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October 25, 2007
Keep On Truckin'
I drive a 2003 Nissan Frontier. It has served me well-ish. I wouldn't suggest it as a full-on contractor truck (and neither would Nissan, I'd bet.) It has a crew cab, six-foot bed and 4x4, but it's too small and light duty. And the model has since beefed up to a mid-size truck (a model size I find worthless, incidentally).
I think a construction business — one guy or many dozens — needs a 1/2-ton pick-up (or full-sized van for van drivers). The F-150, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, GMC/Chevy 1500s and Dodge 1500s fit the bill. You can haul, plow (3/4 ton is better for heavy plowing) and fit inside. An extra or crew cab is ideal. I'm not that big, but if I bump my head again reaching for a tape measure, I'm going to light that #@)(*&^%$ thing on fire. And forget it if you drop something between the seats. Just like what we build, smart design counts.
And who makes a windshield wiper that works? I bought NAPA's Model 60-1842. "I have 'em on my truck," the salesman said. Since he lives at the foot of Okemo Mountain, where I was skiing, I believed him. But they streak. They make almost as much noise rubbing the windshield raw as my truck's always-audible fan motor does inside. Combined with the near-deafening road noise — I'm going mad!
I wish I'd bought a bigger truck for the comfort and space. And — I hate to say this — gas mileage be damned.
So what are you drivin' and why? What works? What stinks?
If you can suggest wiper blades that work, I'll love you forever. If Nissan would give me a Titan to review, I'd love them forever, too (assuming it's a good truck; it looks promising). In the meantime, it's go-time.
I just hope I can see where I'm driving and that I'm not all the way bleepin' crazy when I get there.
Posted by Mark Clement at October 25, 2007 4:59 PM
Comments
I understand your pain. One question, then why did you buy the frontier? Remember the old saying: Better to have it and not need it. Then to need it and not have it.
As for wiper blades.? Michelin.
Peace.
Posted by: Stan M at October 30, 2007 11:07 PM
I'm a remodeler with a 2003 Frontier but mine's 2 wheel drive with the 4 banger and king cab. A $99 weekender style ladder rack makes it easy to haul long stuff like pipe and lumber and a 2x6 across the front of the bed makes it possible to haul sheetrock (a few sheets at a time of course). I do hate hitting my head getting behind the drivers seat and even 1/2 PVC pipe dropped on the roof will leave a good sized dent. But I traded in my Dodge RAM 1500 for this little truck because of the gas mileage. I get 24 mpg around town while my Dodge averaged 12. With gas at $3 a gallon, I smile every time I fill the thing up (which isn't as often as before). Yes, I complain when I can't find anything in the jumble behind the seats and miss the rear doors on my Ram and I'll never put a pallet of shingles in the back like on the Ram (not recommended) but with all the running around I do between job sites I can't afford bad gas mileage. I also smile when a contractor drives up next to me in a $50,000 F350 that will probably never see the use that my little Nissan has.
I use the cheap wipers from W*mart and replace them every three months. I find even the more expensive brands dry out and chatter in a few months.
Posted by: Greg at January 30, 2008 12:10 PM
Own a 2006 Frontier, king cab. Fabulous truck. Great gas mileage for a "hot"v-6. comfortable and poaid $16,200 before sales tax.
Posted by: Brian at March 10, 2008 8:52 PM
