Posted: Mar 25 2010 at 4:14pm | IP Logged

My background: First time pickup buyer (at age 53).  Looking for economical but comfortable truck to haul mainly me and my dog (and occasionally the wife as well).  98% of my driving will be urban and highway.  Need pickup bed for light hauling  --- mainly trips to Home Depot garden section--- and to carry my guns and hunting gear (thus a secure top will be needed for the pickup's bed).

Am I making the right choice with a Frontier?  Can the rear jump seat of the King Cab accomodate the dog (a shepard) when the wife is onboard?  Or should I pay up for the crew cab?  What kind of secure cover do you recommend for the bed itself?  How difficult is it to find LE models?

Thanks!

Posted: Mar 26 2010 at 3:51pm | IP Logged

I am 62 and have a 4WD Crew Cab Fronty and use it like you intend to.  I have taken it on a 2000 mile trip from SE Pennsylvania to 200 miles north of Alma, Quebec on a bear hunt.  The last 150 miles were all gravel.  The truck performed perfectly.  It has taken me through muddy fields and over snowy roads with no problem.  On hi test, I get about 25 mpg hiway  although many run mid grade or regular.  The crew cab has lots of under seat storage.

I do not have a cover on the bed but use large Rubbermaid Action packers to haul my hunting gear.  I like an open bedas its easier to utilize.  I now have over 27,000 miles on the truck and it runs very well.  No warranty issues.  I use Mobil 1 5W-30 oil and a Pure One or NAPA Gold oil filter.