Truck questions from a sedan driver.

Depends on how you use and how long you keep a vehicle. Buddies Dodge Ram has step that go into rocker panel. Would I but that HE!! No ... rockers rust fast enough without putting salt on inside!!

I tried them all; Ford ranger could not get into easily windshield was too angled. Toyota always a good option. Good luck finding used

I’m Leary about GM/Chevy reliability

 

Sometimes you have to go with what you already have, especially being retired. I couldn't afford what's out there in trucks right now as much as I'd like to, especially used trucks. My 2001 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 4.7l V8 engine and tow package that includes 3.91 gears is rated at 6200 pounds tow capacity. It gets 17 mpg not loaded, about 14 mpg with a load like in the picture. I've been hauling big loads with it for 5 years no problems so far. It's also nice when you get home with a load of firewood just unhook the trailer and go where you need to go or in my case sometimes it's too wet to get back to my wood processing area I can leave the loaded trailer sit just off my driveway until things dry up a bit.

 

I have an 04 F150 that gets used when needed and run my 98 Escort wagon for everything else.

 

I get over 20 mpg with my nearly 400 hp 5.0 supercrew 4x4 f150. Long trips i get 22 mpg, but I get 17 mpg at worst towing 3500 lbs of boat to the lake and back.

It depends on what is an acceptable mpg to you and what you want to do with it. Also, a crew cab full size with a 6.5' bed won't fit in any normal sized garage. My truck barely fits in my garage and it's a 5.5" bed

Be forewarned, that any diesel will actually cost you more to run than a gas engine. The only way that a diesel will cost less is if you tow a certain amount of the time it's running.

 

No, unibody is that the frame is welded to the body. Body on frame, it's a real frame, that the body sits on. Body on frame are much more heavy duty.

 

Lol, you can do it. 4500 lb tow capacity with my V8 Audi allroad. I regularly towed 4500 lbs of firewood, truck shaming all the lifted bro'd out 3/4 ton trucks all the way home.

Funny thing though, is that my full sized truck gets better mpg than my V8 Audi did, and it can tow about 3x as much as the Audi could.

 

Sounds like you were in my position in 2004.

 

Don’t tell me I can’t load 80 bundles of shingles in a Saab 9000 and strapping, lumber and rest in a 5x 10 Trailer!! Done it Granted steering was iffy

wouldn’t let my kid do it! Or do it again!!

 

Obviously you could, but probably shouldn't have.

 

Although most people are talking tucks, SUVs are good too. The mid-large can haul a whole bunch of people or stuff and keep them dry (important to me in case I am ever in the position where I have to haul all my pets and other stuff at the same time - or pellets when it is rainy). It drives me nuts that my first Explorer ('03), I could haul a full sheet of plywood. The new Explorers, not quite. You could if you could get them in the back door. But if you have /have access to a trailer, then that issue goes away - or get an Expedition or other large SUV (I assume). That being said, if you are thinking trailer anyway, maybe a smaller SUV would work - keeping in mind the below.

IF you decide on an SUV, make sure you know what you want to tow. You say a couple hundred pounds now, but do you really want to tow more every once in a while? Maybe even if it is to rent a U-haul once per year? Make sure the vehicle has a tow package that will handle the max amount. I deliberately looked for Class III tow capability so hauling pellets doesn't overload it or the transmission even though the '03 handled it fine for the short drives I make.

 

JackHammer...How much you wanna spend, I will be happy to pick something out for you!!

 

Wanna go truck shopping for me? Awesome! 20k +/- 5? I will FedEx you a pack of bills.

 

It’s important to look under a vehicle for corrosion. In the rust belt vehicles body can look great but the frame be completely rotted. If you don’t know what to look for bring it to someone independent from the deal to inspect.

 

Heck...I will come and pick it up, Just the kinda guy I am!!

 

One thing to remember is that that 03 explorer was body on frame construction, like a pickup truck. They inherently tow and haul better than unibody construction. My mom has an 02 V8 explorer, just like your old one for hauling the heavy stuff. Otherwise she has a newer Edge cuv for most other stuff, and even that can tow a decent amount.

 

slap the 6x10 or 4x8 trailer behind the 16 escape mpg hwy 15, vs 30 without. stays about the same with apx 1000 on trailer. do not do that often that is what the 250 is for.

 

Those don't last long in our neck of the woods. There has been 2 in the family and they both rusted to junk.

 

But I will be doing all the legwork...Probably get thirsty!!