Help: Looking into purchasing a T Truck

thats real easy...you can get a pretty good deal on an '06 Tundra with a regular cab, 2wd, V-6 and manual trans *if* you can find one. Its a full size 3/4 ton truck, that should get you around 18 mpg.

btw... a Tundra in that partitular configuration is considered by insurance companies to be a "work truck", not a toy or a people toter so you will get the lowest rates.

Thanks so much. My hubby has Parkinson's D. and is not bad yet, but I don't want to be stuck in the Pa. hills when it snows. Appreciate you reply. Bette

Given your circumstance, ill husband and living in the hill country, might I suggest you loos closely at something like the 4Runner? This is built on a truck frame, and has the features of a truck, but is entirely enclosed. I think that your husband will be needing some significant hardware to support him soon, and having that stuff inside and out of the elements will prove to be a benefit.

You did not mention that you need to haul stuff, so I assume your requirement is for ground clearance, and perhaps the more upright seating that a truck gives as opposed to a car. The 4Runner meets both of these points, and provides greater comfort as compared to a truck.

Good luck,

Thanks to all.

So far he is not wheelchair bound or using a walker, only a cane. It will be some time before he is in serious health and being I am only

5'2" and he is over 6'2" I am not able to carry him over a snowy mountain. *smiling* because it is my therapy. Naturally, if we are expecting the "SNOWSTORM" of the century we remain indoors.

Again thank you for your feedback. Bette

Truck safe? Why would you think so? They have less safety equipment than an SUV like 4Rnr/Rav4/Highlander. Plus unless you put weight in rear traction isn't that good - 2WD is much worse than a front wheel drive car. Why not try winter tires on your Avalon on a spare set of rims?

If you are indeed up in Snow Country I would suggest the standard

2WD truck with a Limited Slip Differential in the rear axle. If they do not have any trucks in your area with them factory installed you can get it installed at the dealer or an off-road supply shop for a modest fee.

Having a LSD rear axle makes driving in snow a whole lot easier and safer, it avoids the big problem that will get you stuck - without a LSD if one rear wheel gets into mud or slush it will spin, and you aren't moving. A regular "open" differential sends all the power to the spinning tire.

With an LSD both of the rear wheels are pushing equally under power, and one of the two will usually find some traction to get you going.

Driven properly you can go just as many places with a 2WD LSD truck as a full 4X4 that costs a lot more. The only advantage of a 4X4 over a 2WD with LSD is you'll get better resale value - and it's all in the buyer perception.

Once you get the truck experiment with keeping some ballast weight in the back - 200 to 400 pounds of "Miscellaneous Stuff" will do. For a very slight fuel mileage penalty you will get a much smoother ride on the highway, and better traction in the slushy stuff. Truck suspensions are designed to ride best while you carry cargo, not be totally empty.

Besides, you want at minimum a cross-bed toolbox or tonneau cover on the truck with your emergency and survival supplies stored in it - wool blankets, bottled water, granola bars, camp stove, a few days of freeze-dried or canned foods, fire extinguisher, road flares for signaling (and they make dandy fire starters too), motor oil, shovel, tire chains, tow strap, jumper cables...

Sometimes you don't have any choice where you're at when that "Storm of the Century" hits, so Plan B is the Boy Scouts "Be Prepared."

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Thank you both for your insight. I use to drive a little green pick up truck years ago when I went deer hunting with our son and his buddies. I was the only one who could field-dress a deer.

Now we are also looking into a vehicle that will be able to house a wheelchair for my husband. I want him home with me for as long as possible. Bette

Your stature is thje same whether you get a truck or the 4Runner. From the perspective of your diminutive build, the vehicles are the same. the 4Runner has its storage capacity inside the vehicle, wheras the truck's storage is outside. Consider the 4Runner as opposed tot he truck, you get the same features in terms of ground clearance and rugged nature, but you get more refined features in the passenger arena.

Another consideration is the Sequoia. This is essentually a Tundra that is enclosed in the back, much the same as the 4Runner is a Tacoma that is enclosed. Less truck-like, but with ample ground clearance is the Highlander. You can get the 4Runner and Sequoia in 4WD configurations, I'm not sure of the Highlander.

You can also put a nice shell on a Tundra for a whole lot less than the additional cost of a Sequoia, or 4-Runner

Once again, thank you for so much info.

Our son sent this to me a few moments ago.

The vans do come equipped with wheelchairs for his needs. It's not so much the snow as his comfort getting in and out when things become difficult. Yet, snow is an issue; seeing I don't want to be in a situation where we cannot get help. Bette

Seems like they are real proud of those vans.... My Tundra with the custom ordered shell, sliding window between the shell and cab, class III reciever hitch, tax, title, license, was less than $19,000 after rebates.

Gulp!!! Our son suggested if we purchase this in Delaware we will be avoiding any state tax. Then my sister mentioned that was illegal. Bette

Did I mention that those vanes for $25K - $30K are all *USED*!!????? My Tundra was new.

It's not illegal.

You'll just have to pay the sales tax when you register it in your state.

This is starting to seem very trollish.

Hmmm.. No I'm not a troll -- just frustrated with caring for my husband. ?Reality know me. He's a good friend. Bette