[jensend]

Looks like we'll be trying to find a used late model (2006- on) truck in order to be able to take my '02 Z28 off the road and make it a dedicated track car. The truck would need to be able to tow the car and an open trailer safely at highway speeds. Would prefer a club or crew cab for the extra space an longer wheelbase. Right now I'm thinking gas as opposed to diesel since the truck will get limited use other than for track events and few camping trips annually. It will also be available to my two grown sons as needed. Want the space of an 8' bed so I can carry plywood, etc., when needed. Durarbility and reliability are major requirement. Capable of doing most maintenance and repairs on my own on a gas powered vehicle, but I'd like to have something that was practical to use and maintain. Looking for recommendations on what to buy/avoid, average real world mpg figures, etc.. Thanks in advance for your input.

[CrashTestDummy]

I'd really consider how much you'll be hauling plywood. Long beds with club/crew cabs are looooonnnnnggg, and hard to maneuver in some places. We have a 02 2500HD Duramax/Allison, and, as others have said about their diesels, it's been dead-nuts dependable. We don't drive it much, it has like 65K on it now, but we put a heavy open trailer behind it with our 2800# Firebird and forget it's back there. We get low 20's unloaded, and have recorded a 19.6 towing from Texas to Topeka. Unfortunately, the price of diesel has negated any savings, but _you'll_ have to stop before the truck does on long trips. The thing is pretty dang quiet, too. With the 6' bed, we can drag plywood home, just drop the tailgate, and it fits in most standard (even today's 'standard') garages.

I think if I popped the engine, or trans, for that matter, I'd consider unloading it and getting something new. The truck has been a joy to drive otherwise.

[Steve91T]

I'd really consider how much you'll be hauling plywood. Long beds with club/crew cabs are looooonnnnnggg, and hard to maneuver in some places. We have a 02 2500HD Duramax/Allison, and, as others have said about their diesels, it's been dead-nuts dependable. We don't drive it much, it has like 65K on it now, but we put a heavy open trailer behind it with our 2800# Firebird and forget it's back there. We get low 20's unloaded, and have recorded a 19.6 towing from Texas to Topeka. Unfortunately, the price of diesel has negated any savings, but _you'll_ have to stop before the truck does on long trips. The thing is pretty dang quiet, too. With the 6' bed, we can drag plywood home, just drop the tailgate, and it fits in most standard (even today's 'standard') garages.

I think if I popped the engine, or trans, for that matter, I'd consider unloading it and getting something new. The truck has been a joy to drive otherwise.

When people ask me how I can use my truck as a daily driver, and how I can park the thing is simple. The more you drive it, the smaller it feels. Full size trucks are big, long bed or not, what's another 2 feet? The only place I don't attempt to park my truck is downtown. That's it. I have a cheap back up camera (a honda civic can be close behind me and I can't see any part of the car) that I use for backing up. To park at the store, I back in every time. I just go past the spot and back in. It's 2nd nature to me now. I use my camera to judge how close the car behind me is.

A couple of weeks ago I was helping my buddy move. He has a Chevy 1500 short box. They couldn't believe the difference in how much stuff I could load into my truck compared to his. Honestly, I was surprised as well. Then figure in my bed extender, I have 10 feet of secured space. If you're getting a truck, GET A TRUCK! My brother was considering a 2x4. He said "well, I'm never planning on going off road, and I live in SC, we hardly see snow". My response was, if it does snow (which it does once in a while), it would suck to realize that his wife's civic would do better in the snow than his truck. He ended up getting a 4x4 and is glad he did.


A lot of people get the short bed because they don't want to deal with parking a long bed. Really? 2 feet is going to make it that much easier? I don't think so.

I've never understood why people get small trucks with a 5 ft beds, and then add a tool box. They are left with 3 feet! That's a trunk!

Steve

This post has been edited by Steve91T: Jul 8 2011, 02:59 PM