How long do you keep (or intend to keep) your trucks?

[ccw]

I ask because it seems like lots of folks keep them a lot shorter time than me, which feels baffling to me when buying brand new. Compound that with a comment from Carli elsewhere on the forum that many of their customers only keep their trucks for 1-2 years, which means they dropped thousands of dollars on suspension modifications only to sell the truck a year or two later.

So now I'm curious about what I don't understand. Are there lots of folks out there keeping their truck for a short amount of time?

For myself, my last truck (F-150) I've had for 7 years now and replaced it with the Tremor only because it no longer served my needs. Needed a crew cab and additional payload capacity. If it wasn't for that, I would have kept it even longer. Intent with the Tremor is to keep it a minimum of 10 years, ideally longer.

I will say there's an obvious exception this: if you're able to literally make a profit off of the vehicle because of the market right now. Then it's a no brainer to sell it back to a dealer and get the next model year if you can deal with the wait for the replacement.

 

[Driftwood]

I tend to keep vehicles a while, aside from my 2018 Raptor which was the biggest POS I've ever owned.

 

[Busa Dave]

I keep mine if everything goes well 2.5 to 3 years. Drive 50k a year and by then am ready for a new one.

 

[Dzlbudman]

97,000 miles. so right at 2 years

 

[ccw]

Ah ok, makes a lot of sense for you guys putting on really high miles.

 

[oops]

Need a “it depends” option.

I don't have a personal rule about this. I bought a truck that I could keep for 10 years if that ends up making the most sense, or that I could trade in a year if that ends up making the most sense.

Just depends on the intersection of my needs/whims and market timing.

 

[W5BJB]

I also sell/trade before they get to 100,000, which for me is 3-4 years.

 

[ccw]

Need a “it depends” option.

I don't have a personal rule about this. I bought a truck that I could keep for 10 years if that ends up making the most sense, or that I could trade in a year if that ends up making the most sense.

Just depends on the intersection of my needs/whims and market timing.

It depends added! And that makes sense, too.

 

[oops]

It depends added! And that makes sense, too.

hah — I had just voted 0-3 as it's the most likely scenario given my whims and the current market. If the market changes or I get distracted with other things I'll be just as happy if it ends up I own this for 8+ years. Other than for not having carpet delete…

Changing back to it depends. On how dirty this carpet is in a year.

 

[High Country]

I get a new truck every 25 years. '72, '97 7.3l Powerstroke 400,000 miles and still strong, '22 6.7l F350 Tremor - waiting on delivery. Still have all my trucks and they are all in great shape.

 

[OTG-Tremor-CG]

In the past, my time span has been 5 to 8 years. I have always had two or three vehicles, and kept certain vehicles for different lengths of time. I have never bought a new vehicle using trade-in as part of the down payment. Without extra vehicles, I would have traded trucks every 1-2 years because of towing gooseneck horse trailers around to several states for competitions. I have always purchased cash and or finance with zero or very low interest rate.

IMO, trading vehicles frequently is not financially wise...especially trucks or Jeeps with added OEM or aftermarket accessories and parts...plus vehicles depreciate. Then add sales tax, title, registration, license fees...a big reason to have a Montana LLC. I will be keeping the Ford SD 7.3L Tremor and the Jeep Wrangler JKU Rubicon HR indefinitely. I would consider adding a Bronco in the future...if a V8 becomes available as I prefer naturally aspirated HP.

 

[MoKan]

For me it is 10+ years. I'd still have my 2009 GMC if it wasn't for the rust on the rear wheel wells. Powertrain was still good at 200,000 miles.

I think what you see here are a lot of tax write-offs. Anyone willingly eating the depreciation of a $60-$80k vehicle every 2 years should have a good reason for it, or have a lot more money than most of us.

 

[oops]

FWIW, I'm strongly of the opinion that despite any of our intentions few of us will be driving this truck or any other vehicle in 8+ years.

These aren't like our trucks of old. Simple, classic, mechanical machines.

These are 6000# computers with already dated technology. In 10 years these things will feel like cheap 10 year old flip phones if they work at all.

 

[PapaRaptor]

I used to trade every 2 years. I was planning to go 5 with my Tremor since I have lots of mods that will not give me a return on the investment. So I will get the use from them. But with the way the current environment is going may be much longer.

 

[NL-Tremor]

I'm definitely planning long term ownership - I'm thinking this will likely be my last gasoline powered vehicle if things keep developing as they seem

I wouldn't be surprised if I have it 15 years

 

[OTG-Tremor-CG]

FWIW, I'm strongly of the opinion that despite any of our intentions few of us will be driving this truck or any other vehicle in 8+ years.

These aren't like our trucks of old. Simple, classic, mechanical machines.

These are 6000# computers with already dated technology. In 10 years these things will feel like cheap 10 year old flip phones if they work at all.

Buy one of these --------->

Home - RTech Fabrications

Reimagine the Classics Rtech Fabrications, LLC is a complete custom restoration shop specializing in ‘67-’72 GM trucks, as well as earlier and later eras. From minor rust repairs to frame-off and rebuilds, we do it all. While we can build a show-stopping show truck, we prefer to build

rtechfabrications.com

 

[oops]

Buy one of these --------->

Home - RTech Fabrications

Reimagine the Classics Rtech Fabrications, LLC is a complete custom restoration shop specializing in ‘67-’72 GM trucks, as well as earlier and later eras. From minor rust repairs to frame-off and rebuilds, we do it all. While we can build a show-stopping show truck, we prefer to build

rtechfabrications.com

Wow. Beautiful. I am way too risk averse (and so probably too poor) to stash $350k in cash in a classic truck though.

 

[MoKan]

FWIW, I'm strongly of the opinion that despite any of our intentions few of us will be driving this truck or any other vehicle in 8+ years.

These aren't like our trucks of old. Simple, classic, mechanical machines.

These are 6000# computers with already dated technology. In 10 years these things will feel like cheap 10 year old flip phones if they work at all.

Disagree here.

The mechanical bits of these trucks aren't much different than trucks 40 years ago. Yeah, there are lots of computers, but you can get by without 90% of them. Put an old school C6 built for the power and a stand alone EFI system and you are there.

This isn't changing any time soon. It is known, effective, and cheap, and there is little incentive to change. BEV's aren't going to change that on Class 3 and up trucks.

 

[Loshad]

Until you pry it outta my cold dead fingers,
or I buy a Chevy, whichever comes first.
Hopefully the first scenario.

 

[oops]

Disagree here.

The mechanical bits of these trucks aren't much different than trucks 40 years ago. Yeah, there are lots of computers, but you can get by without 90% of them. Put an old school C6 built for the power and a stand alone EFI system and you are there.

This isn't changing any time soon. It is known, effective, and cheap, and there is little incentive to change. BEV's aren't going to change that on Class 3 and up trucks.

I more meant, few will be satisfied with a 10 year old user interface to their vehicles in 10 years.

e.g. If it wasn't for all the digital shit, I would have just bought a third generation SD. Mechanically it'd get the job done for me just as well.

Either way, looking forward to seeing how many are still posting here in 10 years. Just set a calendar reminder.