Have Pick Ups Always Been this Expensive?

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) said:

Same. In fact, I wonder how much people who Actually Use Their Trucks (tm) leave them in. If you are actually loading stuff into the bed, a trailer hitch is in the way. I've banged my shins on them enough to know I don't want it there unless I'm using it. Also, my garage is just barely big enough for me to cram a long-bed pickup (or my Expedition) into it, so I have to take it out to be able to close the garage door. And, of course, the other thing is that I have (or had) 3 different trailers that took 3 different ball sizes.

I leave mine in because my truck is a tow appliance to get my race car to the track and back, that's about 90% of what it does.  I'm pretty useless with construction stuff so I don't go to Home Depot for plywood or concrete or what have you.  When I do load things into the bed I have the tailgate down (most often wheels and tires for trips to the tire store or fuel jugs for a trip to the gas station to fill up for a race) and there's no way my shins can reach the draw bar and trailer ball like that.

I have one trailer, and the hitch I use is adjustable height and supports quick swapping of balls (also integrated tongue weight scales) so even if I had more than one I wouldn't need to swap it.  My truck wouldn't fit in my garage even if it wasn't already full of other cars about which I care more about the paint, so that's irrelevant.

I think I count as "Actually Using My Truck".

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

I think I count as "Actually Using My Truck".

Indeed. I was poking fun at the judgy "all they haul is air" folks.  

I actually use my truck, even when I'm not actually "using" my truck.

I use it for transportation (like any other car), but also do stuff with it that you can't do with a smaller car (like hauling 6 people, tools, or towing).

My truck is always in use, even when the bed is empty and clean. 
 

I don't ask people why all the seats in their car aren't full, or why they aren't racing it, or carrying things in the trunk. I don't get why this matters so much for some people to claim truck owners don't use (or need) their trucks.

It's always in use, and meets my needs well. Those needs change daily, and my truck is excellent at meeting those varying needs. 

In reply to SV reX :

My only issue with new trucks are the prices which I've mentioned ad nauseam and the size.

So even if I get past the price (not likely to happen) I won't ever get past the size.............I think I've also mentioned my Outback is my big car.

As for usage; the number one reason to buy a Ferrari is "I look good in it".  I'm now thinking that applies to 60-80K pick ups.....if that makes folks happy who am I to question it....................also note when I mention the price it's not a judgment it's a statement in keeping with my innate cheapness.

With all that said I at least understand why they cost so much now.

In reply to Tom1200 :

I buy new.   Then keep it until it's time to call the junk man. I maintain it well, wash it regularly, and use it hard with out abuse.  Living in the rust belt means rust kills them long before they are mechanically worn out. 
    My last one cost me $80 a month to own and never failed to get me home.  ( 20 years 371,000 miles ).

   This one is 7 years old and has never been repaired.  In all probability it will last a good bit longer than my old one.

 
 Inflation is going up! So accordingly prices of new reflect inflation.  you should be able to negotiate 15-20% off the list price if the dealership really wants to sell. Pay attention to the market and you'll know when to start shopping. Do it over the phone.  Don't go in for a test drive, sell your trade in yourself. Make the best deal you can.  ( you have to get up and leave too many times in order to duplicate what you can do on the phone in a few minutes. ) 

ConiglioRampante said:

I've yet to figure out how some owners keep their chrome-plated hitch ball scratch-free for so many years.  I must have *done it wrong* on the farm. 

Don't get me started on hitch balls.  I'm out there with an old toothbrush smearing grease on my FIL's dry and severely gouged hitch ball.  Wife walks out and asks why I'm putting grease on her dad's truck.  Then proceeds to tell me that you don't do that.  What if somebody brushes it with their pant leg?  Anywho...rant off

Trucks these days are big, too.  This guy parked next to my e30 yesterday (he was parked in a traffic lane too, so everyone had to try to squeeze past him to get through the parking ramp.)

In reply to stuart in mn :

Now do the same with a new 3 series.  It's not just trucks, unfortunately. 

In reply to stuart in mn :

Is that a single cab short bed (SCSB)?  That's a unicorn these days if it is, it's actually the smallest footprint full-size truck you can buy and i've don't think you can configure a new Silverado or WT that way anymore. 

Tomorrow I'm going to buy a truck, and it's going to have a crew cab and a short bed, and the bed is usually going to be empty. And im gonna finance it. Suck it nerds.

In reply to 06HHR (Forum Supporter) :

Yes you can apparently 

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2022-chevy-silverado-regular-cab-standard-bed-shorty/

gearheadmb said:

Tomorrow I'm going to buy a truck, and it's going to have a crew cab and a short bed, and the bed is usually going to be empty. And im gonna finance it. Suck it nerds.

You go gearhead mn, you take it to the bank!

gearheadmb said:

Tomorrow I'm going to buy a truck, and it's going to have a crew cab and a short bed, and the bed is usually going to be empty. And im gonna finance it. Suck it nerds.

But for all we know you're buying a 96 Frontier off a sketchy "we finance lot" in dicey part of town......LOL

Real trucks have 8ft beds.

There.

I said it.

Appleseed said:

Real trucks have 8ft beds.

Aren't those part of the "compensator" option?

(couldn't help it.....to good to pass up).

In reply to Tom1200 :

Exposing one's sheets of plywood publicly used to be shameful.

Appleseed said:

Real trucks have 8ft beds.

There.

I said it.

I always made fun of the crew cabs with short beds, but after a lot of thinking and weighing options I realized if I'm going to spend this kind of money on a vehicle then I want to be able to get my wife and kids in there. 

I bought the double door cab Silverado and 95% of the people that ride back there hate it.  I got it to do my job but I'll probably not get this configuration again.