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Why Do YOU Drive A Pickup?
Motormouth
Member Posts: 99
in General
I'm always fascinated to hear the reasons various people own and use
pickup trucks.
One friend of mine pulls a 5th wheel every summer. So he has a big
diesel Ford that he uses year-round. The other reason he loves driving
the Ford year round is the size... it's very intimidating in traffic,
and offers him a lot of protection.
A woman I used to date bought a pickup simply because she figured (and
proved to be right) that she gets "hit on" a lot less than when she
drove her flashy sports car. I think it may have something to do with
the huge Harley Davidson decal she has on the rear window. But the
image is clear that she has a big biker boyfriend. She doesn't. But
she's thrilled that now she doesn't have to be ready with polite
turn-downs every time she goes out.
Still another friend who lives out in California has two dogs who love
to ride with him and his wife. They had a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
but, as he put it, the smell of the dogs was awful inside the SUV...
not to mention the shedding hair of two dogs (his wife jokingly
suggested that some of it may have been his since he is rapidly
approaching Chrome-Dome status).
Now, with the pickup, the dogs are happily riding in back, and his
wife knows better to make comments about HIS shedding, else she may
wind up sharing the outside accomodations with Pete and Sparky (the
dogs).
What is the reason YOU choose to drive a pickup? There are so many
alternatives now with the various size of SUVs etc. SUVs are cutting
into the Pickup and Passenger Car markets, but there's a hard-core
group of us staying true to our pickups.
What's your story?
pickup trucks.
One friend of mine pulls a 5th wheel every summer. So he has a big
diesel Ford that he uses year-round. The other reason he loves driving
the Ford year round is the size... it's very intimidating in traffic,
and offers him a lot of protection.
A woman I used to date bought a pickup simply because she figured (and
proved to be right) that she gets "hit on" a lot less than when she
drove her flashy sports car. I think it may have something to do with
the huge Harley Davidson decal she has on the rear window. But the
image is clear that she has a big biker boyfriend. She doesn't. But
she's thrilled that now she doesn't have to be ready with polite
turn-downs every time she goes out.
Still another friend who lives out in California has two dogs who love
to ride with him and his wife. They had a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
but, as he put it, the smell of the dogs was awful inside the SUV...
not to mention the shedding hair of two dogs (his wife jokingly
suggested that some of it may have been his since he is rapidly
approaching Chrome-Dome status).
Now, with the pickup, the dogs are happily riding in back, and his
wife knows better to make comments about HIS shedding, else she may
wind up sharing the outside accomodations with Pete and Sparky (the
dogs).
What is the reason YOU choose to drive a pickup? There are so many
alternatives now with the various size of SUVs etc. SUVs are cutting
into the Pickup and Passenger Car markets, but there's a hard-core
group of us staying true to our pickups.
What's your story?
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Comments
Why drive a pick-up? I like the idea of being able to 'throw 'things in the back. Tools, camping equipment, etc. I like to be able to look over the top of the car in front of me so I can figure out why the HELL they are going sooooo slow! Pick-ups are more practical to me. With an extended cab you can even carry your kids with you when you go pick up your Mom's new couch she just bought. I'm not crazy about the fancy flaresided pickups, or the ones that look like show cars. If I want one of them I'll buy a sports car.Just give me a plain 'ol Pick-up with the banged up bed.....I'll feel right at home.I'm a serious hunter. I've never met a REAL serious hunter...that didn't have a pick-up. To me they just make plain 'ol good sense. Besides all that...a pick-up is what my Grandpa taught me how to drive in.
Now that I have it, I definitely appreciate things about it, like being able to carry things (like couches) around in it, being up high (although with the preponderance of SUVs out there, this is not the case so much), and getting more respect on the road. I don't think people in cars tend to cut me off as much. Even though my truck is pretty small, it's still a truck and exudes a sort of "don't-mess-with-me" attitude.
I also like not having to give people rides that much. It's a tight squeeze to get 3 across the bench seat & that means that usually it's just my girlfriend and I in the truck...
Seriously....
I'm a truck guy. ALways have been. I'm just not happy with anything else. It's a weird personality flaw, but it's MY personality flaw and I deal with it.
Nothing wrong with being a truck guy. I sure hope not since they make up such a high percentage of vehicle owners!
Plus, given your occupation, I'd drive a truck myself.
haul a 1400 lb mare 400 lb+ carriage hay, harness
equipment and more for my mental rehabilitation
off the job!!! My truck pulls a 20ft fith wheel
trailer and has to be dependible ( There is nothing worse than being stranded on the road with
animals)
"You mean there's something else?"
I have driven pickup trucks for the last 20 years. I have owned several different Chevy's and GMC's plus a 78 standard size Ford and an 83 Ford Crew Cab. I use my truck at work to haul all types of computer equipment and furniture. At home, I use it to haul such things as mulch, fill dirt, tree limbs, riding lawn mower, etc. I have an 8' x 16' flatbed trailer that I use to haul my 1947 Ford 8N tractor and accessories, lumber, masonery products and occasionally another vehicle like my 1952 Hudson Super Wasp (which I am just beginning to restore). I recently purchased a 30' Coachmen travel trailer and intend to do some traveling. I'm here because I am looking for information, guidance, counceling and anything else that will help me on trading my current truck for a 98 Dodge, Chevy, GMC or Ford.
Later
I traded in my chevy lemon for a 96 dodge cummins
1 ton staight drive cd-player extended cab.
I think I'm in love for the last time. The truck
is the definative bad ride!!!!!
Amazing how people just become glued to a solid black, chrome trimmed dually. My favorite response was a woman walking with her young daughter - the little tyke kept her eye on the truck for half a block while mom pulled her along.
Why a truck? Well -- why blue jeans? Why cold beer? Why country music? I guess I'd have to say becuase they all make me feel so d----d American! (Sorry, boys, no Toyotas for me.) ... Even when I'm driving in the city, my truck makes me feel like I'm out in the wide open spaces. Grew up in Texas, New Mexico and Utah, and I don't remember a time when I didn't want one.
Plus ... there is no WAY you want to pull up in front of your favorite country music dance hall in a CAR. If you want to impress the cowgirls, no mere car is gonna cut it! (Yet another practical application, you must admit.)
Really like the site and enjoy reading everyone's comments. Talk to you later --
Sure wish the city slickers and suits would quit driving trucks and sport utes, as it has pushed up the price for those of us that really need them.
Also, they are tough as nails and I drive them HARD!!!
Any questions??
Well, I guess that the single biggest reason I drive a truck (if you were to put a gun to my head and demand I give only one reason) is the safety/piece of mind factor. I just bought a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Extend Cab 4X4 shortbed, and I have never felt safer in a car. The Ram replaced a 1983 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, too, so I have driven some big cars in my day. After getting broadsided in a Plymouth Sundance and rear-ended in an old Toyota van, I spent so much time in physical therapy that when I was finally done I wanted a car that would punish anyone that hit me. I found the Caddy cheap, but it soon died. I happened to graduate with my Master's degree and quickly land a great full-time job, so I went out and bought the truck of my dreams -- the new Dodge Ram. I had owned a 1993 Ram years ago, before I started graduate school, and I loved it. It was the stripped, V-6, 2WD version, but it moved real good and was a great light hauler.
Now, with the new truck and the V-8, I can tow my camper _and_ carry my motorcycle in the bed! It's great!
My first vehicle was a stock 1957 Chevy P/U my old man bought me for $500 from a local farmer who had driven the thing for almost twenty-five years. (this was in 1981) Thing was all original, right down to the three on the tree and the floor board starter peddle. Stupid teenager I was I didn't appreciate the thing and drove it into the ground. (forgive me!) My next truck was a new toyota 4x4 which really was a great truck for the time. Small but had a lot of get up and go for such a small engine. Then I got married. Sold my truck, bought a new Jeep which of course became my wifes vehicle. I got stuck driving her old Geo Prism for the time being. Well, finished law school, while at the same time working two jobs, paying for all the bills and still driving the Prism. (I do mean all the bills) Then the wife decides she doesn't want to be married anymore and walks out on me 10 days before the bar exam and, of course, takes the Jeep. So here I am stuck with an old Prism (for the last five years). However, next month I'm buying MYSELF a NEW Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 w/ Diesel/Automatic and all the extras. It will cost me a little over $30K, but damn it, I have been saving every penny for the last couple of months and after all I have been through I going to treat myself! Take my advice guys (my apoligies to any women in the audience), spend some money on some toys for yourself occassionally. And if it comes down to getting married or buying the truck you always wanted, take the truck!!!
I use the thing for everything from hauling wood to stretching out at the drive in movies. I can go just about anywhere that I please thanks to 4wd, or I can just be normal and drive down the street. and as mentioned prior tailgate parties are a must either at the beach or at the cabin.
and the necessary home improvement items that
just cannot be carried in a car. My theory is
if you own a home you need a truck!
Since that time, I bought a house and an old toyota with 77K miles on it. That was eight years ago and I still have it. I'm looking to trade vehicles again, but this time for a new truck!
I have been contemplating getting a four runner to replace my chevy full size truck. My kids are getting big and I need four doors, also I'm kind of tired of parking my truck. I figured that I would use my trailer for hauling stuff. But every time I just run down to home depot and pick up dry wall or 2x4's, I realize how much of a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] it would be to unload the trailer and hook it up. Not to mention that my truck can hold more weight than my trailer. Now if I could get a four door mini truck with a 6 foot bed and that cummins diesel engine...
We have a SUV and like it alot. However, it does not work well for the "honey dues" and the little home projects. I like to keep my vehicles clean and hauling wood or getting a friend to haul the wood for me was getting old.
Our solution is that she really likes the SUV and endorses my getting a truck. With the boat we have I ordered a diesel, that I am waiting for now. She told me to get it equipped the way I want it, since we should be keeping it for a few years. :-) Naturally it will fully equipped and now I am trying to learn all I can about toppers and the manufacturers. That is next on the list.
DKG
Right on, if people have to ask you why, they just won't get it.
Why do I drive a truck? I could rattle on and on about the things I like about my truck. But it comes down to practicality. In October when the air starts to get nippy and you go to get your cords of wood for the fireplace, the trunk of a car just doesn't cut it. Go fishing and have a really good day out on the water (I'm talking Alaska here . . .) bringing home a hundred pounds or more of Halibut & Salmon fillets. The back seat of a car just doesn't cut it. Same thing for camping, REAL camping, cars just don't cut it. I could go on but you guys know it as well as I do that a truck is not only a practical vehicle but it makes a statement about your values.
Besides when that person, who was asking you why you drive a truck, is moving. Who is the first person that they think of to ask for help? The person they know that drives a truck! nuff said!
1985 F150 4x4
we try to keep it civilized here. If you want to post stuff like that, go hang out in Usenet
I have an extended cab and I can fit six adults
comfortably. Try that in any midsize car, you
won't find it anywhere. Also, the price of one
is not much more than any decent mid-size car
on the market today.
Lets face the facts. It's not a 'strange sense of visibility and spaciousness', it's the truth. If it were penis envy, then we'd all drive big-rig semi's; and the circle goes on. Aside from the gas mileage, pick-ups are very practical. And compared to the larger SUV's, gas mileage is OK. I've driven them for a number of years and have never been let down, whether moving people or assorted "stuff". Sure I park out at the end of the parking lots, but I do that more to avoid dings and dents than anything. The only frustrating thing about my truck is when I realize I have to go wash it after my most recent any-purpose trip before I pick up a date. Not a bad price to pay for all that versatility.
RT