Another Stupid Truck Tailgate

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Another Stupid Truck Tailgate

beaumontguru · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

All this crap stems from the fact that all modern trucks are so high off the ground that nobody can reach over the bedsides. and nobody can getup into the bed from the rear when the gate is open, and you cant lift items up high enought to get them on the tailgate without a step ladder or a elevator. Why the heck are these new monstosities so big? have you ever parked a modern truck beside a 72 chevy c10 or a 85 silverado square body? the old trucks are so much smaller.

And nevermind the size difference between an original S10 and a current colorado or ranger.

Its no wonder why the early trucks such as the square body generation are so popular right now, guys just want a real deal, genuine and simple pickup truck!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

beaumontguru wrote:
All this crap stems from the fact that all modern trucks are so high off the ground that nobody can reach over the bedsides. and nobody can getup into the bed from the rear when the gate is open, and you cant lift items up high enought to get them on the tailgate without a step ladder or a elevator. Why the heck are these new monstosities so big? have you ever parked a modern truck beside a 72 chevy c10 or a 85 silverado square body? the old trucks are so much smaller.
And nevermind the size difference between an original S10 and a current colorado or ranger.
Its no wonder why the early trucks such as the square body generation are so popular right now, guys just want a real deal, genuine and simple pickup truck!

Exactly why I love our 97 Silverado so much. I honestly don't know what we will do for our next truck when this one's worn out.

DANO65 · Poncho Master!

4SPEED427 wrote:
beaumontguru wrote:
All this crap stems from the fact that all modern trucks are so high off the ground that nobody can reach over the bedsides. and nobody can getup into the bed from the rear when the gate is open, and you cant lift items up high enought to get them on the tailgate without a step ladder or a elevator. Why the heck are these new monstosities so big? have you ever parked a modern truck beside a 72 chevy c10 or a 85 silverado square body? the old trucks are so much smaller.
And nevermind the size difference between an original S10 and a current colorado or ranger.
Its no wonder why the early trucks such as the square body generation are so popular right now, guys just want a real deal, genuine and simple pickup truck!
Exactly why I love our 97 Silverado so much. I honestly don't know what we will do for our next truck when this one's worn out.

Carl you could move up to the next generation, they are still a usable size but after that they seem to grow.

An yes Dave, there is something wrong when sitting in my 03 3/4 ton, I am eye to eye with the guy in the Colorado, and his bed side is higher than my hood. And they call it a compact truck.....

As for bed heights on the new ones, I think the designers and engineers must have stock in trailer companies, because you can't pull older gooseneck of 5th wheels with these new ones the bed sides are just too high, trailer is running way up hill. When I have a problem reaching over the box side, you know there's a problem, what does an average height guy do? Why can't a truck just be a truck again?

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

I also dont understand manufacturers making the trucks so large. My 2500hd is very high. I had to put a set of steps on it so my wife could get in it. I originally purchased the truck to carry a slide in camper. My 09 half ton wasnt rated to carry a truck camper. I worked for a municipality for thirty years before I retired and my current trucks size reminds me of driving the old three ton trucks I worked on in the eighties.

Paul

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I like those 2 way tailgates like on the old wagons and the Honda Ridgeline, very useful not having to always lean over the tailgate to use the bed.

The next big expensive item to pluck more money from your wallet will be- an air suspension system on your pickup to lower it to pavement level using your iPhone. Probably about $10-15,000 option.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

DANO65 wrote:
Carl you could move up to the next generation, they are still a usable size but after that they seem to grow.

I know, I even like the look of the 03-04 era but I'm so old school I love the small block powering the 98 and down trucks. And especially the Vortec 96-98. Decent power and fuel economy and it's the good old 40+ year old engine!

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

beaumontguru wrote:
All this crap stems from the fact that all modern trucks are so high off the ground that nobody can reach over the bedsides. and nobody can getup into the bed from the rear when the gate is open, and you cant lift items up high enought to get them on the tailgate without a step ladder or a elevator. Why the heck are these new monstosities so big? have you ever parked a modern truck beside a 72 chevy c10 or a 85 silverado square body? the old trucks are so much smaller.
And nevermind the size difference between an original S10 and a current colorado or ranger.
Its no wonder why the early trucks such as the square body generation are so popular right now, guys just want a real deal, genuine and simple pickup truck!

Nailed it!

Blame the marketing people, product planners and focus groups who say people want these things. Bigger, taller, longer seems to be the way they are continuing to go, even in the face of a world that's being overwhelmed by population and their pollution. Sure sales are as high as they've ever been, but for people who need a new truck, you don't have a choice.

I don't have or need a truck, but if I ever did I think I'd be searching for 1990s and earlier, just find the lowest mileage best example and be prepared to pay for it. It will still be cheaper than a new one.

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

Yes Carl, I also like the 1988-98 trucks. Unfortunately anything in good shape is really overpriced. A couple of business here used them for delivery vehicles when they were popular. Some had a million plus kilometres on them. It was common to get 600,000 km on a 5.7 vortec with only replacing the plastic lines and fuel spider in the manifold. I owned a couple and had lots of miles but rust killed them.

Paul

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I'm betting you see folding or removable sides as the next big thing.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Carl, your 97 will never be unusable because everything can be easily replaced. The prices on older trucks are getting crazy.

This 42000 mile 2002 Silverado is currently at over 18k USD on Bring a Trailer:

No Reserve: 42k-Mile 2001 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado LS Stepside

And this 97 K1500 4x4 with 32000 miles (one owner) is at $25250 USD ($31680 Cdn!) with 3 days yet to go!

One-Owner 1997 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 4×4

65Camino · Uber Guru

Makes me appreciate my El Camino just that much more.

oshawacliff · Poncho Master!

Had to rent a UHaul Van the other day. It had a step rail on the drivers side to get into the stupid damn thing and then an accessory step mounted below that. First attempt to get in my foot slipped off the step and I must have banged my knee pretty good as yesterday I found a big bruise on my knee cap area. Plan B to get into the *** thing.... grab the grab bar hanging off the windshield post and hoist myself up into the area of the seat and push up from the step rail. Now I am almost into the seat....

Grab the steering wheel and position myself onto the seat.

Being 6 foot 4 once into the seat I felt cramped by the steering wheel and the foot well didn't have that much space either. Managed to do the necessary work with the van and put less than 50 km on the thing.

Got it back close to 5.00 pm closing and stopped to put in $5.00 gas, went to return it and missed the closing time by minutes. Had to take the van home and return again at 8.00 AM.

As it turns out the box spring and mattress that we wanted to move would not fit in the van with all of the other essentials crammed into it.

SHOULD HAVE RENTED A CUBE VAN!!!!!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

7 years ago we bought this truck with 126,000 kms on it, 2WD for $5700. Today it has 275,000 kms on it, still original paint. General consensus I get talking to guys who see the truck is that it would bring all of that money back today and more. I've never made such a good investment on a daily driver before!

20220114_114607[1].jpg

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

That one owner 97 Silverado I mentioned above sold for $32250 on Bring a Trailer. That's over 40 grand in Canbucks! My truck has to be worth at least 8 grand now ! biggrin

One-Owner 1997 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 4×4

beaucarlo · Guru

well i own a 2021 GMC with 1 of the new tailgates and i love it. with me getting up in years it makes getting into the back soooo much easier ,the remote control feature is so cool, there is a 1/2 inch raised 2 foot lip that allows you to see if the tailgate is up[i have a folding hard tonneau cover].It locks up nice and it has assist upon raising the gate .and oh i do need this size truck as i still race my 64 Acadian

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Agreed, the new gate is great to help but what do you do when you need to lift over the side?

beaucarlo · Guru

4SPEED427 wrote:
Agreed, the new gate is great to help but what do you do when you need to lift over the side?

hahaha......i have grandchildren...1 is 6-1...the other is 6-4...no prob

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Even being just north of 6 feet I still find it a struggle on the new ones.

But those cabs sure are cozy...

pathfinder58 · Addicted!

I agree ,ive got a 1998 gmc 1500 4x4 ex cab,and when a newer truck parks next to me i feel like im in my old 75 datsun again.I love the truck but im going to be looking for something bigger to haul around a smaller excavator and the old 1500 just isnt rated for that,so that being said I thought I would ask here if you had to buy a newer pickup what would you buy?im looking at a Toyota tundra but unsure ,would be the first non GM truck ive bought in over 30 years so lots to think about.Reliability is my biggest concern and every make seems to have their good and bad points,any help here would be much appreciated thanks.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I'd get an older rust free Dodge Ram with the 5.9 Cummins (A 6 speed manual would be nice) There was a 12 and 24 valve version. Both are fantastic engines and would have no problem towing your excavator. Those engines love to be worked. If you go with any newer diesel you are strangled with emissions and having to add DEF fluid.

unruhjonny · Guru

beaumontguru wrote:
...Its no wonder why the early trucks such as the square body generation are so popular right now, guys just want a real deal, genuine and simple pickup truck!

Amen to that!!