American Pickups in the UK??
Discussion
Hello,
I have a couple questions for those of you that own or have owned US pickup trucks over here in the UK.
At the minute I have a Toyota Hilux as my daily/work pickup. It does pretty much everything I need it to do, apart from be comfortable on longer journeys as I’m 6ft5 and after a few hours I’m cramped up. Other than that, it’s perfect.
I have been thinking about going down the US pickup route, either a Ford F-150 or Ram 1500. I’m thinking this purely from assuming they must have more room for the driver?
But I have the following obvious questions and cautions:
1. Are they really too big? Looking online they actually measure slightly smaller than the likes of a Merc Sprinter Van. But being LHD does that make them feel extra big? Do you spend the majority of your time swearing at the length and width of it when nipping to the shop for milk?
2. Is LHD a massive pain in the backside over here or after a couple weeks of driving it becomes 2nd nature?
3. Reliability? I currently own, as we all know, one of the most reliable pickups I could own, would going Yank mean I’m forever getting it sorted?
4. Running costs, mainly fuel. Does the extra comfort and smiles they bring outweigh the cost of actually filling the thing up? Or do you cry whenever you pull onto the forecourt to fill up.
I’ve had the Hilux for 3 years now so have a good idea of what feeling “big” on the road is like. Of the few YouTuber vids I’ve watched they seem to be exaggerating the size of the pickups size to add to the vids content, or are they?…
Any help and advice would be much appreciated
Thanks, Sam
I have a couple questions for those of you that own or have owned US pickup trucks over here in the UK.
At the minute I have a Toyota Hilux as my daily/work pickup. It does pretty much everything I need it to do, apart from be comfortable on longer journeys as I’m 6ft5 and after a few hours I’m cramped up. Other than that, it’s perfect.
I have been thinking about going down the US pickup route, either a Ford F-150 or Ram 1500. I’m thinking this purely from assuming they must have more room for the driver?
But I have the following obvious questions and cautions:
1. Are they really too big? Looking online they actually measure slightly smaller than the likes of a Merc Sprinter Van. But being LHD does that make them feel extra big? Do you spend the majority of your time swearing at the length and width of it when nipping to the shop for milk?
2. Is LHD a massive pain in the backside over here or after a couple weeks of driving it becomes 2nd nature?
3. Reliability? I currently own, as we all know, one of the most reliable pickups I could own, would going Yank mean I’m forever getting it sorted?
4. Running costs, mainly fuel. Does the extra comfort and smiles they bring outweigh the cost of actually filling the thing up? Or do you cry whenever you pull onto the forecourt to fill up.
I’ve had the Hilux for 3 years now so have a good idea of what feeling “big” on the road is like. Of the few YouTuber vids I’ve watched they seem to be exaggerating the size of the pickups size to add to the vids content, or are they?…
Any help and advice would be much appreciated
Thanks, Sam
I live in the sticks so driving the lanes put me off lhd after test driving a old classic American truck after wanting one for sometime.
I use a truck from time to time so bought a new Ranger Wildtrak which is ok for my 6ft4 frame.
The Ranger is the roomiest i found after trying a few out and if I didn't live where i do i would be tempted by an American one..
Fuel yes a issue but I would find a way...man maths.
I use a truck from time to time so bought a new Ranger Wildtrak which is ok for my 6ft4 frame.
The Ranger is the roomiest i found after trying a few out and if I didn't live where i do i would be tempted by an American one..
Fuel yes a issue but I would find a way...man maths.
Norton850 said:
I live in the sticks so driving the lanes put me off lhd after test driving a old classic American truck after wanting one for sometime.
I use a truck from time to time so bought a new Ranger Wildtrak which is ok for my 6ft4 frame.
The Ranger is the roomiest i found after trying a few out and if I didn't live where i do i would be tempted by an American one..
Fuel yes a issue but I would find a way...man maths.
Yeah I live in a similar place here in Scotland but I also thought atleast with being LHD when you need to dive into the verge, you can see the side you’re putting in the dirt/hedge/grass more easily. I use a truck from time to time so bought a new Ranger Wildtrak which is ok for my 6ft4 frame.
The Ranger is the roomiest i found after trying a few out and if I didn't live where i do i would be tempted by an American one..
Fuel yes a issue but I would find a way...man maths.
And yeah, atleast the noise it would make would drown out the crying at the fuel pump 😂
ChainsawSam said:
Yeah I live in a similar place here in Scotland but I also thought atleast with being LHD when you need to dive into the verge, you can see the side you’re putting in the dirt/hedge/grass more easily.
And yeah, atleast the noise it would make would drown out the crying at the fuel pump ??
I agree that LHD is not a problem in the UK , you can place your vehicle further to the left when driving .And yeah, atleast the noise it would make would drown out the crying at the fuel pump ??
Had a F150 Lightning for a year. LHD was fine, you alter the way you drive and where you overtake etc. Just found it a pain trying to make progress and overtaking on narrower roads, especially when the car you’re overtaking starts getting target fixation and moves over towards you mid overtake etc.
There's a few car shows near me that attract a lot of yank cars, so we get them parked up at the local supermarkets and Halfords. For anything F150 sized and up, you will struggle with parking if you can't just dump it at the far end. Something like an El Camino doesn't seem to be an issue though.
I’ve had a few Rams and a GMC - Size, LHD and reliability all not a problem. LHD is only a minor issue when using toll booths, car parks etc but it’s a 5s job to get out and collect a ticket. On the road they are tall so you tend to be able to see over what’s in front of you. That said I’ve got a LHD BMW and have had a Mustang and it’s not an issue either way.
There’s no doubt they bring smiles and they always get plenty of looks but the price of fuel has tipped in to the realms of not fun for me. I always keep an eye on them on eBay, Autotrader etc but I was only getting 13mpg from the Hemi. My current Wrangler does 30mpg which is quite a difference. When fuel was £1.20/L it seemed acceptable but I guess it depends on your mileage. Asking prices seem a little steep too with some people asking £15K for an ‘05 1500. I bought and sold mine for about £7.5K.
All that said, they are fun trucks and you don’t see many. Best comment about mine was the kid serving at the drive-though at McDs who said, “f
k me, that cab’s bigger than my bedroom.”
There’s no doubt they bring smiles and they always get plenty of looks but the price of fuel has tipped in to the realms of not fun for me. I always keep an eye on them on eBay, Autotrader etc but I was only getting 13mpg from the Hemi. My current Wrangler does 30mpg which is quite a difference. When fuel was £1.20/L it seemed acceptable but I guess it depends on your mileage. Asking prices seem a little steep too with some people asking £15K for an ‘05 1500. I bought and sold mine for about £7.5K.
All that said, they are fun trucks and you don’t see many. Best comment about mine was the kid serving at the drive-though at McDs who said, “f
k me, that cab’s bigger than my bedroom.”Thanks for reply!
Good points in there. Yeah to be honest I’d be doing mostly short journeys with it, and it seems like petrol is going to be cheaper than diesel for the foreseeable but can imagine they’re sore on the Wallet!
I think the newer F150s manage and mpg around the mid 20s which still isn’t ideal but not toooo bad
Good points in there. Yeah to be honest I’d be doing mostly short journeys with it, and it seems like petrol is going to be cheaper than diesel for the foreseeable but can imagine they’re sore on the Wallet!
I think the newer F150s manage and mpg around the mid 20s which still isn’t ideal but not toooo bad
benny.c said:
Yeah, mid 20s I could live with. When it’s nearer to 10 than 20 it’s a bit frightening 
American trucks and good fuel economy don't really go together 
I drive a Chevy Colorado that gets around 25 mpg, but that's in US gallons and it only has a 2.8 liter straight 4 engine.
I have daily driven an F150 Lightning for 20 years. I am on my fifth. Never let me down. Averages around 19mpg. 13.5mpg towing a 2.6 tonne covered trailer. Very comfortable and roomy on the inside. I do not need a crew cab. Will fit through a 6'6" width restriction but it is tight as the bodywork is 6'8".
BillyWhizz888 said:
I live driving my f150. Central belt Scotland and size aint a issue for me. I ave 24 mpg mix motorway and town and on a run to Stratford was close to 30mpg sitting at 60
Parents have a ranger and you feel squashed in where the f you can stretch out and lots of room.
What year is yours Billy? It isn’t the one for sale on auto trader near Motherwell is it?Parents have a ranger and you feel squashed in where the f you can stretch out and lots of room.
It would be the fuel that kills these over here.
Just maybe you could justify something like a F150 Raptor if you did limited miles.
I just laugh whenever I see someone driving the V10 Rams over here, which seem the most popular yank pickups. I'm sure they're having fun and loving the attention but I just know they're watching the fuel gauge move in real time and feeling a bit sick.
I wonder what a full size truck with one of the big Cummins diesels is like. Maybe get 20mpg out of one of those?
Just maybe you could justify something like a F150 Raptor if you did limited miles.
I just laugh whenever I see someone driving the V10 Rams over here, which seem the most popular yank pickups. I'm sure they're having fun and loving the attention but I just know they're watching the fuel gauge move in real time and feeling a bit sick.
I wonder what a full size truck with one of the big Cummins diesels is like. Maybe get 20mpg out of one of those?
ChocolateFrog said:
It would be the fuel that kills these over here.
Just maybe you could justify something like a F150 Raptor if you did limited miles.
I just laugh whenever I see someone driving the V10 Rams over here, which seem the most popular yank pickups. I'm sure they're having fun and loving the attention but I just know they're watching the fuel gauge move in real time and feeling a bit sick.
I wonder what a full size truck with one of the big Cummins diesels is like. Maybe get 20mpg out of one of those?
Yeah, I can see it being one of those things where for the first 3 or so months you can grin and bare it just for the smiles and everything else it brings but then I can see me having a moment lying in bed one night giving it “holy sJust maybe you could justify something like a F150 Raptor if you did limited miles.
I just laugh whenever I see someone driving the V10 Rams over here, which seem the most popular yank pickups. I'm sure they're having fun and loving the attention but I just know they're watching the fuel gauge move in real time and feeling a bit sick.
I wonder what a full size truck with one of the big Cummins diesels is like. Maybe get 20mpg out of one of those?
t how much have a spent on fuel this year?!” I should probably do some maths and see what my hikux costs with MPG and diesel costs and see what the difference would be with an f150 petrol costs and average MPG
ChainsawSam said:
What year is yours Billy? It isn’t the one for sale on auto trader near Motherwell is it?
Mine is a 2000. Lariat 4x4. Theres a green one in Hamilton for sale. And I went to look at the black anniversary addition that was in Newmains that sat for a while. I had first dibs but with half the engine in the bed needing a liner piston and big ends plus cab needed allot of welding. So gave it a pass as i would have just broke it. Ross bought it and towed to his house in Shotts and has it forsake almost 2k more than he paid so he trying a quick flip
My white one beside billy bowies 650
Pic when took it to Stratford for shakey. Tho had to change alternator brushes outside hotel as they finally gave up the ghost. Other than that zero issues with it.
Friend had a 6.2 raptor and said it was the daddy of all gas guzzlers as very rare to get into double figures.
But you don't buy a v8 yank tank for mpg now do you?
My v8 cortina only does 8mpg 😁
I spent that last two and bit years driving my GMC Sierra as a daily. It has a small double cab and a 7" bed making it a bit of a long one.
Driving on the roads, fine, I prefer it to be honest as you can plod along and keep the thing way over to the verge. I don't tend to try and make lots of progress when I'm in it, but when it comes to overtaking, hang back, swing out and be observant. Haven't yet had an issue on the road with being in a LHD car. Size comes into when trying to park or use a multistorey car park with a ticket barrier. I'll even aim to avoid them or have someone ride shotgun if I need to use one. Ticket booths can just be a pain, but thats about it.
Mine has LPG and it's been really really hit and miss whether the local asda has it in stock of late, it's also gone up 1.5 times what it used to be making it now more expensive to run than my Ford Focus was.
Personally I like driving mine, I was looking for a UK pickup truck (Hilux etc) but hated the way you felt so cramped. Went to view a couple of yanks and was sold.
I'm not using it as a daily any more as my Ford Focus that was on long term loan to my brother in law has come back to me, but I still pick up the keys every now and then, it's a much more relaxed driving experience.
Driving on the roads, fine, I prefer it to be honest as you can plod along and keep the thing way over to the verge. I don't tend to try and make lots of progress when I'm in it, but when it comes to overtaking, hang back, swing out and be observant. Haven't yet had an issue on the road with being in a LHD car. Size comes into when trying to park or use a multistorey car park with a ticket barrier. I'll even aim to avoid them or have someone ride shotgun if I need to use one. Ticket booths can just be a pain, but thats about it.
Mine has LPG and it's been really really hit and miss whether the local asda has it in stock of late, it's also gone up 1.5 times what it used to be making it now more expensive to run than my Ford Focus was.
Personally I like driving mine, I was looking for a UK pickup truck (Hilux etc) but hated the way you felt so cramped. Went to view a couple of yanks and was sold.
I'm not using it as a daily any more as my Ford Focus that was on long term loan to my brother in law has come back to me, but I still pick up the keys every now and then, it's a much more relaxed driving experience.
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