should i get a full size truck

[houndcrazy93]

Hey everyone I'm thinking about getiiing a fullsize truck either a f 150 or a chevy, they will bothe be in the 90's, so I wanted to know what you all think for hunting, right now I use. 1990 toyota truck but its. A 4 banger and I want to get more power, so what are all of your opinions on hunting out of a full size thanks everyone for the help

[craigs]

Went from a Full sized 1500 Chev and Suburban, to a 98 4 banger Taco, and a 4Runner last summer, love the MPG but kind of miss the room.

[ferjr]

We use a 2002 Dodge 2500 4x4 with a Cummins turbo deisel. Its a great truck with alot of power ang it gets great fuel mileage. A full size truck is nice, we have a large dog box that holds alot of dogs and we also pull a trailer with four ATV's, it pulls it like it isnt even back there. A small truck might be more manuverable but they dont have the power and cant tote what we tote. This Dodge gets better fuel mileage than a Toyota, and it has the torque to pull a house down. If the trails get to tite for a full size truck we just unload the ATV's.

[LarryBeggs]

Probably depends alot on where you hunt.If your hunting western Washington or Oregon a small pick up is nice on the brushy overgrown roads .Also the alder leaves build up on the shoulder of the roads and tend to suck a wider rig off the edge unless you keep realy good tires on it. Then again the room is sure nice. On the east side or the better maintained roads on the west side a bigger pick up is the way to go as long as you can afford to drive it. Take care, Larry

[pegleg]

Money is probably the main consideration we could all use a improved rig some how. If your in the nineties for sure I'd try the dodges they started improving the body interior quality about then and they do have more power and fuel economy then most. The main drawback is the cummings is heavy and tends to slip and slide on mud or ice with the front end unless the ground is real level. Even 4X4. The advantage is power if you can harness it it will pull itsself out. Another option if you can find it is a mid nineties chevy diesel. The converted 350 block can't rember the liter designation right now but have one the engine is not as durable as the cummings but fuel economy is good and the power better then a gas engine. It does good in low range and has great hwy speed the interior quality is tops for the years not many guys are building them so lots of stock trucks still out there. The main drawback was the softer suspension for me anyway. I would stay away from the gas rigs because of fuel economy it was only decent in the small V8's and the power gain is almost completly used up by the bigger trucks weight compared to the toyota. Some rangers had a V8 that produced great power and good economy in the smaller truck. The suvs had some decent power and mileage in those years they might be a consideration if you pull a dog trailer or refit the cargo area. Is it a hunting rig only or daily driver what other uses might you have planned for it?

[huntfish8]

Keep takin you yota. Forget them full size rigs I have taken my 1998 and 2003 cummins and my chevy 2000 chevy 1500 out hunting and I hated it the cummins were horable they are so dam heavy and couldent rally around at all. The chevy did a little better but still couldent compare to a yota. Don't now how many miles are on yours but mine had about 250,000 and rebuilt the motor and put an rv cam in it and did a little more preformance work to it and can pull or hall very well now. I stoped hunting after takein my full size rigs out untill my yota was done. My two cents nothin beats a yota!!

[outlaw13]

I think a yota is the best rig out there for hunting. You can go in a lot more places that a fullsize just can't fit. And i am sure there is exceptions but a yota is usually better on gas and makes those days that last forever not seem so bad when you go to the pump and put in $50 or less to fill it when a fullsize usually is $100+. But if you want to spend more on tires, gas, maintenance and not go where a yota can that is all up to you. Another option is a Dakota but it has its set backs also.

[George Streepy]

I do not like full size trucks for western WA or Oregon. In my opinion a Toyota Tacoma with a V6 is the way to go. I have had about every type of rig there is including Dodges, Fords, and Chevrolets. With gas motors and diesels. The best you are going to realistically get for mileage is around 20 mpg mixing a little highway driving with some running around in the woods. It doesn't matter what auto manufacturer or fuel type.

Out of the Toyotas the best one I have owned was '99 Toyota Tacoma with the 4 cylinder when it comes to fuel mileage and extremely low maintenance. It does incredibly well in the woods on fuel and is extremely capable. I also have a '02 Toyota Tacoma four door with the V6, it is nice because you can tow a trailer with a couple snowmobiles or whatever. Even with the short bed a guy can haul around a half dozen dogs real easily. The mileage is close to the same on the freeway but the 4 cylinder does a lot better in the woods.

If I were to go to a full size it would be a Chev or Ford with the smaller V8. They have more room and still get satisfactory mileage.

The diesels are nice if a guy has the need to tow bigger trailers and only wants to have one vehicle. The big draw back to me is even if you have one that gets good mileage you pay more for diesel fuel than gasoline. If something goes wrong with a diesel (which it will eventually) the repair bills are horrendous.

Toyota Tacoma with a V6 is the only way to go. They are a whole lot better truck then the older Toyota you are currently using. Thats my two cents.

Good luck,
George

[CatCrazed]

Stick with the toyota if you must upgrade to a newer one with more power and an extended cab. The thing I hated about my fullsize is I would compare the ride to a covered wagon after a couple days hunting I would feel like I had been on the oregon trail LOL. My suggestion would be to save the truck payment and use that money for gas to go hunting more. You could also have your truck regeared a little lower to help with power.

[Dale T]

2000, F-150 extrended cab, it rides better then any of the Toyota's I've been in, it will turn around in the same space and has more room but the gas milage isn't as good as the Toy's but I'l take ride and room over a couple of MPG, I get 13 in the woods,

[houndcrazy93]

Ok thanks everyone, I think I am ggonna keep the toyota and save up for a new toyota that has a 4 door with the v6. Thanks for the help everyone

[zachvu]

Ok thanks everyone, I think I am ggonna keep the toyota and save up for a new toyota that has a 4 door with the v6. Thanks for the help everyone

I think that's your best bet...I have an old 86 turbo yota and LOVE it off road. The Cummins is just too stiff, heavy, and wide to make it some place!