Pickup owners . . . looking for input

[Anonymous]

I’m looking to replace my smaller SUV with a larger, more functional vehicle, and one option is switch to a pickup. So I’m looking for thoughts and experiences.p from those who drive pickups.

I’m involved in a number of outdoor activities that require more cargo capacity than what I have. I also fairly frequently drive on unpaved forest roads and in snowy conditions. I had one experience sliding off road where I needed to be pulled out (by a pickup with a winch), which is making me consider something with a winch so I can self rescue. I may buy a trailer at some point, so may need some towing capacity, but no more than 5000 lbs.

I also do some long distance highway driving and would like something with good acceleration, good drivability, comfortable front seats, and good adaptive cruise control. I don’t want anything with a lot of technology otherwise, to the extent I can avoid it.

I considered SUVs like the 4Runner but am concerned about poor acceleration and lack of comfort/quiet/drivability for highway driving.

Reliability makes me a bit weary about Ford and Chevy but I’ll keep an open mind.

What should I test drive?

[Anonymous]

Do you normally carry passengers (people or pets)? My neighbor has a F250 and it is huge, but very roomy and dare I say luxurious inside.

[Anonymous]

OP: no backseat passengers, but a dog

[Anonymous]

Toyota Tacoma.

[Anonymous]

Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, or Rivian EV pickup (really awesome vehicle, IMHO)

[Anonymous]

On my 3rd Toyota Hilux or Tacoma access cab. 1 dog, wife, 1 kid all fit.

[Anonymous]

Tacoma is the best for offroad and does fine on the highway as long as you aren't shy with the gas pedal going up hills. Get a Diamondback cover. Only real decision is the 5' or 6' bed, the short bed lacks space but is much easier to drive and park.

[Anonymous]

My DH loves his Ram truck, and I have to say it’s incredibly spacious and comfortable on the road. More comfortable than my luxury SUV. We have several friends who have bought one after riding in ours. It is hard to park, but I assume you know that and will have that issue with any full-sized truck.

[Anonymous]

If you think the 4Runner is too slow (and I have no idea why you’d think that?), then the Taco isn’t going to be to your liking either

Which is too bad, because it’s the best option, by far, when it comes to new trucks .

2nd choice, a previous generation (pre-23) Tundra with the 4.7 or 5.7 v8’s. Can’t go wrong with either. Pay them whatever the seller is asking.

3rd choice would be a late ‘teens Ford F-150 if you need a full size - crew cab, short bed, 4x4 - with the 5.0L v8. Do not even consider any other engine besides the 5.0L v8, it’s the last decent, reliable thing Ford builds.

GM vehicles are a crap shoot. Same with Ram.

Avoid Nissan altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think the 4Runner is too slow (and I have no idea why you’d think that?), then the Taco isn’t going to be to your liking either

Which is too bad, because it’s the best option, by far, when it comes to new trucks .

2nd choice, a previous generation (pre-23) Tundra with the 4.7 or 5.7 v8’s. Can’t go wrong with either. Pay them whatever the seller is asking.

3rd choice would be a late ‘teens Ford F-150 if you need a full size - crew cab, short bed, 4x4 - with the 5.0L v8. Do not even consider any other engine besides the 5.0L v8, it’s the last decent, reliable thing Ford builds.

GM vehicles are a crap shoot. Same with Ram.

Avoid Nissan altogether.

I have a Frontier and love it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH loves his Ram truck, and I have to say it’s incredibly spacious and comfortable on the road. More comfortable than my luxury SUV. We have several friends who have bought one after riding in ours. It is hard to park, but I assume you know that and will have that issue with any full-sized truck.

I have a Ram 1500 Laramie, and it’s extremely luxurious. Way nicer than my husband’s Audi! I initially purchased it to pull my horse trailer; even though it’s a half ton, it has over 10,000 lbs of towing capacity and plenty of stopping power for my aluminum trailer with one horse.

Our family loves it so much that it has become our go-to vehicle. Parking isn’t as hard as I feared, although I do usually back in if I can because it takes fewer adjustments to squeeze into spots with the back-up camera. However, I do live in western Fairfax County and rarely go into DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH loves his Ram truck, and I have to say it’s incredibly spacious and comfortable on the road. More comfortable than my luxury SUV. We have several friends who have bought one after riding in ours. It is hard to park, but I assume you know that and will have that issue with any full-sized truck.

+1

I spent a ton of time comparing the major pickups recently (2023 models) and the Ram 1500 really started to pull away. So that what we got and it is AMAZING.

Super comfortable and luxurious inside, the tech is great but intuitive and manageable, the engine and acceleration feels like you’re driving a rocket ship (we got the V8 etorque). Towing anything at the weight you’re describing (sub 5000 lbs) is going to be a breeze.

I’d definitely recommend getting the largest gas tank option available on your trim.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think the 4Runner is going to be too slow? That's ridiculous. It's the best choice out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think the 4Runner is going to be too slow? That's ridiculous. It's the best choice out there.

0-60 in 7.7. You'd get smoked by a Honda Odyssey or Subaru Ascent.

Modern trucks can do it in <6 sec.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2010 F150 that has been incredibly reliable. I bought it new in Dec 2009 and it’s never had a significant issue. It has worked hard too…I mostly use it as a daily driver and also to tow around 8000lbs. It’s fairly comfortable as well. I absolutely would get a crew cab…it’s so convenient to have some indoor capabilities.