RE: New Truck

Tom in Mo.

Well-known Member
I didn't want to hijack the other posts. My issue with trucks the last 20 years has been that you can't use the bed without a stepladder. The last time I could reach over the side to put something in the bed of the truck was in the seventies.
The last three pickups I've owned, the first thing I do when I drove them home was to permanently take off the tailgate so I could reach in from the back. My 2007 I can't hardly see in the back without going tippytoe! Just sayin"
 
I have a metal hook attached to an old broom stick with hose clamps in the bed of my truck to hook and drag things i want in the front of the bed. I have them at work for 3 work trucks also.
 
I agree wholeheartedly!

Had an 01 Silverado, I could sit DOWN in it, reach OVER the bed to almost the center.

Now the 13 that replaced it, have to climb UP into it, can barley reach anything unless it's up against the side!

What I really hate is when it's raining, try to get anything out of the back and end up with a wet shirt!

If I could buy a new 01, I would do it in a second! One of the best trucks I ever owned. The 13, not so impressed...
 
I completely agree. I put toolboxes on the
bed sides. My 2014 is ok but the new ones
are 4" higher yet. I'm thinking about a
service body for my next new one.

For business I always buy new. I know then
I should get 8 or 9 trouble free, reliable
years. We buy stripped down work trucks
with chrome bumpers. Ordered the last one
to get what I wanted. It's been my
favorite one so far. 2014 regular cab f250
4wd with diesel and chrome bumpers was
$34,000 if I remember right.
 
Was killing time at the Chevy dealer recently while they did some warranty work. Walking around looking at trucks. I really like the new GMC tailgates that have the built in step, just don t like the sticker shock. Maybe some day.
 
I see an odd 02- 03 F150 around with 15 if not 14 inch rims. It gives the truck a whole different appearance, a low boy so to speak. 20 inch rims and tires make
for an awh some machine and as you say, tough to reach tools in the back.
 
I don?t know if I could reach into the box of this
seventies pickup without a ladder.
cvphoto4605.jpg

My 2015 Dodge 2wd regular cab isn?t too bad , I
can reach over the sides, and pickup things off the
truck bed.
 
I agree. My wife drives a 2014 Ram, 1/2 ton, 2 wheel drive. In the parking lots it is the same height as the 4X4. I think I ll put
a ladder on the next one.
 
(quoted from post at 16:41:28 02/08/20) I didn't want to hijack the other posts. My issue with trucks the last 20 years has been that you can't use the bed without a stepladder.
Thats one of the reasons I'm happy with my old 81 GMC. A box that can take a full 8 foot sheet of plywood and still shut the tail gate. Plus I can climb over the side of the box to get in from ground level. Although I do have pretty long legs. I don't see the point of building trucks so high. Like they expect them to be off roading most of the time having to dodge boulders or something. Just a stupid fad I guess. Obviously seems to be the trend.
 
I had aftermarket running boards put on my '14 Chev 1/2 ton.
They go from the front of the front door to the rear wheel well.
Try hooking up a gooseneck without them!!!
 
Yes I have a old weed hook I use to reach things. I can hook and unhook gooseneck trailers standing on the ground. I have a F250 16 model. But think 20's are 4" higher.
 
We live along the shoreline and occasionally we come across
washed ashore fishing gaff?s when out on beach walks. They
make a great reach to the front of the box for shorties tool. We
have one in each of our trucks and you never have to climb in
for anything unless it?s really heavy.
cvphoto4630.png
 
I?ve noticed that too and I?m taller than a lot of people. Also it seems that everytime I get a new pickup, the tire size is bigger. And with me getting older, the ability for me to change a tire on my own is rapidly
diminishing.
 
It seems most of the new trucks have stairs that unfold for bed access and many of those include handrails for those that have troubles with stairs.

Just order the reclining bed sides. A simple mumble as you try to find the key, and the automatic voice recognition system recognises your distress,
then lowers the side panels of the box and a extends and lowers the jonnie lift tailgate. (with safety surround railing so you can't fall off)
 
Had a customer that was somewhat short and stout who used to drive a little Mazda pick up.

A few weeks after he bought a full size truck he was leaning over the bed side trying to reach something in the box.

Without thinking he tried doing what he used to do with his little Mazda, a combination jump and stretch to reach the item.

Ended up loosing his footing and came down hard enough to break 3 ribs.

After hearing his story I better understood why he wanted me to install a set of running boards for him.
 
I hear ya and I'm 6'3" and getting stiffer and stiffer.

I have been thinking of making or buying a bed slide out drawer.

Paul
 
Both my wife and I are fairly tall, she's
5'9", I'm a bit taller. We both step on
the hitch to get in the bed then let the
tailgate slam down. Not a good thing but
necessary.
 
(quoted from post at 02:12:38 02/09/20) Was killing time at the Chevy dealer recently while they did some warranty work. Walking around looking at trucks. I really like the new GMC tailgates that have the built in step, just don t like the sticker shock. Maybe some day.

I wonder how that tailgate will be working after just one winter in a "salt belt" state like here in upstate NY?
 
My 2012 F150 has pole that stores on the tailgate. You release it and pull it up. Then there?s a step that pulls out of the tailgate. Pretty handy if not
necessary. I like the bigger beds on the new trucks but accessibility can be a problem. A stick with a hook on it would be good to have also.
 

I just put my right foot on the rear tire of my F-350 and swing the left over and into the bed.
 
On a positive note, I am assuming that all the undercarriage is exposed "for your viewing pleasure" because folks that have to install tire chains in the
winter will have an easier go of it. Nice thought but how about the rest of us? And if you say it's for installing Monster Mudders, let them do it to the off
road versions.

At least Chevy has put a frame under their beds. I can put my foot on rear corner of my 2011 Silverado 1500 and push down and the whole truck moves in
unison. Back in the late '70's time line I was at a Chevy dealer and was talking to the new truck sales man. Happened to be at the rear corner of a new
C10 I think they were called back then and "accidentally" lifted my foot up and put it on the bumper. The bed politely followed my foot (tilting) while the
cab didn't.

I apologized and left. Didn't want something that flimsy.
 

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