Truck owners chime in...

Porkanbeans · 12-14-05, 12:14

How sick are you of these insane gas prices? My truck can't get over 15mpg and I feel like it's eating me alive. Thing is, I need the truck for hauling my detailing stuff around, hauling stuff pretty often, and carrying a good amount of passengers from time to time. Anyone else feeling the pain?

Sorry if this is sort of pointless, I just really need to vent. Lately I've been wondering why I even got this thing.

Intercooled · 12-14-05, 12:30

The good side is that you cab write off the gas useage for your business. But yes it hurts me as well with my work truck.

wlhump · 12-14-05, 05:36

Yeah, it can be tough, (my 15000HD used to get 10 mpg) but before you make any rash decisions on your vehicle choice, do the math:

Based on 15,000 miles per year:
@ 15 mpg = 1000 gallons @ $2.00/gal = $2,000
@ 20 mpg = 750 gallons @ $2.00/gal = $1,500
So, if you drive 15,000 miles a year with gas at $2.00/gal, you save $500 all year. Obviously, if the price goes up, the savings goes up.

While this is not an insignificant sum, its not huge. And what would you have to give up to get the 20 mpg? I bet you would have a lot less vehicle than the crew cab pickup you have now.

Now, I did give my 1500HD back when the lease was up and got a Chevy Colorado. But it wasn't for the gas mileage (although it did improve to 17 mpg). I got rid of it because I actually got 2 Colorados for about the same cost as my 1500HD, 1 for me, 1 for my daughter. ( A 2 for 1 sale @ Chevy!)

Anyway, do the math and consider your situation before you do anything drastic. I still miss the big truck as I'm 6'2" 280 lbs but I now have a metallic red and a dark green colorado to fuss over. Both of them look alot better when polished and waxed than the bland grey of the old truck!

Intercooled · 12-14-05, 05:42

I agree with what you said above. I bought my H2 knowing that I was only going to get 11 MPG. But the comfort and fun factor far out way the extra money spent on fuel. I dont drive the H2 as a daily driver, just after hours and on weekends. Sometimes a little more money soent on fuel will give you more satisfaction with your vehicle and your driving experience.

Porkanbeans · 12-14-05, 05:44

Great point wlhump. After all, I'd probably be complaining about lack of space if I hadn't bought the truck!

I guess I'm still in the "shock" phase of this new truck. Another 6 months and I'll be fine.

Pontman43 · 12-14-05, 08:14

Haha, I drive two vehicles 1)my 97 Trans Am, premium only, ~14mpg the way I drive

2) 03 Tundra, ~15mpg
Luckly I dont drive that much, but it still sucks! I stopped going out cruising on weekends because of gas prices.

drewski59 · 12-14-05, 08:51

I'm no truck owner, but the gas prices have totally changed the way I drive.

Before Katrina, I would only get around 16mpg in the Cruiser.

But now, I combine all of my trips into one, am easy on the gas pedal, and anticipate braking way before the intersections.

Even with all that, I still can only manage ~20mpg.

Oh well, I keep telling myself that my next vehicle will be a Civic