On a trip to England in 2007, when gas there then was about US$8 a gallon, there were almost NO pickup trucks – even the small Toyota ones were not seen- like, you stand by the interstate and count 200 vehicles and see 1 pickup truck- big trucks yes and some closed bigger vans but NO pickup Trucks.
what they do, i do not know. will it happen here?
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Bet you didn't see any of those ridiculous Ford Exploder SUVs either. Those poor European moms. Can'e even take their kids and 6 friends to soccer practice in style... And what will the neighbors think????
"Those poor European moms".They call'em "Football Mums" over there. ;)TFB (Bill)
I drive a 1987 ford van all paid for. Tune up and oil change like a religion. New vehicles to much on the payements and kill any gas savings. Hybrids batteries cost 2000$ So after warranty Look out!
Vans are for me just fine
My bad...
OK - how about futball mums... :-)
I heard one of those futball mums beat up her son's coach.... bashed him in the arse with a tyre spanner... Her son did play the whole next game.... ;-)
I think people who actually use the back of the truck (people who work and carry materials and tools necessary for the job) will continue to do so (what else are they going to do? (I guess they could do like I do and load everything into the back of their Honda Accord!--Hard to fit full sheets of plywood or drywall in there though and it's hard to fold them! (Well, drywall folds okay, just hard to unfold again!)), but people who just have a truck to look cool or whatever reason and don't carry stuff in it very often, may go back to more fuel efficient vehicles.
People who use trucks for light duty or occasionally carry stuff in the bed, may go with smaller trucks instead of the hemi-powered behemoth with dual axels. Maybe station wagons will make a comeback--already see more of them than I have in a while. Station wagons used to be the equivalent of the soccer moms' vans--back when moms were using them more to drive kids to band or little league ball games and picking up groceries for a family of five.
Edit: Around here I see the car dealers have a glut of big pickup trucks. If you need one, now is certainly the time to buy one cheap! Me, I'm wondering how much stuff a Chevy HHR will hold, or a Honda CRV. Never thought I'd buy a car for the looks--in general I hate Chevy's, but really like the retro look of the HHR. Am afraid I would be very disappointed after owning two Honda Accords for the past 20 years! (one after the other--I can't afford two cars at once!)
Edited 6/21/2008 8:51 am ET by Danno
I just told the old girl yesterday I'm taking the pickup off the blocks in the front yard and go scrappin............Down the road a bit, at the old vacant hog farm, there's a couple tin shacks........got my eyes on that tin.........this old truck is gonna be my livelihood............
I know a few with the HHr and they love it. Before you buy rent one for a week end and get a full impression. MPG, do I get back problems from the seat, room inside etc.
I had a Mustang for 2 days and that was enought to put me off owning one but I still like the look.
Good idea about renting first--a ten minute test drive isn't long enough, like you say, to see if it hurts my back.
If you have any back issues the slightest BUCKET in the seat will effect you. When I buy new I bring the truck to a car/truck interior shop and have them take the bucket out (flaten the seat) or you can buy one of those wedges they sell just for that purpose. Anyone miss vinyal interiors? I have them installed also, easy to clean, especially with the DOG.
There used to be a comic in the Sunday funny papers with birds as the charactors-- anyway one says that a true truck is something you can wash with a garden hose--even the interior (he said it funnier though!).
What year Mustang?
I've got a 2008, and I'm very comfortable in it. More comfortable than in my wife's 2005 Mercury Sable. And I'm a pretty big guy with some back problems.
At least ya like the look, tho. <G>
It was a while ago 2002. Soft top, 3.8 v6. Small trunk, very little go, tight inside, just did'nt feel good.
The later ones are better but still only a 2+2.
The wife's windstar felt faster with the same engine! Thank goodness for the 3 day return thing with the local ford dealer. It must have been sometime since a return cause they were surprised. Told me I need a 4.6v8 gas drinker! No thanks.
I now have a Sebring soft top. A real 4 seater, and its my second cause the first got flooded. Had a PT turbo for a year, fun car, lots of go and low mpg (18.5). Traded it for my latest sebring. (23 mpg)
there were almost NO pickup trucks
I don't know that that will happen to the extent that it has in other countries, I don't think gas has gotten high enough for us to care just yet.
I go to work in the morning about the time all the people are coming to work at the Amana Refrigeration plant. Probably 1000 workers for the day shift. I would say that out of 10 cars one will have multiple riders in it. The rest, who are coming from the same areas, will be big SUV's, full sized pick-up's...........the price of gas has not effected enough people just yet, I think it will but its not quit there.
I need my truck but would consider something else if it would do the same thing and get better gas mileage. I thought about getting a motorcycle and leaving the truck at work, take the bike to work and then take the truck out to the job site. To dependant on the weather and my desire to keep riding instead of stopping off at the shop keep me from doing it!
Doug
There are numerous reasons why pickups don't sell well in most of Europe.
#1 Congestion, narrow streets and short/narrow parking spots.
#2 High fuel prices.
#3 Wet climate in northern and western Europe.
#4 Theft. If a teenager cleans out your p/u he will receive counselling
in addition to some community service. They don't shoot them or lock
them up for life.
#5 They have a big market for commercial vans like Mercedes (Dodge badge)
Sprinter built from the ground up to be reliable, manouverable, fuel
efficient.
#6 Cab overs like Fuso and Isuzu are also popular.
Living and working in a rural area, my income was never steady. So I've used a variety of different cars and trucks for work over the years. It's always depended on what I could afford and what I could find at that price.
Putting roof racks on sedans and taking out the back seats made them pretty good haulers. I had a couple of older six cylinder Chevys that served OK that way, for two or three years. For the prices paid, they did very well.
I've also owned a couple of pickups, including the Toyota I have now, but I don't think they offer many advantages, not unless there's a real need to haul lots of lumber on a daily basis.
Considering that most lumber yards will deliver large orders on a big flatbed truck, for little or no charge, it only makes sense to plan ahead a few days and use that service. That eliminates any advantage a pickup has for me.
My favorite work vehicles have been small station wagons with roof racks and tow hitches. With the rear seats folded down or removed, the three rear doors offer easy access to load and unload tools, without strain on the lower back from reaching too far, like over the sides of a pickup bed.
Compact wagons with four cylinder engines are very economical and pleasant transportation. They make excellent acoustic spaces for sound systems and they always have more comfortable, adjustable seats than pickups. The reclining seats are very helpful when traveling, to catch a nap at a rest area when the eyes get droopy.
Having an open utility trailer available for larger things compensates for any other advantage offered by a pickup.
I currently have a folding trailer which is parked, standing up, in front of my pickup in the garage. When needed, it's a matter of only a few minutes to roll it away from the wall on it's casters, unfold it and hook it up. It's rated at 1/2 ton.
My 91 Toyota has been a very reliable and economical pickup but I wished I'd bought a 91 Honda Civic wagon instead. They were a couple thouand more at the time, so I went with the pickup. The difference in fuel economy would've made that up in a few years. So, looking back, it wasn't my wisest decision.
Edited 6/21/2008 1:02 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
I think this topic has been visited more than a few times... and for each of us there is a different answer... there is no "perfect" answer...
I've had a pickup since H/S usually 4 or 5... from my datsun diesel (1981) that i still have... to my F350's... the f350s (diesel) were what i drove everyday for years... about 3 yrs ago i got a subaru forester on the cheap off craigs list... looked to be the perfect toss the dog in the back and head to the lake car... with a hitch it would lauch the boats & skis... and would haul all the stuff i haul... for the past 2 years it's been my everyday car... it has a roof rack that has hauled more than it was ever intended for... with a basic tool box & bag in the back i usually have what i need when i need it... and i haven't missed much as far as curb finds if i can lift it to the roof... I really haven't missed drive'n a truck everyday at all I still have 1 f350 1 F250 a toyota , the datsun, a GMC dietroit diesel dump and an isuzu trooper... i use the trucks when needed to haul trailers and equipment... but they are not for point a to b drive'n...
I've seen more than a few compact cars with roof racks full of ladders & such... which i think comes back to make'n do with what you have... I think i'm like junkhound in that i take some pleasure in drive'n something that serves my needs and had a small upfront cost and remains cheap to operate...
p
I'm working out of a Forrester right now too.
It's true I've carried every thing known to man in there.
It really is a versatile vehicle, but I'm plagued with
weight issues.
It's always full of tools and the headlights are
aimed at the tree tops.
Any tips for stiffening up the rear struts?
I don't load it up unless i find a deal on floor tile for 5cents a sf... then she is drag'n... once ran up on a dumpster at the high end mall... packed full of new never installed 8" finished crown... 10-16ft i had to find styrofoam to cover the roof with and distribute the weight because the roof rack wouldn't hold it stacked 24-30" high on top.... it had a bit of "sway" in the ride that day might have been 1000lb or better top heavy... pretty sure that haul was worth more than i paid for the car...
day to day... i keep one tool box and one tool bag... some lock tools a few ballast, one ultralight rod and some tackle..maybe 100lb total... and i can do most of what i have to do...
if someone needs to go somewhere they all want to take the "barroo"
p
Henley, You need rear air bags. Not too expensive if you retrofit them on yourself. I did that with my '98 F150 after a few trips of being blinked at and worse probably. If the headlights are set for an empty load it doesn't take much to throw them up with a half ton pickup. I had tried to control this with a previous truck with air shocks alone but that wasn't enough. But air bags do the job really nice.
I've never heard of them.
I'll look em up.
they're considered load levelers and the Firestone brand is top reated....
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/47347_load_leveling_systems_towing/index.html
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Hey, thanks that does seam like what I need.
A bit spendy, probably worth it.
And hey I've been meaning to pimp my Subee!
Ford is closing the 2nd shift on the F150 line in Kansas City and shift the people to a 3rd shift on making the Hybrid SUV's. I think that it is the Escape.And a couple of weeks of downtime to sell off 150 inventory.That article or another one I saw recently thought that PU sales would revert to the 70's level where it was mostly work trucks..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I've been sizing up the Escape and trying to talk myself into one. I think I can do about 75% of my driving using something like that and just keep my current p/u for the heavy stuff.http://grantlogan.net
Who got Bo Diddley's money?
Bill,
You been reading that liberal rag The Star again?
Edited 6/21/2008 6:02 pm ET by leftisright
We couldn't get anything done on a daily basis with anything smaller than a 1/2 ton and those are marginal. We routinely reach 275K+ miles with our diesel Ford 3/4 and 1 ton pickups and usually have very minimal maintenance and upkeep for the first 10 years at least. The longevity of the components and safety of the vehicle offset many of the shortcomings perceived. It all depends on the amount of miles one drives and the type of materials you need to haul.I will concede that a finish carpenter may not need a crew cab diesel to hang crown molding but many other trades and lines of work simply cannot afford to get by with anything less. Can you haul a backhoe with a Subaru? In my experience, towing with a vehicle close to the max combo GVWR is a good way to ensure an early demise for the vehicle and maybe the driver - just watch your local boat ramp one Sunday afternoon.
man I agree.... i have to keep the one F350 but it's an older 7.3 diesel extended cab... nomally asperated (no turbo) and very little upkeep... 1992 so thats a 16yo truck that was 9 when i got it for 6k only 130k on it... no reason to sell it when i have trailers and skidsteers that nothing else i have will pull... I'm not the norm... since all my jobs I own... so... i can leave stuff where i work...
My little forester would work for alot of trim guys even if they picked up the materials... i haul 16ft boards & ladders on the roof rack when needed... it's not perfect for anything... but I know i have paid for it in the fuel savings (it's a 1998 and was 7years old when i got it for around 2k) plus it's kinda fun to drive the a/c works great... i'm still on the fence about if i i wasn't in it so cheap would i love it as much? maybe... it's an automatic also... which keeps me drive'n it... hate to try to shift and drink coffee...
cars, trucks, just like planes you should figure your actual cost to operate which includes purchase price and resale value... I've had many where if they were on and needed an oil change...many would consider them totaled
p
edwardh1
There is no one answer fits all. I have a good, solid, nice looking, pickup truck that's been paid for for a long time.. I will use it as the need occurs. Meanwhile I'll use more fuel efficent vehicles whenever possible. Or avoid driving completely!
It will never happen because pick-up trucks are cool, and there will always be cool people.
Oh, me? I drive a van. :(
--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.net
See some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Ted W.
Not cool, a needed tool. As for Vans I note no superior milage from any of my van owning buddies. In fact most get much worse mileage because maintinance on them is so much harder than maintinance on a pickup that tuneups and other such work is delayed past the point it's performed on a pickup..
The reasons pickups won't be replaced by vans is some itmes are too tall to fit in a van some items need to be dropped in rather than pushed in and a Pickup has a vastly superior ride quality than a van.. With a van you sit right over the front wheel& you have inadequit room for your left leg. With a pickup sitting in the middle of the vehicle vertical jounce from the chassis is shared equally with the back wheel and you ride is much better. (plus you have room to stretch out your left leg without wanting to chew it off after 12 or 14 hours behind the wheel.
Frenchy-
I have a 35" inseam, and I've never had a problem with legroom in my '98 GMC 3500 Savana.
I've owned both pickups and vans, and haven't really noticed much difference in ride with either. The pickups were 3/4 ton models, and the vans were either 3/4 or 1 ton models. My Savana is more comfortable than any other truck I've ever owned; I've spent 12-14 hours behing the wheel with very little discomfort. But my van is basically a passenger van, so I don't know if there's any suspension differences form a cargo van.
The mileage does suck, tho.
Shep,
How many hours do you sit in that seat? I've been behind the wheel for 14-24 hours at a stretch and can tell you that wheel intrudes just where you want to put your leg.. My inseam? Well if the pants leg drags on the ground I have a 28 inch inseam.
I've put longer hours behind the wheel of pickup trucks without the same issue.
I like how short vans are but I'm past the age where I can tolerate that degree of discomfort..
I don't usually spend more than a couple of hours a day behind the wheel, but I have driven 12-13 hours a few times without noticing any problems about where to put my leg.
I have to admit, I've never spent a 1/2 day at any one time behind the wheel of any of my pickups. The last pickup I owned was an '88 Ford.
All I'm saying is that different people have different tolerances, and needs. With the kind of work I do now, I'll never go back to a pickup.
I actually paid attention while driving my wife's 2003 Sable today- my left leg hits the side of her car, too.
I guess with my height and girth, my left leg bumps the side of pretty much every vehicle I'm in. I'm so used to it, I don't notice anymore.
Nope, pickup trucks are cool. It's that simple. :)
Ever try to pick up chicks while driving a van? The call the police! And a car, well... it's got to be nice looking. But not a pick-up truck. It can be as ugly as sin and they just think to themself, Now there's a guy who drives a pick-up truck! There is no 'trying' to pick up chicks. They just jump right in the back and ask "Where's the party?"
Also, you ever seen flames painted on the side of a van? Not cool. Paint 'em on a pick up truck and you're in cool ride heaven. You can paint 'em on a car but it's just not the same.
Note, if you put tools or building materials in the back the chicks will think you're looking for free labor. Only thing in the back should be an ice chest and maybe a beach umbrella. --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
I was a ford pickup man until I got my first chevy van 3 years ago (1 ton) I'll never go back. I can fit every tool I own, portable table saw, guns, compressor with 200 feet hose reel permanently attached, nail bucket, screw bucket, big rubbermaid full of cords, painting supplies,two big tool boxes, miscellaneous hardware department, sandpaper department, drywall anchor department, levels, brooms, laser level, tripod, miscelaneous items too numerous to mention, and I can still carry sheet goods if need be. Ladders, pump poles, walk planks can go on the racks on top with longer lengths of lumber.If I take some of the tools out, I can carry 12' rock. I've carried concrete block, power troweller, power screed. Never noticed the difference in ride. When I first got it, I was a little bugged by the legroom, but I don't even give it a thought now.Only problem is it rattles like a peddlar's wagon going down the road. My dog hates it. Someday when I am rich I will get a Sprinter. Glad the company is picking up the gas.
I looked at a Sprinter last weekend, just for giggles.
Over $40G, for just a 2500 cargo van.
I'd like to have one, too, but at those prices, it's not gonna be anytime soon. I'm hoping GM and Ford will come out with something similar, and the prices will drop.
ur always considered cool if you drive a pick-up... but not so much if it's not full size... SWB are cooler.. but duelly will always work.... then... as far as whats in back... ice chests work... or a dirtbike...
if you keep a pr of rubber boots between the cab & bed... cops seem to give you more of a pass... it's like they understand ur out there working and give you a bit of respect...
my harley has always attracted offers of.... "will you give me a ride" if you keep out of state plates on it... then ur a shoe in... it's like... they know they won't see you again...
when i was like 21 i had a 930 turbo (don't ask) i couldn't go 4 blocks without some chick want'n to "talk" i knew it was the car cause i'd been drive'n my swb step side all day with zero offers to "talk"
the chances of getting laid in a mini van have to be close to zero if there is no fee involved
p
I drive a '98, 3/4 ton, 4x4, Silverado that I got when I was frequently towing stock trailers. It's still in great shape with only 80k miles and it has that wonderful feature that everyone wants.............it's paid for!! - lol
Although I still occasionally tow a stock trailer, the pickup really isn't needed except when I need to haul a load of materials, deliver some cabinets, and/or haul my tools. Most of the time, it's empty. Even at $4.57/gal, my cost to own and operate my truck is less than it would be to replace it.
I was talking to a customer about this a couple of days ago and offered the theory that although the number and size of pickups on the road will eventually decline to pre "pickup chic" levels there will always be a few around 'cause some of us really need them - at least occasionally.
I also think that we'll see the day when vehicle rental places will be common and you can rent a car, van, truck, whatever, for those occasions where they're necessary.
Hmm, Do VW vans count as mini-vans? cuz I got laid plenty of times in the back of those, often by the woman driver who picked me up while I was hitch hiking.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
But that was a fantasy.;]
Not what the doc had to say after one of them !
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
ok now i believe you;]
yur fantisies....
dovetail lived them...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Jewish girls have never driven VW vans, I have made it to first base in plenty of there parents caddys wit them dont you worry;]
Edited 6/22/2008 4:17 am ET by bobbys
Damn, bobbys could have left the part about visiting the doc out of his fantasy and I would have been happier.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
WTB he was just trying to get even for you hoggin'....
at least it was of those impact type problems....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
ya know....
that was something I never had to see a doc about....
and don't want to again...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I was gonna comment that maybe his fantasy nowadays is pulling the depends off a grandma in a astro van but thats just plain mean plus its getting closer to my fantasy>G<
geeeeeeze.....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Please tell YOUR friend bobbys I can dream up my own fantasies, his are too scary for me to handle anymore.
never was good with nightmares.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
WTB the wimmins are a bit younger too....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
hey bobbys...
ya gots ta leave Dovetail out of yur fanaticals.... er.... fantasies....
yur making his head hurt and damaging his retinas...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
He does not consider me a friend even though i said i believed his sexual escapades when it was apparent to all he was clearly lying;]
ya but you appear to have found him a rememberence of socialism...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
A few weeks ago I briefly considered buying a 10 year old 4 cylinder/manual trans 2wd Ford Ranger in order to park the 13-15 mpg 3/4 ton Dodge diesel most of the time. They wanted $4500 for it which with the savings in gas would still have taken about a year to recover. I'm hoping that in a few years Toyota or somebody will put a small hybrid truck on the road with a small diesel engine that gets gas mileage like a Prius. I wouldn't hesitate to plunk down the money and then drive the thing forever or at least until they start making hydrogen or solar powered trucks.
Speaking of diesels, most of those cars in Europe are diesels and get awesome fuel mileage but we're not able to buy them here because of the emmissions laws. In some cases there made here but sent over there.
it's only when men drive them that the theory works
and everyone knows... vw's are buses... always have been always will be... and not "vans"
p
the chances of getting laid in a mini van have to be close to zero if there is no fee involved
There's always a fee of some sort. At least the minivan owner knows where he stands. :D
--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Edited 6/22/2008 11:35 am by Ted W.
i was always told...
ur not pay'n for the sex... you're pay'n for them to leave .... after the sex...
p
I used to drive a 3/4 ton GMC to carry tools and materials but on a trip to Australia saw for the first time a tradesman using a trailer. Since then, I've seen the use of trailers increase greatly
I've switched to a Cherokee and 2000 lb. capacity utility trailer. With the back seat down I can carry all the tools I need for site use in the truck and only need pull the trailer on those occasions I have to pick up materials or deliver whatever doors, cabinets or furniture I've made in my shop to the site. The tools are much better protected from both weather and theft and the trailer actually gives me a great deal more room since it opens out to a 4 1/2' x 12' bed and will carry 16' lumber comfortably. I only pull it when I need it so my vehicle operating costs have decreased substantially. Not a perfect solution but it is a really good compromise.
It begs the question how may pickup trucks were there before?
I lived in Germany in the late 70's and there were no american pickup trucks to be found then either.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.drawingwithlight.smugmug.com
I've driven all over England, Scotland and Wales and have seen the same.
That said ... anything I've seen over there couldn't make it halfway up the hills I have here in Pittsburgh with half the tools I carry on a daily basis.
then again ... I don't drive a pick up.
I went from full size one ton vans to a 10ft box van.
that ... and there's cooler people here.
so we need cooler trucks.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I agree with mostly everyone. My insurance broker, accountant, paper boys parents who drive him on his route and the dude who owns a convenience store never needed a F250, 4 door Dodge ram, F150 or a Toyota Tundra respectively.
People bought for looks or status...and don't get me started on what a kid learns when his parent drives him on his paper route. What does that cost exactly?!?
I am driving slower than I used to which has made a dramatic difference in my mileage. The bottom line is I need a truck to move equipment, materials and people. Truck sales will decrease and when you see a truck in the future it will most likely be someone who NEEDS one...or your paperboy.
We don't want to see this guy.
Jon
Russian saying
I agree with most everyone as well. I had a 1979 F350 4X4 Camper Special Supercab with an 8' bed. I had it for 18 years and glad gas was never more than 79.9. I kept it at the shop and only used it for deliveries and towing.
That picture is funny.
I saw a dude pick up a 3x14x28' Doug Fir beam at Mizell Lumber in Kensington MD years ago. He tied one end of the beam to the luggage rack of a Vega wagon. The other end was supported by a Radio Flyer wagon. He turned right out of the yard and the red wagon swung wide left into the path of a loaded cement mixer that had just left the adjoining batch plant.
The fir was splintered. The wagon totaled. The luggage rack was ripped off of the Vega's roof. The mixer was undamaged.
I think folks who bought PU trucks for the cool factor are hurting now.
Chuck S
live, work, build, ...better with wood
Edited 6/22/2008 6:24 pm ET by stevent1
Right now it costs me $125 to fill my pickup with gas which does make me think twice about ensuring that my trips here and there are efficiently done. I have been lately wondering how use will change if gas prices double again. $250 to fill my tank would really throw a curve into the thought process.
Edited 6/22/2008 8:42 am ET by Kivi
Last month I baught a '95 Toyota Tacoma, 2 wheel 4 banger and I don't regret it at all. I can put most of the tools in it and now I'm only spending 50 a week, as opposed to the 100 I was spending...One things for sure, A sedan or wagon won't fit ply wood!
All I ever wanted in life was an unfair advantage...
edwardh1
The hot rods were out cruising today 100's of them followed by motorcycles more hundreds, Out on the lake people were waterskiing and crusing and just boating.. all using plenty of gasolene.. Jet ski's bouncing along and fishing boats etc..
I've noticed just as many sports cars out there cruising around ,---- profiling. drawing attention to themselves.. Again using plenty of gas..
My point is that Nobody is giving up the things which they really enjoy..
Pick-ups? Why not?
Frenchy,Hot rod show is this weekend at the MN state fair grounds. That's probably why you are seeing so many of them out this weekend.Steve
I parked my 2006 F-250 six weeks ago and bought a new outback wagon. I can fit almost all my tools, from tablesaw, mitersaw, etc. in there without a problem. The money i save in gas more than pays for the outback in three weeks. I would have bought a front wheel drive, but in NH I can't get anywhere without 4 wheel drive. When you do the math, with fuel costs and lumber yards still delivering for free, do you really need a huge truck? A beater at best, maybe.