Should I get a smaller truck?

[piaffepony]

I need more man opinions. I have a 2012 Dodge 4500 4x4 (crew cab) with a 13ft(?) flat bed. It's a beast! My now EX husband and I bought it when we were hauling bigger trailers including our big dump trailer (that I had to get a class a cdl to drive)... Now that we're divorced, I kept my family horse farm and of course needed to keep the truck.

Everyone keeps telling me I should get a smaller truck and after having one **** of a time trying to buy new tires for it, put on and (heaven forbid) aligned... I'm considering it. You would think that living in Texas, it would be easy but NOPE. Semi places won't work on it because it's too small, and it's too big/wide for all the normal places. The few shops that will, are backed up for weeks at a time and dealerships are no help either. The 19.5 tires are kinda pricey ($350 a pop) and $175 for an alignment. I would be totally screwed if I had tire troubles out in the middle of no where.

I do love my truck though. I can fit a couple pallets of feed and 50 square bales on the bed with no problems, and it rides like a dream when it's loaded down. I love that I don't have to hook up a trailer (which I no longer have) to get stuff like that. It has a very roomy crew cab and all vinyl interior so I can get it good and dirty without too much worry.. especially with my 3 german shepherds who insist on going too. I also still have my 36ft horse trailer I take to horse shows like once a month or so. I've also wondered if it could haul my lil ls170 skid steer in a pinch if I really had to...

The other cons besides finding places who will work on it is, it doesn't fit in "normal people" parking lots except for like Walmart, Lowes etc.. but small shopping centers, dr's office? Nope. It's the only vehicle I own.. I have to borrow my dad's truck or the boyfriend's jeep to go to places like that (which thankfully isn't too often). It rides like a covered wagon and gets 12mpg.

A few things to consider: I refinanced last year to my name only so I owe 14k on it and it's worth 30-35k. I would need to finance (I am self employed so that can be a real pain). I absolutely must have a flat bed so I can use my skid to unload crap.

Does it make sense financially to trade down to a 1 ton? What about maintenance cost on newer 1 tons? I don't care so much about make.. I want the best VALUE long term. I don't care about how fast it can go, fancy trim packages.. I want utility and durability.

Thanks for your opinions guys!

 

[RNeumann]

I'm not in favor of financing. With that, I'd be inclined to keep the truck for towing, trips and your horse shows. For the run to walmart or the doctor consider an economical type car that you can pay cash for. A little Toyota or similar would do the trick. Used you can pick them up for well under 5k. Good luck.

Plus, "custom" trucks tend to sell for less and cost more to replace- i.e. Flatbed, gooseneck hitch etc.

 

[Tomtint]

If your truck is trouble free now, and well maintained in the past, .. I would keep it. Trading down and paying more for less truck, does not sound like a good plan to me. I understand the parking issue.. my wife hates taking my truck, .. but she has her own car and as long as you have the keep at your disposal when needed.. I would just keep the vehicle you know.

 

[4570Man]

I'd be more inclined to get another vehicle that doesn't suck to drive and keep that truck.

 

[Spanner]

Seems you 'need' it for:
1, Towing the 36' horse trailer.
2. Palletised goods on a flat deck.

You would have to alter your modus operandi for either or both. A smaller horse transport trailer and a flat-bed trailer behind a 'normal' pick-up OR as suggested, a small car/pick-up and keep the beast.

6 x tyres @$350 is over $2,000 a set plus tyres on the horse box... wow.

If your income is sufficient, keep it. If the running costs look daunting re-assess the whole situation. It's a 5 year-old truck so its best years are behind it... Engine servicing. Trans servicing. Suspension... Just make sure you budget for all these.

A 5k Toymota-type 'shopping trolley' will save your truck from being a run-around grocery getter and make most of its mileage 'work-time'.

(I'm a guy.) Good luck if near the Harvey rain.

 

[Passattdi]

Keep it and buy a good junker. Should not be hard to find and in Texas the rust ain't a problem. Everything else can be fixed.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I don't think downsizing to a 1 ton will accomplish what you want. I have a 2016 Dodge 3500 with a 9' flatbed and I run into some of the same issues you have with your 4500. Parking spots are too small, the bank drive thru is too small, etc.

I would someday like to own and drive a smaller truck, but I just can't justify the extra cost right now. Probably about 60% of my driving is hauling equipment on either a 28' gooseneck or a 16' trailer.

I really like my Dodge, but there are times I wish I had a smaller truck. Luckily, my wife drives a Ford Expedition that we can use for groceries and road trips.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I'll vote for the cheap car route. I have a little bigger truck ( international 4700 crew cab) and I have taken it to Walmart or ran an errand but I don't drive it everyday. I love going to lowes and telling them i want a whole bundle of 2x4's lol. That being said, I wouldn't give it up because the flat bed is so handy to not have to take a trailer and it tows like a dream. I did end up getting a 3k beater car to drive back and forth to work ( almost 40 MI each way). The truck is paid for and only has some small quirks that I chase down from time to time. I have a local tire shop that does both cars and truck as well as semi tires. They don't bat an eye at anything that comes through the door. They are first come first served though.

 

[fatjay]

If you don't make your living with it, I'd avoid financing anything. If you do, by all means, you need something dependable and that is going to last a while. But financing toys is never a good idea.

 

[ProjectKing]

Keep it for farm duty and get a little car, SUV or a little truck for everyday driving.

To preserve the truck (and those new tires) the truck should be stored in a garage when it's not being used. You will be able to keep the truck for a long time if you care for it.