Why Not Go Heavy Duty?

"Money Hustard" (moneyhustard) 05/17/2015 at 10:41 • Filed to: Trucks, Car Buying

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After spending many years in a sedan, I’ve come to the realization that I’d be a lot more comfortable, and have much use for a full-size truck. I’m a large guy (6’7” 360 lbs), I have a toddler, and people with my personality just shouldn’t have access to much acceleration. On top of that my family has a 2005 F150 XLT that we use as a work truck that is languishing in a driveway getting used only a few times a month, that’s been offered to me to trade in provided I lend out the truck occasionally. That’s a $9500 incentive.

My problem is that when I spec out 2015 trucks of any make I end up with an MSRP right around $45K. Which happens to be right around the same price as an equivalent 2500, which is surprising (though a Diesel would be $7-$8K more).

So here’s why I feel like I might as well go heavy duty: I’ll be driving a full sized truck, it’s already going to be slow, ponderous and inefficient, why not go all the way and get the more capable vehicle. Ram even offers something called a “Mega Cab.”

If I’m getting the thing so I can have more room for me and my family, my life is over anyway , why not go all they way?

Seriously, help, I went from finding out I don’t quite fit right in a GTI (only fit in the 2-door) to now pondering a semi truck. Why shouldn’t I drive something that can tare fair sized building down?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 10:47

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You could always go for a Used 2500 of some kind for around 30k

asindhidude > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 10:49

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1) Dude, you’re football big!

2) How about a full size sedan? A SHO perhaps?

Milky > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 10:50

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So you don’t really need a truck at all? My two pennies then.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 10:54

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If you ever go into tighter cities/ towns the heavy duty truck would be a pain in the arse. Besides that and the complete lack of fun, if you prefer a big truck, get a big truck.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 10:57

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Expensive brake jobs. And everything else. Have you priced an oil change on one of those big diesels? Some of those diesels are prone to some extremely costly engine repairs. In California, and I don’t know about elsewhere, there’s a horse piss tank that you have to fill up.

Not trying g to pee on your Wheaties, just some items that I have paid attention to in recent years. Good luck. Let us know what you decide to do

What about a van?

Mr. Van > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:00

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I would recommend a full size 1 ton van. Cheaper, loads of room for kids and stuff.

fhrblig > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/17/2015 at 11:07

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I think that’s sometimes overstated. That could be because I’ve spent a lot of time shepherding huge cargo vans in the middle of downtown. It’s really not that hard, at least in the US. If you’re a skilled driver and careful, you can do it. The only times I’ve ever scratched the vans or contacted anything was when the roof clearance was misstated.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > fhrblig 05/17/2015 at 11:09

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It’s not that it’s impossible, just that it’s irritating if you’re constantly having to worry about threading it through traffic.

fhrblig > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:10

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I don’t like the extra cost of diesel maintenance. I think I’d personally stick with a gas engine. I wish you could still get a new one with a stick, though. Ram is the only one that still has a manual, and it’s only with the Cummins.

fhrblig > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/17/2015 at 11:12

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I must have a thicker skin when it comes to that. 10-11 hour shifts in those things are nothing to me. I also have a high tolerance for being stuck in stop-and-go traffic with a manual transmission.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:28

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BIG GUY?

FOR YOU...

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > fhrblig 05/17/2015 at 11:29

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I’ve only had small cars and the largest thing I’ve driven for any length of time is one of these.Not to mention how tight the roads are where I live.

I’ve never driven an automatic on the road, so driving manual is all I know and the traffic is pretty heavy around here. Basically second nature to me now.

blacktruck18 > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:33

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(If vid doesn’t work watch from :44 to 1:12.)

As someone who drives a truck everyday, I would say they biggest pain in the ass is grocery shopping and stuff like that. I have a regular cab Ram 1500, obviously it won’t be as bad for you having a mega or extended cab.

Just think about every time you go to the store, you go grocery shopping, come outside to your truck and start throwing every thing in the cab, which is already half full of people and toddler things, the cab gets full pretty quick, so you put things in the bed. Off you go to home, and it starts raining, now everything you put in the bed has to get dried off before you bring it in the house. It’s seriously a pain in the ass.

Anytime I hear about anyone with kids wanting a truck I always tell them to consider an SUV and a utility trailer for when they need to haul stuff.

Also, I would highly recommend renting or test driving anything bigger than a 1500 for a few days before you decided to buy one. I had this

as a rental when my truck was in the shop and it was pretty awesome but, it was kind of a pain in the ass driving it, especially parking it in normal spots. When your truck is almost as big as the parking spot you will get door dings if you don’t park at the end of parking lots. Also, a big truck might not fit in your garage, if you are concerned with that.

Money Hustard > Milky 05/17/2015 at 11:33

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Oh, trust me, the exact Charger you site is on my short list. If I don’t get into a truck, I don’t have many options that fit me past the charger, and are also fun to drive. I don’t fit well in the CTS, unfortunately.

Money Hustard > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/17/2015 at 11:36

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I live in suburban Florida, everything here is for old people and huge trucks.

bpands > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:37

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Hate to say it but a crossover might have to be your pick. The bodystyle allows for lots of headroom

desertdog5051 > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:39

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As a truck guy, I say do it. The only thing I don’t like about the crew/mega cabs is you usually end up with a too short bed. If you get the full length bed, you can’t park it anywhere without difficulty. That’s why I only buy extended cab models. I get a 6.5 foot bed and with the tailgate down, it’s 8 feet. But I don’t have kids.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:41

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Fair enough, in that case if a truck is what you want I don’t see an issue with it, despite them not being to my tastes. Our roads certainly aren’t built for them haha.

Birddog > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:42

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My biggest concern would be ride quality, 250s and 2500s have suspensions designed for a load. Without a load they’re going to be harsh. Add in the additional maintenance costs and it’s a big no-go for me. Why spend $45k on something you might wind up hating?

misfitmascots > bpands 05/17/2015 at 11:48

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He’s not going to be comfortable in most crossovers.

misfitmascots > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 11:49

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Have you considered a full size SUV, like a tahoe or yukon?

AM > asindhidude 05/17/2015 at 11:56

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The Taurus really doesn't have any room inside it for anyone over 6ft.

Money Hustard > misfitmascots 05/17/2015 at 12:10

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As I mention this would sort of replace my extended family’s work truck, and we’re all pretty avid gardeners. I can’t imagine what sort of shape I’d get the thing back in.

Money Hustard > Birddog 05/17/2015 at 12:19

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Yeah, I really do need to spend a day or two with one some how. I’ve ridden in a lot and it is true there are a few road situations they simply don’t handle well.

To answer your question: I’m feeling like that about the entire truck idea. I’ve had trucks before, but the ones I liked were both early 2000’s Dakotas, and the new full size trucks just feel nearly as drive-able. I’m at the point where If I’m ruining my time on the road with a truck, why not get the most useful one I can.

I need to look into the maintenance costs though, for sure.

Money Hustard > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/17/2015 at 12:25

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Not my taste either, for sure. I’d be in something tiny and fast if I could manage it.

misfitmascots > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 12:26

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Well my friend, I say truck it is. If you don’t need the 2500 it’s just extra maintenance costs for no reason.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 12:29

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Maybe go somewhere in between if you prefer a smaller car then. Even a larger crossover would suit your needs most likely.

Money Hustard > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/17/2015 at 12:37

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I actually do manage to to really need a truck about 25-35 days a year. Crossovers make me just as sad as a truck. They're just really heavy and bloated cars.

Money Hustard > misfitmascots 05/17/2015 at 12:38

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I’ll look into the maintenance costs I'm really curious just how much more they are now.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 12:42

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In that case I guess a truck makes sense. I would prefer a crossover over a truck, but honestly wouldn’t really want either. If I hauled stuff a lot I’d most likely buy a nice wagon and a trailer.

Brobalt SS > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 12:45

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The 3/4 ton trucks’ suspension is made for hauling and towing and it will ride much rougher than a 1500. The only reason I ever recommend a heavy duty is if you have a trailer or a boat or something

Money Hustard > Brobalt SS 05/17/2015 at 13:03

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I’m curious to see if the current gen of HD trucks have gotten any better on this front. 97% of the time I see an HD truck it’s not towing anything, I’m wondering just how bad it could be.

Alex from Toronto > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 13:06

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Chevy Avalanche

It’s a Tahoe with a bed. Loads of space on the inside, and a fairly sizable bed.

They were discontinued in 2013 so you can find on with low milage for a decent price.

Money Hustard > Alex from Toronto 05/17/2015 at 13:14

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OHHHHHH, I didn’t know they could do this. I’ve always been an admirer but thought they wouldn’t have enough bed for my needs. I need to see this in action now.

Thanks for making me take another look!

Alex from Toronto > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 13:28

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I’m glad I helped!

boxrocket > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 14:33

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Transit, with the long wheelbase and tall roof.

More headroom than any truck (that isn’t a convertible). Enough room behind the removable seats for all your landscaping needs and wants. It has seats for the whole neighborhood, and enough room for one heck of a road trip. Plenty of power, but not too much, and easier maintenance than a HD truck. It can double as a workshop with all the seats removed.

bpands > misfitmascots 05/17/2015 at 20:06

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Really? Not even an Acadia, Durango or an Explorer?

misfitmascots > bpands 05/17/2015 at 20:17

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6’7 360 lbs. No

handsoff > Money Hustard 05/17/2015 at 23:36

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We've always had at least one HD truck in the driveway, and right now we have two. Both gas. Not ideal for parking, but definitely ideal for everything else. And they're not THAT slow...

Jedidiah > Money Hustard 05/20/2015 at 20:54

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Look for a good used Excursion.

Made out of heavy duty parts, comfy, hauls all the family and the family’s stuff, and will save you some money.