Truck Advice
Oct 20th 2005, 6:12 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Truck Advice
OK you truckers out there, my nice old 99 Dodge Ram 1500 is not doing too well at the moment, it's been abused and worked hard, but things are starting to break down and fall off (I've just put the grill back on with zip ties) The thought of taking it to a Dodge dealer to get the bigger things fixed, fills me with dread, as they charge like wounded rhinos and the local mechanics aren't much better.
So the question is a new truck or used and which kind? I've had two Rams and they're both pretty reliable. Had a peek at some Ford F150s and F250s without a salesman seeing me. And a quick shufty at The Nissan Titan, although it looked a bit plasticy. Bearing in mind, it's got to be a workhorse, I'd prefer a crew or quad cab and a V8 of some description. I would even consider a Utility body as that would save me schlepping my tools in and out every night. Any suggestions from people that drive any of these would be gratefully excepted.
So the question is a new truck or used and which kind? I've had two Rams and they're both pretty reliable. Had a peek at some Ford F150s and F250s without a salesman seeing me. And a quick shufty at The Nissan Titan, although it looked a bit plasticy. Bearing in mind, it's got to be a workhorse, I'd prefer a crew or quad cab and a V8 of some description. I would even consider a Utility body as that would save me schlepping my tools in and out every night. Any suggestions from people that drive any of these would be gratefully excepted.
Oct 20th 2005, 6:19 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by gruffbrown
OK you truckers out there, my nice old 99 Dodge Ram 1500 is not doing too well at the moment, it's been abused and worked hard, but things are starting to break down and fall off (I've just put the grill back on with zip ties) The thought of taking it to a Dodge dealer to get the bigger things fixed, fills me with dread, as they charge like wounded rhinos and the local mechanics aren't much better.
So the question is a new truck or used and which kind? I've had two Rams and they're both pretty reliable. Had a peek at some Ford F150s and F250s without a salesman seeing me. And a quick shufty at The Nissan Titan, although it looked a bit plasticy. Bearing in mind, it's got to be a workhorse, I'd prefer a crew or quad cab and a V8 of some description. I would even consider a Utility body as that would save me schlepping my tools in and out every night. Any suggestions from people that drive any of these would be gratefully excepted.
So the question is a new truck or used and which kind? I've had two Rams and they're both pretty reliable. Had a peek at some Ford F150s and F250s without a salesman seeing me. And a quick shufty at The Nissan Titan, although it looked a bit plasticy. Bearing in mind, it's got to be a workhorse, I'd prefer a crew or quad cab and a V8 of some description. I would even consider a Utility body as that would save me schlepping my tools in and out every night. Any suggestions from people that drive any of these would be gratefully excepted.
Oct 20th 2005, 6:22 pm
#3
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by gruffbrown
OK you truckers out there, my nice old 99 Dodge Ram 1500 is not doing too well at the moment, it's been abused and worked hard, but things are starting to break down and fall off (I've just put the grill back on with zip ties) The thought of taking it to a Dodge dealer to get the bigger things fixed, fills me with dread, as they charge like wounded rhinos and the local mechanics aren't much better.
So the question is a new truck or used and which kind? I've had two Rams and they're both pretty reliable. Had a peek at some Ford F150s and F250s without a salesman seeing me. And a quick shufty at The Nissan Titan, although it looked a bit plasticy. Bearing in mind, it's got to be a workhorse, I'd prefer a crew or quad cab and a V8 of some description. I would even consider a Utility body as that would save me schlepping my tools in and out every night. Any suggestions from people that drive any of these would be gratefully excepted.
So the question is a new truck or used and which kind? I've had two Rams and they're both pretty reliable. Had a peek at some Ford F150s and F250s without a salesman seeing me. And a quick shufty at The Nissan Titan, although it looked a bit plasticy. Bearing in mind, it's got to be a workhorse, I'd prefer a crew or quad cab and a V8 of some description. I would even consider a Utility body as that would save me schlepping my tools in and out every night. Any suggestions from people that drive any of these would be gratefully excepted.
Oct 20th 2005, 6:23 pm
#4
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by lionheart
Oct 20th 2005, 6:23 pm
#5
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by anotherlimey
Toyota?
Oct 20th 2005, 6:36 pm
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,245
Re: Truck Advice
I do development testing for chevy, dodge, ford, and toyota to name a few.
a lot of the US manufacturers are using old school technology compared to the japanese.
I would get a toyota hands down.
Their engines run so smooth compared to the american models.
a lot of the US manufacturers are using old school technology compared to the japanese.
I would get a toyota hands down.
Their engines run so smooth compared to the american models.
Oct 20th 2005, 6:36 pm
#7
Senior Moment
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,008
Re: Truck Advice
Husband had two Dodges and both were so crappy and had so many problems with them he vowed never to buy another.
Ford Rangers are pretty nice.
Nows the time to buy a truck with Gas Prices the way they are, dealerships are practically asking people to take them away. Are there any hybrid trucks available yet?
Ford Rangers are pretty nice.
Nows the time to buy a truck with Gas Prices the way they are, dealerships are practically asking people to take them away. Are there any hybrid trucks available yet?
Oct 20th 2005, 6:38 pm
#8
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by cabritpop
I do development testing for chevy, dodge, ford, and toyota to name a few.
a lot of the US manufacturers are using old school technology compared to the japanese.
I would get a toyota hands down.
Their engines run so smooth compared to the american models.
a lot of the US manufacturers are using old school technology compared to the japanese.
I would get a toyota hands down.
Their engines run so smooth compared to the american models.
Oct 20th 2005, 6:38 pm
#9
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by Sarah
Husband had two Dodges and both were so crappy and had so many problems with them he vowed never to buy another.
Ford Rangers are pretty nice.
Nows the time to buy a truck with Gas Prices the way they are, dealerships are practically asking people to take them away. Are there any hybrid trucks available yet?
Ford Rangers are pretty nice.
Nows the time to buy a truck with Gas Prices the way they are, dealerships are practically asking people to take them away. Are there any hybrid trucks available yet?
Oct 20th 2005, 6:39 pm
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: back in Gods own country..
Posts: 4,007
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by Sarah
Husband had two Dodges and both were so crappy and had so many problems with them he vowed never to buy another.
Ford Rangers are pretty nice.
Nows the time to buy a truck with Gas Prices the way they are, dealerships are practically asking people to take them away. Are there any hybrid trucks available yet?
Ford Rangers are pretty nice.
Nows the time to buy a truck with Gas Prices the way they are, dealerships are practically asking people to take them away. Are there any hybrid trucks available yet?
Oct 20th 2005, 6:43 pm
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by gruffbrown
The Tundra?
Seriously, the in-laws have one and its very nice, but admittedly they don't take it off road
I've heard nothing but praise for them.
Oct 20th 2005, 6:46 pm
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by cabritpop
I do development testing for chevy, dodge, ford, and toyota to name a few.
a lot of the US manufacturers are using old school technology compared to the japanese.
I would get a toyota hands down.
Their engines run so smooth compared to the american models.
a lot of the US manufacturers are using old school technology compared to the japanese.
I would get a toyota hands down.
Their engines run so smooth compared to the american models.
Here's a thought:
Why not buy a van? No seriously. I have noticed that the Mercedes Sprinter vans are widely available here through "freightliner" although they are badged up as Freightliners. I have seen numerous " Mercedes Sprinter vans" in both FedEx and UPS colours used for small parcel delivery. Excellent build quality and reliability of Mercedes and secure enough to not have to keep humping your tools in and out of every night. Good on fuel (diesel) and I believe the service interval is something stupid like every 20,000 or 30,000 miles (or Km's).Available in long/short wheelbase and also a heavyweight dually.
BTW, these puppies are good for well over a ton!!!
There you go, white van man US style!!
Oct 20th 2005, 6:46 pm
#13
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by anotherlimey
Whatever one Osama is using nowadays
Seriously, the in-laws have one and its very nice, but admittedly they don't take it off road
I've heard nothing but praise for them.
Seriously, the in-laws have one and its very nice, but admittedly they don't take it off road
I've heard nothing but praise for them.
Oct 20th 2005, 6:48 pm
#14
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Truck Advice
Originally Posted by rushman
Here's a thought:
Why not buy a van? No seriously. I have noticed that the Mercedes Sprinter vans are widely available here through "freightliner" although they are badged up as Freightliners. I have seen numerous " Mercedes Sprinter vans" in both FedEx and UPS colours used for small parcel delivery. Excellent build quality and reliability of Mercedes and secure enough to not have to keep humping your tools in and out of every night. Good on fuel (diesel) and I believe the service interval is something stupid like every 20,000 or 30,000 miles (or Km's).Available in long/short wheelbase and also a heavyweight dually.
BTW, these puppies are good for well over a ton!!!
There you go, white van man US style!!
Why not buy a van? No seriously. I have noticed that the Mercedes Sprinter vans are widely available here through "freightliner" although they are badged up as Freightliners. I have seen numerous " Mercedes Sprinter vans" in both FedEx and UPS colours used for small parcel delivery. Excellent build quality and reliability of Mercedes and secure enough to not have to keep humping your tools in and out of every night. Good on fuel (diesel) and I believe the service interval is something stupid like every 20,000 or 30,000 miles (or Km's).Available in long/short wheelbase and also a heavyweight dually.
BTW, these puppies are good for well over a ton!!!
There you go, white van man US style!!
I'm in America, I wanna drive a truck, this is not Essex
Oct 20th 2005, 7:07 pm
#15
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Truck Advice
I'm not a truck guy, but Toyota reliability and durability are generally hard to beat.
Toyota's use of TQM principles (totaly quality management) is unmatched in the industry, i.e. things are engineered properly from the start, and quality is integrated throughout the build process. That differs from the German and American makers that use older Ford-inspired methods, i.e. bolt the stuff together first, then try to catch the mistakes after the fact.
People who I know who have had Chevys and Dodges have almost always complained about durability problems over time. In contrast, I've known people with the smaller Toyota trucks that can rack up 250k miles on them and still run gracefully. Fords are arguably better than the GM and Dodge/Chrysler products, but build quality won't likely be a match for a Toyota.
Have a look at Consumer Reports auto buyers guides, their owner reliability surveys are generally accurate.
(After years of owning Japanese cars, I recently went German. So far so good, I just hope that I don't come to regret it.)
Toyota's use of TQM principles (totaly quality management) is unmatched in the industry, i.e. things are engineered properly from the start, and quality is integrated throughout the build process. That differs from the German and American makers that use older Ford-inspired methods, i.e. bolt the stuff together first, then try to catch the mistakes after the fact.
People who I know who have had Chevys and Dodges have almost always complained about durability problems over time. In contrast, I've known people with the smaller Toyota trucks that can rack up 250k miles on them and still run gracefully. Fords are arguably better than the GM and Dodge/Chrysler products, but build quality won't likely be a match for a Toyota.
Have a look at Consumer Reports auto buyers guides, their owner reliability surveys are generally accurate.
(After years of owning Japanese cars, I recently went German. So far so good, I just hope that I don't come to regret it.)