I want a truck (I think?)

[bren]

Originally Posted by rumatt

Maybe.

OK the shorter version of my way-too-long original post is:

If you're buying a truck, do you try to find one that also makes a good winter vehicle? Or do you go for a utilitarian beater?

I would get something you can live with. A trailer might make more sense than a beater truck.

The Ridgeline is interesting, but for the ugly, and the bed that is so small I'm not sure why you'd bother.

That Colorado zr2 looks pretty cool, but you can get a lot of full-size truck for that kind of money.

Keep in mind that trucks with "trucky" 4wd systems aren't really great in normal inclement weather. They don't want to be in 4wd on any sort of dryish road. Also, there is no weight in the back so traction can be an issue.

edit:
I really don't know how people own homes without a truck. Mine comes in handy all the time.

edit II:
I don't know how much firewood you are thinking of hauling or how regularly, but you'll never even get a half-cord of wood on a utility trailer, or in a Colorado size truck.

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by bren

Keep in mind that trucks with "trucky" 4wd systems aren't really great in normal inclement weather. They don't want to be in 4wd on any sort of dryish road. Also, there is no weight in the back so traction can be an issue.

Yep, this is why the Ridgeline is pretty attractive as a regular use winter vehicle. The bed is pretty stupid though. And yes, the ugly.

Aren't the "trucky" 4wd systems kind of silly unless you're off roading? Plus they generally come with open front and rear diffs, so it's still just 2wd. It doesn't seem like the functionality most people would want. I think the up side is durability, but other than that...

[wdc330i]

That trackbarrow thing is crazy.

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

That trackbarrow thing is crazy.

[wdc330i]

Now I see why you want one. It comes with a manual transmission.


Edit: We've had one of these for years. Won't help with a huge incline, though. https://www.amazon.com/FoldIt-2200-U...it+garden+cart

[bren]

Originally Posted by rumatt

Yep, this is why the Ridgeline is pretty attractive as a regular use winter vehicle. The bed is pretty stupid though. And yes, the ugly.

Aren't the "trucky" 4wd systems kind of silly unless you're off roading? Plus they generally come with open front and rear diffs, so it's still just 2wd. It doesn't seem like the functionality most people would want. I think the up side is durability, but other than that...

That's why I brought it up. It's fine in deep snow and mud and whatnot, but not great for ice/slush type winter stuff. My truck has a clutch-diff in the rear. I wouldn't buy something without one (see my comment in the diff thread.) Fortunately, it doesn't cost anything near as much to add them to trucks as it does for a BMW.

Originally Posted by rumatt

I was looking at this trackbarrow over the weekend.

One of my neighbors has something like that but with regular tires. I was getting jealous watching him use it to spread mulch - it looks super handy.

Edit:
Woa, I didn't need to know that this exists.

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by bren

One of my neighbors has something like that but with regular tires. I was getting jealous watching him use it to spread mulch - it looks super handy.

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by bren

Woa, I didn't need to know that this exists.

You can get plows for your snowblower too. I'm not sure how well they work though.

I can't imagine you could push all that much snow with that thing before the wheels slip. The barrow only weighs 300 lbs.

Seems like a snowblower is just better all around.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by rumatt

You can get plows for your snowblower too. I'm not sure how well they work though.

I can't imagine you could push all that much snow with that thing before the wheels slip. The barrow only weighs 300 lbs.

Seems like a snowblower is just better all around.

Sense the theme:

[wdc330i]

We should split this into a new thread about coveted power tools.