Off topic, What kind of truck?

[Minnreefer]

A touch off topic but I am thinking about upgrading to a newer full size truck, I don't need a truck for anything in particulr but I want one so I can tow a boat when/if I get one.

Thanks

Jon

[Fishaholic]

Jon

I am about ready to trade in my GMC Jimmy for a full size truck to pull a horse trailer.

I was in Waycross Georgia last week and asked a farmer what he thought of his 1500 Dodge king cab with the triton V8.

He said if it was on fire he would not extinguish it with bodily fluids, (I had to clean it up a bit).

He had a tow package on it with the oversized radiator and transmissio cooler and the trannie went out in the first year (3 years old) the second trannie is getting close to going and he can not wait to trade it for a Ford or Chevy.

I was kinda likeing the Dodge, oh well.

[Rick O]

I've always owned GM products and several of them have been trucks or SUV's. Lately I'm getting fed up with GM though. I drive an Isuzu Hombre (made by GM, same as an S-10) and my wife drives a Chevy Tahoe. My work truck is a Ford and it's a much better vehicle.

[Minnreefer]

I was/am leaning towards a Ford but Brooke's father sells Chevy trucks in Texas so... I like the looks of Dodge but I have not heard great things about their reliability. Thanks for the replies

Jon

[FishDaddy]

Jon,
If the main purpose of the truck is to pull a boat, it makes a difference what size boat you are thinking about and how far and how often you are towing. I've towed everything from 14' outboards to 5000# sailboats with all sorts of cars/trucks.
If you want to pull just about anything 5000 lbs or less, full-size Chevy 4x4 V8 will do it with ease. If towing long distances, you want the trans. cooling package.

The last powerboat I had before I started sailing was a 17'6" bass boat with 135hp and dual axle trailer. I towed it with a Toyota 4 cyl. 2wd just about everywhere I wanted to go with good ground grippers!

My oldest daughter and her husband just got a new Chevy Z71 extra cab 4x4. Finest truck I've ever seen! Cost more than the last two houses I owned before this one though!
Dick
My daughter and her truck:

[Doug1]

Well southern oregon is truck country, and I work with lotta guys who have bought new or new trucks. Chevys are nice(tho one bad tranny horror story, warrenty) The Fords seem OK( again horror story on tranny and rear axle, used truck, late model, driven hard $4K to make right) The Dodge with Cummins seem to be OK, few complaints (for serious pulling) all in all I have yet to here a complaint about the Toyota Tundra
FWIW if money werent a prob I would buy an Avalanche

[hayday]

jon-

personally, i'd get the vehicle that fits your current needs. if you don't need to tow or haul anything but your fanny and your groceries why shell out the money on bells and whistles you'll never use? four-wheel drive may sound nice with minnesota winters but a competent driver with front-wheel drive is just as safe and generally costs less. costs less to purchase, to insure, to repair and to refuel.

-hayday

[Minnreefer]

I agree about 4wheel drive, I have heard that it gets one into more throuble then it gets one out of. I have a mini van now and I like to be able to haul some stuff and I might get my fathers 18foot boat. I would also use the truck for some light hauling for work.

Doug, I think the Avalanche is ugly looking, I am looking for Dick's daughters truck with a topper.

Jon

[FishDaddy]

Jon,
I might add that my '95 S-10 V6 Blazer is ideal for me. It is the best all-round vehicle I've ever had, and I've had everything from VW Beetles to Cadillacs. It's got over 100k on it and drives like new. With the back seat laid down, I've got loads of cargo space; tow package is rated to 5000#; is very comfortable on long trips; gets decent gas mileage (about 22 on trips; 18-20 for my everyday driving); drives and handles great; isn't so big and bulky you have to have two spaces to park; and best of all, FishGirl likes it!
I only rarely have used the 4WD but it does give a safety margin if you get stuck or have to drive in heavy snow.
Dick

[Junkzoo]

'94 Chevy 1/2 ton PU,,,285,000 miles on it trans rebuilt at 150,000,,, fuel pump and starter (recently) other than tires , oil, and belts etc. NO PROBLEMS,,, oh i forgot,,,i gotta get a hold of GM ,and chew them out about this junker,, , the original rear brake shoes are getting thin!(front pads lasted 140,000 mi.)

[FishDaddy]

"the original rear brake shoes are getting thin!(front pads lasted 140,000 mi.)"

Jeff,
Sounds like you do a whole lot more goin' than stoppin'!!
I only got 90k out of my front pads!
Dick

[vulkum]

jon if your towing a 18' boat i would go with the 3/4 to 1 ton i have always been a ford man myself but kinda like the dodge also, chevy makes ok trucks but as of late they have had alot of electrical probs as every thing is electronic even the spare tire! the ford powerstroke is (in my opinion) the best pulling engine on the road, but unless your pulling everyday theirs no need to shell out the extra 10K for the desiel. a larger V8 or V10 will be fine. As for 4wheel drive, its always been a must for me not just in the snow and ice but think about those times when your ass end is in the water unloading the boat on a hill and you goto take off and no traction due to wet tires! pop it in 4X4 and your out. Toyotas are an awesome mid size truck and very dependable(i've owned 2) but not big enough to hual anything besides a utility trailer. if you end up getting a half ton truck go with dodge or chevy as the light duty fords are crap. heres a comparison of some 3/4 ton trucks at least it will give you an idea. take it easy
aaron

http://autos.yahoo.com/compare/compa...ilar&type=make

[Freckles]

Not sure if this is even part of the topic, but up until last May, we did have a '99 Chevy X-treme S-10, but we traded it in for a brand new 2001 IS 300 Lexus

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Freckles
Not sure if this is even part of the topic,

ROTFL
Freckles, no one around here would know if it was or wasn't. We tend to ramble a little.

John,
Black F-150, full size, towing package. I pull a 25 OffShore all the time and no problems. Got 130,000 miles on it.

Spanky

[asmith]

I am not really a truck kind of person, but if I needed a truck I would probably go with the Toyota Tundra. It can tow 7200 lbs, which is plenty for your boat. IMO you can't beat the quality of a Toyota.

Andrew