Truck Buying Recommendations

[Chin Diesel]

It's that time of month. A BY'er canvassing the board for vehicle recommendations.

I'm looking for a full-size pick up truck.

A bit of background. Yes, like 95% of personal truck owners, I will not be using the truck as a truck a majority of the time. It will be used as a daily driver and for weekend chores.

There will be legitimate off road use though. Not just dirt roads but on open fields where mud, ruts and some tree branches are the norm.

I'm far enough south that snow driving isn't an issue.

The mid-size truck market isn't going it for me- I've previously owned a Tacoma but I want bigger.

I'd prefer gas over diesel if for no other reason than long-term maintenance course. Same reason I prefer naturally aspirated over turbo engines. But, I'm willing to listen.

A new truck with the features I want is more than I'm willing to pay. I could pay the price for a new truck, I just don't see the need to do it. So, a used 2022-2024 is a sweet spot for me.

I'm leaning towards a RAM1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and the e-torque electric motor assist.

I can't see myself in a Titan.

So, RAM 1500? F-150? Chevy or GMC 1500? Tundra?

 

[AllHusky]

In exact same situation. Leaning towards the Ram, drove a Dodge Dakota(into the ground) for nearly 20 years. Looking seriously at the F150 also. Drove a Ford Expedition for 20 years also. Great engine, lotsa rust, electrical issues at the end.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Toyota Tundra best full size pick up made.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's that time of month. A BY'er canvassing the board for vehicle recommendations.

I'm looking for a full-size pick up truck.

A bit of background. Yes, like 95% of personal truck owners, I will not be using the truck as a truck a majority of the time. It will be used as a daily driver and for weekend chores.

There will be legitimate off road use though. Not just dirt roads but on open fields where mud, ruts and some tree branches are the norm.

I'm far enough south that snow driving isn't an issue.

The mid-size truck market isn't going it for me- I've previously owned a Tacoma but I want bigger.

I'd prefer gas over diesel if for no other reason than long-term maintenance course. Same reason I prefer naturally aspirated over turbo engines. But, I'm willing to listen.

A new truck with the features I want is more than I'm willing to pay. I could pay the price for a new truck, I just don't see the need to do it. So, a used 2022-2024 is a sweet spot for me.

I'm leaning towards a RAM1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and the e-torque electric motor assist.

I can't see myself in a Titan.

So, RAM 1500? F-150? Chevy or GMC 1500? Tundra?

I don't own one but have friends and relatives who do. One had two different F250s including a diesel and finally gave up and got a Tundra (yes, turbo 6). Another had Silverados, gave up, said never GM again and got a Tundra. A third had a Tundra and got another new Tundra, loves the V6 turbo compared to the old V8. He tows a camper. A fourth had a Tacoma and didn't like it so got a Tundra he loves (he's up in Vermont). I don't know any Ram owners. The current Tundra generation started in 2022. Don't get the old one.

Nobody should see themselves in a Titan if they can avoid it. Drive them all. If you were flush with cash I'd say the new Land Cruiser would be a cool alternative. They also finally updated the 4Runner so I'll give it a look in a few years.

 

[Austin316]

In exact same situation. Leaning towards the Ram, drove a Dodge Dakota(into the ground) for nearly 20 years. Looking seriously at the F150 also. Drove a Ford Expedition for 20 years also. Great engine, lotsa rust, electrical issues at the end.

I’m test driving expeditions now. We have 3 car seats for our 3 boys.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

@EdNelson

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Love my Ram 1500, 2022 model. I got the crew cab to be able to take 5 comfortably. My wife didn't think it was necessary but now she's a big fan. I have the Laramie version, quiet interior. You'll need all terrain tires for any off-road action.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Love my Ram 1500, 2022 model. I got the crew cab to be able to take 5 comfortably. My wife didn't think it was necessary but now she's a big fan. I have the Laramie version, quiet interior. You'll need all terrain tires for any off-road action.

I'm looking at some Laramie, Rebel and Longhorn models. I've seen a few Limiteds as well.

I don't own one but have friends and relatives who do. One had two different F250s including a diesel and finally gave up and got a Tundra (yes, turbo 6). Another had Silverados, gave up, said never GM again and got a Tundra. A third had a Tundra and got another new Tundra, loves the V6 turbo compared to the old V8. He tows a camper. A fourth had a Tacoma and didn't like it so got a Tundra he loves (he's up in Vermont). I don't know any Ram owners. The current Tundra generation started in 2022. Don't get the old one.

Nobody should see themselves in a Titan if they can avoid it. Drive them all. If you were flush with cash I'd say the new Land Cruiser would be a cool alternative. They also finally updated the 4Runner so I'll give it a look in a few years.

If I was looking for an SUV, I'd give the Land Cruiser a look. But I want to get away from that and just have some free room behind the second row of seats. Also, if I were truly flush with cash, the Rolls Royce Cullinan would be my SUV of choice.

 

[Hoophound]

I’ve had a loaded Ram 3500 diesel and an F-150 Lariat. I just got rid of the 2020 F-150 because it developed infamous transmission problems and oil consumption at 64000 miles. Two of my friends coincidentally ran into the exact same transmission problems at the same time. We all got rid of our trucks after 2 attempts at fixing them. I am done with Ford for now, maybe forever. Those trucks should be recalled, it’s very dishonest.

The Ram was a 2017 3500 4x4, blacked out with the off road package. It was a beast and it was flawless. Everyday for 3 years at least one person complimented it. I’d buy a Ram again.

As a longtime Toyota fan and 4 Runner enthusiast, I’m sure the new Tundra is great, but I don’t like the looks of it unless you get one with a lift and the highest trim level. It’s kind of ugly otherwise and it’s very expensive to load one up just so it doesn’t look like a turd.

 

[UCFan1513]

Ford Raptor. Other coaches don’t pull up in that Raptor

 

[Waquoit]

Ever see a YouTube guy named Scotty? For some reason, I've been getting a ton of his shorts pushed to me. He's a mechanic and though I'm not in the market I've clicked on a few and I find him entertaining. And believable. He's been killing (in a bad way) many current trucks. I forget exactly which ones but I think Ford was in the bunch. He does give reasons for his pans. He might be worth a look.

 

[CTBasketball]

If you’re going to get anything American, go diesel. The gas ones are not worth the price. Beware of the GM transmissions, they are garbage. Ford and Dodge are better IMO.

If gas/diesel is a show stopper I’d go Tundra 100% of the time.

 

[WrenchFan69]

Ram 3500. Can't imagine commuting in anything smaller

 

[YearoftheHusky]

I have the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali and have loved it… until I have dropped $4k into predictable transmission issues at 75,000 miles.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I have the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali and have loved it… until I have dropped $4k into predictable transmission issues at 75,000 miles.

But it's probably the prettiest truck.

 

[87Xfer]

Toyota Tundra best full size pick up made.

Except for the fact that they recalled 100,000 of them due to engine failures. I know they claimed to have addressed the problem, but there are VIN-verified engine failures for vehicles after the recall date range. We had a 2017 Tundra and it was a great truck, but I decided to stay away from the current gen.

Ended up with a Silverado Trail Boss with the 6.2l and 10-speed trans. It's a great truck. But many of the GM engines have had lifter failure. Supposedly dealers received info from GM with VINs of any trucks they sold that were at risk and mine's not one of them. But I don't know how much faith I put in that. I won't keep it past the warranty expiration.

It seems like every brand full-size has problems these days, but if I were buying new, I'd probably go Ford SuperDuty with the Godzilla engine or F-150 with the EcoBoost.

 

[Captbluefin]

I have had 5 1500 Silverado’s in a row..

Will buy a 6th that says it all

 

[AllHusky]

I’m test driving expeditions now. We have 3 car seats for our 3 boys.

Engine great, still runs like a top. Pay attention to the body and you'll be better off than I am.

 

[Staven]

I have a 2012 Dodge Ram Laramie 5.7 1500 that is in great condition low miles and never any issues. I’ve never had a problem with this truck and would recommend the Laramie model to anyone interested in a truck. It has four doors and can be used as a family vehicle or for other purposes

 

[98Uconn]

Had 2 Silverado crew can 1500’s with 5.3 a loved them. Towed my 35’ travel trailer like crazy. Just got a new 37’ trailer and upgraded to a 2500 with 6.6L gas and Allison 10 speed and am extremely happy with how it toes. I know it’s not exactly the question of OP, but added fwiw

 

[c29328]

Tundra pre-2022 is a reliability winner usually. Pre-turbo and the engine problems. Lousy mileage but with a 400k mile engine. tech is meh but I am old and don’t care. 2020-2021 have safety systems that are good. I got a 2020 used in 2022 to avoid the new model. Moved off a Tacoma That had 280k on it.

 

[dingaling]

I have a 2022 ford 150 and love it...best selling car in America for a reason

 

[FairwayFlyer]

Cybertruck, the most American made truck.

 

[Conndog]

Want more than anything the Ram 1500 Ramcharger plug-in hybrid- will have to see what price they want for it. Has an electric range of 145 miles for everyday driving, but also can run on gas for long trips since it’s a hybrid too.

 

[Kgun7]

Bought a 2022 F150 Lariat Crew Cab. 10 speed tranny knocks, and AC has freezing issues ... Other than that, love it!! It seriously is a luxury SUV with a 6.5 foot bed.