Tim Rant!

S

Saddle Tramp

Moderator
You posted a great video about the frustrations going on in the pickup world. My question to you is did it help to vent?


I was glad you did it, but I also felt like I personally needed to explain my own thoughts and feelings on the subject. I also want to make sure that none of my personal frustrations are never directed at you.

Now I am expecting a second part to this video. One where you either interview people from the industry or you and Jill have a group video with other truck channels (Dave and others) where you discuss the frustrations and spitball ideas on what to do about it.
 
Sorry busy day. My other son was in a play and I had Men’s league this afternoon or I’d have posted this video with some more commentary here on the forum.

First, this video was really for @Fightnfire and a host of others over the past few years. Like I said in another thread, I just kept seeing more frustration about trucks in the past year. I also got into with another journalist over the weekend. Kind of pissed me off.

On Sunday, I wrote up an outline of 10 things people hate on new trucks. Really trying to think of everything. I was thinking of writing it up, but I decided to not run it since I’m trying to pick my battles. I may still write it up.

Today, I had to film the Toyota Grand Highlander and then I had the GMC Canyon to do before noon. I had NO clue how pricey the Canyon was. I filmed the Grand Highlander which was pretty straightforward. Time to do the Canyon. I said, you know what why not. I moved the Canyon and put it next to the RHO. I shoot the video aiming to have a negative title and filled with rants. It seems like people really like negative titles these days (GM can’t build V8s, dealers screwed us over and they are going to pay, etc…).

So, I shot that video and then did a separate video on the Canyon.

As expected, this video is on fire. I don’t think it is totally fair at all. I never shared the other side of the equation at all and I didn’t plan to in this video.

Now, I’m thinking of doing a video titled “here are why people are buying new 2025 trucks” or something. Give both perspectives. Just because of who I am.

I’m not sure I love this video. I’m conflicted.
 
chaseydog said:
Interesting video. As I was watching though I was struck by how much of the 'hurt' is either something that I'm OK with or something that I positive about. Other than price and reliability I just can't get onboard with the other concerns, though understand why others may feel differently.
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As I was preparing to shoot it, that was my thought as well. I think some people will agree with parts, others will agree with all and then there will be those that don’t agree with anything. Really a lot of different opinions thrown into one video.
 
Hi, I really enjoyed your video — it perfectly captures so many of the thoughts I’ve been having.

  • I don’t want a big SUV — but there's really no choice anymore. Smaller ones have basically zero towing capacity, making them useless but only cool to have.
  • I find big SUVs unnecessary (I don’t need three rows) and way too expensive. But again, if towing is a must, they’re the only option — and even then, they often lack integrated trailer brake controllers in that category.
  • You nailed it on pickups:
    1. They’re expensive.
    2. Not great for family trips (mid-size)
  • I completely agree with your take on tech and all the other features.
  • Also frustrating: you can’t get nice fabric seats unless you forgo options X and Y.

A few things I’d add:

  • Prices are so high now that theft has become a serious issue — more valuable parts mean more incentive to steal them.
  • This directly impacts insurance costs. For example, I got a quote this weekend:
    • Toyota Tacoma: $2,725/year
    • GMC Canyon AT4: $1,700/year
      It’s getting ridiculous.

I’ll stop here before I go too deep down the rabbit hole. I’m also a fan of manual cars, but let’s be real — they’re disappearing fast, and only available in the most stripped-down, underwhelming trims. I HATE AUTOMATIC!!!!!


I drive a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk V6, and after 55,000 miles in 7 years, I think I’ll be holding onto it for a while. It didn’t start last week (turned out to be a broken wire), so I started getting quotes and figured maybe it was finally time to replace it. But after all the research, I’m feeling completely unenthusiastic about what’s out there.
 
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testerdahl said:
Thanks. My only thought is I’m not sure where you got the trucks aren’t great for family trips. Honestly, I think they are perfect and I prefer a full-size truck to literally anything else for family trips.
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Mid-size,,,,, pretty tight,,,, and I really don't like the idea of putting all the stuff in the box. Mostly during the cold winter

And I really don't want a full size pickup
1- too big for my needs
2- don't fit in the garage
3- Takes to much fuel (price is high here 6-7$ a gallon)
 
testerdahl said:
Ah yeah, midsize. Good point.
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During long trips, my wife sometimes sits in the back while my youngest rides up front with me.
We can't have things too cramped back there! 😄

Back during COVID, my Jeep had to go to the dealer for a minor issue, and the part was backordered for nearly two and a half months. In the meantime, I drove a RAM 1500 Classic with a 3.6L V6. That thing drove me nuts. The fuel costs got me crazy, mostly when I had to drive it on 4high and was pulling my small trailer! I guess I’ve gotten spoiled by my Jeep, which really isn’t bad at all.
 
Good video Tim, we of course could pick up the hints of mocking but the points are still made. I tend to agree with a lot of your comments but where you really nailed it I think were the packaging complaints around options. The canyon of course comes back slightly towards reality with the removal of the $10k plus AEV package. The AT4x starts at $56k and you're getting a lot of truck for that. The Ranger is $57.400 starting but doesn't include the graphics or a bed liner.

The AEV package is actually on a discount right now for $6,850. However, when adding that you also have to add the Technology pack and the AT4 Premium pack. which brings that total to $65,380 or right in line with the TRD Pro & Trailhunter. AKA overpriced, I do think the Canyon is the better truck than the Tacoma but meh.

I didn't like the comparison of price between the RHO and the Canyon but only because not everyone is going to get that deal from Mark Dodge which should also include a flight and other travel costs built in. The RHO starts at $71,090. That's 15ish k more than the Raptor or Canyon AT4X. Have to assume that Canyon in your video had several added items from the factory. For me to fly to Louisiana and drive a truck back it would a couple thousand dollars in flight, Lodging, food, fuel and a couple PTO days etc. Plus it's just comparing a hugely discounted sticker price to a MSRP sticker.

There's a lot of legitimate concerns your brought up but in almost everything other than the one you said actually bothered you, the package games they're playing, you used the example of the passenger screen in the RHO, it didn't quite come across as genuine. Maybe that was the point? There's not anything wrong with that really though. You're frustrated with people complaining and their are groups frustrated with the different components you brought up.
 
Fightnfire said:
There's a lot of legitimate concerns your brought up but in almost everything other than the one you said actually bothered you, the package games they're playing, you used the example of the passenger screen in the RHO, it didn't quite come across as genuine. Maybe that was the point? There's not anything wrong with that really though. You're frustrated with people complaining and their are groups frustrated with the different components you brought up.
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Interesting. That was a personal gripe of mine.
 
I forgot to add, I love the truck content. I was happy to see a video comparing trucks even if it was a gripe session. HAving a full size and a mid size side by side was a good idea.

Are you going to shoot more videos with the AT4X? MPG, Likes/Dislikes, Off roading, etc.?
 
Fightnfire said:
I forgot to add, I love the truck content. I was happy to see a video comparing trucks even if it was a gripe session. HAving a full size and a mid size side by side was a good idea.

Are you going to shoot more videos with the AT4X? MPG, Likes/Dislikes, Off roading, etc.?
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I shot a separate video on the Canyon AT4X. I wanted to do a standard review. I'll include off-roading video. I ran out of time this week to do that kind of driving. I did a likes/dislikes in 2024 for that truck.
 
testerdahl said:
As expected, this video is on fire. I don’t think it is totally fair at all. I never shared the other side of the equation at all and I didn’t plan to in this video.

Now, I’m thinking of doing a video titled “here are why people are buying new 2025 trucks” or something. Give both perspectives. Just because of who I am.

I’m not sure I love this video. I’m conflicted.
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Well, it's on fire because a peasant mob carry torches and pitchforks. Congratulations, you've discovered "negative" sells...lol. You found the way to spool up the blood-thirsty mob, now how do you spin it into a positive? Can't be all doom & gloom can it? I need some good news after receiving the quarterly statement on my 401K....

Honestly though, I personally don't agree with most of your complaints:
-Payloads are fine to me. I don't know of a single full-size that is not at least a half ton. My 14 year old truck only has 1200#s.
-Towing is far higher than it needs to be for many half ton or mid-size.
-Bed height is taller than previous stock heights, but most trucks back then were 2wds with smaller tires. Low bed height can be had if one wants it. I've seen you reach over the Ranger bed sides.
-No one ever parked their full-size in a garage because garages were never as big as they are now.
-I can't complain about small backseats as I look at them as a big extended cabs. Funny how they complain about no regular cabs but then complain the existing crew cabs are too small. Yet the Mega Cab is out there, ....waiting to swallow up any large family.
-Option choices seem to be better than even ten years ago. Heated cloth seats were never available. There are so many things that are standard that used to be optional. I agree, the luxury trucks get stuff added with the group but that's always been that way. Sure, not everything is ala-carte but it never really was. They just have more options now.
-Pricing will always be complained about but people always use the high end to show that. I built a Ram Big Horn 6cyl with all the fancy towing features, adaptive cruise, remote start, heated cloth buckets but small screen and the MSRP is $55K. About $12k more than my 14 year old hemi. I really don't think that's out of line.

By the way, I can't agree more with using dealers like Mark Dodge. I have one similar about 4 hrs. away that has $12,600 discounts on $62K trucks bringing the price below $50K. And with deals offered from them, I'd pay closer to $40K. My biggest complaint is lousy color choices, so boring.
 
I think the statement of, "Aspirational Vehicle" cannot be stated highly enough. I know I can't afford that RHO. I can't afford the Power Wagon, or any of the high end ones. I'd struggle with the midlevel ones too (XLT, Big Horn, LT) But what I am happy about is that there are a lot of people that can buy them!

Pricewise for me, if I was going to buy new, it would have to be in the Maverick/Santa Cruz range. That's why I am excited about the Slate. I'm not excited about the EV part of it. I'm excited about the reg cab configuration. Because there was a good amount of buzz, maybe Ford, Hyundai, and others will look up and see that there is this "white space" that could bring them money. Yes the crew cab is the wide end of the market funnel, but there is a large field outside for that too.
 
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