[St00k]

I know a lot of folks swear by F-150s or a Toyota Tacoma. I'm curious what the best truck you've ever owned is and why.

Honestly, I'm new to trucks... so just trying to figure all this out.

 

[Harvest]

I had a 2004 crew cab Toyota Tundra I really liked. It was somewhat smaller than the current version of the Toyota Tundra, which was a good size - modern full size pickups are a little too big for a lot of situations, including parking. It had a really good ride for a full size pickup and a comfortable interior. I also liked that it had a simple straightforward exterior design, no attempt to be butch looking like most current full size pickups. I've also had a Ford F150 and driven Chevy Silverados quite a bit. I've test driven a Honda Ridgeline and liked the ride quality. I'm excited about all the features of the R1T and especially the electric aspect, but the two big questions in my mind are ride quality and build quality. I'm assuming the latter will be good but the ride quality is hard to predict. Teslas are known for being very stiff and I do not want that - as an older guy pushing 60 with a back that feels every bump, I want a smoother ride!

 

[eHauler]

@Harvest Toyota owner here.
I can vouch for them but with a Tacoma that like the Tundra can take anything you throw at it!

 

[paulrenec]

i had two chevrolet avalanche. one 2007 that i traded in 2017 for a 2013. both very happy and very minimal issues

 

[EVnow!]

I grew up with a mid 70’s era Toyota— 2 seats and pretty indestructible. Great truck. After college, I got a Toyota SR5— the big innovation was the “extra cab” with the reverse swing mini rear door and jump seats in back. Also a great small truck, with no real issues over my 10 years of ownership.

Moved on to an F-150 4-Door so I could fit 2 car seats and a booster for the kids in the 90’s. It was a capable, fun truck. I liked the full size, but it had so many recalls and safety issues over 8 years, I had to get rid of it because my wife didn’t trust it anymore.

Currently have a 2013 Honda Ridgeline that has been great. Great ride, pulls 5,500 lbs, good storage under the rear seat, HUGE storage in a waterproof and lockable compartment under the bed— love that. Innovative tailgate that opens as normal, but also swings open like a door hinged on the left so you can get closer to the bed (and the in bed storage compartment). Haven’t had any serious issues.

So, my vote would be for the Ridgeline because of the innovative features, great ride, and storage— many of the same things I’m excited for on the R1T. Although not having the 180 degree folding option on the tailgate for the Launch Edition is disappointing... especially if I use the in bed storage for anything other than the spare tire.

 

[St00k]

i had two chevrolet avalanche. one 2007 that i traded in 2017 for a 2013. both very happy and very minimal issues

So funny that they killed the truck, right?
It was a hit... and they got rid of it.

 

[paulrenec]

So funny that they killed the truck, right?
It was a hit... and they got rid of it.

yes and so many people talk to me about my truck. it is so versatile yet robust.

 

[St00k]

yes and so many people talk to me about my truck. it is so versatile yet robust.

In many ways its the best "utility vehicle" concept. All the space for a family yet all the practicality of a truck.

Hummer used to make something like that as well. Always loved the look of that thing.

 

[eHauler]

I grew up with a mid 70’s era Toyota— 2 seats and pretty indestructible. Great truck. After college, I got a Toyota SR5— the big innovation was the “extra cab” with the reverse swing mini rear door and jump seats in back. Also a great small truck, with no real issues over my 10 years of ownership.

Moved on to an F-150 4-Door so I could fit 2 car seats and a booster for the kids in the 90’s. It was a capable, fun truck. I liked the full size, but it had so many recalls and safety issues over 8 years, I had to get rid of it because my wife didn’t trust it anymore.

Currently have a 2013 Honda Ridgeline that has been great. Great ride, pulls 5,500 lbs, good storage under the rear seat, HUGE storage in a waterproof and lockable compartment under the bed— love that. Innovative tailgate that opens as normal, but also swings open like a door hinged on the left so you can get closer to the bed (and the in bed storage compartment). Haven’t had any serious issues.

So, my vote would be for the Ridgeline because of the innovative features, great ride, and storage— many of the same things I’m excited for on the R1T. Although not having the 180 degree folding option on the tailgate for the Launch Edition is disappointing... especially if I use the in bed storage for anything other than the spare tire.

Does the Ridgeline feel enough like a truck with its unibody construction? I'm used to body on frame and more traditional setups and never gave the Ridgeline a serious look, but heard many positive things about them.

 

[Chris S]

A Gen 1 Ridgeline is the best truck I've owned. It was ugly, but comfortable, practical, reliable, and was great for hauling dirt and mountain bikes. I loved the lockable trunk. I'd consider buying a new Ridgeline if not for the R1T.

 

[ginztoy]

The only truck I have ever owned is an escalade ext and am on my second. I really love this truck as it does everything I need. Wonderful on long trips, comfortable and really like the handling. I was sad when cadillac decided to cancel it. It is 2011 with 98,600 plus miles. Only willing to give up to replace with R1T!

 

[eHauler]

A Gen 1 Ridgeline is the best truck I've owned. It was ugly, but comfortable, practical, reliable, and was great for hauling dirt and mountain bikes. I loved the lockable trunk. I'd consider buying a new Ridgeline if not for the R1T.

Glad to know that.
Any improvements you think Honda should include in the next gen Ridgeline?

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Best truck I've personally owned was a 2015 GMC Sierra Denali. Fantastic truck. I shouldn't have sold it -- regret that move.

 

[jmiller013]

I had a gen 1 ridgeline that was awesome. I think I spent $300 on that vehicle in 10 yrs for maintenance and that was only because the monkeys at jiffy lube overtightened my oil pan screw causing it to strip the next oil change. Never had a headlight go out or any mechanicals. Drove it to 110k miles and than gave it to my mom. She's still driving it and its had no issues.

To counter that I went into a 2018 expedition max Limited and have put 31k miles on it in 3 yrs. In that time the transmission has failed 2x. First time had to replace the tranny at 8k. 2nd time was at 30 and the transmission pump gasket failed and I was without a car for 8 days. Giant POS..I would never own another Ford.

 

[EVnow!]

Does the Ridgeline feel enough like a truck with its unibody construction? I'm used to body on frame and more traditional setups and never gave the Ridgeline a serious look, but heard many positive things about them.

Yes the Ridgeline feels like a truck to me. I haul stuff, dump mulch and compost in the back with a front end loader, lash more than I should to the roof, and take it down sketchy roads. Never been wild about the Gen 1 looks, with that sloped bed rail, but that’s minor. And, the new ones have a flat bed rail. The bed is composite, just like the Rivian, no no rust issues there. I do have some rust starting in the top seam of one of the rear doors, which is irritating— not sure how you’d ever get all that out... I’m hoping the aluminum Rivian talks about in the construction is in the doors and panels to help address rust issues.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Best truck I ever owned was a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4x4. And it's not even a close competition.

Second best (distant) was a 2013 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X 4x4.

Worst truck I ever owned was a 2004 Ford F-250 Lariat 4x4.
Second worst truck (close) was a 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4x4.

I've also owned a Tacoma and it was okay. Middle of the pack, really. But that was in the early 2000's. The newer Tacomas are awful, imo. Toyota needs to get their head out of their butt.

 

[eHauler]

Yes the Ridgeline feels like a truck to me. I haul stuff, dump mulch and compost in the back with a front end loader, lash more than I should to the roof, and take it down sketchy roads. Never been wild about the Gen 1 looks, with that sloped bed rail, but that’s minor. And, the new ones have a flat bed rail. The bed is composite, just like the Rivian, no no rust issues there. I do have some rust starting in the top seam of one of the rear doors, which is irritating— not sure how you’d ever get all that out... I’m hoping the aluminum Rivian talks about in the construction is in the doors and panels to help address rust issues.

Glad to know.

It will be my first time even considering a bed and all the things that come with it.
Would you get rust proofing done?

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Rivian is aluminum body, right? So no need to do rustproofing.

I’ve heard more issues from people who get rustproofing, anyway. Unless it’s a PERFECT seal then it’ll let water in and the coating can actually promote corrosion.

I believe you want to let the vehicle DRY. And when you drive in an area that salts their roads you want to clean the salt off everything (including underside) and let it DRY.

 

[EVnow!]

Glad to know.

It will be my first time even considering a bed and all the things that come with it.
Would you get rust proofing done?

Good question about rust proofing... I live in the northeast, currently VT, where they salt the roads for potentially 7 months of the year. 😳 With that in mind, I’ve always done rustproofing for the underbody at least, and had the dealer do it when I bought the vehicle. Rusting the underbody and frame has never been the reason I’ve retired vehicles, so I guess it works? I do see CommodoreAmiga’s logic though...

As for the Rivian, it’s a whole new belly of the beast, as it were. Seems like they have really sealed the underbody already in a new way because of the electric/electronic aspect, as evidenced by the wading depth of 3+ feet. I guess I’m thinking I would go with what Rivian suggests is best at this point. I doubt Rivian will offer anything, especially for the Launch Editions... so I would need to find an after market dealer. On the plus side, it will be easier to spray the underbody at the car wash, as it’s much more streamlined compared to my Ridgeline. 😁

 

[eHauler]

Good question about rust proofing... I live in the northeast, currently VT, where they salt the roads for potentially 7 months of the year. 😳 With that in mind, I’ve always done rustproofing for the underbody at least, and had the dealer do it when I bought the vehicle. Rusting the underbody and frame has never been the reason I’ve retired vehicles, so I guess it works? I do see CommodoreAmiga’s logic though...

As for the Rivian, it’s a whole new belly of the beast, as it were. Seems like they have really sealed the underbody already in a new way because of the electric/electronic aspect, as evidenced by the wading depth of 3+ feet. I guess I’m thinking I would go with what Rivian suggests is best at this point. I doubt Rivian will offer anything, especially for the Launch Editions... so I would need to find an after market dealer. On the plus side, it will be easier to spray the underbody at the car wash, as it’s much more streamlined compared to my Ridgeline. 😁

I get rust proofing done all the time. It works.

Are you going to be making any different considerations around it this time?
Maybe for better/high quality options out there? The market seems to have grown quite a bit.