School Me on Pickup Trucks

[cruiser4life]

Need a pickup soon and was hoping the gang here might have some insight / advice I had not yet considered...

Looking for a full size, crew cab pickup (4 regular size doors), 4x4, V8, towing capability (think dual axle car hauler with two 40s max or a boat less than 24 feet).

I have several upcoming needs, including heading back out to hunt elk in Colorado this fall. The bull I killed last year didn't fit in my carry on and cost an arm and a leg (pun intended) to priority ship home on dry ice after processing. Will also use for typical home project duty - hauling trash, yard work supplies / projects, appliance purchases / moves, etc.

I've probably spent most of my time in Fords (F150 and F250) and don't mind them but I am probably leaning towards a Tundra being the Toyota fan I am. Not really a Chevy or Dodge fan but open to suggestions / input...

So, what wisdom does UC have on the wonderful world of pickups???

Thanks in advance.

 

[CruisinTiger]

Andy, JP is gonna have a yota for sale soon...it's got a diesel engine in it, free a/c, soon to be rebuilt axles, and a beautiful rattle can paint job...I would suggest going thru Marry Ellen though for the sale, you are liable to get a much better deal with her.

 

[Carp]

If you are not averse to diesel, we have 2 2011 Chevy 3500's with the Duramax and they are AWESOME! Gobs of torque and decent mileage for that big of a truck. Plus I know that Woody has used his Duramax to tow his 40/80/Camper 5th wheel all over the country, with relatively good luck.

 

[89s rule]

Diesel. How much $ your looking to spend will affect what your looking at and for. Each brand has their own issues/years to avoid or required PM.

 

[Tancruiser]

I use an older power stroke Ford and love it tons of power and decent mileage

 

[GXO]

My dad has a 2013 GMC 3500 single rear axle and it is very very nice.

That said, I am fond of the GMC if you want nice + functional + diesel. The camper is a non-issue as most pickups could pull that. The car hauler + 2 40s is a bigger deal. Not sure a Tundra could handle that much (I don't know a lot about them) but if it could work a Tundra is super nice too.

 

[Capt. Jim]

andy,

My '03 Chevy Duramax has been a good truck. only issues after 208k miles has been injectors about 100k miles and the front wheel bearings which are non serviceable. (Changed the bearings 3 times now since truck was new.) Also had to change out my TRE's. I tow a 26' boat, loaded 16' construction trailer,or a sigle car trailer with no problem.

Jim

 

[BMThiker]

from another thread asking what the TRD package meant for Tundras...

Yep. TRD package is suspension, stickers, and a few other things. It can be added on 2wd or 4wd trucks. In fact, my 2011 Tundra is 2wd and has the TRD package (and a few others like 10,600 lb tow package )

 

[cruiser4life]

Thanks for all of the good information here, gang. Lots to think about and consider. The search continues...

 

[cruiserfan]

Chevy or gmc

if you want diesel make sure your ford is the older 7.3. i buy cars for a living and recommend GM trucks to everyone i know who is looking. the ls engines are one of their best inventions. i love toyotas but for the money you get much more truck with gm and drive trains are at least as reliable. i took mine and a friends families to melbourne, fl from charleston last labor day in a 203k mile yukon without a second thought. have bought many gms with 190k+, 200k+, 230k+, no worries

 

[elkaholic]

I would agree that the trailer with 2 40s tends to point towards a diesel and a low geared one at that. With that kind of load, I'd prefer a dually for stability, but it can be pulled with a well equipped SRW truck.

I have been running Dodge's since '98, not because I am a fan of the Dodge brand (I like the Ford ergonomics better), but for the Cummins engine they put under the hood. My previous Dodge might have been ideal for what you are wanting (an '06 2500 4x4 with a 6 speed manual). I towed an 11K pound 5th wheel trailer with it, but that was a little above what it was comfortable towing.

If you look towards Dodge, try to find a 5.9. I have a new 6.7 and while it is a nice truck / engine, it does not return the fuel economy that the earlier 5.9 liter engines returned. I am doing good to get 12 MPG in town and 15-16 on the highway running empty.

Where are you going hunting in the fall? I am also heading out to Colorado in September for a hunt and the bed of the truck will be filled with coolers in the hopes that I connect ...

 

[cruiser4life]

Where are you going hunting in the fall? I am also heading out to Colorado in September for a hunt and the bed of the truck will be filled with coolers in the hopes that I connect ...

I hear you, that's one of the reasons I want to drive this year. Butcher, process and package at camp and drive home in coolers beats paying for processing and FedEx on dry ice.

We hunt S of Craig, the property backs up to National Forest land. I killed a tasty bull last year and can't wait to get back out this year.

What about you?

 

[elkaholic]

I hear you, that's one of the reasons I want to drive this year. Butcher, process and package at camp and drive home in coolers beats paying for processing and FedEx on dry ice.

We hunt S of Craig, the property backs up to National Forest land. I killed a tasty bull last year and can't wait to get back out this year.

What about you?

I hunt NE of Craig ... sent you a PM