Need / want a pickup truck

[check 6]

Probably there wrong forum but here goes. I'm starting to look for a pick up as the more chores/ projects, the more I get frustrated loading things in the SUV and or having to hook up my utility trailer to carry the needed stuff. Looking primarily at a FORD F 150 with the 5.0 engine etc. Only reason I'm not hot on a Chevy is that they took government money to produce products that were not competitive in the marketplace.

So the question to those more knowledgeable FORD F 150 or Chevy Silverado both 1/2 ton and I don't need a super cab. On the FORD side looking at the 5.0 engine vice the 3.5 Eco boost. Two wheel drive and some creature comforts like bucket seats, towing package etc. Interested in others comments on either good or bad .

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

Same advice as on purchasing tractors.
I've been driving pick up trucks for 50 years. I remember issues my father had with pick ups, as he alway.s had a pick up.
The dealer makes the difference. All vehicles have the potential to have problems, as well as have no problems. It's how the dealer handles the issue that matters.
You have to find what looks, feels and responds good to you at a dealer with a good repair history. So in this case advice from .your neighbors matters the most.
I have had Ford, International, Dodge, Chevrolet, and GMC. The dealer makes the difference. The Ford I had, had recall issues from day one. The dealer was unresponsive, left me without a vehicle for months each time, and this was purchased new. Never went back. The brand with the least issues was Chevrolet. The dealer that has been most responsive has been GMC. I have now done business with my GMC dealer for over 20 years. I won't go anywhere else.

 

[kthompson]

Never been a fan of Chevy, not saying they are not good, but you will find some strong preference between Chevy and Ford in people. It if funny to me to hear a person who owns a Dodge or Toyota and will argue with you that Ford or Chevy is the BEST pickup out there. lol I am also one who did not like the Government bale out.

I have been done some casual looking for a while and amazed at how high some pickups are, $60,000 plus sitting on any company lot. You seem to have an idea of what you are wanting to use it for. Good start. I like the towing package, heated rear view mirrors and the big rear view mirrors. Would suggest the backup warning and rear camera for trailer hook up if nothing else. Realize you are trying to get away from trailer but still good to prepare. I like the spray in bed liners. Have learned with many dealers the nearer they are to end of month the more likely they are to deal. Then some others are steady regardless time of the month.

 

[Diggin It]

Dealer is of no importance to me as I would never, under any circumstances buy any new vehicle. Never have. I only buy used, usually at least 5 years old or when the price has dropped to under $5K.

I've always resisted P/Us though due to the lack of interior/protected space for groceries, etc. I've packed my 95 Taurus wagon to the gills more times on rainy or snowy days than I can remember. In the back of an open P/U, much of it would have been damaged. If you put a hard cover over the bed, you lose the ability to carry taller items. For me, a trailer has worked out better, so far.

All that said, if I could find a reliable P/U (brand/model unimportant) in decent shape under $2500, I might bite. Can't be a fuel sucker or 5' off the ground where you need a ladder to climb into it though.

Always wondered why the El Camino/Ranchero concept didn't catch on better.

 

[chim]

Since 1975 I've been fortunate to have company vehicles, and since around 1990 they've been 4X4's. We run them till they start costing too much in maintenance. A couple Chevy 1/2 ton trucks had over 200,000 miles on them and still ran OK. My current Tahoe has just over 324,000 on it with the original engine. I need to add a quart of engine oil about every 3,000 miles. The president said he put money in the 2019 budget for a replacement, but I'm not in hurry. Recent replacements have been either extended cab pickups or Explorers.

The truck before that was a Ford 1/2 ton and it had 318,000 miles on it when I switched to the Tahoe. One of the guys at work bought it and it's running fine. That Ford did spit two spark plugs out along the way. Aluminum heads.

One of the gurus once said that miles don't kill truck, friction does. A good lube program really helps get the most out of equipment.

 

[tradosaurus]

If you think you might be pulling over 5,000 lbs I would consider a diesel. The only downside is the price premium over a gas truck and that diesel is more expensive.

Since you want creature comforts I would look at 2013+ models.

 

[4570Man]

If you think you might be pulling over 5,000 lbs I would consider a diesel. The only downside is the price premium over a gas truck and that diesel is more expensive.

Since you want creature comforts I would look at 2013+ models.

A gas burner will easily tow anything a F-150 is fit to tow. And I like the trailer option more than the pickup truck. My 5x8 trailer is nearly effortless to hook up, hauls more weight than a half ton, hauls more volume than any pickup, is easier to load, a lot tougher, and much easier to secure a load to. And I still have the ability to put stuff in the back of the SUV.

 

[k0ua]

I've always resisted P/Us though due to the lack of interior/protected space for groceries

Interesting. I probably use my pickup for runs to the grocery store than any other usage. Second would be runs to the hardware/lumber/big box stores. i prefer to drive it over the minivan. It is extended cab with 4 doors and a Chevrolet. I have owned Fords Chevy's and the Minivan is a Chrysler. I am not particularly brand loyal. I will say this, owning a 2wd pickup around here is an exercise in futility. 2wd pickups tend to be at the bottom of steep hills where they will stay. If it doesn't have 4wd it is not worth owning around here. Of course you may have flatter terrain.

 

[tradosaurus]

A gas burner will easily tow anything a F-150 is fit to tow. And I like the trailer option more than the pickup truck. My 5x8 trailer is nearly effortless to hook up, hauls more weight than a half ton, hauls more volume than any pickup, is easier to load, a lot tougher, and much easier to secure a load to. And I still have the ability to put stuff in the back of the SUV.

Not sure what you are saying here. Trailer option more than the pickup truck?

SUV would be a good option if need the people hauling and towing hauling and couldn't afford a pickup. I like my pickup to be able to throw plywood, bags of mulch, bags of concrete in the bed.

Moving from the city to the country I didn't want to lack for hauling capacity.

 

[atsah]

A gas burner will easily tow anything a F-150 is fit to tow. And I like the trailer option more than the pickup truck. My 5x8 trailer is nearly effortless to hook up, hauls more weight than a half ton, hauls more volume than any pickup, is easier to load, a lot tougher, and much easier to secure a load to. And I still have the ability to put stuff in the back of the SUV.

+1...

I see lots of people pulling 5x8, 6x10, 6x12 trailers with half ton trucks around here, for the reasons you describe..