Ridecamp: [RC] trucks - long

Hi,

I have had 2 trucks so far. The first was a 1983
Suburban - 3/4 ton, diesel and non 4 wheel drive - I
never got stuck in the 4 + years I had it. I loved it
for the comfort - it was extremely comfortable even
driving long distances.  It towed my 2 horse steel
really well even in the hills. It was very stable. 

The truck I have now is a 1989 ford 1 ton dually crew
cab diesel, regular 8 ft bed. I like the stability.
The comfort of the seats is not wonderful and the
floorboards slat weirdly so long trips are not
comfortable - lots of leg cramping and shifting
around. I also think that the fit and finish is a lot
cheaper and you can see where Ford cuts corners.
However it is a good truck overall. 

In the 2 trucks that I have had the things that I
liked best were: 

1) extra indoor seating/storage. Both trucks (Suburban
and the crew cab) had lots of room to carry people and
stuff out of the weather. You can also lock stuff up.
I am sooo glad that I did not get a regular cab on the
Ford. 

2) the towing/cooling package and the fact that the
engines were plenty big. 

3) Diesel. I love it. Good mileage, simple engines.
You can run these for a long time if you take care of
them. 

Things that I thought that I would like that I could
not afford or get and it did not really matter in the
end

1) 4 wheel drive. Yes it might have been nice but it
is expensive to drive and maintain. Lots of people
love the 4 wheel drive but I can't say that I have
ever really needed it. 

2)Sigh - color. You can get a good deal on a truck if
you don't really care about the color. I seem to draw
the brown/tan 2 tone. Anyone know how much a paint job
costs?

3) New truck - I have bought used from private parties
and you save a lot that way but oh - the colors that
these people choose when new!

4) Manual transmission - I thought that I would like
to be able to shift for better control. I dunno. I
have not really missed it. 

Things I want in my hypothetical new truck:

1) a really excellent stereo with CD - there is a lot
of bad radio out there. Also with the diesel you need
good loud speakers

2) Turbo diesel - The regular diesel is slow on the
uptake. I keep teeling myself that the horses do not
want/like/appreciate fast acceleration and so regular
diesel is best but I would still like to be able to
pull onto a freeway at 55. 

3) A decent color

4) Cup Holders - I am looking forward to the time when
the used trucks I am looking at have cupholders. 

Good luck with your truck shopping. 

Stasia 

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