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Vehicle advice needed
#8435141
10/31/21 06:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,421
Sewer rat
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My ranch is about 70 miles each way from home. This time of year I make that trip 3-4 times a week.
My truck which I will be keeping for work is a 3/4 ton crew cab diesel with a flatbed. With current fuel prices each trip is $30-$40 in diesel so I am spending $600 a month on fuel. Not the end of the world but would like to reduce this if possible. The other and main issue is if the wife and two kids go along we fill up the cab and there is no really good place for all our gear with the flatbed. A regular pickup bed would be much better.
My flatbed is my work truck and I have a sports car and my wife a SUV that we drive around. My midlife crisis is over so I want to get rid of the sports car and get a vehicle that is better suited for trips to and from the ranch as that is the bulk of my driving.
It must be 4x4 to get to the ranch and it must hold four people and their guns, luggage, etc. being able to tow heavy isn’t a huge deal as I will still have the flatbed for that when needed. I am thinking maybe a half ton gas truck, maybe something smaller like a Tacoma to save on gas , or maybe even something like a couple door Jeep or Tahoe or suburban?
Aside from this sports car every vehicle I have owned over the past twenty years has been a 3/4 ton diesel.
Any thoughts or recommendations would be great.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435186
10/31/21 07:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,716
BigPig
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Tacoma’s don’t get great fuel mileage. Will this be a cash purchase? Either way, the money spent on another vehicle, plus fuel, insurance, and upkeep, it would be cheaper to just keep driving the flatbed and add stake bed sides to it.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435195
10/31/21 08:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,560
Slow Drifter
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Does your flatbed have pockets for rails? That's what I did and with some bungee cords problem solved. Best of luck to you, sir!
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435213
10/31/21 08:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,421
Sewer rat
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It will be a cash purchase. The sports car I am selling / trading in was bought with cash and I have been offered 60k for it. I can certainly make do with the flatbed, I have been doing so. It is just not ideal. Constantly moving work and personal stuff in and out of it and the storage issue. I really don’t even like driving the sports car anymore and I am getting rid of it regardless and I want another vehicle that can more or less be my daily driver and be well suited for trips back and forth to the ranch.
I am a contractor of sorts and just use the flatbed when I am going to jobs. Not like daily 8-5 more like an as needed kind of thing and I like to keep a bunch of stuff for work in it. I like keeping it ready to go for when the need arises but don’t really like driving it around daily.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435217
10/31/21 08:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,421
Sewer rat
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The flatbed doesn’t have stake pockets. It has built in fold up and down side rails but they are only 4” tall.
When we go to the ranch as a family we might take six rifles with us. Four for regular hunting and two with thermals for hogs at night. I wouldn’t really feel comfortable bungeeing these to the flatbed for the trip. I’m thinking a pickup bed maybe with a cover or the back of a suburban or Jeep would be better.
We have a cabin at the ranch as well and if we are going for the weekend we usually have a bunch of groceries, clothes, etc.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435271
10/31/21 09:32 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140
Dalee7892
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A couple of tool boxes just for the trip to the ranch could hold rifles, gear, clothes, groceries. Strap to flat bed or temporarily fasten.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435316
10/31/21 10:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,909
leswad
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Even though I am completely against the green scam, I would think the Hybrid F150 or the new Hummer might fit your needs. Pics of the sports car please.
FJB
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435335
10/31/21 11:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149
Hudbone
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You bring this up as a spending too much money on gas issue when in reality you want a group hug substantiatiing making a vehicle purchase when they are quite literally at an all time high. Figure out what you want and then buy it. Unless of course you want to be financially responsible. In that case, sell the sports car you are no longer enamored with and continue to pay the gas and insurance on the vehicle you already bought and paid for.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435336
10/31/21 11:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149
Hudbone
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Go price one of those hybrid 150's and then do the math for yourself.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Hudbone]
#8435425
11/01/21 12:49 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,732
68rustbucket
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Go price one of those hybrid 150's and then do the math for yourself.
Are you saying it’s not a break even deal, electric vs gas? Who woulda thunk.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Hudbone]
#8435437
11/01/21 01:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,421
Sewer rat
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You bring this up as a spending too much money on gas issue when in reality you want a group hug substantiatiing making a vehicle purchase when they are quite literally at an all time high. Figure out what you want and then buy it. Unless of course you want to be financially responsible. In that case, sell the sports car you are no longer enamored with and continue to pay the gas and insurance on the vehicle you already bought and paid for. It’s really not a spending too much on gas issue. I just realize I have a 3/4 ton diesel for when I need to pull a trailer and if it is bigger than that I have a semi so I have the hauling covered so why not get something smaller and more fuel efficient. When I bought the sports car we didn’t own the ranch and it was ideal for running around town. Now most my driving not related to work is going back and forth to the ranch so I want to sell the car and get something more suited for that. I fully realize vehicles are priced crazy now but since I am selling one to buy another it doesn’t sting so bad. As to being financially responsible we have been 100% debt free including our house and the ranch and vehicles for 12 years. We definitely blow some money on things that aren’t necessary but we can afford and enjoy it. The whole point of my thread is just looking for advice on vehicles ideal for going back and forth to the hunting place. I honestly have had nothing but 3/4 ton diesels so am seeking advice in other options as I don’t really think I need a 3/4 ton diesel for what I want to do.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435487
11/01/21 02:06 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,732
68rustbucket
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Expedition EL. We have a regular sized Expedition and get 20 mpg on the hiway. Plenty of room in the cargo area, holds 5 adults w/o the third row seat.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8435916
11/01/21 05:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861
PMK
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might look at one of the half ton running the diesel engine. I know Chevy and Dodge both have their so called ECO diesels that get really good fuel mileage, pushing 30 mpg depending on how heavy of a foot you have. I am considering looking at the Tahoe with the ECO diesel as my wife's daily driver if I can talk her out of her Traverse. Those half ton diesels have nice features, plenty of interior room, come in 4 wheel drive with a bed you could get a cover for carrying stuff securely. Just a thought.
someone on here has one of the Dodge's that can likely chime in on how they are liking theirs.
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8436020
11/01/21 07:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,533
redchevy
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Have a ram 1500 ecodiesel and love it. I’ve gotten as high as 32 mpg out of it on an empty trip to the ranch. My FIL has a chevy 1/2 ton with the little diesel, I like his a lot to and it’s also easy on the fuel. I would also consider the GM 2.7 turbo and Ford 2.7 ecoboost for better mileage full size trucks.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8436040
11/01/21 07:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,901
unclebubba
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I have a 2017 f150 with the 2.7 ecoboost and have been extremely pleased.2.5 in lift in front and 1 in lift in back gives just a little extra clearance and is much more helpful at the ranch.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8436077
11/01/21 08:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,421
Sewer rat
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Thanks guys. I never thought about the eco diesels. Those might be a great option. We have a bulk diesel tank (not red) so a diesel is appealing
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8436087
11/01/21 08:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,897
txtrophy85
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Look into a Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. 4wd, will haul 4 people and gear and get mileage into the 20’s
If y’all haul a lot of gear get a 1500 or a Colorado/Canyon diesel with a camper shell.
I drive a 3/4 diesel and I get it, it’s nice to have a little runabout
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8436223
11/01/21 11:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 132
Dove Murderer
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 132 |
The new Tundra is coming out soon…TTV6 much like the ecoboost, but won’t fail you.
TRD Pro model Q1 2022….hybridized 3.5 TTV6. Performance figures slightly better than the Ford hybrid.
I swore off Ford after 3 bad ecoboost experiences and absolutely hate that Toyota is going the same direction, but at least they fully understand hybrids, I wouldn’t doubt several hundred thousand mile ability.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8436914
11/02/21 04:49 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091
CharlieCTx
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The sports car I am selling / trading in was bought with cash and I have been offered 60k for it. Charlie
Kel-Tec RFB + Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light 300 + Pulsar Apex XQ-50 M&P-10 + AAC Cyclone Remy 700 + Leupold VX3 3.5x10x50 CDS
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8437063
11/02/21 07:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,421
Sewer rat
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It’s a 2019 Hell cat. I don’t drive it much and it is dirty. I probably haven’t washed it in over a year.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8437574
11/03/21 03:50 AM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091
CharlieCTx
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,091 |
Kel-Tec RFB + Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light 300 + Pulsar Apex XQ-50 M&P-10 + AAC Cyclone Remy 700 + Leupold VX3 3.5x10x50 CDS
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8437711
11/03/21 12:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,037
Vern1
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It’s a 2019 Hell cat. I don’t drive it much and it is dirty. I probably haven’t washed it in over a year. You have good taste in "midlife crisis" toys!
Cheers, Vern1 Texans since The Old 300 in 1824 NRA Lifetime Member
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8437733
11/03/21 12:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 145
pdotson
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 145 |
Cant speak for a tacoma but I drive a pretty modified frontier...It consistently gets about 13 MPGs and the bed is 5x5 square. I keep a camper shell on it or bed rack with a RTT. The bed fills up real fast and I want something a bit bigger.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8437831
11/03/21 02:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8,311
Herbie Hancock
THF Trophy Hunter
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I'd go with nothing less than a 1/2 ton or a Expedition EL/Suburban.
It takes beer to make thirst worthwhile - J. Fred Schmidt
The internet is an I.Q. Test, people post their scores in the comment section.
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Re: Vehicle advice needed
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8437851
11/03/21 02:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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