Trucks

[Andy C]

Anyone on here like trucks? I had a 2007 Ford F150, then a 2012 RAM 3500 DRW, which I used for towing a fifth wheel RV. Sold that truck and trailer in 2017 when we moved to Oregon. 2 years later, we decided to start travelling again. I now own a 2019 RAM 3500 SRW.

I kid with some members about Ford vs Ram, but they are both good trucks. I like the diesel which comes with the exhaust brake which makes towing down a long steep grade easy as can be. The exhaust brake holds me back, and on a downhill 6 percent grade for 6 miles, I only tapped my brakes once.

I like this truck the best, and its much easier to park without the duallys taking up extra space.

Whats your truck story?

If your so inclined, share a picture of your truck

 

[Tall Timbers]

It didn't take me long to see a thread titled "Trucks". My currrent one is a 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab long bed 4X4 gasser automatic. Previous to that we had 1999 and 2000 F250s Crew Cab Long Bed 4X4 PSDs with manual transmissions. Both of those proved to be outstanding trucks. Loved the 7.3L PSD. Prior to that I think I had a Toyota PU when they only had one kind, and I had a Toyota truck a couple of different times. I also had a Ford Courier once or twice. Twice I think, but the memory is getting pretty foggy. I never thought I wouldn't be able to list every vehicle, year, make, and model that I've owned over my life, but that time has come and gone... I can't even come close to remembering all of it.

My current truck has heated and air conditioned seats. I was surprised (literally) to learn it also had a built in massage feature. It was kind of funny when I pressed that button and the massage unexpectedly started. I mount snowplows on my trucks... that's the biggest reason for the size truck I own. The newer one doesn't offer as much visibility up front so I can't see what I'm doing when plowing nearly as well as I could with the 1999 and its plow. The back is so high I need a step stool to get into it... fortunately the truck has a built in step stool. My entire life I lived extremely frugally. I still do for the most part, except for now I get almost all of the bells and whistles when I purchase a new vehicle.

Trucks of any size are so handy to have, so useful... I think once a person gets one, they'll always want one.

When I was a youngster, I'd tease that when you saw me with a full size pickup truck and a Harley Davidson motorcycle, you'd know I'd made it financially. I got the truck, never did get the motorcycle. If I tried to ride a motorcycle today, it would probably fall on me while I'm stopped at an intersection....

I've pulled various types of trailers over the years, including one travel trailer, but don't have anything behind the truck at the moment. I do want to get an enclosed trailer with a V front, maybe just 12 or 14 feet long, so if we ever relocate I'll have enough space to haul the essentials, and we can get rid of everything else.

I do like to tease others about their "other than Ford" trucks, but truly, while I've become a Ford guy do to lots of good experiences (both trucks and passenger vehicles), I'm not really inclined to think that any of the other trucks are better or worse than each other, and the Dodge does have the diesel engine that everyone wants... I'm content with "Ford Tough".

 

[Andy C]

I knew you would soon find this thread. My last Ram had the whole upgraded interior with all the bells and whistles, but this one doesn’t even have leather interior- Which did not make my wife too happy, as she will miss the heated seats.

There is something very relaxing about towing a fifth wheel along the interstate highways, and truly the only time I feel like Im driving is when Im towing.

Taking off next month for about a 7000 mile trip. From Oregon to NC, and NC to San Diego, back up the coast to Oregon.

 

[Big Brother Billy]

NANCY AND ME HAVE OWNED 1 PICKUP IN OUR 46 YEARS. IN 1992 WE BOUGHT A NEW GMC SERRIA IT HAD NO BELLS AND WHISTLES. JUST A NICE TRUCK. I GUESS IT HAD JUST WHAT WE NEEDED. IT HAD NO CARPET. HAD AIR AND AUTOMATIC TRANS. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. NOT A CLUB. WE LOVED IT! BUT WE HAD TO TAKE MIL TO GRO. SHOP EVERY WEEK. THEN WE HAD THE GRANDKIDS 2 OR 3 NIGHT'S A WEEK. JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM. WE HAD IT 3 1/2 YEARS AND TRADED IT IN ON A MINI VAN! WHEN WE SEE A WHITE GMC PLAN PICKUP WE LONG FOR IT BACK!

 

[Tall Timbers]

I knew you would soon find this thread. My last Ram had the whole upgraded interior with all the bells and whistles, but this one doesn’t even have leather interior- Which did not make my wife too happy, as she will miss the heated seats.

There is something very relaxing about towing a fifth wheel along the interstate highways, and truly the only time I feel like Im driving is when Im towing.

Taking off next month for about a 7000 mile trip. From Oregon to NC, and NC to San Diego, back up the coast to Oregon.

Hope your trip proves to be enjoyable! I'm gonna visit Oregon in November for a few days, but will be flying. I've been going to North Carolina each spring to visit family and enjoy the local bbq.

 

[Armor of Light]

Taking off next month for about a 7000 mile trip. From Oregon to NC, and NC to San Diego, back up the coast to Oregon.

Now that is a TRIP! Hats off to you Andy, will be praying for you both. I can only sit/drive for about 4-5 hours, it would take us forever to travel a trip like yours. Sounds like a sweet rig brother.

Have had many trucks, my first and a favorite a 72' solid chocolate brown F250 390 4sp, later an 80 F250 blk/blk 302 4spd, then a 83 F150 stepside 351 auto with a 3" lift and 33"tall but narrow snow/mud tires and a 7.5' Western plow , pushed lots of snow with it. Had a 96 F150 supercab long box, and right now have a 2012 F150 supercab STX. If I did not have a tuck I think I would have a Four Runner, I like the New Four Runner TRD PRO, looks like it means business.

 

[SonSeeker]

I knew you would soon find this thread. My last Ram had the whole upgraded interior with all the bells and whistles, but this one doesn’t even have leather interior- Which did not make my wife too happy, as she will miss the heated seats.

There is something very relaxing about towing a fifth wheel along the interstate highways, and truly the only time I feel like Im driving is when Im towing.

Taking off next month for about a 7000 mile trip. From Oregon to NC, and NC to San Diego, back up the coast to Oregon.

No leather!!?? Not even heated seats!? No wonder Connie's not happy! How much did they pay you to take this heap off their hands??

 

[SonSeeker]

I guess as long as I'm here teasing Andy about his new wheels, I might as well tell you guys about my admittedly small experience with pick 'em up trucks.
My first truck was a 1984 Nissan king cab long bed with 4WD, 5-speed manual, if I needed 4WD, I had to get out and
lock the hubs! Yeah, that was the good ol' days! I was living in Washington State just across the river from Portland, so there was no need for A/C, but it did have a heater. But, here's the best part. I've still got it!! Well, technically, my son has it. He's in the very slow process of restoring it. He's got a huge back yard with plenty of shade trees, and I've already given him most of my tools. Truth be known, I have a tough time driving it anymore, just too many surgeries on this old body, and my coordination just isn't what it used to be.
I had a 2002 GMC Sierra LT extended cab, long bed. Yes Andy, it had leather seats! And all the other bells and whistles, too!
I also bought a genuine work truck when we had the RV Park. It was a 2005 Ford F-150 XLT Super cab, 4WD, LB. I liked the Ford better than the others, as it was a genuine work truck. It was listed and sold as an F-150, but it had F-250 suspension and needed E rated tires. If I can find any pictures, I'll try posting them on this thread.

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, guys!

 

[Andy C]

No leather!!?? Not even heated seats!? No wonder Connie's not happy! How much did they pay you to take this heap off their hands??

Thats right brother. Saved money on no leather. Buddy is happy. I got him a dog car blanket that attaches to the front seat headrest, and the back seat headrest, sorta like a hamock he can lay in, and stay secure in case I hit the brakes too hard. The one thing I dont like about the truck is the narrow backseat, even though I have the king cab.

 

[Andy C]

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[Dave]

NANCY AND ME HAVE OWNED 1 PICKUP IN OUR 46 YEARS. IN 1992 WE BOUGHT A NEW GMC SERRIA IT HAD NO BELLS AND WHISTLES. JUST A NICE TRUCK. I GUESS IT HAD JUST WHAT WE NEEDED. IT HAD NO CARPET. HAD AIR AND AUTOMATIC TRANS. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. NOT A CLUB. WE LOVED IT! BUT WE HAD TO TAKE MIL TO GRO. SHOP EVERY WEEK. THEN WE HAD THE GRANDKIDS 2 OR 3 NIGHT'S A WEEK. JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM. WE HAD IT 3 1/2 YEARS AND TRADED IT IN ON A MINI VAN! WHEN WE SEE A WHITE GMC PLAN PICKUP WE LONG FOR IT BACK!

When I bought my Dodge Ram in 2001 soon after the 9/11 attacks, it was brand new right off the lot. It was alot like Billy's. No carpet, No power locks or windows. It was just very basic. It's a quad cab. The first new modern vehicle I ever owned in my life time. Before that I owned a 1977 Chevy Malibu that was my first car. Sadly I probably will have to replace my truck sometime in the near future. They are crazy expensive now.

 

[GotGrace]

When I bought my Dodge Ram in 2001 soon after the 9/11 attacks, it was brand new right off the lot. It was alot like Billy's. No carpet, No power locks or windows. It was just very basic. It's a quad cab. The first new modern vehicle I ever owned in my life time. Before that I owned a 1977 Chevy Malibu that was my first car. Sadly I probably will have to replace my truck sometime in the near future. They are crazy expensive now.

Expensive is right - DH has a 2018 Chevy. I think technology is what is driving up the ridiculous price. However, it appears to me a pick up is the only thing that holds value for a very long time.

 

[SonSeeker]

When I bought my Dodge Ram in 2001 soon after the 9/11 attacks, it was brand new right off the lot. It was alot like Billy's. No carpet, No power locks or windows. It was just very basic. It's a quad cab. The first new modern vehicle I ever owned in my life time. Before that I owned a 1977 Chevy Malibu that was my first car. Sadly I probably will have to replace my truck sometime in the near future. They are crazy expensive now.

I bought the 2002 GMC Sierra in late 2001, also. All the dealers were going crazy selling everything they had, which is why I bought new rather than used. Couldn't afford NOT to!

 

[SonSeeker]

Thats right brother. Saved money on no leather, but she made up for it with extras on the trailer. Buddy is happy. I got him a dog car blanket that attaches to the front seat headrest, and the back seat headrest, sorta like a hamock he can lay in, and stay secure in case I hit the brakes too hard. The one thing I dont like about the truck is the narrow backseat, even though I have the king cab.

Kinda' surprising about the back seat. You've got 4 real doors, and I doubt they have different sizes. But at least, you'll only have Buddy or maybe Milly back there. That Buddy 'hammock' sounds pretty trick, too!

So, what extras did Connie get for your home away from home?

 

[Andy C]

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[Andy C]

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[Dave]

Expensive is right - DH has a 2018 Chevy. I think technology is what is driving up the ridiculous price. However, it appears to me a pick up is the only thing that holds value for a very long time.

My thoughts as well. I can live without all the fancy stuff. I grew up poor and just need the basic transportation.

 

[LoudRam]

I've had a few trucks. My first was a 86 Nissan 2wd. Bought that while I was stationed in San Diego and drove that across the country back to NJ. Nothing fancy, regular cab, no air, with a 5 speed. Fast forward a few years and I needed a work truck and didn't have much money so I got an '81 F-150. Again very basic 2wd work truck with a 300 I-6 under the hood. After that I had a '97 F-150. Another 2wd reg cab work truck with a 4.2 V-6. That engine died. I knew 3 other people with that engine in similar year trucks and they all had to have new engines installed. A Ford guy suggested that I get a truck with a proven engine since the 4.2 was new and problematic so I did...

It was an '01 Dodge Ram 4x4 quad cab with a 360 V-8. That was loud. I had that all customized including a performance chip, custom duals, and a few other goodies. That was a loud ram. I could set off car alarms with that exhaust. Now that I finally had a real truck we got our first travel trailer too. (We're now on our third trailer.)

And now I have a '14 Ram 4x4 quad cab with a Hemi. Pretty much stock for now except for a set of step bars. I'm now towing a 33' travel trailer. It's around 7200lbs loaded for camping. Truck handles it without a problem.

 

[SonSeeker]

That '14 Ram sounds great, Todd! (No pun intended!)

 

[John Romans]

I love this thread! I only had 1 truck in my life but it was my favorite vehicle, and it may have helped saved my life. (The real credit goes to the Lord)
I owned a 2004 black Ford Ranger XLT 4.0L V6 with 4WD from 2005 til 2011, and I could power my way through the harsh snow up here in NY without a problem.
I was on my way to work one morning and a car ran the red light (without slowing down) and turned right into me for a head on collision as I was driving with a green light.
I remember coming to again and hearing the sirens approaching. I got out of my truck very dazed and noticed the whole front of my truck was smashed in.
Thank God no one was seriously hurt. I had some neck pain but was ok.
When the police officer came on the scene she asked me if that was my truck and she told me I was lucky to be Alive.
After that accident, I started going to church and started to seek God.
I loved that truck.