1/2 ton wish list

[Muskie]

Hey folks, Muskie here...
I am starting the buying process of a 1/2 ton pick-up truck.
I have never owned a truck, and have also been in Europe for the last ten years, so am a little rusty on what is out there, and what is considered good these days.
Curious as to what people will recommend.
Our needs are to tow a 24ft 1959 Trade Wind, and also use the truck for firewood etc...so no SUV's. That said we have a small child and are interested in the smaller rear-seats that some pick-ups come with.
Our budget is sadly around the $5000.00 area, so it narrows things down.

My question to the community is what not to buy, more than what to buy. Are there any universal lemons [like Hyundai used to be in the 80's, but have since sorted]? Any gems that people can agree on? Certain years..?
It is a personal subject I know.....
Thoughts...?
Cheers
Muskie

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I would only add that at your budget, and what might be available at that price, I would not buy anything without a V-8 engine. [no six cylinders]

[Bob Thompson]

I'd look for a first generation Toyota Tundra extra cab with a 4.7 liter V8. I had one and it was a great truck. I bought it new, put 187k miles on it and it ran like new and was tight and drove great when I sold it to get an '09 Tundra with the 5.7. The '09 Tundra is a good truck, but the '02 was just a bit better, all things considered.

Here's one in Brainerd: http://brainerd.craigslist.org/cto/4132087097.html

And one in Kenosha: http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/4132589871.html

It took about 5 minutes to find these two so it shouldn't take long to find one that is just right. I'd look for one with less than 125k miles.
Good luck.

[Muskie]

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

I'd look for a first generation Toyota Tundra extra cab with a 4.7 liter V8. I had one and it was a great truck. I bought it new, put 187k miles on it and it ran like new and was tight and drove great when I sold it to get an '09 Tundra with the 5.7. The '09 Tundra is a good truck, but the '02 was just a bit better, all things considered.

Here's one in Brainerd: 2000 toyota tundra

And one in Kenosha: TOYOTA TUNDRA

It took about 5 minutes to find these two so it shouldn't take long to find one that is just right. I'd look for one with less than 125k miles.
Good luck.

Thanks for that. Given the quality miles are what counts, are trucks different when it comes to miles? In other words what is considered a tired tundra with the amount of miles on her?
cheers

[m.hony]

It ain't really tired until well over 400,000 miles...
I knew a guy that towed a car hauler and a travel trailer over 430,000 with a 2000 first generation Tundra. He bought a 2012 second generation Tundra and was never happy. He sold it and bought a 2006 first generation Tundra.

[andreasduess]

Just as an FYI, if you are planning to camp in our Provinvial Parks you're not allowed to bring in firewood - unless you mean firewood for your home and using the truck for general hauling stuff.

Your trailer is so light, you don't need a truck to tow it, almost any car should do it.

[Bob Thompson]

If I were looking for a used 1st generation Tundra, I'd try to find one that the owner took especially good care of, particularly when it comes to oil and filter changes, brakes, transmission flush, etc. Bad owners can beat even the best truck to death, but a good owner and a Tundra is a very good mix when it comes to longevity.

[Aviator]

I'm on my second Ford F150. I liked both of them. The 1997 was a three door type which got small in the back seat as the children grew. The 2009 4 door has a huge backseat area for two teenagers plus the dog when we head out camping.

[wahoonc]

I am partial to Ford trucks... I have a 2003 F150 Lariat with the 4.6 V-8 factory tow package, it just hit 220,000 miles and other than wear out parts it is still going strong. It is a plus cab with the small rear seat. Eventually it will get replaced with a Super Crew. My other current Ford truck is a 1996 F350 Crew Cab PSD with only 141,000 on it, not even broken in yet. "In it or on it, it is going with it!" The one prior to my F350 was a 1997 F150 that had over 320,000 miles on the 4.2 V-6 before I turned it back in to my company. It had factory tow package on it too.

Lots of good used trucks out there just have to take your time, do your research and shop smart.

Aaron

[Bob Thompson]

My neighbor wasn't nearly as happy with his '97 Ford F150 as the above posters. At 112k miles he sold it for $2700 and was glad to see it go before it had to make another trip to the shop for repairs. He took pretty good care of it too!

[mojo]

I've heard bad stories about Toyotas. Means nothing.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

My neighbor wasn't nearly as happy with his '97 Ford F150 as the above posters. At 112k miles he sold it for $2700 and was glad to see it go before it had to make another trip to the shop for repairs. He took pretty good care of it too!

Originally Posted by mojo

I've heard bad stories about Toyotas. Means nothing.

And Chevys, Dodges and....

My company has had fleets of one brand or another over the years, I have documentation that the Chevys cost more per mile in maintenance than either the Fords or the Dodges.

No company builds perfect trucks, and every company builds a bad one every now and again.

Aaron

[Bob Thompson]

Just about anybody can buy a good pickup if his budget is $35,000 but this guy's budget is $5000 so he has to be especially selective. He's really looking for a truck that has over 120k miles, and has a very very high reputation for durability. I'll stay with my choice.

[Muskie]

Thanks folks, good input.
I have been looking at the Tundra and know a guy who has one, so I will ask him. If they are thought-out like the land cruisers, then it could be a nice truck.
I was also looking at the Fords too. Will keep ya posted.
-Muskie

[Bill M.]

At that price range, condition trumps brand for me. Probably ought to get a 2 wheel drive unless something shows up in 4 that is cheap. I like my 1997 150 and am still driving it. 2000 or so and up I do not think any of the companies made anything to really stay away from. (except some of the Ford diesels). I probably would not focus on the Toyota simply because Toyotas do have a high re-sale value and are popular. But you are buying, not selling, so that works against you. One of the full sized trucks from Ford, Chev, or Dodge should do you fine.

[Wingeezer]

I agree with what some others have said, I doubt you can go far wrong with any of the major brands and with your budget, you are probably best to concentrate on finding the best deal you can get and trying to judge that what you are buying has been gently used and well maintained!

We have only owned two trucks, but if you want a back seat, I find that our present truck
which is a full crew cab is much mere useful and enjoyable that the previous truck we had with those little backwards opening half sized doors (club cab I believe it is called.)

Much more useful space and secure storage inside, yet still plenty of space in the bed of the truck for tools, firewood, generator, chairs or whatever. Also, although a minor annoyance, with the club cab doors you always have to be mindful to tell people to close the back doors before the front! At least that was so with our GMC, I'm to sure if they all work that way.

We haver found that having a cap on the bed is very useful - we keep all kinds of stuff like heavy clothes, shoes/boots, extra tinned food/drinks etc in rubbermaid boxes in there and it really keeps clutter out of the trailer.

A good cap isn't cheap so if you want one and can find a used truck with it, that could be a plus.

Brian.

[m.hony]

That's odd- we've done better with GM- fleet of about 300- 90% GM-

[dznf0g]

Check Vincentric.com (the industry standard 3rd party total cost of ownership organization). It changes annually, as the mfrs. bring new products to market in an off-cycle manner.
Right now Ford wins in 1/2 ton, GM in 3/4 ton and Ram in one ton.
For 2014 (not out yet) GM has new 1/2 ton. In 2015 Ford has new 1/2 ton and GM has new 3/4 and one ton...have to see what happens. It's always a leapfrog game with trucks.
Toyota only wins in 2013 with Tacoma....and GM will have a new Colorado and Canyon in 2015. The beat goes on.

[Scott J-24]

We love our Tundra as both a TV and a daily driver. As a TV, all the major players are great and will meet your needs. What put the Tundra over the top for us was how comfortable it is as a daily driver. All the other 1/2 ton class trucks drove like a TRUCK. With the Tundra, driving is a joy and gets the job done in comfort and style.

[mefly2]

Make sure that you have enough power to safely tow where you intend to travel ... at the speed that will not bog others in your vicinity ...