What kind of truck do you use?

[wyodog]

I went on an out of state 10 day moose hunt with a Chevy Colorado a few years ago. 2 guys with all our gear. made back with everything plus moose meat and a bull moose head with the skull intact. The back seat full and bed was staked but it worked.

 

[Stache Attack]

Cab and chassis flat bed works. Typically a 6.5’-6.75’ bed preferred for the new duramax. I prefer it over my short bed dodge but I have a large tool box in that pickup. Though the pickup bed is used 3-5 times per week.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Why they even make trucks with 5.5' beds is beyond me.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Why they even make trucks with 5.5' beds is beyond me.

Makes no sense at all, none.

 

[JK47]

Makes no sense at all, none.

Why they even make trucks with 5.5' beds is beyond me.

So the mall crawlers can park easier. Duh.

 

[TradLife406]

Makes no sense at all, none.

I really wanted a bigger bed. But couldn't find one. Settle on the smaller bed and it works 99% of the time. But I will be buying a small trailer for the atv.


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[peaches]

50% of truck buyers could get away with a Honda Odyssey.

People take WAY too much 'just in case crap'. Backpack hunting teaches you what you really need. My current truck is a Subaru Outback with a hitch rack. It's like Colorado camo, and gets great gas milage. Capable enough on back roads, and you don't advertise to thieves you are hunting and have guns etc at hotel overnights.

 

[wpeach1912]

I’m a big fan of my crew cab long bed Duramax. Can put my 4 wheeler, camping supplies, and anything else I’d need in the bed and back seat then run a hitch hauler if needed for a bigger cooler. Get 18-20 MPG on the highway fully loaded. I’ve seen those trucks go a lot of places they probably shouldn’t and I’ve got the 4 wheeler if I want to go on any 50” trails or faster on rough roads.
If I don’t want to take the 4 wheeler, I put my $250 FB marketplace camper shell on and pack pretty much anything I want with no concern for space

 

[Robobiss]

People take WAY too much 'just in case crap'. Backpack hunting teaches you what you really need. My current truck is a Subaru Outback with a hitch rack. It's like Colorado camo, and gets great gas milage. Capable enough on back roads, and you don't advertise to thieves you are hunting and have guns etc at hotel overnights.

I could very very easily hunt out of a Subaru. 2+week trips as well.

Some folks choose to bring their house to the mountain. I won’t be following suit until my little one starts coming with me.

 

[mostlybirch]

People take WAY too much 'just in case crap'. Backpack hunting teaches you what you really need. My current truck is a Subaru Outback with a hitch rack. It's like Colorado camo, and gets great gas milage. Capable enough on back roads, and you don't advertise to thieves you are hunting and have guns etc at hotel overnights.

During elk season you see the camps people setup and you wonder how they do it without a 20' enclosed trailer. But you see that too.

 

[peaches]

During elk season you see the camps people setup and you wonder how they do it without a 20' enclosed trailer. But you see that too.

My experience is that these are usually just expensive camping trips with more beer consumed than miles hunted. Admittedly, I have seen some comfy set ups.

The overheated trucks and fried brakes on mountain passes hauling too much are another reminder to stay light. I literally saw rig go up in flames last trip as the brakes caught fire.

 

[wtrbrdm]

2006 Tundra with an Intech Pursue for a simple basecamp. Perfect to grab a few hours of rest on a roadtrip and save on hotels.

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

The more room you have the more stuff you can bring. Whether you need the stuff or not is completely subjective. I hunt out of a 4 runner for most of my hunts and occasionally out of a tundra standard cab with 6.5 bed. I like to stay very mobile especially for archery elk so my runner roof rack is used ALOT for coolers and a lock box to stow gear I dont need at hand. This allows me a sleep setup/coffee bar inside so I can roll out easily and camp close to where I hunt.

The tundra has a canopy and is much better suited for multi hunter trips and if I'm planning on setting up a more plush base camp ( the runner can also pull this duty, but not as convenient or comfortable) and I usually run a hitch rack on both rigs for coolers if needed. To free up space.

 

[jonesn3]

IMO you want a 6 ft bed at least for a pickup. Gives you lots of versatility. I like to sleep in the bed of the truck so the somewhat longer bed length is nice. I have a Super Crew 6.5 ft bed F150. Despite the maintenance issues it’s had, warranty has covered it, and I do really like the truck overall. It’s a long vehicle for a half ton pickup making it challenging to get turned around on narrow forest roads, though

 

[ReaptheHeat]

I really wanted a bigger bed. But couldn't find one. Settle on the smaller bed and it works 99% of the time. But I will be buying a small trailer for the atv.


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Yeah, people keep buying them so manufacturers keep making the 5.5 beds... Now some trucks don't even have the option anymore for a 6 ft+

 

[rodney482]

this fall Im using my 2009 4cyl Mariner.
hitch carrier w my 165 grizz cooler. 25 mpgs

with seats folded down I can sleep nicely on my pad.

might throw a roof basket on her

 

[Marshfly]

this fall Im using my 2009 4cyl Mariner.
hitch carrier w my 165 grizz cooler. 25 mpgs

with seats folded down I can sleep nicely on my pad.

might throw a roof basket on her
View attachment 885265

A lot more people can get by with a small or midsize SUV than will admit.

Just know throwing anything, anything on the roof is going to crush your mileage. I would bet 18 or less. And these type of vehicles have small tanks to start with.

A big part of my vehicle purchase decision is made for range. Not mileage, range. Having to screw with getting fuel every day or two is such a PITA and a HUGE time waster. In parts of Montana it is very easy to end up 50 miles or more from a station. That's 100 miles of your range just to refuel.

 

[jonesn3]

A lot more people can get by with a small or midsize SUV than will admit.

Just know throwing anything, anything on the roof is going to crush your mileage. I would bet 18 or less. And these type of vehicles have small tanks to start with.

A big part of my vehicle purchase decision is made for range. Not mileage, range. Having to screw with getting fuel every day or two is such a PITA and a HUGE time waster. In parts of Montana it is very easy to end up 50 miles or more from a station. That's 100 miles of your range just to refuel.

I really like the larger 36 gal tank on my F150 for that reason. With an extra fuel jug or two, can make that last a long long time with out refueling during a hunt

 

[Clauz]

We bought 2019 gmc 3500 4x4 denali last year this time. Got best price compared to Ford and ram. As a single FT i recommend 2020 with new trailer ghosting camera system . Check it out online never worry about backing again. We love our truck.

 

[mostlybirch]

Second or third the opinion on range being important criteria. I missed that buying the last truck, a 2009 GMC 2500HD with the 6.0 gas. I wrongly assumed the 2009 had the 36 gal tank like I was used to in the 2011 model, but nope it has a criminally small 26 gallon. That is a lot of gas stops pulling a trailer.