New Truck recommendation

[Gillsy]

Hi all. I have a Pilot and a Camry. Recent circumstances require me to get rid of my Camry and replace it with something that has more utility. A pickup truck seems to fit the bill. 80% of the time this will be used for mall crawler duty, but I will need to drive on poor mountain dirt roads occasionally and pull a small trailer (5k lbs or less) on those roads. There will be snow and mud on those roads too. I'm a fairly big boy with long legs, and like my comfort. I'll also need the truck to fit at least 5 people. I typically keep my vehicles for a long time (at least 200K, but typically 250K miles) and hate repairs, so reliability is probably my #1 criteria. I had a 2021 chevy 3.0 diesel for a while, but the noises that thing made WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF scared the hell out of me (clicks, whistles and rumbles when I approached it with the key in my pocket), so fearing eventual electrical gremlins I sold it--plus the price of diesel in my area was 25% higher than gas, negating the mpg advantage. F-150s are too dam expensive, Tundra turbos are now junk, and I don't fit in Tacomas. I'm thinking of a 4x4 Frontier SV, or a base model Chevy extended cab with the 2.7L turbo. I know nothing about Ram, other than the fact it's a Dodge made by some someone with a less than stellar reputation. FYI, I have no "little guy, big truck" ego. So, what the heck should I buy?

In my lifetime, I've owned the following, 84 F150, 86 Mazda B2200, 89 1/2 ton Silverado, 03 GMC 1/2 ton, 05 GMC 1/2 ton, 2010 Frontier, 2016 F150, 2018 F150, 2019 Titan, and a 2021Ram 1500 with 5.7 hemi. The Ram is the very best I've ever owned with a current 44,000 miles. If I had to buy another new truck tomorrow, it would be a Ram (not interested in the 3 liter Hurricane). Some have suggested the new style Frontier. The two things I really hated in mine was too much heat from the vents while my feet were still cold (dealer verified proper operation), and the large turning radius. It was a PITA to park. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[meep]

The Ridgeline is AWD.

Yes….. but you’ve got to look at what the back axle is rated for. That same (? Similar?) system in the mdx has a limited torque output through the magnetic axle clutches before they slip. It’s something like 145 ft/lbs per half shaft on the MDX, which gives a total thrust (hand math) of 220 pounds or so. I’d be hopeful they might eek a bit more out in the RL…. Hopefully a lot more, but if it’s the Same system then it’s good for helping in rain and snow but not rain and snow and an extra 5000 lbs.

 

[rbk777]

The Ridgeline is pretty much the Pilot with a different body. From personal experience, it will shake itself apart if you frequent rough mountain roads. I don't mean to offend anyone, but it's basically a station wagon that looks like a truck--not for serious use.