Looking to purchase a new Truck....what have you purchased?

[Stand Up]

Very nice. Nothing like a new truck under your ass. That will serve your needs very nicely and I'm happy you made that purchase. Congratulations!

 

[davidj65]

Just sold my beloved 2003 Ford F350 2WD, V10 with 8300o miles. Ran great and I took very good care of it. However it is 20 years old.

But now that I'm retired I have an itch for a new or newer Truck....just like the new boat I recently purchased!!

So, I am at a crossroads on my selection....

I tow, on occasion, a 7500# GVWR 25' travel trailer
I tow my boat.
I am interested in a pop up truck camper (fit on standard full size truck short bed)....I love the idea of easy solo camping, easy towing, the lighter weight, the low clearance, able to tow my boat, etc....although just not sure how often I will use it.

1. New or used
2. 1/2 or 3/4 ton ( gas only)
3. Domestic 3/4 ton (Ram, Ford, GMC, etc.). only consider V8 gas engines
4. If 1/2 ton leaning towards Tundra.., not sure about new twin turbo V6… or may be the 2021 and older tried and proven 5.7 V8

Are any of you in similar circumstances and what did you end up purchasing and

 

[Ldmoss]

When I was 68 years old and leaning toward retirement, I fell victim to the "old man and the last truck I'll ever own syndrome". I bought a new 2014 Chevy 2500hd Duramax. I understand you want a gasoline powered truck. Just saying, I liked it so much in 2023, I bought a 2024 just like it. I get great fuel mileage (16-18 mpg) pulling a lightweight john boat and 10 to 11 mpg pulling a fifth wheel camper. I also owned a 2018 Toyota with a 5.7 V8 that pulled my john boat nicely at 12 to 13 mpg. It wouldn't get 15 mpg if you were hauling it on a semi. Anyhow, congratulations on turning a new page in your life and no matter what you choose, take the time to enjoy it.

 

[Katz]

2023 I purchased a new F-150. Regular cab, SWB, 6.5' box, 5.0, tow pkg, locking diff, vinyl interior. Only other option was tinted rear window. It's a great truck. Have 11 k miles on it so far. Metro Atlanta Ford dealers were/are a PITA. I ordered and purchased about an hour North. Saved about 10% off MSRP. It's the basic work truck. Seats are comfortable for 6-8 hour drive. I could only do 2 hrs in the rental Tacoma. With no load, it gets 23-26 mpg on the highway. Depending on cruise control setting ;-). I'd be inclined towards a gooseneck trailer if I towed a lot. More maneuverable. Hidden(under bed) kit is available from Kurt.

Semi-retired and looking for the boat to tow. Used are selling for more than they did new or need a lot of work. I'm leaning toward a new boat. Local 16' Jon packages with 25 hp and trailer run about $20k, by the time accessories and tax are added, and come with Merc. I'd prefer a Yamaha 2-stroke but would have to import one, along with spares.

 

[airshot]

When I retired, I looked at trucks but just couldn't handle the ridiculous prices. I don't tow anything big, about 3500# max. Bought a Jeep and an enclosed and an open trailer, neither has to be unloaded right away if I need to go somewhere. With the money I saved over the cost of a truck, I bought my boat, and a new side by side atv.

 

[flatheadsteve]

6ish months ago I traded my 2021 ram 2500 for a 2025 ram 1500. Family farm bought a 2014 4500 so I no longer needed a personal truck that could tow 18k+lbs. The warlock is rated at 11500 and came with load range e tires which is plenty for my needs and rides so smooth. I have yet to tow more than 6500ish with it but it did that very well through our WV moutians.

 

[blufrog1]

Just purchased a 22 tacoma sport. Have an 04 duramax for pulling our fifth wheel and the Tacoma replaced on old Honda civic. Now we will always ride higher and have more lugs protecting our aging bodies. Tacoma is rated to tow around 6k which easily tows my boats and has 4wd to help me retrieve on a slippery ruttd dirt ramp.

 

[airshot]

Just purchased a 22 tacoma sport. Have an 04 duramax for pulling our fifth wheel and the Tacoma replaced on old Honda civic. Now we will always ride higher and have more lugs protecting our aging bodies. Tacoma is rated to tow around 6k which easily tows my boats and has 4wd to help me retrieve on a slippery ruttd dirt ramp.

If you have toys, then a truck is a big plus over a car. Many around here drive a truck as a status symbol, with no actual use for it. In the past couple years insurance has skyrocketed for trucks, at least twice the cost over a car or suv. Just renewed my ins after checking out some different companies and the conversation always turned to trucks. Yikes....pickups are expensive to insure if you get the coverage you need, at least in my area. But if you need a truck...you need it...!!

 

[1pc@atime]

The cost of the insurance alone was enough to make me keep my 2003. I should have kept my 1993.
I had the chance to buy a new truck used that a neighbor had bought new a week before he passed away. I was fine with the deal until I priced insurance on a then new 2023 F350 Diesel Super Cab 4x4. I was already paying $3,500/yr on my '03, when I got a quote on the 2023, the best price I could find was $6,050/yr.
There was no way I was paying that in insurance on top of the $97k they wanted for the truck. As it is I pay as much as i paid for my 2003 new every five years.
What's worse yet is looking back to what I've paid in insurance over the past 22 years and $106k is insane. Its nearly triple the cost of what the truck cost new. Worse yet I've got a spotless driving record and have never made an insurance claim.