Trucks: Full-Size vs Mid-Size

Better check into the "not for hire" sticker, it's more of an Internet myth than any actual legislation Under 26,000, you don't need any special markings for personal use. If you're engaging in interstate commerce in that range you need a dot number, inspections, logs, etc but not a CDL.

I don't think my needs are all that weird. I'm towing two cars instead of one, but that's not all that unusual. A tractor would be nice, but it's definitely more single use than a 3/4 ton pickup.

List of trucks I have owned. 1988 Chevy S10, 1986 GMC C1500 High Sierra, 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 and a 1997 Chevy K1500 Silverado.

I have long legs, I don't fit in the small trucks, S10's are bad the Rangers are much worse. I haven't driven the Japanese trucks but I did drive a 4Runner once and really liked the feet forward/high floorboard position, if the trucks are the same I would like that. I still prefer a full size truck.

In reply to Nick (Bo) Comstock:

Who is Morgan referring to?

In reply to ebonyandivory:

Keith and the "Not For Hire" myth.

In reply to Nick (Bo) Comstock:

Interesting. I've always wanted to steal, I mean buy an old "semi" and get it running.

I just don't want to get my CDL just to take it for a spin.

What's the deal? In Ma?

Huckleberry wrote: In reply to penultimeta: I don't know about that - I used to drive a big box truck around the city all alone, all day long. Everyday. Stop and Go. Stop and go. Not just commuting either - I drove it for 10-12hrs thru neighborhoods and on highways, down driveways... behind factories. I would have loved a Miata but it just wouldn't have been the right tool for the job.

How did you manage with those tiny mirrors and big blindspot? Te internet says that's impossible.

Keith Tanner wrote: Better check into the "not for hire" sticker, it's more of an Internet myth than any actual legislation Under 26,000, you don't need any special markings for personal use. If you're engaging in interstate commerce in that range you need a dot number, inspections, logs, etc but not a CDL. I don't think my needs are all that weird. I'm towing two cars instead of one, but that's not all that unusual. A tractor would be nice, but it's definitely more single use than a 3/4 ton pickup.

Just one thing to remember Keith. Even if you are not running commercial tags or doing interstate commerce. Running a vehicle like that without a DOT number on the side WILL get you pulled into every inspection stop for a looksee by the inspectors

I personally have no use for a mid size truck so id buy the full size just for the extra capacity and tow rating. I love mini trucks but for me the modern midsize is too big for the mini truck perks so i might as well buy full size.

We have soccer moms bring there big lifted diesels in at work rather often. Thats overkill for me but i dont pay for it!

There were a couple pointed posts above about how full-size trucks are a waste and are never used as intended. My nit to pick is that such statements are gross generalizations about situations that they know nothing about.

I had a V6 Toyota Prerunner which got 17 mpg average. My full-size F150 with the Ecoboost engine gets about 18.7 mpg average, so which is more "wasteful." The F150 is used to haul waste to the recycling yard on the weekends, pick up metal for my next car project, and haul the car to the track. I have yet to see a Prius full of rotted railroad ties at the recycling yard. Apparently those who dis full size truck owners don't make their observations on the weekend, and I've yet to have a naysayer volunteer to buy me a Prius for commuting to work, or pay for a truck rental when I need one. It's easy to cast stones when you don't have a stake in the game.

I think the current mid size truck sizing is just about perfect size but they are kind of expensive.

mattmacklind wrote: I think the current mid size truck sizing is just about perfect size but they are kind of expensive.

One possible issue with this is that some places (I found this with U-Haul) won't rent you a trailer if the truck's not full-size. Perhaps as the ground changes under their feet they'll change their policy, but they have in the past disallowed renting to smaller trucks.

mad_machine wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Better check into the "not for hire" sticker, it's more of an Internet myth than any actual legislation Under 26,000, you don't need any special markings for personal use. If you're engaging in interstate commerce in that range you need a dot number, inspections, logs, etc but not a CDL. I don't think my needs are all that weird. I'm towing two cars instead of one, but that's not all that unusual. A tractor would be nice, but it's definitely more single use than a 3/4 ton pickup.

Just one thing to remember Keith. Even if you are not running commercial tags or doing interstate commerce. Running a vehicle like that without a DOT number on the side WILL get you pulled into every inspection stop for a looksee by the inspectors

I have no doubt of that! The Not For Hire sticker won't make a damn bit of difference, though. Having an unmarked trailer (no sponsor stickers or brand names) would probably help a lot more. I'd probably still do inspections and keep logs just in case - and also because it's actually a smart thing to do.

mazdeuce wrote: I use my truck as a car with a big ass trunk. I have a full size because I need to seat six, including three car seats in the back a few years ago and I couldn't do that with a smaller one. Just one data point, but sometimes people make choices based on factors you don't consider in your analysis.

wait, are you saying people actually do buy things based on their needs and that sometimes, fullsize trucks offer more versatility? Unpossible. I can say that there is nothing (midsized nor fullsized) that the wife and I would want to make a payment on. None of the current offerings offer what we have the way we have it. From the way the rear seats fold, making a perfectly flat load space, to the great fuel economy and comfort to the physical size and the ability to reach into the bed OVER THE SIDE without needing a step ladder.

Had small trucks. They don't do anything well, don't get any better economy and just aren't as comfortable. I'll tell you, we'll spend $10K on the truck we have to keep it running before we'd even consider a new one.

A long bed F250 makes exactly as much sense for a 6 mile commute as a 325HP Mustang. That's why I have both.