Topic: What’s the allure of a full-size pickup truck as a daily driver?

[EV Dan]

I'd say the new F150 is probably the best riding vehicle available the thing is quiet and smooth as silk.

I liked the ride of the Crew cab Ram Laramie the best when I test drove them a couple of years ago.

To the original question: What if we ask who would NOT drive a truck if it cost the same as a subcompact and had the same mileage...

[Jaeger]

cottage country.

That's your key right there. Gravel roads in the prairies are not just cottage country. They are everywhere.

You're missing the point.  Whether one drives on many or few gravel roads, I don't see where the ground clearance of a pickup truck is necessary.  I have driven any number of sedans on gravel roads - neither ground clearance nor toughness were lacking for what is hardly an onerous task.

Should mention that in the prairie provinces most of the roads are gravel. So ground clearance and toughness are much bigger needs than in Ontario where everything is paved.

Jaeger

[Jaeger]

I drive a truck daily, and would far rather drive a unibody vehicle.  I can't disagree more with AB about how trucks ride, and yes I've driven all makes of trucks.  They ride relatively rough, and handle poorly.

Yep.

Jaeger

[Cord]

I'd say the new F150 is probably the best riding vehicle available the thing is quiet and smooth as silk.

And unlike most forum posters, you've actually driven enough different vehicles to know.

I'm not a truck person myself. Most of my driving is urban and a truck is just too big for me to enjoy driving it in the city. One thing that makes trucks attractive to many people is the sheer amount of space inside one.

You're missing the point.  Whether one drives on many or few gravel roads, I don't see where the ground clearance of a pickup truck is necessary.  I have driven any number of sedans on gravel roads - neither ground clearance nor toughness were lacking for what is hardly an onerous task.

Actually, PJ's point is right on. I don't think many of the urban dwellers here actually comprehend the amount of gravel road driving that is done in Alberta and especially Saskatchewan nor how much damage gravel can do. How many cars in Toronto have aluminum running boards? You'll see them in Saskatchewan. Sustained driving on gravel just obliterates a car while trucks can withstand the abuse much better. Ground clearance is likely a big factor when the undercarriage and lower body is subjected to a sustained stone shower from the front wheels. My grandparents lived on a farm 20 miles from the pavement. They always owned a truck and a car (for going to church, into town, etc.) and the cars always died significantly sooner than their trucks. I remember seeing their cars' paint virtually sandblasted off the bottom half of the rear doors and quarters.

[Jaeger]

If I lived on a farm, I could see myself owning a pickup truck, too.  Good daily driver for farmers. 

Jaeger

[tpl]

I'd say the new F150 is probably the best riding vehicle available the thing is quiet and smooth as silk.

I liked the ride of the Crew cab Ram Laramie the best when I test drove them a couple of years ago.

To the original question: What if we ask who would NOT drive a truck if it cost the same as a subcompact and had the same mileage...

Me.   I like vehicles that are as small as will do the job.  Or maybe more accurately, vehicles that feel to me that they are no bigger than they need be.
 The GTI is the smallest that fits.

[dr_spock]

My family has a farm in Manitoba.  My Civic has a rough time on the gravel roads getting there.  They have pick-up and it's great for getting around the farm.  I would not buy a pickup with a luxury interior if I lived on a farm.  Cow patties were everywhere when I was there helping them repair the electric fence.

I used to drive full size vans, cube vans and pickups for work. They were a pain in tight spots and parking on a crowded streets in the city. They were good for looking down on the little people cars though.  

[articsteve]

Depends on where you drive 

and what your comfort level on gasoline costs are.  Essentially double.


Agree with AB; current 1/2 tons are mighty comfortable and in a wreck between a car and a 1/2 ton on a rural road or highway the 1/2 tons wins.

[airbalancer]

it does not matter which brand, all top of line trucks are nice

[safristi]

I'd say the new F150 is probably the best riding vehicle available the thing is quiet and smooth as silk.

I liked the ride of the Crew cab Ram Laramie the best when I test drove them a couple of years ago.

To the original question: What if we ask who would NOT drive a truck if it cost the same as a subcompact and had the same mileage...

.............that's the PROBLEM these fancified TRUCKS seem to cost double a decent Car......................so from wot i gather

    BIG ARSE expensive FANCY TRUCKS are just that unecessary POSEUR MOBILES........cheaper(sometimes) basic  WORK trucks great for Farmers and working/construction folks....


  Now I'm gonna get my in my massive Fraud Ranger and go terrorize some grannies in their LEXI........ ....

  signed Poo Patty Saf who doesn't give a sh*t....buy wot ya want and wipe yer feet on the mat fer &#@*'s sake....

[airbalancer]

Saf do you even work?
Loaded truck is prefect if you been working all day long and have drive home
You need a quiet place to make calls, noise truck no good for that
Most people here think everyone should only drive that they think is best
Drive what you think is good value for you

[Brigitte]

When I facked up my oil pan on that country road a few months ago, it gave me a new appreciation for the clearance and ruggedness requirements of daily drivers up there.  I suspect that a big truck rolls over all these roads with no problem at all. 

[safristi]

  so are we "expecting" the patter of HUGE CARBON FOOTPRINTS.... .................

[quadzilla]

Last year I got a ride back into Moab in a newish pickup and I was shocked how quiet and smooth it rode. Also my leg room in the back (4 door truck) was more than sufficient.

I can see why "some" people would want one. Since I prefer to go around corners fast, I'll probably never have one.

[ktm525]

I'd say the new F150 is probably the best riding vehicle available the thing is quiet and smooth as silk.

And unlike most forum posters, you've actually driven enough different vehicles to know.

I'm not a truck person myself. Most of my driving is urban and a truck is just too big for me to enjoy driving it in the city. One thing that makes trucks attractive to many people is the sheer amount of space inside one.

You're missing the point.  Whether one drives on many or few gravel roads, I don't see where the ground clearance of a pickup truck is necessary.  I have driven any number of sedans on gravel roads - neither ground clearance nor toughness were lacking for what is hardly an onerous task.

Actually, PJ's point is right on. I don't think many of the urban dwellers here actually comprehend the amount of gravel road driving that is done in Alberta and especially Saskatchewan nor how much damage gravel can do. How many cars in Toronto have aluminum running boards? You'll see them in Saskatchewan. Sustained driving on gravel just obliterates a car while trucks can withstand the abuse much better. Ground clearance is likely a big factor when the undercarriage and lower body is subjected to a sustained stone shower from the front wheels. My grandparents lived on a farm 20 miles from the pavement. They always owned a truck and a car (for going to church, into town, etc.) and the cars always died significantly sooner than their trucks. I remember seeing their cars' paint virtually sandblasted off the bottom half of the rear doors and quarters.

I agree 100%. I have even seen a Corvette sporting running boards in Sask. One summer I had a rental Taurus doing some light oilfield work. Lots of travel on gravel roads. The car lasted about a month until the gravel had punctured the oil pan and the transmission housing was on it's last legs.

[blur911]

My truck has not moved from the backyard in at least a month.  
It sucks gas.
It handles and rides like a legless pig.
It has horrible crash-test ratings.
But then, my truck is also 14 years old and has over 300k on it (and the speed holes to prove it).

I'd much rather drive a car, and so I do when given a choice.  I don't know if a new truck would change that, I doubt it.

[Schmengie]

A few observations about trucks, at least here in the gentrified Okanagan:

1) There are lots of them
2) They're blinged-up with dubs, massive chrome cow catchers, etc.
3) They're shiny and spotless, including the beds.
4) The vast majority are driven, and I use that word as loosely as possible, by young females. A little girl at work had one so big she kept a step-stool in it to help her climb in and out. When I asked her why she drove such a big-ass truck, she actually said because it made her feel invincible. Scary stuff.
5) The minority that actually are work trucks have business logos on them or are obviously used in agriculture or construction. Men drive those.

[Fobroader]

I was never a truck guy till I owned one. I bought a 1/2 ton 1993 Chevrolet extended cab 4x4 for about $1500 so I didnt have to drag my Altimas oil pan over ice and snow.......I loved it. It was great, I could see around traffic, I could take a really rough gravel road home saving me 10-15 minutes each way from my commute, I could look at a real travel trailer, not some 16 foot cramped coffin, when all my neighbors in their Benz/Lexus/Infinity couldnt get out of their driveways I had no problem, we were renovating the house and I could haul stuff home from home depot and stuff out to the dump, whenever something broke(not very often) it was a Chev 1/2 ton and I could buy parts for next to nothing and finally, with the purchase of a tonneau cover I had a huge trunk. I now have an 06 3/4 ton crew cab GMC, its great, rides nicely, the bed is scratched and dinged by the amount Ive used it,tows our trailer like its not there and I love having a 4x4 in the winter. I havent driven a car in a few years, so when I bought my Mustang this summer I remember how much I hated the low seating position in cars, Im looking forward to driving something a little sporty in the summer....but I will always have a truck as adaily driver, with the introduction of crew cabs, why would I drive anything else??? I think a better question would be, how can you handle driving a subcompact or compact car every day???

[tpl]

This has become a religious argument I think!   

but I will always have a truck as a daily driver, with the introduction of crew cabs, why would I drive anything else??? I think a better question would be, how can you handle driving a subcompact or compact car every day???

I could not stand to even look at a truck in my drive, nor actually go into a chev/ford/ram dealer and buy one  nor drive one.    Every one to his own!

But if you want one then that's great.

[Schmengie]

This has become a religious argument I think!   

but I will always have a truck as a daily driver, with the introduction of crew cabs, why would I drive anything else??? I think a better question would be, how can you handle driving a subcompact or compact car every day???

I could not stand to even look at a truck in my drive, nor actually go into a chev/ford/ram dealer and buy one  nor drive one.    Every one to his own!

  We rented a brand new Ford F-150 last year to help my daughter move and I couldn't wait to take it back. I can't imagine why someone would want something like that as a daily driver much less put up with the incredible fuel bills. The one we had used almost 19 L/100k!   But like you say, each to their own.