[floridaorange]

Considering trading in 2 of our 3 cars for a truck - maybe a Tundra SR5… I’ve only owned SUV’s - Volvo &
Merc mountaineer and German Cars, bmw, benz. Vw’s.

I’m not asking what you personal prefer - but what are the pros and cons based on your experience?

My thinking is - we find ourselves needing a truck often - my son will likely get whatever I buy in 5 yrs - and I’d rather him be in a truck - trucks these days have come a long way in terms of styling and interior comfort and accessories.

Obv slower less nimble, no driver engagement - but I could lift it off road it tow with it and load it up with toys for a weekend away easier.

[2000cs]

I bought my first pickup two years ago to pull a boat and haul stuff, and I’ve used it a lot. I talked to a lot of friends who were long-term truck guys, Ford, Chevy/GM and Dodge/RAM. All of them had moved to RAM in the prior few years after numerous engine problems with the other brands. I bought a RAM 1500 Limited, which was almost as comfortable as my 750Li. I’ve driven the RAM to Calif from eastern TN 3 times (5,000 miles round trip). No complaints. And an oil/filter change at the dealer is $100.

Downsides to a truck are parking in tight spots, wide turning radius, length (barely fits in my garage). Smaller trucks like the Colorado appeal but lack the functionality I needed, so I see those as “city” trucks.

I tow on some steep unpaved areas so 4wd really helps there. Otherwise it is all personal preference I think.
Tacoma is also a very good option.

[2000cs]

An older truck might give the truck functionality but won’t be very good for longer drives, necessitating another car if that is a frequent use.

[2000cs]

Another thought after discussion with my 4’11” wife. Full size pickups are big, huge. She couldn’t get in our truck without the running boards. The retracting ones are really nice. Also we have the air suspension so I can drop it an inch or more for loading/unloading. Once in, she can see out very well and has no problem driving it (can’t see out of most BMW sedans because of instrument binnacle and A-pillar).

[dreamingat30fps]

I don't have any experience with Toyota trucks, but I did this exact same trade back in like 2016 or 2017. Traded my Camaro SS and a 550i I had for an F150. The main reason I got the truck was to tow our 27' (at the time) travel trailer. First truck I had ever owned or even driven.

I really liked it a lot. I didn't find many downsides apart from the obvious size and it's not a sports cars. However the ride and comfort and luxury features were all there and great.

My only advice is drive different trucks. For example I hated the GMC 1500 I drove before getting the F150 and now I have an F350 which is a totally different beast and I ONLY have it for towing our now 32' travel trailer and doing truck stuff. Would not want to drive that around as a main vehicle.

Which brings up something else. If you plan to tow... look at the payload capacity. Most people focus on the manufacturers tow rating which is BS because you will run out of payload waaaay before you run out of towing capacity. That's the main reason we switched from the F150 to the F350.

[floridaorange]

Open to a Tacoma and RAM but heard RAMs have the most issues. But not sure if a Tacoma is suitable for family of 4 like a full
size. As mentioned I’ll go drive them.

[spazzyfry123]

What's your use case? Are you towing an 8' single axle trailer to the dump? Are you planning to get a fifth wheel travel trailer? Do you just need a bed to but a dirt bike in? You mention Tacoma and RAM, but those are different class trucks.

[peterfromsd]

I have a 2021 Toyota Tacoma OR long bed that I use for the occasional dump runs, moving large items, and snow runs. Hasn't let me down yet, but I also modified it and maintenance on it is a breeze.

[Watching The World Burn]

I love cars, but I currently drive a truck. Its an adjustment as I can only really view it as an implement that gets me from point A to B. It doesn't bring me any happiness or smiles driving it really, at least not like a car. But the deal is, I drive a truck for about 11 more years until the kids are out of the house and then I can get a sports car.


Positives:

1. While it is very utilitarian, I appreciate that fact because I use it to throw the kids bikes in there, or skiis, or anything really. Even long car trips, its useful as I have a tonneau cover so we can fit a crapload of stuff back there which is convenient. I can tow stuff with it, which is convenient.

2. I like my odds a little better of coming out of a crash should that happen. That gets more likely the worse I see drivers become. I will likely not be able to avoid them entirely my whole life as odds appear to worsen on a daily basis as their numbers are increasing at alarming rates.

3. I feel like 4WD is better than AWD just slightly in the snow. This is unlikely to be an issue for you. But in general, you can go off the beaten track with a truck which is nice to have.

4. Neither here nor there, but some people like the higher driving position. For me, I don't care, I neither like it nor dislike it.


Cons:

1. They are stupidly priced for what they are now. Cost / benefit is not there.

2. They have a worse drinking problem than Murf the Surf

3. They are unlikely to be "fun" to drive. Unless of course you go offroading, then I could see maybe that.

[ZL9M2]

Not a truck, but love my Suburban with the I6 turbo small Duramax. Tows the car trailer better than the prior 3/4 ton gas Suburban and will get 25 mpg on the highway.

[Llarry]

When I moved to the farm in late 2003, I figured I had to have a truck. I bought a new '04 Tundra SR5 off the lot. But I had also ordered a Dodge (Mercedes) Sprinter Van. A year later I reevaluated my choices: Van 20+ miles per gallon of Diesel and a huge box that I could fit practically anything into. Pickup 14 mpg and great for tossing bales of hay or whatever in the back, but in rainy Oregon whatever was back there was going to get wet. Advantage Sprinter and I kept that van for 18 years. The Tundra went away after a year or two.

After selling the Sprinter, I wanted a utilitarian vehicle and considered SUVs or pickups. My wife was intimidated by "full-size" pickups and I wanted her to be able to drive whatever we ended up with. My answer was a Honda Ridgeline pickup. V-6, AWD and can tow (only) 5,000 pounds. Obviously not the answer if you have a boat or travel trailer. And not the answer if you are looking for a tough-guy pickup or are worried about pen!s size. Perfect for us. Ou plan is to sell it once we have gotten rid of all the excess stuff from our move from big farm house to much smaller city house.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Considering trading in 2 of our 3 cars for a truck - maybe a Tundra SR5… I’ve only owned SUV’s - Volvo &
Merc mountaineer and German Cars, bmw, benz. Vw’s.

I’m not asking what you personal prefer - but what are the pros and cons based on your experience?

My thinking is - we find ourselves needing a truck often - my son will likely get whatever I buy in 5 yrs - and I’d rather him be in a truck - trucks these days have come a long way in terms of styling and interior comfort and accessories.

Obv slower less nimble, no driver engagement - but I could lift it off road it tow with it and load it up with toys for a weekend away easier.

I have my two BMWs and I daily drive a 2023 Frontier Pro-X Crew Cab. I LOVE having a truck as a DD. I don't mind the lack of driver engagement, if I need that I grab one of the cars and go for a drive. If anything it helps you appreciate how much better your BMW is than a typical passenger car/truck/SUV/etc. Trucks these days aren't the trucks of yore, they're much more comfortable and plush than they were years ago. There are some great options out there both in full-size and mid-size. I also like having an open bed where I can simply throw things in the back and roll out. There's plenty of modding opportunities too if you so choose. My buddy has a G80 that he daily drives, I have him looking at trucks now too after seeing how well it's been working for me. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[floridaorange]

Thanks - ya my 5 neighbors across the street and 4 other a few homes down all drive full size trucks - 2 Tundras, Frontier, F-150, F-150, Ram Sport, Ram, F150 lightening + and F-150 full size, so I’m fairly surrounded .

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Thanks - ya my 5 neighbors across the street and 4 other a few homes down all drive full size trucks - 2 Tundras, Frontier, F-150, F-150, Ram Sport, Ram, F150 lightening + and F-150 full size, so I’m fairly surrounded .

That’s borrowing territory!

[floridaorange]

[CTinline-six]

People like to knock the Ridgeline, but it's a great vehicle for most homeowners doing "truck things" and drives more like an SUV.

I drove trucks in high school when I worked on a farm, big F350 diesels, and I can't imagine wanting to daily drive one of those, especially if it is empty most of the time. I love my hauling combo of a Grand Cherokee V8 and small utility trailer. Anytime I help friends move all the heavy stuff ends up in my trailer since nobody wants to lift it into their trucks.

[dscabra]

I bought a GMC Sierra 1500 Denali just over two years ago and have zero complaints. It has most of the high-tech electronics and safety features that many high-end cars have. The Denali is luxurious for a truck, but materials are not the same quality as what my BMW M550i had. My truck has the 6.2L, so more than enough power at 420hp.

If you are interested, I did a review here:

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by dscabra

I bought a GMC Sierra 1500 Denali just over two years ago and have zero complaints. It has most of the high-tech electronics and safety features that many high-end cars have. The Denali is luxurious for a truck, but materials are not the same quality as what my BMW M550i had. My truck has the 6.2L, so more than enough power at 420hp.

If you are interested, I did a review here:

Oh, so your engine hasn't failed yet? That's good - it's problematic for the 6.2's. I have one and it failed at 50K. Service advisor told me they've seen the 6.2 get replaced (brand new engine) only to see the same truck back in within 10K with another blown engine. Not that it is happening super common, but it is an issue for that sort of year. Mine is a '21 Silverado with the 6.2.

[ekaz]

I have a 2022 RAM 1500 Limited and have had zero issues. All I've done are oil changes. Ride is great, interior in comfortable and plenty of room.

[dscabra]

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

Oh, so your engine hasn't failed yet? That's good - it's problematic for the 6.2's. I have one and it failed at 50K. Service advisor told me they've seen the 6.2 get replaced (brand new engine) only to see the same truck back in within 10K with another blown engine. Not that it is happening super common, but it is an issue for that sort of year. Mine is a '21 Silverado with the 6.2.

I'm aware of the reports and will be watching. So far, there have been 39 reported failures of the 6.2L with over 870,000 on the road. That's just 0.00045%. I saw one report of a failure with under 100 miles, so definitely not abuse or lack of maintenance. It'll be interesting to see what GM does.

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by dscabra

I'm aware of the reports and will be watching. So far, there have been 39 reported failures of the 6.2L with over 870,000 on the road. That's just 0.00045%. I saw one report of a failure with under 100 miles, so definitely not abuse or lack of maintenance. It'll be interesting to see what GM does.

Only 39??

That seems....low. The SA indicated she's seen a couple in town...let's say that's only 4. Add mine, and a friend of a friend's truck that just blew and we're at 6. And I'm not in a large town at all. I'd have trouble believing our small town accounts for 15% of the failures across North America!

I suspect not a lot of people are reporting it. I didn't report anything. Maybe I should have...unless its automatic through the dealer which I doubt.

[dscabra]

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

Only 39??

That seems....low. The SA indicated she's seen a couple in town...let's say that's only 4. Add mine, and a friend of a friend's truck that just blew and we're at 6. And I'm not in a large town at all. I'd have trouble believing our small town accounts for 15% of the failures across North America!

I suspect not a lot of people are reporting it. I didn't report anything. Maybe I should have...unless its automatic through the dealer which I doubt.

So, what is GM doing for you to make it right?