What’s your ideal hunting truck?

[Gutshot007]

Not sure if said already ? Ones thats paid for .

 

[rclouse79]

I am a big suburban fan. I built a platform that goes on two coolers for my son to sleep and I go down below. It is nice being able to park and camp is already set, especially when it is cold.

 

[cuerro viejo]

If you are off roading, you don't want a diesel. Take it from somebody that takes his 4 door, 1 ton, long bed diesel everywhere. Diesels are only good if you are towing heavy , every weekend. They are so front heavy, loud and expensive. Will it do it, absolutely, is it fun, no. Get a 3/4 ton gasser. Load it up with a winch, lockers, and a good set of 4: quick cam, v bar chains and you will be able to drive up anything. I love a topper if you are sleeping in the bed, but would pass on the decked drawers with the topper. It takes up a lot of height and is hard to sit up in then. If not sleeping in the bed, I like a hard sided, folding tonneau cover with home built pullout drawers. I have had soft covers blow off in 80 mph winds.

Carli suspension for when its not muddy. Makes a huge difference in the kidneys, but mud is still mud unfortantly

 

[cuerro viejo]

Id build a Raptor 37 with 3.0 Duramax, 50gal tank, 6.5 bed, and dodge seats. With smart cap or GFC topper

 

[tony]

What is the "powerboost" ? If thats the electric ford, hard pass.
I'm running a Ranger Tremor, I believe in typical ford wisdom 2023 is the last year for the package, as they must not want a common sense buyer to not purchase the upcoming ranger raptor starting in the high 50s.
Man, if its paid for and runs, I'd keep that Toyota. All Toyota gas mileage sucks. That said, I am excieted for the new Tacoma.
I am pretty well endowed and my employer paid me me to drive diesel ford trucks for years. So as a mere mortal I have no need nor want for a diesel. I had my diesel fix for about 30 years.

I guess F150, or maybe 250 gasser. I would recommend looking at the rangers, colorados and tacomas if its just you. Maybe a small trailer for your shit and the animal you bring home? They really aren't that small anymore.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Gonna jump into this thread for some guidance as well. I’ll be getting a 2024 Tundra with the 5.5ft bed. I currently run a diamondback cover on my Tacoma and love it. However, fitting coolers isn’t possible under the cover. It has me debating whether I should stick with the diamondback cover for the tundra or move to a decked system and nice camper topper for the bed. Really didn’t enjoy having a camper on the Tacoma as it made it too sluggish and was hard to keep clean so I could see out of the back of the truck. Anyone else have good advice on what direction to go with? I’m also holding out hope that the larger yetis will fit in the deeper tundra bed with the diamondback installed.

Same. 2024 Tundra 5.5" bed. No shell for me. I've never ran a cover on my current 2010 Tundra. I like getting in/out of the bed, stand when needed, versus pulling stuff out or crawling in. 3/2" lift. 18" wheels. Tires big enough but not too big I can't throw chains on. Probably a winch. D-rings in bed for extra tie downs (coolers, dog kennel).

 

[keystone112]

The 2019 - 2023 Ranger is worth looking at.

Mine is a Supercab with the 6’ bed. If the bed were shorter, it wouldn’t work. As a solo operator, it just meets my needs.

 

[Mattys010]

I have 2021 F150 super crew 5.5’ bed with 2.7L ecoboost. I put an ARE topper on it and am just finishing up a DIY decked type drawer system. I bought a DAC tent, which encloses the area above the tailgate and rear window. Seems to to be a good solution for sleeping in the back.

I like the 2.7. I originally wanted either the 5.0 or 3.5 ecoboost but settled on this truck due to price and availability. I am happy I did. I average 23mpg and have seen 26-27 on a road trip. I do wish it had the 36 gallon fuel tank.

 

[Fever Buck]

Same. 2024 Tundra 5.5" bed. No shell for me. I've never ran a cover on my current 2010 Tundra. I like getting in/out of the bed, stand when needed, versus pulling stuff out or crawling in. 3/2" lift. 18" wheels. Tires big enough but not too big I can't throw chains on. Probably a winch. D-rings in bed for extra tie downs (coolers, dog kennel).

Have you ever had any concerns with stuff being stolen out of the bed of the truck while leaving it at the trailhead? That’s my biggest concern. Lots of $$$ sitting in the back of my truck that the diamondback keeps secure.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Have you ever had any concerns with stuff being stolen out of the bed of the truck while leaving it at the trailhead? That’s my biggest concern. Lots of $$$ sitting in the back of my truck that the diamondback keeps secure.

Never.
But I only keep the coolers in the bed.

I backcountry hunt, so besides my pack, very little in the truck. Maybe some extra food and extra clothing inside the cab.

 

[Sapcut]

Ideal ? ….This one, this one, this one and these…

 

[Fever Buck]

Never.
But I only keep the coolers in the bed.

I backcountry hunt, so besides my pack, very little in the truck. Maybe some extra food and extra clothing inside the cab.

Makes sense. Just always makes me nervous leaving several hundred $ worth of coolers in the back of the truck. Maybe I just need to be less paranoid.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Makes sense. Just always makes me nervous leaving several hundred $ worth of coolers in the back of the truck. Maybe I just need to be less paranoid.

I run a 110 quart cooler from Costco. If someones steals them whatever. I've had them 10-11 years. Tons of hunts. 18 trips home with full coolers. Point is no one is messing with them. Now they're old and look beat up so likely less appealing. Point is I'm not putting Yeti coolers back there. Here in ID, in October, a normal cooler works just fine.

 

[Wahlfactor]

I'd keep the 4Runner if I were you.

 

[Fever Buck]

I run a 110 quart cooler from Costco. If someones steals them whatever. I've had them 10-11 years. Tons of hunts. 18 trips home with full coolers. Point is no one is messing with them. Now they're old and look beat up so likely less appealing. Point is I'm not putting Yeti coolers back there. Here in ID, in October, a normal cooler works just fine.

Do you remember what brand the cooler is? May need to copy that idea.

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

Always interesting reading about some of these mountain roads. Musta been some pretty small equipment that made them....

You’re correct, a lot of the forest roads out here were cut with large equipment…50 years ago. But the thing about a forest is, they grow.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Do you remember what brand the cooler is? May need to copy that idea.

Igloo

 

[Loo.wii]

I have a 96 Toyota tacoma, single cab with a 6’ bed. 2.7L 4cyl, 5sp, 4wd. It has gotten me everywhere I needed to go, and its small enough to turn around on those forest service roads if I can go any further.

That’s my favorite part about tacos man
I can bust a infinity point turn on the narrowest of trails.

 

[summs]

Id get an F150 5.0 and a camper shell.

I think the toyota's are reliable as all hell, but a v6 with v4 power and v8 gas mileage. I think they lie more than the diesel guys about MPG. In this forum alone age a guy says he gets 18-20 all day, but toyota couldnt even get that on MPG test and its rated at 12-17.

I have a 05 cummins with a camper shell and I love it, I dont tow heavy as often as I was planning to, but when I drive gas trucks, it just isnt the same.

I don't know how any outdoors man can suggest an SUV. Have you been in one in July with a cooler full of fluke and sea biscuits? Or had a gutted bear in the back, hell even a deer on a ride home? Carpet gets bloody and muddy from boots and waders. With a truck, throw everything in the back, unpack, park on an angle and hose the bed out.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

7.3 Ford 250 Tremor with the factory winch....its lifted on 35s and has rear locker and LS front diff from the factory, trail cruise is nice to..this will be my 3rd season using it..only compliant was the small gas tank, upgraded to 58 gallon..its now perfect for getting lost on FS roads. Had an Expy EL lifted on 35s for years before the 250 it worked too. The F250 gets better gas mileage and I can hose the back out. They expy rode better on FS roads.