quote:

Oh I am not one to suggest what you should want, but but maybe describing your needs would help us understand what you mean by "very capable".

How many people will you want to carry in comfort? What and how often will you be hauling in the bed? Will you be towing a trailer, if so how heavy? If not carrying stuff in the bed often what about just buying a utility trailer to use behind a shorter bed truck or even an SUV which'll have lots of interior room?

Is ride and handling part of "capable" or is a more truck like ride ok? Do you plan on just driving it on all types of roads from small dirt and curvy country, to Interstates? Or do you want something more capable for off-roading on trails, rock climbing, mud bogging, etc?

All very good questions. Basically a great vehicle is like porn. Might not be able to describe it, but know it when I see it.

I can, and have, driven every type of vehicle to their performance limits, under the right circumstances. It's part of why I have steered most of the time to the truck/SUV route. I don't need Black0111 chasing me down the road because I've taken the hot rod or muscle car and let it perform the way it could just for a moment of fun. It also means as long as the engine is robust and responsive and the drive characteristics are what I expect from that style of vehicle then what it is doesn't really bother me. So a truck frame SUV or not doesn't really affect me.

My needs are quite flexible now, and I do have the vehicles to cover most configurations. What I want most is a vehicle that I will really enjoy and will carry the stuff I want around me, should the need arise, some tools, some "tools", great binoculars, etc.. Depending on the moment I could be carrying 1-5 people. Carrying or hauling stuff in the bed happens a lot more than most people with trucks, but it isn't a work requirement. Often I have short notice to go get stuff to transport, so going home to change out vehics isn't a huge deal but isn't optimal or always convenient. I have a covered trailer that I use at times, so a hitch is helpful.

Yes, on all types of roads from small dirt and curvy country, to Interstates. Farm off road driving ro trails, but don't hope to rock climb or bogit.

I'll keep testing vehicles and hopefully find something that I feel inspired about. When I do, I'll post pics here. I was mostly looking for what people like and what isn't irritatingly lacking storage. I really appreciate everyone's appreciation.

My Dad has a Ram 1500 which has a lot of interior storage. Under the rear seats and in floor lockable compartments. It also has the lockable RamBoxes on the bedsides.

The Rams have a lot of storage because you need all that extra space for spare parts.

.38 don't think that I haven't thought about starting with something like that and working it up from there!

Paten, thanks for the great pics. It does give something to think about. I haven't thought about Dodge since the early 90s.

Have a Tundra on order with the storage and security resolved with plan for a Diamondback SE cover with cross & side bins that will be inside.

If still needed I can install an ESP long gun box.

Not the latest and greatest infotainment center or MPG but probably the most durable and trouble free truck.... especially as the miles accumulate. Good choice.

The first thing I check on any vehicle that I would consider buying, is leg length in the driver seat. Most vehicles fail that test for me and I don't go any further.

I was hoping to find an intermediate size pickup that would do it for me, Tacoma, Ranger, Canyon / Colorado, all had insufficient leg room. If I had to move my foot from accelerator to brake pedal quickly, my knee would clang against the bottom of the steering wheel.

Looks like I'll need to do a full size truck like F-150 or Ram in order to get the leg length that I need.

Obviously at this point, V-tail, I would recommend avoiding Silverado...

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Originally posted by V-Tail:
The first thing I check on any vehicle that I would consider buying, is leg length in the driver seat. Most vehicles fail that test for me and I don't go any further.

I was hoping to find an intermediate size pickup that would do it for me, Tacoma, Ranger, Canyon / Colorado, all had insufficient leg room....

Are you referring to the driver's seat length from the seat back to the front edge under your knee? Or actual leg room? You might try sitting in a Honda Ridgeline, I find it offers plenty of leg room and the seat is longer than most so offers good support. I only have a 32" inseam but there's plenty more rearward adjustment.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
.38 don't think that I haven't thought about starting with something like that and working it up from there!

I'm looking into some of the aftermarket options they have now. They even make an aftermarket crash avoidance and lane departure system that you can custom program to the vehicle.

I have already put a variety of stuff in my truck, the most swear words went to adding the radio buttons to the steering wheel. Had to take the column down to the bones. Second worse was putting a 7" screen in the headliner so my nephew could watch movies or play arcade games on long trips. Made the Nav system look like a piece of cake.

^ That is photo thread worthy

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

The first thing I check on any vehicle that I would consider buying, is leg length in the driver seat. Most vehicles fail that test for me and I don't go any further.

I was hoping to find an intermediate size pickup that would do it for me, Tacoma, Ranger, Canyon / Colorado, all had insufficient leg room....

Are you referring to the driver's seat length from the seat back to the front edge under your knee? Or actual leg room? You might try sitting in a Honda Ridgeline, I find it offers plenty of leg room and the seat is longer than most so offers good support. I only have a 32" inseam but there's plenty more rearward adjustment.

The dimension that is most important to me: I sit in the driver seat, move it back as far as it will go, then stretch my legs forward. Now, do I have enough leg room without bending my knees in an awkward position? Can I move my right foot quickly, from accelerator to brake pedal without my knee clanging against the bottom of the steering wheel? Do my legs feel like they are being folded, in order to fit?

If you have a 32" inseam, I need at least 4 1/2" more rearward seat travel than you do. I am 6'3" but sort of strange proportion, fairly short torso and very long arms and legs. And at 83, with structural support hardware embedded in my right thigh & hip after a bad fall resulting in a fracture, I am not very flexible. Leg length to a clutch pedal is no longer a requirement, aging knees dictate that I no longer insist on a manual transmission.

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Question for ChuckFinley: What reason(s) for avoiding Silverado? It is on my list to consider, although not one of the top two contenders. If you don't want to go public with your response, please use the email address in my profile.