Which new pickup truck?

[Scouter]

So I am on a major capital expenditure trip to replace 3 pickups in the fleet. One is an 04 GMC Duramax with 175000 miles. Been a good truck, but hasnt been troublefree. A couple major trips to the garage, and now it is pretty rusted out from a lifetime of plowing snow. The others are Toyota Tundras, one with 215000, runs like new, still looks good for a 12 yr old truck, the other Tundra is a 07 with 165000, other than regular maintainance, it has never been back to the dealer for any reason. Toyota doesnt make a 3/4 ton, so kind of looking at another GMC for that one. The 1/2 tons not so sure now. I tried out a Ford 150 with ecoboost V6, pretty impressive. I dont much care for GMC crew cab, since they only put about a 4 ft bed on those. Kind of leaning toward a couple new Tundras since our cost of ownership has been excellent. What say you guys?

JIm

[Tim]

Jim, look at Dodge, I like my 08, 6.7 cummings

[Douten]

Scouter, For the first time I have to agree with Tim , I've got 4 trucks and have had a few problems but will buy again when the time comes.

[cruiser]

Friend of mine just got a free frame replacement on an '01 Tacoma, apparently it's a recall for rust, an 01! Can't see any of the US big 3 stepping up like that. Good luck on your search. Jim

[Steve Pierce]

Lots of emission problems with the new Dodge diesels. I just got a 2011 Tundra and love it. Having had Toyota's for many years I had the same experience as you on reliability. Not so much with my 98 Chevy pick-up that Taylor is now driving.

[Chuck Avon]

Had 5 new dodge pick-ups 90 1/2 ton v 6 power ok on gas 91 3/4 ton 360 v8 puled grate kept it 89000 mi with same front tires then 93 1ton cummings ran it 298000 brakes and one water pump 2005 kept it 49000 was stick shift drove big trucks got tired of stick 2007 1/2 ton v6power 127000 mi only thing it needed was tires still have it throw in 2006 dodge charger hemi it has 200000 plus mi on it but just got a toyota corolla and the gas mileage is grate one tank hit 44 mpg

[RaisedByWolves]

From my experience driving tow trucks, 1 ton's the ford was a better more durable work truck than the gmc we had. they were both gas jobs.

Toyota was also offering you something like 2-3 times the book value or a new frame, a neighbor of mine got a brand new tacoma out of his old one.

Tom

[sierra bravo]

After two consecutive Duramax crew cabs I turned away from diesel and the urea tanks and bought a GMC 2500HD ext cab with the 6.whatever Vortex gas engine. Without a doubt this is the nicest driving/best handling pickup I've ever owned.

[Snert]

150K on my 2003 Chev 2500HD and I've yet to even change brake pads and almost all the mile are pulling a 4000# trailer. 6.0 gas

[sburg58]

Yep, have a 2008 Tundra, never been in for a repair just routine service, oil, filter, etc. Not so fortunate with my Chevy's and Fords.

[cubdriver2]

The town hwy dept around here all bought Dodge trucks on state bid because Dodge had the best warranty. But they all had annoying problems and even though Dodge took care of everything for free they spent half of their life being dropped off or picked up from the dealer. Most of the towns now drive Fords. I've always had Chevys. My 93 Suburban was trouble free to 232,000 but the NY salty roads caught up with it after 13 years, and my 02 Duxamax with 173,000 has been great, only changed front wheel bearings and brakes. My brother has a 01 Tundra that has over 200,000 and is still a great truck but lives in Fla.

Glenn

[scout88305]

Owned 2 Obama Motors pickups as of late. A 2009 Chevy 1500 4 door and a 2011 GMC 1500 4 door. The chevy developed so many issues I traded it for a GMC that I hoped wasn't built on a friday.. The Chevy front diff. went out. Breather crusted over and condensation took out the bearings and gears. They replaced all the guts and it went out again so they put on a whole new front end. That took 5 weeks. Had issues with rattles and creaks and interior panels that make noise as the truck flexes. The GMC is the same. The Chevy had issues with the lifters. I needed a tow when I lost all oil pressure and the idiot lights said to stop driving. Did you know there is a filter for the lifters? My plugged up. They (the GM service folks) asked what kind of shitty oil I used and how often I serviced my engine? "Just Shitty Mobil 1 sythetic I replied". The Headliner came out of the Chevy to tape and pad with felt because a wire run going to the rear window rattled. Dash was siliconed on the chevy for a rattle. Both front plastic spoilers on the two trucks have been cracked or broken by driving over standard farm field roads in the Dakotas hunting pheasants. The slight hump (6") created in the middle from the farm machinery and the grain carts is too much for the low rider GM's. The new trucks are not designed for off road with all the plastic **** hanging down low to deflect wind. Fuel economy is the goal.. Oh fuel economy you ask??? Drove 200 miles yesterday with an empty twin axle 4 place FLOE aluminum snowmobile trailer. Got 10.8 MPG with the 5.3 litre engine driving 65. Empty truck without trailer I am lucky to see 16 MPG. I am a mover and a shaker so when the light is green I am headed to where I need to be. When I tried to drive the GM's nice and easy I would not see anywhere near the 20 MPG mark they claimed with the engine shutting off 4 clyinders when the engine is loafing. As a law dog, I chased an arsonist lighting wildland fires 2 years ago. I witnessed the bastards in the act. I chased them on gravel but the antiskid and traction control crap implemented in these new vehicles basicly shut down my vehicle from producing power and catching up with these folks. As soon as there is slippage and traction loss the engine and the sensors shuts down the RPMS. Hitting the over-ride tract cont off button does very little. So a mid eighties 4 door POS sedan walked away from me over a period of several miles. The best truck I had was a T100 Toyota SR5 4x4. The 2nd best was a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The third was a 1981 F150 with a 300-6 cylinder....
I don't rate my women and my trucks the same, but with that said; If my truck isn't tight; I am not happy. There is nothing worse than shoddy workmanship. A new vehicle should not sound like a childrens toybox when you hit a gravel road. Even with the price of diesel right now, I think I would look at the Dodge and Cummins combo. I see friends getting in the low 20's MPG as an average. The toyotas won't rattle but the fuel economy leaves something to be desired. My County officers use Ford and Dodge crew cabs. They are very unkind. They drive them like a new one is waiting for them... Essentialy that is the case..... The dodges are pretty bullet proof and seem to be the choice of the administrators. End of Rant...

[Dave Prizio]

After the bailout GM and Chrysler no longer exist to me. I have had good luck with Fords and better luck with Toyotas, but the Toyotas are more expensive initially. My main complaint with Toyotas is that I get sick of looking at them before they actually wear out. The real disadvantage is that they don't really make a big pickup truck (1-ton). For that I will go with a Ford.

[Bugs66]

No bailout, no Govt Motors, go Ford. JMO.

[aktango58]

I have an o6 tacoma, and an 04 chevy, both bought used.

The tacoma has had the oil changed... I did notice it has oil on the side of the engine, will look into that, probably my spilling.

My old toyota had new brake calipers on it due to corrosion, then died when the kid forgot to check oil... new timing chain and my friend still drives it. I did have to change the clutch on that girl at 90,000 from 4x and boat hauling.

The dodges here get new u joints every 30-40k. There are three or four of my friends that have had the same issue, and that means every 30-40k...

My father in law has had issues with his dodge...

The chevy is a 2500 hd with the 8.0 liter vortek. 9.5 mpg towing heavy and 4 wheel drive around town. 14 mpg is the best ever seen; six speed on the floor. Drives nice, needs things fixed here and there like most american companies. It was big and carried six, (extra cab with the small suiside door), with full bed behind. takes room to turn, but will haul a load. Don't drop the clutch and then drop the hammer with a big load, power is high for the clutch... might just be an old clutch since I bought it used...

But she has been good. I would buy Toyota if they made a heavy load hauler. Everyone I know with them has loved them with no problems...

Like aircraft, what is your main purpose? Who is the dealer and when you take it back to have something stupid fixed, like the dash light saying "call for tow", how long to get it back and will they give you a loaner to keep working?

[aktango58]

I gotta ask: will this discussion, Trucks, end up in R&R due to our passion for our autos?

[Steve's Aircraft (Steve)]

Recently picked up my father in laws 03 Tundra.... 65K miles.... Nicest truck I have ever owned... Just drove it down to San Diego and back, averaged 18MPG for the V8 and was more comfortable than my 03 Honda Odyssey..

Brian.

[mvivion]

I'm on my third Chevy 1/2 ton truck, and I'll probably go there again. Current one is a 2007, with the 5.3 and automatic. Unlike Eric, I REGULARLY get 20 mpg on the highway, if I can stand to keep my foot out of it, and hold it to 60 mph. At 75 mph, it still runs around 16 mpg. The computer keeps track of mileage and total fuel burn, and the TOTAL average over 70 K miles is 16 mpg. Understand that my commute to work is a mile and a half one way, and three miles to the airport for flight training....
That total mileage includes around 10, 000 miles pulling a camp trailer (small one) as well, and the mileage definitely drops there.

As to problems, one of the ones I've had the paint started falling off at about 100 K miles. In big sheets. Took it to the dealer and he said that isn't right, and even though it wasn't on warranty, they painted the whole truck for me. I've had a few computer problems with one of these trucks, but all fixed under warranty. Never any complaints with any of these trucks.

Folks who complain about govt bailouts crack me up. There are a lot of govt bailouts you never hear about. Back when Lee Iacocca "saved" Chrysler, he did it by getting HUGE interest free loans from the government. Then he bragged about how Chrysler had paid back all those loans. They did, with overpriced absolute POS vehicles "sold" to the federal government. Talk about crappy vehicles!!! I've never been able to look a Dodge truck in the grille since, and we had no choice but to operate those junkers.

All these companies seem to have to have some sort of "logo" on their trucks....Chevy has the "Z-71", Ford has a couple....Toyota.....Toyota Racing Development.

Do you SERIOUSLY want your truck to be labeled as a "TURD"?? Oops, I guess I added a U in there, eh?

MTV

[sierra bravo]

Brands and politics aside, my favorite added feature of my new truck is the backup camera. I routinely pull trailers and the camera makes backing the ball under the hitch a very simple job. I recommend a rear camera regardless which brand you choose. Traction control is nice, too. I can haul my heavy trailer on slick roads in 2 wheel because the truck cuts power the instant the rear tires start to spin. I can't power into an inadvertent spin-out if I try. That allows me to leave the truck in 2 wheel for the vast majority of the time. That's a plus.

[Carey Gray]

No bailout, No Govt Motors, No Stand Behind Your Product, No More Fords for me.
Over the years, I've probably bought 100 new Ford diesel and gas powered pickups, sometimes 8 or 9 at a time.
No more Fords, no more EGR, EGR cooler, oil cooler, turbo, head gasket problems... No more excuses.
Other than that, I like Fords just fine.
The Toyota, Chevy and Dodge, excuse me--Ram gassers are all pretty nice rigs.

[moneyburner]

So I am on a major capital expenditure trip to replace 3 pickups in the fleet. One is an 04 GMC Duramax with 175000 miles. Been a good truck, but hasnt been troublefree. A couple major trips to the garage, and now it is pretty rusted out from a lifetime of plowing snow. The others are Toyota Tundras, one with 215000, runs like new, still looks good for a 12 yr old truck, the other Tundra is a 07 with 165000, other than regular maintainance, it has never been back to the dealer for any reason. Toyota doesnt make a 3/4 ton, so kind of looking at another GMC for that one. The 1/2 tons not so sure now. I tried out a Ford 150 with ecoboost V6, pretty impressive. I dont much care for GMC crew cab, since they only put about a 4 ft bed on those. Kind of leaning toward a couple new Tundras since our cost of ownership has been excellent. What say you guys?

JIm

I just bought a duramax GMC in Idaho. You can get it with a standard, extended or crew cab and a 6-1/2 foot or 8 foot bed on any of those. Or, you could do a bed delete and get a good flat bed or hauler bed for it like I did. We use the duramax trucks at work and haven't had much trouble with them other than operator error. I just towed a trailer to Alaska with mine and I like it. I've had Toyotas, Dodges and worked with Fords. The new duramax has more horsepower and about the same torque as the Cummins, but it also has that variable-geometry turbocharger which has some good tricks. For example, if you start it cold, it will pinch off the exhaust with the exhaust brake and go to high idle and warm it up faster. All of them are good - I don't have a preference, but the Ford has reports of poor emergency handling from CU. The GMC has a torsion bar front suspension, and I think it rides almost as well as the Toyota. Naturally, when you buy something as I just did, you always think you did the right thing, but I like mine. My last GMC did around 350000 miles, but it's 40 years older and I rebuilt everything on it at least once and replaced the entire body.
Have fun!

[moneyburner]

Brands and politics aside, my favorite added feature of my new truck is the backup camera. I routinely pull trailers and the camera makes backing the ball under the hitch a very simple job. I recommend a rear camera regardless which brand you choose. Traction control is nice, too. I can haul my heavy trailer on slick roads in 2 wheel because the truck cuts power the instant the rear tires start to spin. I can't power into an inadvertent spin-out if I try. That allows me to leave the truck in 2 wheel for the vast majority of the time. That's a plus.

You can add an aftermarket one with a bit of DIY skills. Saved me a new SUV for the backseater. I think I spent $125 and got a nice color one. Works better than some of the OEM models.

[scout88305]

Mike, are you telling me this vehicle isn't among the best engineered cars of all time??



My father was head basketball coach at Bemidji State University (MN) back in the 70's. In those days the teams drove in several vehicles or vans to their games. Often times long distance on winter roads. Upper U.P. of MICH... Mayville ND, Etc... I think I learned my entire vocabulary of profanity by age 10 because of low bid vehicles like the Matador, Fury, or Tradesman van. My job was to start the cars before the game was over and insure they were running and had a chance of getting us home. MTV spot on. Truly a lousy lineup. Hard to imagine a group of 6'6" college students prying themselves out of a Plymouth Fury Wagon with their game face on.. Back to pickups

[180Marty]

Friend of mine just got a free frame replacement on an '01 Tacoma, apparently it's a recall for rust

The first thing I did to my 1992 Toyota 4x4 pickup when I bought it new was to squirt ACF-50 inside the boxed frame rails and inner parts of the fenders. It's still in great shape. My cousin bought a new Ford 150 Ecoboost and loves it.

[Cubus Maximus]

99 GMC Suburban 3/4 ton with 454 - hauled heavy loads most of its life - Brakes LOUSY!! - other than that it went to 459,000 miles with few issues and I just gave it to a friend this winter for a back up truck.

03 GMC Suburban/YukonXLT 3/4 ton with 498 - hauled heavy loads most of its life - Brakes and everything else EXCELLENT (except mileage - erg..) now at 357,000 miles and I gave it to my Mom for her daily driver winter vehicle. Still pretty much rust free.

10 GMC 1500 crew cab with 379 L92 gas. Put in over rides so functional 3/4 ton+ Power and brakes uber excellent and mileage (chipped with Hypertech) is 15-18. 215,000 now and climbing fast with 0 maintenance issues. (Dad's truck)

13 GMC 1500 crew cab with 379 L92 gas. Over rides. 2,700 miles.. no issues yet..

[8GCBC]

This is my favorite truck if not towing over 10K, video of me waiting for a barge this Christmas bound for Fraizer Is.

Ford turbo diesel made in Thailand by MAZDA, AKA B50. I figured its had the beating of 3 Baja 1000's and no issue. And no DEF needed! Steering on the left only, can't bring her home.

[Scouter]

Great stories all, thanks. Going shopping next week, will let you know the results. Ive already got a handful of salesmen spinning. And one girl, never bought a truck from a girl. My friend sent me this youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tEqwXrqzH4

LOoks kickass for a V-6

I Love pickup horror stories, you can really learn a lot. Our local vet has an ancient Dodge cummins diesel with 750K on the original motor. All highway miles, but its so loud, it wakes the dead. In the past year, I know of 3 new Ford SuperDuty twin turbo diesels that all 3 have come apart, heads and turbos. In all honesty we have had pretty good luck with all of the pickups, we have 2 Ford superdutys, 3 GMCs, 2 Dodge Dakotas, and 6 Tundras. The Toyotas never see the dealerships, and the superdutys have been tough as well. The Dakotas ride like wheelbarrows, and the GMCs sure have a lot of plastic, but they do what we ask of them on the farm.

Jim

[8GCBC]

Have a GMC Sierra 2500HD, '00 that has been sitting in salt spray next to the beach for 10 years! Has not been washed in 7 years. But it looks almost new! It's the bottom job ( boat yard) truck for my sailboat. It is the most durable vehicle seen under those harsh conditions!

[Patrol Guy]

"Hey - look at that new Toyota!"

[soyAnarchisto]

77k on my '06 double cab tundra - love it - no trouble at all. Just drove a 3k road trip and is an awesome ride. 2 tacomas and a 4runner before that. Toyota has earned my business. Ford not so much. I might be tempted to get a cummins if I had to tow a space shuttle - but I don't so I won't.

[gtwingman]

No bailout, no Govt Motors, go Ford. JMO.

Ditto. I was always a GM guy until the bailout but JMO is right. Go American. Go Ford. I love my F-150. Not only does Ford make a great truck they also are the only one of the big 3 three who did not shaft their stock and bond holders.

[Cub junkie]

I'm learning a lot from this thread. I have plans to buy a truck in the near future. Right now I'm doing well with my '88 Dodge with 196,000 miles. I'm a cheap bastard and hate payment books. New trucks are expensive. I have a friend with the Toyota Tundra and it is appealing. I like the F150's as well. Screw GM.

[bob turner]

I have always been a Ford guy. And a "buy American" type.

Got a 2003 Ranger. Beautiful truck! Rides like a truck! Has sixteen windshield wiper positions, and more key positions than I can remember. Incomprehensible symbols on the air conditioning knobs. Difficult to use cruise control. 15.7 mpg. $3500 transmission at 30,000 miles. $700 fuel pump at 40K. Warped rotors at 50K. Boo.

Gearshift on the steering column. Spare keys cost a hundred bucks.

Swear to God if the Toyota was not so butt- ugly I would buy foreign.

Still love my 1965 Mustang convertibles. Much better designed. Opinion.

[8GCBC]

Being a capitalist, it was fundamentally necessary for me to purchase from an economic leader , which Ford seems to do best in past few years. GMC, Toyota are excellent companies and have been very impressed with some of their merchandise. But, they went down hard losing billions ( Toyota's worst year was about 4B in the "red" ). American Motors never hand anything I liked from day one. Maybe the short wheelbase of the Jeep for real off road, but other than that I am with Ford for current transpo.

[Patrol Guy]

Jim - You have had enough time. So what did you buy??

[adventruousairman]

I guess it all depends what your going to use them for. All I've ever owned for the last 20 years are Toyotas as they have the best reliability and by far the best resale value.
I've owned a 1995 Toyota T-100 bought new, no problems ever, just replaced the original battery after 15 years, they just make a better product.
I've owned a couple Chevys and Fords, never again.....
Good luck

[8GCBC]

What years were the Fords and Chevys? I agree there were some terrible products from Ford when that jerk from Australia ran the companies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Nasser.

Presently my Fords have taken incredible beatings and nothing is going wrong, I like Ford again. Any comments made in the '90s, by me about Ford, do not count any more.

[Den]

I am part of the crowd that is also done with government motors. I won't buy another from them again. I have had three brand new GM trucks. I currently still have a Tahoe I bought my wife a number of years ago; great car. She wants a new one this summer. I will probably buy a Ford Explorer now that we have looked at the options. I am going to replace my 2000 F250 PSD the following year. The only thing I know at this point is it will NOT be another diesel. I am tired of spending 70 cents a gallon more so rich companies can speculate. The newest Tundras are hard to beat. They have great resale, reliability and get great mileage. I thought I would get an eco boost Ford but the several guys I have talked to said they don't get the mileage of even the Tundra.

All the guys with newer Dodges are having tons of warranty problems. My buddy's truck lives in the shop. My F250 never had a single item fixed under warranty. In 13 years I have replaced the belts, batteries and brakes. I have also replaced the front sealed wheel bearing once. Other than that, no problems at all. My last chevy 3/4 ton was in the shop quite a bit, electrical problems, cooling problems, seats, pumps, A/C... list goes on.

[8GCBC]

I move up to about 18,000 LBS (gross combined vehicle weight GCVW ) with my F350 4x4 with no issues. I choose turbo Diesel, because of low end torque and the mileage is outstanding for that weight compared to gas.

For town (USA) I drive a F150 crewcab gas, and a Focus 4 cyl. gas. I wouldn't drive the larger turbo diesel F350 unless I am moving 10,000 LBS or more which is not daily.

The new emission controls on Diesels is disturbing to me and others. I hope TCO will be OK.

[OLDCROWE]

Talking which trucks might as well bring up downwind turns or boxers vs. briefs