And higher? or is it me, the manufacturers keep making them higher it seems
Will pick up trucks ever stop getting bigger?
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I said the same thing, and included the Ford Explorer.
To me, it seems like many of today's have a worthless bed you can't lay a sheet of plywood in with the tailgate shut.
4WD
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This is an F250 town and I often wonder the same thing- I parked our Explorer next to a Yukon (what we used to buy) last week and it did not look big then.
If the consumer wants them, they will continue to grow. The guys who mow my lawn roll in with a F350 Super Duty Lariat pulling a trailer just large enough for their lawn equipment. Is that monster needed, no. But if they like it, it's their money, and they should buy what they like.
They're getting bigger and taller, but with less ground clearance. Especially the newer SUVs. My stock 96 Cherokee has more ground clearance and better approach/breakover/departure angles than any new truck out there today, save for the Raptor and the Powerwagon. Same for the LR3. The new Cherokee sits like a car in comparison.
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I find myself fording water a few times a year and don't mind some ground clearance - but at 6-1" I can't reach anything from the BIL's new F150 short bed ...
Originally Posted By: HoosierJeeper
They're getting bigger and taller, but with less ground clearance. Especially the newer SUVs. My stock 96 Cherokee has more ground clearance and better approach/breakover/departure angles than any new truck out there today, save for the Raptor and the Powerwagon. Same for the LR3. The new Cherokee sits like a car in comparison.
When my 2000 Cherokee was stock, the roof was level with the bottom of the windows on my father's 2000 F-350.
Not lifted.
They're getting bigger and taller, but with less ground clearance. Especially the newer SUVs. My stock 96 Cherokee has more ground clearance and better approach/breakover/departure angles than any new truck out there today, save for the Raptor and the Powerwagon. Same for the LR3. The new Cherokee sits like a car in comparison.
When my 2000 Cherokee was stock, the roof was level with the bottom of the windows on my father's 2000 F-350.
Not lifted.
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
To me, it seems like many of today's have a worthless bed you can't lay a sheet of plywood in with the tailgate shut.
There is a TV commercial running up here where a group of guys drop an empty metal tool box into the competitors aluminum truck bed and it tears a hole in it!?
To me, it seems like many of today's have a worthless bed you can't lay a sheet of plywood in with the tailgate shut.
There is a TV commercial running up here where a group of guys drop an empty metal tool box into the competitors aluminum truck bed and it tears a hole in it!?
The problem is when these trucks keep getting bigger/taller, we have to make economy cars stronger/bigger so they can withstand hits from these monsters. I bet in 5 years the average economy car will weigh 5,000lbs and need twin turbos and direct injection to achieve the same fuel economy.
Think about the fuel mileage we could get if we put a modern power train into a late 1990s/early 2000's economy car like an escort or civic.
Think about the fuel mileage we could get if we put a modern power train into a late 1990s/early 2000's economy car like an escort or civic.
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I only buy Ford and GM and think that ad is goofy. Ford made a big "decide" in going aluminum and is bringing that to other lines ...
You just have to understand that a bed liner or pad is a good idea unless you only haul Miracle Gro sacks.
I have both - and company has both in commercial trucks even with steel beds
You just have to understand that a bed liner or pad is a good idea unless you only haul Miracle Gro sacks.
I have both - and company has both in commercial trucks even with steel beds
Originally Posted By: cjcride
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
To me, it seems like many of today's have a worthless bed you can't lay a sheet of plywood in with the tailgate shut.
There is a TV commercial running up here where a group of guys drop an empty metal tool box into the competitors aluminum truck bed and it tears a hole in it!?
It's running, or ran, here too.
It's a GM commercial saying the Ford's aluminum bed and body are junk. The GM beds only deform, the Ford beds get holes punched in them.
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
To me, it seems like many of today's have a worthless bed you can't lay a sheet of plywood in with the tailgate shut.
There is a TV commercial running up here where a group of guys drop an empty metal tool box into the competitors aluminum truck bed and it tears a hole in it!?
It's running, or ran, here too.
It's a GM commercial saying the Ford's aluminum bed and body are junk. The GM beds only deform, the Ford beds get holes punched in them.
My short Dad can't buy a new truck! He measured a new 2wd Chevy against his 2000 4wd, the new one was 6" higher with a 2" deeper bed. He does a lot or ranch work so bed access is mandatory. No new full-size truck for him, disappointing. The smaller trucks don't have enough bed capacity so he is stuck.
4WD
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All the ranchers here do the tough country side bars with 3 step ups (includes bed) - some have gone to cab and chassis and get flat beds built ...
I'm sure the recent pedestrian safety standards are driving ground clearance and front end profiles, which in my humble yet honest opinion is incredibly retarded. EPA is on one side saying "we'll fine you if you don't get gas mileage up" and the NHTSA (or whoever has say over such things) is on the other side saying "you have to make the front end bigger and more blunt so you don't hurt pedestrians as bad!".
This is just from casual observation, but take a manufacturer like Subaru: with their boxer 4 they should have an advantage in aerodynamics because they can keep the hood lower, hence better aerodynamics... but with the above crash test standards it doesn't matter how slender the equipment under the hood is, the car has to have a relatively blunt front end regardless. Even my '96 Buick has a very low, slender (vertically speaking) nose, no doubt contributing to those cars' ability to get 30+ MPG out of nearly two tons and 3.8 liters.
And in the SUV/truck world that translates into huge, flat front ends to facilitate low bumpers so people don't get run over, in turn obliterating a good approach angle.
Not that I condone a complete "every driver for themselves" environment - but if the government agencies want to take the responsibility of keeping us motoring in the absolute highest degree of safety we all need to drive Sparks that are governed to 40 MPH.
... But then again, think what that would do for petroleum consumption.
This is just from casual observation, but take a manufacturer like Subaru: with their boxer 4 they should have an advantage in aerodynamics because they can keep the hood lower, hence better aerodynamics... but with the above crash test standards it doesn't matter how slender the equipment under the hood is, the car has to have a relatively blunt front end regardless. Even my '96 Buick has a very low, slender (vertically speaking) nose, no doubt contributing to those cars' ability to get 30+ MPG out of nearly two tons and 3.8 liters.
And in the SUV/truck world that translates into huge, flat front ends to facilitate low bumpers so people don't get run over, in turn obliterating a good approach angle.
Not that I condone a complete "every driver for themselves" environment - but if the government agencies want to take the responsibility of keeping us motoring in the absolute highest degree of safety we all need to drive Sparks that are governed to 40 MPH.
... But then again, think what that would do for petroleum consumption.
The only plus side is that your used truck has a high resale and is in demand because most people
don't have $70-$80K to spend on a new truck.....
don't have $70-$80K to spend on a new truck.....
Originally Posted By: 4WD
I only buy Ford and GM and think that ad is goofy. Ford made a big "decide" in going aluminum and is bringing that to other lines ...
You just have to understand that a bed liner or pad is a good idea unless you only haul Miracle Gro sacks.
I have both - and company has both in commercial trucks even with steel beds
Word is that GM will be using an Al-intensive body in the 2018 Silverado...sticking with a steel bed.
Base engine will be a turbo 4 to try to keep fuel economy in check with 8 and 10-speed transmissions. Probably only a fleet option because I don't see anybody even with a V6 around here. Dodge makes it cheaper to buy their V8 than the 6 through incentives.
I only buy Ford and GM and think that ad is goofy. Ford made a big "decide" in going aluminum and is bringing that to other lines ...
You just have to understand that a bed liner or pad is a good idea unless you only haul Miracle Gro sacks.
I have both - and company has both in commercial trucks even with steel beds
Word is that GM will be using an Al-intensive body in the 2018 Silverado...sticking with a steel bed.
Base engine will be a turbo 4 to try to keep fuel economy in check with 8 and 10-speed transmissions. Probably only a fleet option because I don't see anybody even with a V6 around here. Dodge makes it cheaper to buy their V8 than the 6 through incentives.
I thought these big trucks were still getting the same, if not better, mpg than their predecessors? While doing more work (payload, towing). While having better NVH.
I'd like to go to a smaller truck, but even if I ignore the cost, would it get the job done? I skipped on the Tacoma as I didn't think it was large enough, even in a quad cab. Small bed, small interior. My Tundra seems huge, but I can barely crawl under it.
It is annoying to have to use a stepladder to wash the roof. Next truck I get (if I do) will have to be smaller. But I'm sure I'll be reminded how it won't go through snow.
I'd like to go to a smaller truck, but even if I ignore the cost, would it get the job done? I skipped on the Tacoma as I didn't think it was large enough, even in a quad cab. Small bed, small interior. My Tundra seems huge, but I can barely crawl under it.
It is annoying to have to use a stepladder to wash the roof. Next truck I get (if I do) will have to be smaller. But I'm sure I'll be reminded how it won't go through snow.
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