When I was truck shopping in the fall of 2022, I really wanted a mid-size truck to meet my wants, principally from the garage aspect. But, the lack of leg room in the rear seat for an adult, and the short bed, ended up taking any of them out of the process. I ended up with a used 2021 Ram primarily due to the seating comfort and the best ride of any full size.
I have a 2020 Ranger lariat FX4. I live in Northern WI and do a lot of kayaking, hiking, and camping . I actually would be fine with something smaller. Never would I want anything bigger. My Ranger fits in the garage which is huge for me. Trucks are so expensive I don't want a 80K truck sitting out in the extreme cold and heat non stop. I don't want to be chipping ice all morning,
Yea. I make sure I coat mine every couple of months to keep it easy to clean and shiny. Definitely a good idea with all of the crap and leaf sap that gets on them.
The R/T was always a truck I lusted after back then, but being the R/T was only 2wd yeah I think now I'd probably find what you have as that is a great combination.
Another long time full size owner. Now looking at Nissan Frontier. I am a loyal Ford guy, but can't justify $50,000 for a 2wd 5.0 STX super crew with no power seat. Nissan frontier 2wd Crew cab long bed is under $40k. Much more palatable. I'll never sell my old F-150 and mustang. But the new stuff is just way to expensive. Midsize works for now, especially the Frontier.
I had a ‘97 Mazda B2300 extended cab for 7 yrs from 2009-2016 and loved it, it routinely got 28-30 mpg, towed 2000 lbs, hauled 1500 lbs, it was great. That’s what automakers should go back to. Simple!
Yes. I had the same “Mazda” truck. Other than the badge on the side and (I believe) on the front, everything else said Ford Motor Co. Under the hood, door sticker, part numbers, stickers on axle, etc. I needed a second key and had to order from Ford.
They need to rename the category of "Mid Size" truck. Let's be honest, the Tacoma, Colorado/ Canyon, Ranger, etc, are huge. The full-size trucks (F-150, GM 1500's, Ram, Tundra) have turned into behemoths. The only true mid sizers are the Ford Maverick and Santa Fe Cruz. Please keep it real guys. Anyways, I love your guys conversations about vehicles. Great stuff 👍🏻
I’ve owned both and currently own a 22’ CC Ram and I’m looking at going down to Midsize again. I hardly ever tow, only have one child to lug around. I just get tired of driving a full-size back and forth with just myself. I enjoy the extra space for those few times a year but I can’t justify a full-size anymore. My problem is pricing, depending on pricing if your 5-6K difference in full vs mid-size ur better off going full-size.
I was typing up a Rivian comment just as Tim brought it up…whoa… I let go of my midsize when the second kid came along. Got by with borrowing my dad’s trucks for 20+ years for those times when the SUV didn’t cut it. Now I’m back in the truck market, and my goodness…If I lived somewhere besides southern California I’d be in a full size right now. They are so nice. But what a pain to park…
I have a 24 Tacoma coming. I no longer need the size of a full size truck. I drove a full size for 20 years for work and driving in town and parking became an issue. I can still do most truck things with a midsize.
Mid size need to be a little more capable and offer a base bed 6” longer with a long bed 1.5’ longer than the current line up. The current mod size beds are just too small. They do have plenty of power and width. If like to see a mid size crew cab capable of towing 8000 lbs. The lack of a long bed is the only reason I'm not in a mid size currently.
Before you buy a mid size look close at a regular cab full size. Much more room in the front seat area and a lot more storage room behind the seats than you think. I have a 2022 GMC regular cab 4x4 Pro model with all the options you can get and I paid under 40k for it. 1961 pound pay load. The same mileage as a midsize but much nicer to drive.
I understand what Tim says about the mid-sizers needing to fit into the average depth garage, but the manufacturer's compromise - making BOTH the bed and the backseat pretty much useless, doesn't make any sense. They should offer a choice of one or the other; give me a back seat that can actually comfortable haul average size adults, or give me a bed that is able to haul more than a few groceries. For me, a full-size truck makes more sense but with today's truck prices I'm just trying to find something that doesn't break the bank. The lower trim mid size trucks aren't that much cheaper, but every bit helps.
Once I went to full size I never went back. I started out with a GMC jimmy and then went to Sonoma crew cab but found that a little to snug and not great for my passengers. Then i went to sierra extended cab then went to chevy’s crew cab for a little savings but they have the room i want for myself and passengers and I’m only a few inches taller than you Tim so I’m not an oversized person.
I really wish everyone had the same experience using pickups for work as I have. I'm old and for a living have driven everything from a 1946 1-ton pickup 1950’s, 1960’s, 1960’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s pickups in the 1/2, 3/4 and 1-ton category. My family had a large cattle and sheep ranch and we used the heck out of out trucks. Here is what drives me nuts. Any 1/2 ton Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota, Nissan pickup made today weighs more than a 3/4 ton crew cab pickup made in 1995. Not only do the modern 1/2 ton trucks weigh more than older HD, they have more: Power, better brakes, high level safety components and IF YOU PUT heavy duty springs or airbags on a modern F-150, it would outperform in every category any SRW, 3/4 ton pickup prior to 2000. Today's half ton trucks are extremely capable and are rated far below their safe operating limits.
Well sure. The 1/2-tons are much more capable. And so are the mid-size trucks. Which have comically grown to the point of being 1/2-tons in capability. So why not just drive the mid-size?
@@Dusdaddy just for work trucks. It’s funny you ask.. my Drywaller, he’s 72 years old and still, with his crew hanging 35,000-60,000 sq ft of drywall on the homes we build lol. Anyway he just traded in his 1-ton crew cab 2022 Chevy Silverado for a 1/2 ton single cab 2x 8’ bed pickup. He added air bags to the back and uses the truck to pickup extra materials or drywall for small jobs or repairs. I know a lot of construction companies would use single cab and crew cab 8’ half ton 2x4 pickups if the price was reasonable. But.. on mid size I don’t think anyone is arguing for 8’ really. I appreciate that Toyota offers a short and long bed Tacoma.
@Dusdaddy Are you kidding? 1/2-ton and 8-foot bed not long ago went together as peanut butter and jelly. Just not in limousine style crew cab. Regular cab. Ford sold it up to a few years ago with High Payload Package option (NOT the Max Tow Package that was separate). I have one. It has Reg cab, 8-foot bed and 2,760 pounds payload. Nowadays if you want the F150 with High Payload Package you need a Double Cab but it’s still available with 8-foot bed and a bit above 3,000 pounds of payload. Work and even play is much better with it. Much better for overlanding than the crew cab 5-foot bed lifestyle trucks that people are flocking to. Mine has a 141-inch wheelbase (pretty short) and rear e-locker. 13-inch ground clearance and almost 3k payload AND volume to have living space in the back for play. For work it’s obviously better than a 6-foot bed. I used it for landscaping and remodeling projects daily. Recently I started using my GMC 3500 more for work.
While I know that people don’t pay as much attention to mpg when shopping for trucks, the mpg difference between full and mid size recently has shrunk. Mid sized trucks are getting nearly the same as their full size counterparts and it’s not like mid size trucks are a lot cheaper to buy either. Full size are looking more appealing nowadays
I had a midsize. Recently changed to full size. Simply because of interior space. I didn’t need more bed length. My full size still fits in my garage. Totally dependent on your specific needs. But I liked my midsize too.
I have a 2020 Chevy Colorado four-door and I absolutely love my truck. The only big complaint I have is it’s only a 5.2 bed. Other than that I have plenty a room in the cab and I’m 6 foot 2 , 220 pounds. And this is coming from a guy that always had Chevy suburbans and full-size trucks like 1500 and 2500
I’ve owned a 94 ford ranger which was the size of our compact trucks now. I owned a dodge dakota ext cab and 2 ram 1500 quad cabs(ext cabs). For me, I needed the extra room in the box for hauling volume(garbage, broken furniture). I noticed a big difference in hauling volume every time I moved up in size. It always depends on your needs. I now own my first crew cab because I don’t neeed quite as much hauling space but the big back seat is needed. If I didn’t need to haul adults around in the back seat and I wasn’t still towing and hauling some lumber and firewood I would look at a mid sized truck. I’m lucky I have a 20ft garage and my crew cab fits with about 3” to spare. Back in 2010 after incentives it was only $1k difference between a new Dakota and a ram 1500 with more features.
depends on your needs.an old gen 1 ranger fit my needs for 24 years reliably.others need more truck for heavier loads & towing stability.but the size has gotten somewhat out of hand.i dont see how some fit into average house garages.
My previous truck was a 2002 Sonoma 2wd, extended cab, long box, with a 4.3L 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. The Sonoma was easy to park in the city and fit easily into an underground parkade. My current truck is a 2016 Canyon 2wd, extended cab, long box, with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission. When I bought the 2016 Canyon and drove it for the first time it felt huge like I was driving a 3 ton truck. Several years ago, the parking lot lines where I live were repainted with the spots narrowed by at least 6 inches. I saw a 1/2 ton truck in a condo parking lot, and the truck stuck out so far it was blocking half the driving lane. When I am leaving work, the parking lot is so tight I pull forward, then turn to the right to full lock, back up, and turn to the left to full lock. The Canyon is called a mid-sized truck, but in a parking lot, it feels like I am driving a cube van. When I tried to use a underground parkade I had to first unscrew the radio antenna because it exceeded the maximum height.
The only mid size truck that I can fit my three kids (two require child safety seats) in the second row is the Ridgeline. But the Honda has a lower ground clearance and we do a lot offroading. We love our 21 Tundra, which we bought during the pandemic. Now, there is no way I can afford a new full size truck.
Seems like midsize trucks are great for young homeowners and empty nesters. People who need to handle home improvement projects, etc, but don’t need to haul an entire family regularly.
I have a 2019 f150 screw 6.5 bed. And I'm looking to downsize to either a Maverick or a Ridgeline due to everyday tasks. Don't tow anything big enough to justify a full size. Smaller truck more practical for everyday driver
I personally prefer a mid-size pickup truck with an extended cab and a six foot bed. Unfortunately there a very few hard-side slide-in overhead campers available for this platform.
I am cross shopping between (used) mid-size & “1/2 ton” trucks at the moment. I already have a 2500 with an 8’ bed for towing & hauling, but would like a somewhat smaller truck for light duty, commuter type stuff. I could manage those duties with either a mid or full size truck.
Yeah i was just deciding between a nissan frontier crew cab and a ram 1500 quad cab with a pentastar. Nearly identical in payload and tow cap. Also nearly identical in cabin room. Both were 4x4 both had 5k miles. The ram had a bigger bed and was 2 grand cheaper!! So i got a ram tradesman. But i also have big shed to park it inside.
I really, really miss my old extended cab 2001 Dodge Dakota 2WD, V-8 engine. I'm a tic over 6'4" and it was as comfortable as any full size I've ever owned or driven for extended periods of time. If the folks at RAM want to fill a vast void in the pickup market, they should start producing the Dakota again as if it was 2001 all over again.
I was lucky enough to get a 2022 maverick 2.0 xlt it get 30 mpg most of the time 35 if you keep the cruse on and under 70 got it for the wife we just love it reminds me side wise of my 1985 s10 I miss the small trucks
I went with a Tacoma long bed after 2014 1/2 Silverado. Totally cross shopped. Full size may have fit family better, but cost was too much and smaller is better daily driver.
I'm biased, I drive a hybrid Ford Maverick. But it's great for what I need a truck for. I only wish the interior was nicer. But it's the perfect truck for the average person. I live right outside a big city. Most of my driving is 35 to 45 mph. Red light to red light driving. No need for a mall crawler for me.
I have a 2017 Colorado that fits my needs. I don’t tow anything but it’s nice to have the option to throw things in the bed like a generator, wood, etc. Another benefit is that is has a smaller gas tank, that doesn’t hit the wallet that hard. It’s only my wife, the dog and I and rarely if ever do I have more than one other passenger.
Smaller gas tank hits the wallet easier comment reminds me of the joke: What inflated gas prices? I always fill up for $50 , no higher gas prices for me. How does a let’s say 18-gallon vs 36-gallon gas tank help? It just means I have to fill up twice as often. 😃
Great points If a mid size had a larger box. I think it would be a no brainer I ended up with full size due to bed size and room in the cabin. The final straw believe it or not was the comfort level The full size drove and rode nicer Bought a 2023 F150 2.7l. The economy as a daily driver is fantastic
My issue is I have 2 car seats in the back and I'm 6'1...my seat goes back far and my son has his legs in my seat with no room . I worry about if there is a accident, main reason I'm looking at a full size or even the 4 runner which has more back seat room
@Tiger73549 it's actually not based on the Tacoma. And you do have better access in the back seat for car seats. Different frame then the taco , closer to the Landcruiser parado in Japan . The 6th gen will be more like a Taco though
To me towing capacity with confidence is a factor. Mid size less then 4000lbs, full size 1/2 ton less then 8000. After that you should be into heavy duty and as you said likely 5th wheel or goose neck. Sure the mid size say they can tow and you can get by but you wont be happy and things wear out faster or over heat more. Also as I get older I like the full size space for my butt!!! When I was young I was perfectly happy with smaller vehicles and thought why would you want a big truck.
i think what is missing from midsized truck is cabin space especially for 2nd row, i am currently overseas and i have driven the ranger raptor and the i feel the 2nd row is too small, funny thing is the ford Everest wish ranger based SUV has more room by just putting 2 more inches between the rows
Size matters. I leased 2 gm double cabs in 14 and 17. In 2020 leasing turned ridiculous. I bought a used 2015 crew slt 4x4 z71 with the std bed. Crew std bed trucks are hard to find, and most guys don't want them in a half ton truck. A mini truck never crossed my mind. People were uncomfortable in the back seat of the double cabs I leased. With the crew, I have so much more room for expensive tools to be securely stored. The 6'7" box is mandatory for me. I enjoyed my double cab trucks because of the std box. I just need more cab space. I'm 6 foot tall and no longer a youngster and have trouble getting into my wife's subi outback without banging my head. As others have stated your age and size pre determines the size of truck that works best for you.
It's all about filling multiple niches with a single vehicle and what someone or their family wants or values. I stepped up to a full size because I wanted to prioritize road trips and towing. It does kinda suck navigating around town sometimes, but I'm okay with the tradeoff.
I am getting a compact truck next time full size have become Gigantic size trucks, while untill the auto makers Toyota or Nissan i am getting a 1993 Mazda B2600i 4x4 regular cab short bed.
As an older male it's very hard for me to enter or exit the rear seat on a mid-size truck, at 6' 1'' leg room is a big problem. I drive an f150 crew cab w/6' bed. I would loved to have a Ridgeline.
Genuine question, how often do you as the owner of a vehicle get in or out of the back seat? For me it's quite a rare occurrence, and of those I think only perhaps once has it ever been for any length of a drive.
I think back to the eighties, no one drove a 3/4-ton around unless it was in construction or a farm. Now, that's every other truck. Teens are driving them to school as a daily driver. The amount of work required has not grown but every truck has grown. Used to be a Ford Courier was enough but now? We need an F-250 Tremor to drive to work in pick-up a couple 2x4's. As for backseat room, the mid-size of today is the same as the 4-door full-size of 5 years ago and that was fine. Suddenly we need Limo space to stretch out.
It's hard to understand how big the difference is in payload between Europe (and Australia) and America in the same trucks. I think this is not only a technical issue, but also... insurance. A full size truck, which practically does not exist in Europe (apart from individual imports) - such as Tundra - pulls two cars on a trailer in Europe, having a bed full of parts and two drivers taking turns in the cabin + their belongings, equipment, etc. Just the weight of the trailer tongue alone should eliminate it from such a role (if this were America). Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier/Navara - the same versions in Europe, only usually with a diesel engine (which should theoretically limit the payload more because it is heavier) have a payload of about 1 ton (2200 lbs), which puts them two classes higher compared to the market American. Mid-size trucks in Europe tend to have more springs under the bed - you can see the body lean in the photos when unloaded, but the rest of the parts (including the brakes) are similar, if not the same. We used to have regulations that a smaller car could not tow a trailer that weighed more than it, but now it has changed. I saw an Isuzu D-Max (smaller than a Ford Ranger) pulling a trailer with a medium-sized excavator. The fact is that in our country trailers are usually lighter (aluminum or steel, but the structure is made to measure), while in America - I have the impression - that they are too heavy for their tasks (overbuilt). Despite the trailer's weight and larger springs, it's still a mystery why payload specifications are so low in manufacturers' catalogs for the US market - I suspect it's a regulatory/insurance issue.
This comparison is easy. If you need a full size truck buy one! If you like a smaller rig, get that! The price is comparable and the MPG is often times so close it does not matter! My 5.0 F150 gets the same MPG as the Colorado! and My 2022 cost 37k and change out the door (4WD).
I had a 2019 RAM 1500 with two kids at the time 8 and 9, and that thing drunk too much gas at $5 a gallon, so after I got a 2023 Nissan Frontier fully loaded, man I only had complains about the truck, horrible bed for any trip on home depot (full size boards) and i always questioned myself when loading a motorcycle on its bed, I sold that thing and took a huge loss… moving forward Im getting a 1500 AT4 with the multiflex gate and OMG what a difference for a family of 4 full grown people, not only that the duramax is more economic and will hold its value better than that Frontier. In resume, being cheap is not always the best route to take. Also try to look at today mpg on a colorado ZR2, it sucks on gas, my nissan only did 22 mpg, today full size trucks can do the same or much better
Tim, you don’t talk fast. Maybe some are just slow? 😅 When I truck shopped, wasn’t impressed with payload on a 1/2 ton. I don’t need a heavy duty or a full size to help my ego or other issues. I know plenty of folks who do use a full size for construction, towing boats every weekend, haul for their own business, etc and all of them have a car or smaller truck as a daily driver. The top end of a midsize today is close to an entry level full size but those basic trucks aren’t something to admire or worth my consideration. In the end, I bought a mid size. It does 97% of what I need it to do. Those 3%, I will go out and rent or swap trucks with a buddy or family member. And I do have a fun daily driver to boot. 😉
The price difference is usually negligible, but it did get nutty with the crazy market at one point. You can find a gently used Titan with very low miles on Enterprise for as low as $23k. These still have the warranty too and are very reliable.
Honda Ridgeline sized body on frame midsize truck. That's the sweet spot. It's a little wider but still midsized. Hell they could afford to add a little length to catch up to the rest of the midsizers. But sit in the back of a Ridgeline and you will fully understand.
If you are using a truck as a truck, the 150/1500 full size segment is a tough sell. The suspensions are too soft and a good number of them have way too short a bed. As a family vehicle, they are far better than a mid-size. If you want a truck step up to a HD.
@@jjourdan8014 agreed, but i was talking about the bed. That 5 footer works fine for the people who only haul golf clubs around, but still want a truck over a suv. I myself prefer a Regular cab 2 door with a 8 foot bed. To me, trucks were made to carry cargo, not lots of people. In todays world, that thinking has changed. People hauling is priority and cargo hauling takes a back seat. Manufactures should go back to making station wagons, cause that is what these new trucks are.
I think it might have been referring to how some OEMs like Toyota and Nissan have developed shared frame architectures to underpin both their midsize and full size trucks. But yeah other OEMs do develop things specifically for the size category.
Should be shopping for either HD or midsize. If mid size doesn’t cut what you are doing, no way halfton will. Halfton payload basically same as mid size.
Most of the midsize are now 5-foot bed. That part doesn’t cut it. Half ton can be had as 6-foot, 6.5-foot or even 8-foot bed. It’s NOT the payload, it’s the volume mainly.
When I was truck shopping in the fall of 2022, I really wanted a mid-size truck to meet my wants, principally from the garage aspect. But, the lack of leg room in the rear seat for an adult, and the short bed, ended up taking any of them out of the process. I ended up with a used 2021 Ram primarily due to the seating comfort and the best ride of any full size.
I have a 2020 Ranger lariat FX4. I live in Northern WI and do a lot of kayaking, hiking, and camping . I actually would be fine with something smaller. Never would I want anything bigger. My Ranger fits in the garage which is huge for me. Trucks are so expensive I don't want a 80K truck sitting out in the extreme cold and heat non stop. I don't want to be chipping ice all morning,
I have yet to sit in or drive a Maverick but I've heard many people like that size and overall capability it offers.
Yea. I make sure I coat mine every couple of months to keep it easy to clean and shiny. Definitely a good idea with all of the crap and leaf sap that gets on them.
Full sized. But I can appreciate smaller trucks.
I just bought a 2000 dodge Dakota 4 door 4x4. And Its great. I like the size and I think it still looks good. It also has a sweet 5.9 V8!
The R/T was always a truck I lusted after back then, but being the R/T was only 2wd yeah I think now I'd probably find what you have as that is a great combination.
@@ALMX5DPI always wanted an R/T as well.
Never sell that truck. It's a classic!
Another long time full size owner. Now looking at Nissan Frontier. I am a loyal Ford guy, but can't justify $50,000 for a 2wd 5.0 STX super crew with no power seat.
Nissan frontier 2wd Crew cab long bed is under $40k. Much more palatable. I'll never sell my old F-150 and mustang. But the new stuff is just way to expensive. Midsize works for now, especially the Frontier.
I had a ‘97 Mazda B2300 extended cab for 7 yrs from 2009-2016 and loved it, it routinely got 28-30 mpg, towed 2000 lbs, hauled 1500 lbs, it was great. That’s what automakers should go back to. Simple!
It’s called a Ford Ranger
Yes. I had the same “Mazda” truck. Other than the badge on the side and (I believe) on the front, everything else said Ford Motor Co. Under the hood, door sticker, part numbers, stickers on axle, etc. I needed a second key and had to order from Ford.
They need to rename the category of "Mid Size" truck. Let's be honest, the Tacoma, Colorado/ Canyon, Ranger, etc, are huge. The full-size trucks (F-150, GM 1500's, Ram, Tundra) have turned into behemoths. The only true mid sizers are the Ford Maverick and Santa Fe Cruz. Please keep it real guys.
Anyways, I love your guys conversations about vehicles. Great stuff 👍🏻
I’ve owned both and currently own a 22’ CC Ram and I’m looking at going down to Midsize again. I hardly ever tow, only have one child to lug around. I just get tired of driving a full-size back and forth with just myself. I enjoy the extra space for those few times a year but I can’t justify a full-size anymore.
My problem is pricing, depending on pricing if your 5-6K difference in full vs mid-size ur better off going full-size.
I was typing up a Rivian comment just as Tim brought it up…whoa…
I let go of my midsize when the second kid came along. Got by with borrowing my dad’s trucks for 20+ years for those times when the SUV didn’t cut it. Now I’m back in the truck market, and my goodness…If I lived somewhere besides southern California I’d be in a full size right now. They are so nice. But what a pain to park…
Full sized now. But my trailer purchases let me drop down to mid sized when ready.
I love the new ranger! I want the 2.7 v6 but if you compare the midsize to the full size truck with similar spec it would be a huge price difference!
I have a 24 Tacoma coming. I no longer need the size of a full size truck. I drove a full size for 20 years for work and driving in town and parking became an issue. I can still do most truck things with a midsize.
Mid size need to be a little more capable and offer a base bed 6” longer with a long bed 1.5’ longer than the current line up. The current mod size beds are just too small. They do have plenty of power and width. If like to see a mid size crew cab capable of towing 8000 lbs.
The lack of a long bed is the only reason I'm not in a mid size currently.
Before you buy a mid size look close at a regular cab full size. Much more room in the front seat area and a lot more storage room behind the seats than you think. I have a 2022 GMC regular cab 4x4 Pro model with all the options you can get and I paid under 40k for it. 1961 pound pay load. The same mileage as a midsize but much nicer to drive.
I understand what Tim says about the mid-sizers needing to fit into the average depth garage, but the manufacturer's compromise - making BOTH the bed and the backseat pretty much useless, doesn't make any sense.
They should offer a choice of one or the other; give me a back seat that can actually comfortable haul average size adults, or give me a bed that is able to haul more than a few groceries.
For me, a full-size truck makes more sense but with today's truck prices I'm just trying to find something that doesn't break the bank. The lower trim mid size trucks aren't that much cheaper, but every bit helps.
Once I went to full size I never went back. I started out with a GMC jimmy and then went to Sonoma crew cab but found that a little to snug and not great for my passengers. Then i went to sierra extended cab then went to chevy’s crew cab for a little savings but they have the room i want for myself and passengers and I’m only a few inches taller than you Tim so I’m not an oversized person.
I really wish everyone had the same experience using pickups for work as I have. I'm old and for a living have driven everything from a 1946 1-ton pickup 1950’s, 1960’s, 1960’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s pickups in the 1/2, 3/4 and 1-ton category. My family had a large cattle and sheep ranch and we used the heck out of out trucks.
Here is what drives me nuts. Any 1/2 ton Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota, Nissan pickup made today weighs more than a 3/4 ton crew cab pickup made in 1995. Not only do the modern 1/2 ton trucks weigh more than older HD, they have more: Power, better brakes, high level safety components and IF YOU PUT heavy duty springs or airbags on a modern F-150, it would outperform in every category any SRW, 3/4 ton pickup prior to 2000.
Today's half ton trucks are extremely capable and are rated far below their safe operating limits.
Well sure. The 1/2-tons are much more capable. And so are the mid-size trucks. Which have comically grown to the point of being 1/2-tons in capability. So why not just drive the mid-size?
Show me a midsize with 8-foot bed and I am convinced.
@@is6566 lol...Convince me you need an 8-ft bed in a 1/2-ton
@@Dusdaddy just for work trucks. It’s funny you ask.. my Drywaller, he’s 72 years old and still, with his crew hanging 35,000-60,000 sq ft of drywall on the homes we build lol. Anyway he just traded in his 1-ton crew cab 2022 Chevy Silverado for a 1/2 ton single cab 2x 8’ bed pickup. He added air bags to the back and uses the truck to pickup extra materials or drywall for small jobs or repairs.
I know a lot of construction companies would use single cab and crew cab 8’ half ton 2x4 pickups if the price was reasonable.
But.. on mid size I don’t think anyone is arguing for 8’ really. I appreciate that Toyota offers a short and long bed Tacoma.
@Dusdaddy Are you kidding? 1/2-ton and 8-foot bed not long ago went together as peanut butter and jelly. Just not in limousine style crew cab. Regular cab.
Ford sold it up to a few years ago with High Payload Package option (NOT the Max Tow Package that was separate). I have one. It has Reg cab, 8-foot bed and 2,760 pounds payload.
Nowadays if you want the F150 with High Payload Package you need a Double Cab but it’s still available with 8-foot bed and a bit above 3,000 pounds of payload.
Work and even play is much better with it. Much better for overlanding than the crew cab 5-foot bed lifestyle trucks that people are flocking to. Mine has a 141-inch wheelbase (pretty short) and rear e-locker. 13-inch ground clearance and almost 3k payload AND volume to have living space in the back for play.
For work it’s obviously better than a 6-foot bed. I used it for landscaping and remodeling projects daily. Recently I started using my GMC 3500 more for work.
I really wanted a full size but the prices are out of control. I drive by myself 90%of the time so I'm in the market for a mid size now.
I start with the bed, which has to be at least 6.5'. The rest is negotiable. My 2018 Tundra DC 4x4 gets it done.
While I know that people don’t pay as much attention to mpg when shopping for trucks, the mpg difference between full and mid size recently has shrunk. Mid sized trucks are getting nearly the same as their full size counterparts and it’s not like mid size trucks are a lot cheaper to buy either. Full size are looking more appealing nowadays
I’ve been in a full-size company truck for the last ten years. Going to a mid-size(Canyon AT4) in a few months and I can’t wait.
Waiting for the Toyota Stout!
Smaller is just Smart.
I had a midsize. Recently changed to full size. Simply because of interior space. I didn’t need more bed length. My full size still fits in my garage. Totally dependent on your specific needs. But I liked my midsize too.
I have a 2020 Chevy Colorado four-door and I absolutely love my truck. The only big complaint I have is it’s only a 5.2 bed. Other than that I have plenty a room in the cab and I’m 6 foot 2 , 220 pounds. And this is coming from a guy that always had Chevy suburbans and full-size trucks like 1500 and 2500
I’ve owned a 94 ford ranger which was the size of our compact trucks now. I owned a dodge dakota ext cab and 2 ram 1500 quad cabs(ext cabs). For me, I needed the extra room in the box for hauling volume(garbage, broken furniture). I noticed a big difference in hauling volume every time I moved up in size. It always depends on your needs. I now own my first crew cab because I don’t neeed quite as much hauling space but the big back seat is needed. If I didn’t need to haul adults around in the back seat and I wasn’t still towing and hauling some lumber and firewood I would look at a mid sized truck. I’m lucky I have a 20ft garage and my crew cab fits with about 3” to spare. Back in 2010 after incentives it was only $1k difference between a new Dakota and a ram 1500 with more features.
depends on your needs.an old gen 1 ranger fit my needs for 24 years reliably.others need more truck for heavier loads & towing stability.but the size has gotten somewhat out of hand.i dont see how some fit into average house garages.
My previous truck was a 2002 Sonoma 2wd, extended cab, long box, with a 4.3L 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. The Sonoma was easy to park in the city and fit easily into an underground parkade. My current truck is a 2016 Canyon 2wd, extended cab, long box, with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission. When I bought the 2016 Canyon and drove it for the first time it felt huge like I was driving a 3 ton truck. Several years ago, the parking lot lines where I live were repainted with the spots narrowed by at least 6 inches. I saw a 1/2 ton truck in a condo parking lot, and the truck stuck out so far it was blocking half the driving lane. When I am leaving work, the parking lot is so tight I pull forward, then turn to the right to full lock, back up, and turn to the left to full lock. The Canyon is called a mid-sized truck, but in a parking lot, it feels like I am driving a cube van. When I tried to use a underground parkade I had to first unscrew the radio antenna because it exceeded the maximum height.
Mid size is best for me now living in a city
I went from a full size -> midsize truck. I like it better it’s easier to drive and does everything the old full size 1/2 tons can do
The only mid size truck that I can fit my three kids (two require child safety seats) in the second row is the Ridgeline. But the Honda has a lower ground clearance and we do a lot offroading. We love our 21 Tundra, which we bought during the pandemic. Now, there is no way I can afford a new full size truck.
Seems like midsize trucks are great for young homeowners and empty nesters. People who need to handle home improvement projects, etc, but don’t need to haul an entire family regularly.
I have a 2019 f150 screw 6.5 bed. And I'm looking to downsize to either a Maverick or a Ridgeline due to everyday tasks. Don't tow anything big enough to justify a full size. Smaller truck more practical for everyday driver
I personally prefer a mid-size pickup truck with an extended cab and a six foot bed. Unfortunately there a very few hard-side slide-in overhead campers available for this platform.
I am cross shopping between (used) mid-size & “1/2 ton” trucks at the moment. I already have a 2500 with an 8’ bed for towing & hauling, but would like a somewhat smaller truck for light duty, commuter type stuff. I could manage those duties with either a mid or full size truck.
Yeah i was just deciding between a nissan frontier crew cab and a ram 1500 quad cab with a pentastar. Nearly identical in payload and tow cap. Also nearly identical in cabin room. Both were 4x4 both had 5k miles. The ram had a bigger bed and was 2 grand cheaper!! So i got a ram tradesman. But i also have big shed to park it inside.
I really, really miss my old extended cab 2001 Dodge Dakota 2WD, V-8 engine. I'm a tic over 6'4" and it was as comfortable as any full size I've ever owned or driven for extended periods of time. If the folks at RAM want to fill a vast void in the pickup market, they should start producing the Dakota again as if it was 2001 all over again.
I was lucky enough to get a 2022 maverick 2.0 xlt it get 30 mpg most of the time 35 if you keep the cruse on and under 70 got it for the wife we just love it reminds me side wise of my 1985 s10 I miss the small trucks
I went with a Tacoma long bed after 2014 1/2 Silverado. Totally cross shopped. Full size may have fit family better, but cost was too much and smaller is better daily driver.
I'm biased, I drive a hybrid Ford Maverick. But it's great for what I need a truck for. I only wish the interior was nicer. But it's the perfect truck for the average person. I live right outside a big city. Most of my driving is 35 to 45 mph. Red light to red light driving. No need for a mall crawler for me.
I have a 2017 Colorado that fits my needs. I don’t tow anything but it’s nice to have the option to throw things in the bed like a generator, wood, etc. Another benefit is that is has a smaller gas tank, that doesn’t hit the wallet that hard. It’s only my wife, the dog and I and rarely if ever do I have more than one other passenger.
Smaller gas tank hits the wallet easier comment reminds me of the joke: What inflated gas prices? I always fill up for $50 , no higher gas prices for me.
How does a let’s say 18-gallon vs 36-gallon gas tank help? It just means I have to fill up twice as often. 😃
@@is6566 you have a point… it doesn’t change the fact that I don’t need a full size truck.
Of course. That’s fine. Everyone has their own needs and wants and preferences.
@@is6566 if I would do a full size it would be a single cab/sport truck with a v8 like the old school Dodge Rams
Great points
If a mid size had a larger box. I think it would be a no brainer
I ended up with full size due to bed size and room in the cabin. The final straw believe it or not was the comfort level
The full size drove and rode nicer
Bought a 2023 F150 2.7l. The economy as a daily driver is fantastic
If I didn't have family to haul around I would own a midsize. Can't beat the room in a full size truck with the crew cab.
Look at a Ridgeline, plenty of room for your passengers.
My issue is I have 2 car seats in the back and I'm 6'1...my seat goes back far and my son has his legs in my seat with no room . I worry about if there is a accident, main reason I'm looking at a full size or even the 4 runner which has more back seat room
I'm a tall guy and I found the 4Runner is tight. It's based on the Tacoma.
@Tiger73549 it's actually not based on the Tacoma. And you do have better access in the back seat for car seats. Different frame then the taco , closer to the Landcruiser parado in Japan . The 6th gen will be more like a Taco though
To me towing capacity with confidence is a factor. Mid size less then 4000lbs, full size 1/2 ton less then 8000. After that you should be into heavy duty and as you said likely 5th wheel or goose neck. Sure the mid size say they can tow and you can get by but you wont be happy and things wear out faster or over heat more. Also as I get older I like the full size space for my butt!!! When I was young I was perfectly happy with smaller vehicles and thought why would you want a big truck.
i think what is missing from midsized truck is cabin space especially for 2nd row,
i am currently overseas and i have driven the ranger raptor and the i feel the 2nd row is too small, funny thing is the ford Everest wish ranger based SUV has more room by just putting 2 more inches between the rows
Midsize is missing cabin space AND bed space.
Than it wouldn’t be midsize anymore
Size matters. I leased 2 gm double cabs in 14 and 17. In 2020 leasing turned ridiculous. I bought a used 2015 crew slt 4x4 z71 with the std bed. Crew std bed trucks are hard to find, and most guys don't want them in a half ton truck. A mini truck never crossed my mind. People were uncomfortable in the back seat of the double cabs I leased. With the crew, I have so much more room for expensive tools to be securely stored. The 6'7" box is mandatory for me. I enjoyed my double cab trucks because of the std box. I just need more cab space. I'm 6 foot tall and no longer a youngster and have trouble getting into my wife's subi outback without banging my head. As others have stated your age and size pre determines the size of truck that works best for you.
It's all about filling multiple niches with a single vehicle and what someone or their family wants or values. I stepped up to a full size because I wanted to prioritize road trips and towing. It does kinda suck navigating around town sometimes, but I'm okay with the tradeoff.
Exactly. It is all about what is best. I will say with these insane costs it is really making more people think "what do I actually need".
I have flip flopped back and forth so there is some cross shopping
I am getting a compact truck next time full size have become Gigantic size trucks, while untill the auto makers Toyota or Nissan i am getting a 1993 Mazda B2600i 4x4 regular cab short bed.
As an older male it's very hard for me to enter or exit the rear seat on a mid-size truck, at 6' 1'' leg room is a big problem. I drive an f150 crew cab w/6' bed. I would loved to have a Ridgeline.
Genuine question, how often do you as the owner of a vehicle get in or out of the back seat? For me it's quite a rare occurrence, and of those I think only perhaps once has it ever been for any length of a drive.
@@ALMX5DP maybe it is about the people he brings along with him. If he knows he can't fit, than his friends can't either.
@@Boobtube. totally, though then their height or comfort entering and exiting would be the predominating factor.
@@ALMX5DP that is what he said. So he bought a F150 crew cab. Problem solved.
@@Boobtube. he was referring to himself getting into and out of the back seat, which is why I asked the question above..
Midsize trucks are great. However, I love having more space in the crew cab which is why I prefer full size.
If I wasn’t 6’5” with 2 year old twins, I would have a midsize.
I think back to the eighties, no one drove a 3/4-ton around unless it was in construction or a farm. Now, that's every other truck. Teens are driving them to school as a daily driver. The amount of work required has not grown but every truck has grown. Used to be a Ford Courier was enough but now? We need an F-250 Tremor to drive to work in pick-up a couple 2x4's. As for backseat room, the mid-size of today is the same as the 4-door full-size of 5 years ago and that was fine. Suddenly we need Limo space to stretch out.
I’m watching this video now because I’m cross shopping full to midsize trucks
Can't get a 6ft bed in midsized trucks anymore unless a fleet type.
The frontier offers it in multiple trims
It's hard to understand how big the difference is in payload between Europe (and Australia) and America in the same trucks. I think this is not only a technical issue, but also... insurance.
A full size truck, which practically does not exist in Europe (apart from individual imports) - such as Tundra - pulls two cars on a trailer in Europe, having a bed full of parts and two drivers taking turns in the cabin + their belongings, equipment, etc. Just the weight of the trailer tongue alone should eliminate it from such a role (if this were America).
Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier/Navara - the same versions in Europe, only usually with a diesel engine (which should theoretically limit the payload more because it is heavier) have a payload of about 1 ton (2200 lbs), which puts them two classes higher compared to the market American.
Mid-size trucks in Europe tend to have more springs under the bed - you can see the body lean in the photos when unloaded, but the rest of the parts (including the brakes) are similar, if not the same.
We used to have regulations that a smaller car could not tow a trailer that weighed more than it, but now it has changed. I saw an Isuzu D-Max (smaller than a Ford Ranger) pulling a trailer with a medium-sized excavator.
The fact is that in our country trailers are usually lighter (aluminum or steel, but the structure is made to measure), while in America - I have the impression - that they are too heavy for their tasks (overbuilt).
Despite the trailer's weight and larger springs, it's still a mystery why payload specifications are so low in manufacturers' catalogs for the US market - I suspect it's a regulatory/insurance issue.
This comparison is easy. If you need a full size truck buy one! If you like a smaller rig, get that! The price is comparable and the MPG is often times so close it does not matter! My 5.0 F150 gets the same MPG as the Colorado! and My 2022 cost 37k and change out the door (4WD).
I had a 2019 RAM 1500 with two kids at the time 8 and 9, and that thing drunk too much gas at $5 a gallon, so after I got a 2023 Nissan Frontier fully loaded, man I only had complains about the truck, horrible bed for any trip on home depot (full size boards) and i always questioned myself when loading a motorcycle on its bed, I sold that thing and took a huge loss… moving forward Im getting a 1500 AT4 with the multiflex gate and OMG what a difference for a family of 4 full grown people, not only that the duramax is more economic and will hold its value better than that Frontier. In resume, being cheap is not always the best route to take. Also try to look at today mpg on a colorado ZR2, it sucks on gas, my nissan only did 22 mpg, today full size trucks can do the same or much better
Tim, you don’t talk fast. Maybe some are just slow? 😅
When I truck shopped, wasn’t impressed with payload on a 1/2 ton. I don’t need a heavy duty or a full size to help my ego or other issues. I know plenty of folks who do use a full size for construction, towing boats every weekend, haul for their own business, etc and all of them have a car or smaller truck as a daily driver.
The top end of a midsize today is close to an entry level full size but those basic trucks aren’t something to admire or worth my consideration. In the end, I bought a mid size. It does 97% of what I need it to do. Those 3%, I will go out and rent or swap trucks with a buddy or family member. And I do have a fun daily driver to boot. 😉
The 06 double cab tundra was perfect
Sorry crew cab
I like mid size trucks because I can’t afford full size trucks.
Same price now…..
Some can't afford mid-sized trucks.
The price difference is usually negligible, but it did get nutty with the crazy market at one point. You can find a gently used Titan with very low miles on Enterprise for as low as $23k. These still have the warranty too and are very reliable.
Honda Ridgeline sized body on frame midsize truck. That's the sweet spot. It's a little wider but still midsized. Hell they could afford to add a little length to catch up to the rest of the midsizers. But sit in the back of a Ridgeline and you will fully understand.
Why body on frame? Just get the Ridgeline.
@@nospark333 I did get one lol. Loved it for 3 years. But some folks want the BoF
If you are using a truck as a truck, the 150/1500 full size segment is a tough sell. The suspensions are too soft and a good number of them have way too short a bed. As a family vehicle, they are far better than a mid-size. If you want a truck step up to a HD.
A 5-5/12’ bed is useless imo might as well get an suv.
if all your hauling is golf clubs and groceries, it is just fine.
@@Boobtube. like I said might as well get an suv and keep it out of the rain at that point
@@jjourdan8014 agreed, but i was talking about the bed. That 5 footer works fine for the people who only haul golf clubs around, but still want a truck over a suv. I myself prefer a Regular cab 2 door with a 8 foot bed. To me, trucks were made to carry cargo, not lots of people. In todays world, that thinking has changed. People hauling is priority and cargo hauling takes a back seat. Manufactures should go back to making station wagons, cause that is what these new trucks are.
5 foot bed is not useless
5-foot bed is useless for most truck things to do. The 5-foot bed “trucks” are nothing more than an SUV with an open cargo area.
I meant crew
Garage-ability keeps me midsize. I probably would cross-shop if it werent.
Your friend is wrong about midsized being built on the same frame as full size.
I think it might have been referring to how some OEMs like Toyota and Nissan have developed shared frame architectures to underpin both their midsize and full size trucks. But yeah other OEMs do develop things specifically for the size category.
Trucks are not the right price brother.
agree with you there
The Jeep Gladiator's styling sucks, that's a non-starter.
Should be shopping for either HD or midsize. If mid size doesn’t cut what you are doing, no way halfton will. Halfton payload basically same as mid size.
Most of the midsize are now 5-foot bed. That part doesn’t cut it. Half ton can be had as 6-foot, 6.5-foot or even 8-foot bed. It’s NOT the payload, it’s the volume mainly.