TB'rs with trucks vs SUVs....

[TomB]

I think pickup trucks came into the discussion because OP asked pickup truck owners if they were a good choice for gear hauling (check the thread title). I think the almost universal response has been yes, but only if you have other needs that routinely require a big rig, such as hauling or towing. I’m pretty sure that’s what was asked, and I’m pretty sure it’s been answered.

 

[Sertsa]

I've often driven trucks, as my dad always had one growing up. I still drive a them on occasion, whether plowing snow for my parents, or responding with a disaster relief organization. (For personal vehicles I still lean towards compact-midsize hatches/sedans/wagons.)

A couple relatives love and have had several Toyota pickups and 4Runners. As legendary as they are, though, they've all had serious underside rust (I live in a region where roads are salted nearly half the year), so watch for that.

And while I would normally caution against a Ram or anything Stellantis, when we needed a plow truck for my parents' place, we found a slew of Rams available at local repo auctions for reasonable prices, although all with cracked windshields for some reason. Sadly, it appears a lot of Ram truck buyers are financially over-extending. But if you're looking for something lower-priced (but very fuel-thirsty), that may be an option.

It ate my Fred Hersch CD, though. I probably disturbed the universe playing a jazz trio CD in a Ram 1500 plastered with Five Finger Death Punch stickers.

Finally, despite my sedan/hatch/wagon preference, I'm really tempted to buy an old JDM Kei truck from one of the importers (Photo from MotorTrend).

 

[Sean150]

Man, it is nuts. And as I say, if you're curious, just do a search--it is very common. Or maybe don't. Don't jinx yourself. Not sure what model year it started with, as I say my 2013 was trouble-free. Aside from the common issues like mine, it's a stupid design, frankly. You can't even do a tailgater with an Outback. It may drain your battery if it's left open for too long. I'm done with Subies (except for when my son lets me drive his 2013 WRX, now that is a fun car.

If I recall correctly my 2022 outback has either a switch or documented method to avoid draining the battery with the tail gate open.

It is counter intuitive, but I would suggest not putting too much weight on your current experience. Brand reliability and issues fluctuate through time (all brands have issues from time to time) and Subaru is one of the most reliable the last I saw. Meanwhile, 6 months ago I would have responded to your question suggesting an F150 because mine was so great, but in that time I have had to help my mom navigate multiple serious recalls on her explorer.

To your main question I loved my truck, but the outback is so much more fun to drive. I’d suggest finding the smallest, lightest and most powerful thing you can and getting that. If you’re not hauling or rock crawling, you are just throwing money away with a truck or proper SUV (no matter how cool and fun they are).

 

[pbass2]

If I recall correctly my 2022 outback has either a switch or documented method to avoid draining the battery with the tail gate open.

It is counter intuitive, but I would suggest not putting too much weight on your current experience. Brand reliability and issues fluctuate through time (all brands have issues from time to time) and Subaru is one of the most reliable the last I saw. Meanwhile, 6 months ago I would have responded to your question suggesting an F150 because mine was so great, but in that time I have had to help my mom navigate multiple serious recalls on her explorer.

To your main question I loved my truck, but the outback is so much more fun to drive. I’d suggest finding the smallest, lightest and most powerful thing you can and getting that. If you’re not hauling or rock crawling, you are just throwing money away with a truck or proper SUV (no matter how cool and fun they are).

I've always loved Subies. Had one of the OG little wagons back in the 80's. My 2013 Outback was totally reliable, my kid's 2013 WRX also so. This 2018 is mechanically reliable, but this electronic issue is apparently un-fixable and the internet would suggest it's very, very common across quite a few model years (and Subaru tells those afflicted that it's "functioning normally"). Time to move on to something else!