QOTD: Pick a Perfect Pickup, 2018 "Extra Truck" Edition
It seems we stood and talked like this, before. We looked at each other in the same way then. But I can’t remember where or when… no wait, I remember it perfectly well. It was eight months ago when I asked you to help me pick a perfect pickup. I ended up with a 2017 Silverado LTZ Crew Cab 6.5′ bed with Max Tow package and the 6.2-liter engine. Not all of you approved.
The Silvy ain’t going nowhere, but there might be space in the driveway for a second truck starting in the spring. Just like last time, I’m going to set some loosely-defined rules — but this time the rules will be very different.
The purposes and tasks assigned to Truck Number Two will be, in order of descending importance:
* Carry no more than four cyclists and their BMX/mountain bikes to events both competitive and non-competitive. A SuperCab/ClubCab/KingCab is fine.
Note that I didn’t specify full-sized or compact pickup here. I also didn’t specify mandatory 4WD, so let’s consider the pros and cons. The two candidates that come immediately to mind are:
* 2019 RAM low-spec quad cab with Pentastar.
Are those the best ideas? Should I try the new Ranger? Or should I get another crew cab just for resale purposes?
Oh, one last thing. All suggestions for used trucks will be ignored, unless the suggestion is to purchase a “Prospector Edition” Dodge Ramcharger.
[Image: Ford Motor Company]
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If you’re ever going to consider an enclosed trailer if you start working on your own race cars more often, you may want to look at a gas F250 with the excellent 6.2. We use a 6.2 F250 to tow a 24’ V nose weighing 9-10k depending on loadout. A half ton can do it, but it is much happier behind a F250. Eight foot beds in all cab combos.
I own a 2015 F150 Super Crew. It is an XLT with the rear locker, trailer brakes, and the chrome package. I added an aftermarket Android auto headunit that all in including the good install kit that let me keep the stock HVAC controls (other ones use a crappy looking touch screen) was 700 bucks. It will turn 40k on the trip back to Huntsville this weekend and I've had zero issues with it. It is a 2.7 and I pull a 5000 pound travel trailer with it on occasion. Serious pulling will get you into the low double digits mpg (grante my trailer has the profile of a parachute) and even single digits from time to time. Overall I'm at 24 mpg over the lifetime. I drove all the full-sized trucks when I purchased and IMHO it drove the best. The fact that you can actually see out of the Ford cant be overstated.