, hockey, soccer, etc..) will also appreciate having all that nasty smelly gear AWAY from the cabin! :shocked:

Thats why sedans and vans have a separate luggage or cargo compartment

These new crew cab trucks are the best "Jack of all trades" for a lot of us folks. They sell millions of them for a reason.

yes, just like a 4 in one bucket on a loader. Because their weight reduces payload, they arent efficient at mass earthmoving, and neither as a grapple. As a dozer they dont function well on a rubber tired loader, and as a scraper you cant see what youre doing. Yet lots of people buy them, because they are a bit of everything.