Full size pickup vs. small pickups

[slickster03]

ncmailman what would you say the power differance is between the 6cly. and the 4cyl

[papa]

I've been using a Dodge mega cab with the cummins turbo. Lots of room and power to spare. Negative is the weight on the front end. Bouncing over rocks and mud and ice and snow is hard on the ball joints. I have also used a Toyota 4wd . Looking for another one now. I have taken the Toyota just about anywhere you would take a 4 wheeler. I know I'm gonna miss the room in the Dodge but the maintenance cost should be considerably less.

[captd]

really like my 10 dodge power wagon, lockers all around, 12000 warn winch but have to admit that hemi likes its gas.

[bob baldwin jr]

I forgot to add I do have a Winch on the front of the truck . Only time I ever used it myself was to pull myself out of mud

Winter I don't hunt every day for bobbers . Only a 1/2 mile from a big woods road so I keep 4 tires all chained up only takes me 10 minutes to mount them . I do haul a snowmobile and a chained up 4 wheel drive .If the trailer starts getting Bogged down ,I turn around and head back out . Too old to screw with it

One of you Montana Guys mentioned SNOW DRIFTS not sure How you survive out there. I recall about 15 years ago I was asked to haul a very Specialized SEMI from Louisville Ky to Seattle Washington for a trade show . I don't recall which Pass it was on I-90 between Missoula and the Idaho Border . the trailer was 13 ft 6 in tall ,I actually stopped to take a picture seems as though the drift was about 15 ft tall which was higher than the trailer . Not sure how truckers and Normal people drive that every day

[Rico]

It kind of depends on what your style of hunting is. Do you have to haul a 4 wheeler or snowmoble around to get into your hunting area or do you not get enough snow. If you do use a wheeler or a sled I would say go with a big truck. I prefer a flat bed, one being because I already have it on the truck and secondly you don't have to haul a trailer around.

With that being said though I have a 02 tacoma 4 door that I would not trade for anything. I've had guys ride with me that have never really been in a tacoma before and they will say you can usually go up this road here but it's snowed in now. I say well let me try it. By the end of the day they believe the taco is a 4 wheeler with heat and a CD player.

If you use chains look up trygg chains. At first you think holy $hit I'm not paying that kind of money. The second time you chain up you will ask yourself. Why did it take me so long to get a pair of these.

Good Luck.

[catdogs]

Skip the kid's college fund and buy one of each cuz there ain't 1 do-it-all rig...

[montananative]

One of you Montana Guys mentioned SNOW DRIFTS not sure How you survive out there. I recall about 15 years ago I was asked to haul a very Specialized SEMI from Louisville Ky to Seattle Washington for a trade show . I don't recall which Pass it was on I-90 between Missoula and the Idaho Border . the trailer was 13 ft 6 in tall ,I actually stopped to take a picture seems as though the drift was about 15 ft tall which was higher than the trailer . Not sure how truckers and Normal people drive that every day

id imagine lolo pass they get alot of snow up there

[bob baldwin jr]

Montananative : I guess I should of asked Does it EVER MELT all the way to ground level I don't mind the snow and ice driving but Dam I hate pulling over to the side of the road to CHAIN UP

[slickster03]

how big of power dif. is there between the 4banger and V-6

[BIG J]

I had a 89 toy with v 6 ok on gas with 16 ok power. I went to a 06 Tundra D cab . Nice Power with v8, gas was OK with about 16-19 and comfortable. Now im with a 08 Taco. d cab v-6 short box,enough for the dog box and thats it I can still haul the sportsman though. with 17-20 mpg. I like this one the best, mileage, getting around inmud nsnow, comfort and it holds up to hard driving. It actually hauls quite a bit for a taco. 1 ton of dog food in the box and is rated for 6500lb towing. Just my opinion.
BIG J

[Mountainhound]

I've seen it both ways to claim one over the other..

somedays Big Trucks make the little ones look silly, other days the little trucks drive around the big truck that is just sinking and buried in 2-3 foot of snow. I've pulled out big trucks with little truck, Little trucks with big trucks, and I've gotten screwed plenty of times with both when Others were making me look like I was silly and shouldn't be driving.

I'll probably say you have to learn to "feel" and "drive" a big truck more than a Little truck.. You can't just Put the Petal down and expect to hop on top.. With a big Truck You've got to find that balance or sweet spot.. somedays it's just an idle speed with hardly no gas pedal at all without getting stuck.. other days it's hammer down. or in between. With the little trucks I don't remember getting buried so quickly..

I probably get the most nervous feeling when I "feel" like I'm about to get stuck or sinking in when I'm heading down hill.. Or trying to get out on my same tire tracks... That's about the time I really start to pucker up and cry...

There are too many variables from what I've seen to say one over the other, but Our Snow changes daily, and wet snow is much different than Dry snow, and that's different than Crusted snow.

Snow conditions, How heavy the snow is, Tires Width, Height, Tread.. Somedays the wide ones work awsome, Some days I'd like a tall skinny tire.. Somedays I want some wieght, Others I wouldn't mind being as Light as possible.

It all depends.. But anyone that claims their truck is the best in all the conditions.. I don't know..I'd probably have to wonder how much they have been driving in the different snow conditions, Becasue I keep my mouth shut until I can see who's kicking ass on the mountain that day..

Buddy

Great post. I have had both small and full size trucks but prefer a full size. The pros out weight the cons for me. But my truck isn't just for hunting. If it were I would probaly go with the small with a flatbed.

[montananative]

Montananative : I guess I should of asked Does it EVER MELT all the way to ground level I don't mind the snow and ice driving but Dam I hate pulling over to the side of the road to CHAIN UP

maybe in the summer time. haha. that pass is pretty bad in the winter

[Josh Hill]

I have driven full sized trucks forever. I thought a little toy would be great. Long story short I just bought a 99 dodge cummins ex-cab and have a 89 toy for sale.

[Mikes Hero]

I have both a Dodge 2500 flatbed and a taco 4 door, both with a flatbed. The machine I prefer however, is my Bell 400 ranger helicopter. It goes places neither of trucks will. And my dogs prefer it for rigging bears. The only draw back is that only two worthless overweight plotts will fit in the back seat.

[Hounds_AZ]

I run a tacoma v6 and a big diesel dodge with a flatbed. Both get 12 mpg offroad, big truck will go as far but will rub trees, brush and such, plan was to only to have one truck, diesel hauls a powder sled on the flabed, if snow gets too deep