Opinions on trucks

[canoetrpr]

Not directly tractor related but I trust you guys and value your opinion.

I've pondered getting a truck off and on. I don't specifically have a need for a truck on a day to day basis but the odd thing does come up when you have a hobby farm and it would be nice to have one when you need it.

Most of the time it will be driven unloaded by me about 50 km each way to work so about 60 miles or so per day. The drive is highway - more like country road 50mph.

Fuel economy is important. I don't need more than a 1/2 ton but have pondered a 3/4 ton as they are available in diesel. After my tractor I've decided that I really like diesel vehicles!

I'm considering new and used so give me your thoughts on both and any particular model years that are good or to avoid.

Reliability is a must. I've had excellent reliability from my Hondas and not owned a car from the big 3 for a while but I am open minded and willing to consider that they are more reliable these days. Plus there are not that many import trucks anyway.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[JiminGa]

for your rare use of a truck, I'd suggest buying an old beater that's fairly dependable and keep the car for your commute. no way you'll find something with good enough fuel mileage to make you happy for a commuter.

 

[ME83]

I agree, if you want fuel economy then you need a car. I have a 2005 1/2 ton Silverado 4wd, and average 15.5 mpg in the winter and 17.5 in the summer. I drive a mix of highway and back roads, and have a heavy foot. In 2010, GM is suppose to come out with a 1/2 ton Diesel that will get about a 30% improvement in mpg.

If you know how to wrench on a vehicle, my vote would be for an older beater truck and keep the car for work. Otherwise if you get a truck and want to use it for daily errands, get a crew cab. I have an extended cab and wish I bought a crew cab.

 

[RollingsFarms]

might wanna consider a Ford Ranger(unless youll be towing your tractor).

 

[canoetrpr]

Don't get me wrong here folks. I know a truck is not going to compare to a car in MPG. I currently drive our Honda Odyssey van to work. I get about 11L/100 km ~= 21 MPG.

If 18 MPG is possible in a truck then its not worthwhile to me to have an extra vehicle lying around that I have to insure and maintain.

I was really looking forward to the 1/2 ton diesels that were rumored. Haven't heard much about them. Not sure I'd jump into the first model year but I might with an extended warranty I guess.

 

[john_bud]

All 1/2 ton diesel projects are on hold or canceled by GM, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, etc. The new diesels with the DPF have lost all mpg advantange and the high cost of maintenance, repairs, fuel and higher purchase price make them a bad deal for the casual user. Only make sense for the regular tower.

I would say to get a 1/2 ton with a small V8. If you want used, a GM in 2000 to now. In ford the same. The Dodges with the hemi's that don't have the selective cylinder technology suck fuel down like a sailor on leave. All are able to tow in the 6000 to 9000 pound range depending on options, etc. The 2009's all have MUCH better mpg's than the older ones. The new ones are 20 on the freeway regularly where the older ones were 16-17.

The smaller than 1/2 ton trucks are all pretty good with the Toyota leading the pack, but none of them really get great mpg's.

 

[framer]

Bought 08 Tundra 1/2 ton but i use more like 3/4.Excellent power 15 mpg.
average.Drove Chevy's for most of 35 yrs.If you look at domestics try Fords

 

[shvl73]

My '08 F-150 gets 15-16mpg consistantly, 10-11mpg towing. I think that's pretty good. The '09's may get slightly more, depending on spec. I'm very pleased on the initial quality, though at only 7500 miles, I still consider it new. I don't expect any suprises over the long term.
I'll admit a long held bias to Ford, so I didn't try out all the brands, only Toyota.

 

[LBrown59]

I agree, if you want fuel economy then you need a car.

Or an import pick up.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have to agree with the others and say get 2 vehicles. You need a 5 year old 1/2 ton with a V8 and tow package. Very important to get the tow package because this usually includes a larger radiator, tranny cooler, heavier suspension in the rear, better gear ratio for towing, and hitch/wiring for pulling a trailer. For example my 2007 F-150 with these items has a 9,200# tow rating and I routinely pull 7,000# and upt0 9,000# with it. It does great with the 7K load and gets 11mpg but really falls off with the 9K load.

I picked up a 1999 Saturn SC 2 a year ago for $2850 and had to put a new exhaust and tires on it. It gets 38 on the highway and 32 in town. We already had 3 trucks, a 2004 F-250 4x4 diesel, a 2006 F-350 4x4 diesel, and a 2007 V8 4x4 F-150 so we were in the opposite situation as you needing a car. This little Saturn sips the fuel while the two diesels average 17 and can squeak out 23 on the highway while the F-150 gets 14.6 in town and 17 on the highway.

Chris