Back in June 2008 when diesel cost over $4.00/gallon, I decided it was time to trade in my old ’93 pickup for something new.  With high fuel prices, dealers were dying to get these big behemoths off of their lots.  Since my normal driver was a car, a truck sitting in my driveway doesn’t use that much fuel.  Therefore, I couldn’t refuse the dealer’s generous offer.

I have always felt that “a man needs a pickup truck,” mainly for trips to the lumberyard.  That’s the reasoning for the 8-foot bed.  Being “old school,” I never really cared for shortbeds.  I do appreciate having a full rear seat for luggage, gear and grandkids.  However, the extra length does make it feel like you’re driving a bus when turning and parking.

After nine years of ownership, it has just under 44,000 miles, with the original tires and batteries.  The majority of those miles include several long-distance trips to Canton, Ohio; Dallas and Oklahoma City.  Those trips usually involved pulling heavy trailers (car transports, enclosed movers or a fully loaded Boy Scout trailer).  Once I drove it to work and a coworker asked me what in the world did I pull with that truck?  I dryly replied, “Anything I want!”