Dear full-size pickup truck owners,

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by Will

it's nice having a V8 and I HATE driving 6 cylinders or smaller vehicles.

yep; I tried the V6 route in my S10 crew cab, and Ford Ranger extended cab... didn't like it one bit

[Will]

Also I am an American and I will live in my own home with ample room, on land with ample room, and drive around in a vehicle with ample room if I feel like it.

No fart-sniffing pole-smoking leftist authoritarian psycho is going to make me live in an urban cube and ride around in a shoebox for mother earth.

[Will]

Don't get me wrong, if we were still in the Bush economy and I had the choice I'd still be DDing a Supercharged Corvette like I did until 2009.

Obamanomics and the economic "recovery" have not been kind.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by FasterTraffic

How do you tolerate driving a land barge every day? If you have a pickup truck and, for example, it's a tow vehicle that only gets driven when you're pulling a trailer/motorhome/whatever, the question isn't really meant for you. I'm curious about folks who have a full-size pickup truck as a daily driver.

In your reply, please indicate the following:

- Why you chose it as your daily driver.
- Whether you actually need the pickup truck for work. Clearly, if you work in construction and you're driving in the dirt and mud and transporting building materials, that basically dictates that you drive a pickup truck versus choosing to drive a pickup truck.
- What it is and, if possible, include a picture.
- Where do you park it?

If I need a pickup truck, I just rent one. The F150 is nice, but it wouldn't make sense for me to buy one just for the few weekends I really need a pickup truck. Plus, I don't like driving them.

I was going to ask this question anyway and didn't want to completely hijack the other thread.

I think the better question is "why would I own a full-size pickup in Southern California?"

1. Concrete expansion strips will bounce the rear axle (and you) about every 3-5 seconds. It's annoying after 10 miles. After 100 miles, it's cause for a trade-in.

2. Busy shopping centers have parking spaces designed for Civic-sized vehicles. Making a double parking space toward the back of the lot is rarely an option. Just finding a space is a major score. Underground or garage structures are impossible to maneuver in.

3. Driving something over 18' long eliminates "point and shoot" as a lane-changing technique.

4. Gas (and diesel) prices in Kali are amongst the highest in the nation.

*********************************

All that being said, our last full-sized truck (an Expedition) was sold because it wasn't being used as a DD. If it wasn't for the kids, it would have barely been driven at all. Contrast that to the Jetta, which always seems to be first choice when anyone in this family goes anywhere. We still have an older F150 that gets driven occasionally.

*I still miss my F350.

[FasterTraffic]

Originally Posted by Torqaholic

Not sure what you mean by barge? Power steering and brakes make it handle the same as any other vehicle to my knowledge. Granted, the turning radius is a tad large but that's about the only reason I can see to call it a barge. It's definitely the most comfortable riding vehicle I've owned since the Caddy

The F150 I drove was like being behind the wheel of an H1 HMMWV. The damn thing didn't fit in any parking space I found. Even with the front tires against the parking stops, a couple feet of the bed stuck out. As you mentioned, it turned like an aircraft carrier.

It was roomy inside; no argument there. I dropped anchor at Costco and didn't even need to use the bed. As several folks noted, the visibility was much better since I was about twice as far off the ground as I'm used to being.

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

I think I may be the only person here who has never owned a pick up truck.

Now you know there are two!

Originally Posted by ConstantChange

If I need to haul a mower, lumber, furniture, etc... I don't have to rely on anyone else. I do a lot of DIY projects around the house, so I use the bed quite often.

We have a small SUV that covers most of that. On this occasion, I was picking up floor tile that would have spelled the end of the suspension travel on the wife's vehicle.

Originally Posted by _Nomad_

Extremely comfortable ride. Whether towing or long distance drives, the Denali is my go to vehicle. Between the roomy comfort, 6.2L tuned L9H engine and speakers that blow women's cloths off, I can't imagine wanting a different mode of transport.

I prefer the F150 from a styling perspective but that's a sharp looking truck, too. Bonus for the reference to "The Italian Job."

[FasterTraffic]

Originally Posted by polarbear

I think the better question is "why would I own a full-size pickup in Southern California?"

All good points. Had I rented a pickup truck in some areas where other members reside, my experience would likely be a bit different.

Even in the Lowe's parking I felt like I needed a couple guys with lighted batons to guide me around. Backing out was a cross-my-fingers-nothing-is-back-there sort of experience. Everywhere I went, I stayed in the far right lane and just lumbered along.

There's no way it would fit in my garage, which is another deal-breaker for me. From the pictures I've seen, some folks have garages that would pass for an aircraft hangar so vehicle size isn't an issue.

[VatorMan]

1999 Silverado 2500 4X4 bought new in 1999. Has towed several RVs and now my race trailer- minimum issues ( excluding the brake line issue). We have gotten our money worth out of it. I DD it whenever it's raining or too damn cold to ride the bike. Our next truck will be a late model full cab diesel dually.

[bradc6]

Since I work from home, I don't really have a daily driver.
My Sierra is more like a luxury car with a bed for hauling things. It is nice to be able to run to Home Depot whenever I need something.
It sits in the driveway since the Vettes take up all the garage space.

The old truck in the picture is just for fun.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by FasterTraffic

All good points. Had I rented a pickup truck in some areas where other members reside, my experience would likely be a bit different.

Even in the Lowe's parking I felt like I needed a couple guys with lighted batons to guide me around. Backing out was a cross-my-fingers-nothing-is-back-there sort of experience. Everywhere I went, I stayed in the far right lane and just lumbered along.

There's no way it would fit in my garage, which is another deal-breaker for me. From the pictures I've seen, some folks have garages that would pass for an aircraft hangar so vehicle size isn't an issue.

Our Hertz office downtown stores cars on the top of a 6-floor parking garage built in the late 20's. It's so tight, when two cars meet, one has to back up so the other can get by. The only saving grace is the Embassy Suites is across the street, and that's where we can park the shuttle van when we go down there.

I've been downtown enough times now that I think I'd seriously consider a Chevy Spark if I lived there. Otherwise, I despise that little car, but in town it's tiny size makes a certain amount of sense. A crew cab pickup or a Suburban is just a PITA.

[LT4fun]

I've still got my '03 Ford Ranger Ext cab 4x4. It seems me or my wife is always using it to haul something. Plants, trees, mulch, rock, gas cans to be refilled for the mower, refilled propane tank for the gas grill.

Yeah I could haul that stuff in a car, but with a truck there is no worry of messing up the back of a car or having gasoline or propane get inside of the vehicle. On rare occasions, I might haul a tank of acetylene or a tank of argon too. You don't want that inside your vehicle either.

The truck sits high so it has good visibility and has 4.10 gears and a 4.0L engine so it's got good take off from stop lights, even if the gas mileage sucks.

I've been rear-ended in the truck and my hitch saved me. The Hyundai Santa Fe that hit me got a messed up front bumper, grill and lost all of their refrigerant out of their condenser. My truck just got a couple of minor scratches.

The 4x4 is good in the rain and the snow(when we get it) as well as hauling wood from trees, that seem to always fall in the woods in my back yard, to the wood pile.

I've got a tree top right now that I need to cut up. I'm just waiting for the honeybees to leave and for my back to get better as I strained it last Wednesday.

Anyway, I can't see not having a truck. There is always something that comes up where it's just the right tool for the job.

edit: I reread the title of the thread and see that you wanted to know about full sized trucks. I wish I had a full size truck, if I did, I'd use it for the same uses.

[RED-85-Z51]

Originally Posted by FasterTraffic

All good points. Had I rented a pickup truck in some areas where other members reside, my experience would likely be a bit different.

Even in the Lowe's parking I felt like I needed a couple guys with lighted batons to guide me around. Backing out was a cross-my-fingers-nothing-is-back-there sort of experience. Everywhere I went, I stayed in the far right lane and just lumbered along.

There's no way it would fit in my garage, which is another deal-breaker for me. From the pictures I've seen, some folks have garages that would pass for an aircraft hangar so vehicle size isn't an issue.

You;d have gotten a kick out of me backing my dually, with the 16 foot trailer atached, through the parking lot at Lowes a couple months ago. Figure, the whole mess is about 45 feet long, hooked up...I had to back out of a spot near the front of an aisle, down the aisle, and into the main through-way at the front of the building, becasue some assclown with a trailer blocked me in from the front...it was tight but, no biggie.

Trucks..are a frame of mind.

[C5Nate]

Originally Posted by FasterTraffic

How do you tolerate driving a land barge every day? If you have a pickup truck and, for example, it's a tow vehicle that only gets driven when you're pulling a trailer/motorhome/whatever, the question isn't really meant for you. I'm curious about folks who have a full-size pickup truck as a daily driver.

This is an easy question for me.

- Why you chose it as your daily driver.

Why not?

Great in traffic, you can see everything.

Nobody gets in your way, if you want to change lanes people get out of your way.

NEVER,EVER have to borrow someones truck.

Since I do all my own remodeling and work around the house I am always picking up stuff you need a truck for.

I cant remember all the times we go out to antique shops and come home with something that needs a truck bed to haul it home.

- Whether you actually need the pickup truck for work.

Nope, not for work. Because I like to drive a truck. I've had at least 1 truck to drive since I was 16.

- What it is and, if possible, include a picture

2003 GMC 25000 Sierra LT Crew Cab Duramax Diesel



Hard to haul stuff like this with a Hyundai




Park

Wherever I want to park. You only need basic driving skill to park it, it aint rocket surgery.
I wont fit in my garage, just a couple inches too tall. Leaves more room for toys.


Summery, I can tow up to 20,000 lbs, haul 5 ADULTS in comfort, turn 12's in the 1/4 mile, get 23+ mpg, know my family is safer in this vehicle than a little car. You never know when some azzhat is going to cross lanes and hit you head on.


When I bought the truck, I was driving 340 miles a week to work, all highway. So something that I could put 300k miles on it, get decent mileage, a safe vehicle, 4 wheel drive and I like driving a truck.

[Dave]

I drive a C5, wife drives an Avalanche.
4x4, tows, hauls, comfortable for all 4 of us and will last forever. Stuff goes in the back of that thing with enough regularity that renting a truck when needed is laughable.

I want to know how people can get by without a truck.

[FasterTraffic]

Originally Posted by RED-85-Z51

You;d have gotten a kick out of me backing my dually, with the 16 foot trailer atached, through the parking lot at Lowes a couple months ago. Figure, the whole mess is about 45 feet long, hooked up...I had to back out of a spot near the front of an aisle, down the aisle, and into the main through-way at the front of the building, becasue some assclown with a trailer blocked me in from the front...it was tight but, no biggie.

Get back to us when you do it with a trailer of Jet-Skis hooked up to the 16-foot trailer.

Originally Posted by Dave

I want to know how people can get by without a truck.

A couple of you mentioned driving pickup trucks at a young age and that's clearly going to be a factor. The biggest vehicle I've ever owned was a Jeep Cherokee so something like C5Nate's Duramax would feel like I was driving a small island.

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Hard to haul stuff like this with a Hyundai

True enough. If you're someone who has a boat, dedicated track car, or anything else on a trailer, it would make sense to have a pickup truck and drive it every day versus having two vehicles and the pickup truck just sits when you're not towing. That is, assuming you use said trailer-thing on a regular basis.

[Torqaholic]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

I think I may be the only person here who has never owned a pick up truck.

I am on my 4th one.

First one was this model.


Might still be driving it if the frame hadn't broke

[Sea Six]

Originally Posted by Torqaholic

I am on my 4th one.

First one was this model.


Might still be driving it if the frame hadn't broke

How did you manage to break the frame?

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

How did you manage to break the frame?

It's a dark time he doesn't like to talk about....

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by American Made

Not a truck technically but I drive an escalade because it's hated by people. It's very comfortable and has great power for being a tank. People don't cut me off like they used to when I had a sports car. Vision is better being a little higher up to see ahead easier. It's nice not looking at someones rear bumper all the time in traffic. Thomas drives one too. Those are my reasons for now.

I've had two brand spankin' new Silverado trucks over the years. Loved them both. The Escalade is kind of a polarizing ride. People seem to love them or rail on them unmercifully. Can't beat them in my opinion, I've had two.

[ZipZap]

More comfortable and advanced than the car in the garage. I drive the vette on days where I want to enjoy the driving experience, and when it's nice weather. That's about 30% of the time.

The truck hauls a race trailer on the weekend and gets me to work most days. I have a space at work. I find that if I back into a spot and fold the mirrors, parking isn't an issue.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by American Made

I drive an escalade because
it's hated by the socialists .

ninja edit