anyone ever imported a diesel HiLux to the US?

[phsycle]

Maybe add to that age old question: Do I really need a truck?

Ha, or better yet, do you even need a car? Errands on bicycles. Get a street legal dirt bike. Uber/rental for everything else.

Not me, though. I'd go irate every time I had to rent a car or a truck for countless errands to Lowe's, parts store, or family trips. Having had plenty of rental car experience where I live and places I travel to, I'd rather walk and pull a handcart than have to deal with those buffoons on a regular basis. Upsell everything and try to get you for all the dings and dents that were already on the vehicle when you turn it back in. No thanks.

 

[Clutch]

Ha, or better yet, do you even need a car? Errands on bicycles. Get a street legal dirt bike. Uber/rental for everything else.

Not me, though. I'd go irate every time I had to rent a car or a truck for countless errands to Lowe's, parts store, or family trips. Having had plenty of rental car experience where I live and places I travel to, I'd rather walk and pull a handcart than have to deal with those buffoons on a regular basis. Upsell everything and try to get you for all the dings and dents that were already on the vehicle when you turn it back in. No thanks.

All ready have a street legal dirt bike. Though showing up for work smelling like premix isn't good. Which I have done.

Wouldn't do a rental for a daily rig.

Guess what I am saying is...do I really need a truck for traveling? When I only do a couple big trips a year. Dealing with a rental company once or twice a year isn't a too horrible. Since 99.9% of my trips are either dirt bike and/or mountain bike. Don't really need to get too far off the beaten path.

The commercial truck rental side of Enterprise just got some brand new mid roof Transits here, I am considering renting one (instead of taking my truck) for my Oregon coast trip I have coming up in a couple weeks. According to my fuzzy math, with the rental and gas it will only be $500-600 for the trip, so lets say $1000 with food and everything. That only twice a year sure beats buying a new $30-35K pickup that rarely gets used as pickup...

 

[nomad_games]

All ready have a street legal dirt bike. Though showing up for work smelling like premix isn't good. Which I have done.

Wouldn't do a rental for a daily rig.

Guess what I am saying is...do I really need a truck for traveling? When I only do a couple big trips a year. Dealing with a rental company once or twice a year isn't a too horrible. Since 99.9% of my trips are either dirt bike and/or mountain bike. Don't really need to get too far off the beaten path.

The commercial truck rental side of Enterprise just got some brand new mid roof Transits here, I am considering renting one (instead of taking my truck) for my Oregon coast trip I have coming up in a couple weeks. According to my fuzzy math, with the rental and gas it will only be $500-600 for the trip, so lets say $1000 with food and everything. That only twice a year sure beats buying a new $30-35K pickup that rarely gets used as pickup...

This is why I got rid of my 4x4 E-350. Thing was rad but I only used it as intended about once every two months...or less. The rest of the time the 4runner was more than sufficient (and better on trails). If I'm really honest, 90% of the time, a sedan or wagon would do and the 4runner isn't necessary either. I sure do like being able to throw my dirtbike on the back and go up into the mountains and not have to ride on the slab, plus be able to sleep in the back, though.

 

[phsycle]

All ready have a street legal dirt bike. Though showing up for work smelling like premix isn't good. Which I have done. ...

Wait, I thought you owned your own business? So who cares???

Guess what I am saying is...do I really need a truck for traveling? When I only do a couple big trips a year. Dealing with a rental company once or twice a year isn't a too horrible. Since 99.9% of my trips are either dirt bike and/or mountain bike. Don't really need to get too far off the beaten path.

The commercial truck rental side of Enterprise just got some brand new mid roof Transits here, I am considering renting one (instead of taking my truck) for my Oregon coast trip I have coming up in a couple weeks. According to my fuzzy math, with the rental and gas it will only be $500-600 for the trip, so lets say $1000 with food and everything. That only twice a year sure beats buying a new $30-35K pickup that rarely gets used as pickup...

I actually looked at renting a large van for a trip last summer. The problem I had was with availability. They were scarce and fairly expensive. Plus, even with the available tow service, I'd rather have a truck I know I can depend on and know how to fix if it does break down. Also, the rental contract stated I couldn't take it out of state (some said only local trips). Forget that. Only my wife gets to tell me what to do.

 

[Clutch]

Wait, I thought you owned your own business? So who cares???

I do...but it is a clientele based business. They don't really like when you are smelling like gas.

I actually looked at renting a large van for a trip last summer. The problem I had was with availability. They were scarce and fairly expensive. Plus, even with the available tow service, I'd rather have a truck I know I can depend on and know how to fix if it does break down. Also, the rental contract stated I couldn't take it out of state (some said only local trips). Forget that. Only my wife gets to tell me what to do.

Since I do most of my camping during the shoulder months Sep-Oct and Feb-early June. Not much of an issue of getting one. Already checked availability and the out of state thing. One of the main reasons I was looking to rent, cause I don't want to deal with my Wildernest in the rain, that and worrying about the truck breaking down.

This is why I got rid of my 4x4 E-350. Thing was rad but I only used it as intended about once every two months...or less. The rest of the time the 4runner was more than sufficient (and better on trails). If I'm really honest, 90% of the time, a sedan or wagon would do and the 4runner isn't necessary either. I sure do like being able to throw my dirtbike on the back and go up into the mountains and not have to ride on the slab, plus be able to sleep in the back, though.

Yeah, unfortunately the truck gets used more as a daily than anything else. 15K miles a year or so. Gets used a handful of times as an actual truck. Really thinking of just buying a dedicated commuter, parking the truck and either use it for camping or simply rent something.


Anyways back to somewhat on topic...my wife was overseas and they rented a Toyota Fortuner with the diesel to run around Thailand...I was like how was it? Was it awesome!? Tell me! Tell me!

She was like...meh, it was ok...it is just a car...it kinda made a rattling sound that was a little annoying. So there you go....diesel Toyota...gets a "meh" from the better half...who could give two ********** about cars.....

 

[DaveInDenver]

Do I really need a truck?

What does it all mean?

Need is a strong word which we usually confuse with desire. But the whole point of free will and liberty and existence is to do what you want. Is your life about trying achieve the minimalist ethos? Then no, you really don't need a truck or maybe a vehicle at all. But then you're at the mercy of people who do own transportation, even if you get your sustainably sourced, fair trade flour that was ground on meteorite stones found by an Inca princess, it still took someone with a vehicle to get it to you.

So do you want the means to go where you want, when you want? Then you probably really want (nee: "need") a truck. And having one that is paid off, well maintained isn't doing no one no harm in the grand scheme.

 

[phsycle]

I do...but it is a clientele based business. They don't really like when you are smelling like gas.





Since I do most of my camping during the shoulder months Sep-Oct and Feb-early June. Not much of an issue of getting one. Already checked availability and the out of state thing. One of the main reasons I was looking to rent, cause I don't want to deal with my Wildernest in the rain, that and worrying about the truck breaking down.


Yeah, unfortunately the truck gets used more as a daily than anything else. 15K miles a year or so. Gets used a handful of times as an actual truck. Really thinking of just buying a dedicated commuter, parking the truck and either use it for camping or simply rent something.


Anyways back to somewhat on topic...my wife was overseas and they rented a Toyota Fortuner with the diesel to run around Thailand...I was like how was it? Was it awesome!? Tell me! Tell me!

She was like...meh, it was ok...it is just a car...it kinda made a rattling sound that was a little annoying. So there you go....diesel Toyota...gets a "meh" from the better half...who could give two ********** about cars.....

PNW, rain is everyday reality. I'd hate to deal with an RTT/Wildernest as well. That sounds like a good plan, if no off-road or snow is in the equation.

Dedicated commuter. Impreza or Forester. Good MPG and both available with manual.

 

[Clutch]

What does it all mean?

Need is a strong word which we usually confuse with desire. But the whole point of free will and liberty and existence is to do what you want. Is your life about trying achieve the minimalist ethos? Then no, you really don't need a truck or maybe a vehicle at all. But then you're at the mercy of people who do own transportation, even if you get your sustainably sourced, fair trade flour that was ground on meteorite stones found by an Inca princess, it still took someone with a vehicle to get it to you.

So do you want the means to go where you want, when you want? Then you probably really want (nee: "need") a truck. And having one that is paid off, well maintained isn't doing no one no harm in the grand scheme.

Ha!

Actually we grow most of our own food...but yeah going to need the FedEx, Ontrac, or the UPS guy to bring me bike parts, or those heirloom seeds we like to use.

I like the minimalist thing, but for other reasons than "feel good" social justice BS. Has more to do with working less, or not all...so I don't have to commute anymore. Made the mistake of coming in for an 8:30 appointment on Wednesday, rather than my normal 10:30/11:00. Traffic at 7:00 is totally different than at 9:30, my normal leave time. If I had to do 7:00am traffic everyday, would rather be homeless. Left an extra 1-1/2 hours earlier than my normal 1 hour before...and still was 10 minutes late.


Yep totally agree...having a paid off vehicle (make that two for us) is worth its' weight in gold even though it isn't really used for what it is intended 90% of the time. But you know Dave, it is that whole..."is the grass greener thing"...that most of us ponder. Like importing diesels or doing an engine swap...the math never adds up in the end.

PNW, rain is everyday reality. I'd hate to deal with an RTT/Wildernest as well. That sounds like a good plan, if no off-road or snow is in the equation.

Dedicated commuter. Impreza or Forester. Good MPG and both available with manual.

Did a few pouring down rain weekends here during the Spring....I lived...much to some people's chagrin. But wasn't exactly fun either.

For biking whether motor or pedal, you really don't go when it is bitterly cold and snow...at least not for a vacay for me. So a rental van would be fine. If I do go skiing or other winter sports...I am renting a cabin with a fireplace and a real bed.

 

[phsycle]

I still ground tent it, rain, snow or shine. But if rain is a regular thing, I'd probably look at a Sprinter or better yet, an AS Basecamp. Too bad they're so expensive!

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• Lift kit – 3”
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[nomad_games]

I took out the back seats in my 4runner and just sleep back there. It's so cozy, I sleep better in my truck than I do in my house. Bonus points for not having any setup time once I get where I'm going.

 

[phsycle]

I took out the back seats in my 4runner and just sleep back there. It's so cozy, I sleep better in my truck than I do in my house. Bonus points for not having any setup time once I get where I'm going.

Well, that's what I'd do if I were by myself or +1. Not with 3 kids!

 

[nomad_games]

yeah it's usually just me, or me and the wife. sometimes with the dog. Dog keeps getting bigger and pretty soon I don't think the 3 of us are going to fit back there anymore. Maybe I'll go back to a 4x4 van at that point. We have a half time 4 yr old. When she starts coming with us on trips it will def be time for something else.

 

[Dalko43]

yeah it's usually just me, or me and the wife. sometimes with the dog. Dog keeps getting bigger and pretty soon I don't think the 3 of us are going to fit back there anymore. Maybe I'll go back to a 4x4 van at that point. We have a half time 4 yr old. When she starts coming with us on trips it will def be time for something else.

The newer vans are looking pretty decent as overland options. How many of them come with 4x4 from the factory?

 

[phsycle]

I only know of the Sprinter, but then, you'd have to go diesel. No thanks.

I've heard Nissan NV's are a fairly easy conversion. I've seen them on trails and they look pretty nice. That would be my pick, if I were looking for a 4x4 van.

 

[nomad_games]

I wouldn’t be buying new. Never have, never will. I’ll either find a solid conversion like a sportsmobile or do it myself on an Econoline. I just flipped one after driving it for about 6 months and learned a lot from the process, so I have a pretty solid idea what I would go for.