Tips for Hunters On Buying a Used Truck Whether Diesel or Gas

Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash

So much of life is about making good decisions. Choosing where you want to live and who you want to live with are big ones. Choosing a career path is another biggie. 

For hunters -- North, South, East or West -- one of the decisions you'll be making is what kind of used truck you need and how to find it. I say used because it's doubtful that you want to be abusing a shiny new $70,000 pickup into the hardscrabble canyons or timber-strewn back woods to get your next buck. 

Last week, Outdoor Life published a useful article on this very topic titled "The Best Used Trucks For Hunters." The story by Scott Murdock carries an informative subhead that explains why this subject is important. "There is no hierarchy of brands in the truck market. Every auto manufacturer has made quality vehicles, clunkers, and everything in between." 

The problem emerges when you try to find a suitable, reliable vehicle in the used truck market. Whether pursuing a diesel or gas guzzler, Murdock believes the right truck for you is not impossible to find. First, however, you need to get a clear picture of what your looking for. 

PRIMARY CONSIDERATIONS

1. A truck that can go where other vehicles can't.
In response to this first point the author gets into a little breakdown of the difference between AWD and 4-wheel drive. The latter is stronger and more capable driving over obstacles.

2. Consider cargo room.
An SUV might be fine if you are hunting small game and have a dog or two. On the other hand, for deer or elk, a truck bed is pretty much a requirement. Easy to hose out afterwards, too.

3. Are you towing?
If you're bringing a boat, camper or trailer loaded with ATVs and gear, then you need to consider what you've got under the hood. Half-ton trucks will suffice in most situations, but for heavier loads you'll be best served by a heavy-duty truck with a diesel power plant.

* * *

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

If you buy something small that doesn't work out, you can always use it as a doorstop. But if you buy a used truck that's a lemon, it's much more difficult to recycle. Here are some suggestions on how to find a good one, according to Outdoor Life.

1. Put brand loyalty aside.
Probably a hard one for some folks who might consider such a purchase to be almost like cheating. Murdock notes that every brand has both great vehicles and clunkers. Be open-minded, he suggests.

2. Only pay for features you want.
You're buying a hunting truck, not a Lexus. Four-wheel drive and towing capacity is all you really need. If you want more than that, upgrade your hunting shack.

3. Do your homework.
Avoid the temptation to buy on impulse. Make a list of wants and needs, then go looking. Murdock writes, "Your next step should be an online forum dedicated to the exact year, make, and model of the truck(s) that interest you." (NOTE: There is a list of diesel forums in the right hand column here at the Blue Flame Blog which can help you in your search.) Pay attention to the pros and cons from others' experiences.

4. Read the signs.
By this he means, look closely to see if the truck has been maintained. Ask for maintenance records as well, if available. If you find a truck that has been taken care of, it will probably take care of you, even if it has high mileage.

* * *
This is a superb article with a lot more useful information. The next section goes into the matter of how much you should expect to spend on a suitable used truck. The following section discusses mileage matters and why lower miles isn't always better. From there he makes a case for four-wheel drive. After this he gives his opinion regarding gas or diesel. He gives a strong thumbs up to diesel power if your towing because of the torque these engines generate.

The last section gets brand specific. The author says the best half ton to look for is a 1990-2006 Chevrolet 1500 or GMC 1500. And the best diesel, in his view is the 1994-1998 Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500. If you're going midsize, he likes the 2015 to present Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. In the SUV category he directs readers to the 1997-2001 Jeep Cherokee. For Best Bargain, he suggests the 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra. And for Best Sport Truck, yes, it's the 2010-2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

* * * 

The article is packed with details in every one of these sections. He makes a strong defense of his selections in the latter portion when naming names. It's a well constructed argument for buying used, and loaded with insights. We recommend you bookmark this page, even if you aren't a hunter:

Buying Used Trucks for Hunting

3 Life Tips for Diesel Builders

1. We don't know what we don't know 

I'm not sure what the trigger was, but when I woke this morning I was reminded of the saying, "We don't know what we don't know."  It applies to so many things. From home front issues like marriage and parenting, to career matters and office politics and, finally, to getting familiar with a new vehicle. 

Learning the difference between what is and is not something worth losing sleep about often boils down to experience. But then there's that niggling thought. "What if I'm wrong?" And the more that's at stake, the more it keeps us awake at night because all too often, we don't know what we don't know. That's why it's nice to have friends who are smarter than we are.

This is why tens of thousands of diesel owners belong to diesel forums. When we own a Ford, Chevy or Dodge, we become part of a large family where everybody is your neighbor. This is why I've included links to all the diesel forums (that I was aware of) over on the right hand column down below the Crude Prices chart.

2. Where there's a will there's a way

I once read a book called Real Power which talked about the levels of personal power and empowerment. The very lowest level was Helplessness. They used a symbol for each level and the symbol for this first was a person seated in a chair with their hands tied behind their back, a gag in their mouths.

This is how many people feel about themselves. They can't do anything and won't even try.

The diesel enthusiasts I've met are cut from a different piece of cloth. Like "the little engine that could" they're convinced that nothing will hold them back. They have internalized this saying, "Where there's a will there's a way." And to my way of thinking, that's Real Power.

3. "I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it."--Jonathan Winters

I'm showing my age by quoting Jonathan Winters, the Hollywood funnyman who inspired Robin Williams. A master of improv, Winters was an ex-marine who starred on the silver screen and even garnered his own television show. 

This quote makes me think of Nike's "Just Do It" slogan. People like this are inspirational because they know it's better to try and fail then to have never tried at all.

I remember a tractor pull at a county fair in Ohio when I was visiting my cousin decades ago. There were all these veteran pullers and tricked out machines, and one clean cut teen who just didn't seem like the rest, but his eyes were beaming with joy as he commandeered all that horsepower, and beat them all. 

It made an impression on me. He couldn't wait for success and went ahead without it. He was the Little Engine That Could, and he did.

* * * *

Just a weekend ramble here. Maybe someone who reads this will get inspired. These are the kinds of thoughts that inspire me.

P.S.--If you have a truck you'd like to showcase here on the Blue Flame Blogger pages, send an email to: blueflame1952 AT gmail.com
ATTN: Frank Owens

Train photo by Denis Chick on Unsplash