I looked at Ridgeline back in 2019 saw it was about same price and mpg as a XLT F150 and bought a F150 4x4 lux package for $39k and never regretted it. Then Maverick came on scene and traded the F150 for my 22 Maverick lariat AWD love the maverick.
I think GM has the best design with the step that pulls out:I'm jealous of the side opening tailgate.
But of course I want it all, I don't want to give up the middle hook for sheet goods.
My CRV had a side opening hatch, sometimes it was helpful, sometimes it was a hindrance.
I adore how the old codgers/fudds keep moving the goal posts: when I was a kid the "real truck" standard was "it's not a real truck if it can't haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood" then came the "it's not a real truck if you can't carry your tools and some workers, gotta have a crew cab or you're not a real man" now the current mentality seems to be "it's not a real truck if the front of the hood isn't at least 5' in the air" or alternatively "it's not a real truck if it can't crush a Honda without noticing".
I refer to that as the “magic tailgate.” It’s a great design. My Maverick is lowered so even as a short guy, I don’t need a step.I think GM has the best design with the step that pulls out:
Plus the steps in the bumper... literally perfect for any size truck. It's just sad to see them all feel the need to get so tall and oversized.
timeWe switched to the Mav from a sedan and sometimes I miss having a trunk to throw a cooler and other stuff in. A hard tonneau cover and 2x6 would get the job done, but I'm cheap, and I already had the wood, so I put together what I'm calling the Pickup Truck Trunk.
The front piece slots into the bed pockets, with a spacer at the bottom to increase the footprint.
The 2 side blocks slot under the bed edge and hold down the top with 5/16" carriage bolts and star knobs. The 1by is cut to length to fit snugly into a pocket in the bed side with a cut out for one of clips for the plastic bed toppers.
The top piece has a J channel to lock the front piece. It's cleats are also trapped, side to side, by the bed, in front by the side blocks and in back by the tailgate.
I also added a couple pieces of parachute cord to clip the big pieces down, just in case. As Mike Rowe used to say, 'Safety 3rd'.
We switched to the Mav from a sedan and sometimes I miss having a trunk to throw a cooler and other stuff in. A hard tonneau cover and 2x6 would get the job done, but I'm cheap, and I already had the wood, so I put together what I'm calling the Pickup Truck Trunk.
The front piece slots into the bed pockets, with a spacer at the bottom to increase the footprint.
The 2 side blocks slot under the bed edge and hold down the top with 5/16" carriage bolts and star knobs. The 1by is cut to length to fit snugly into a pocket in the bed side with a cut out for one of clips for the plastic bed toppers.
The top piece has a J channel to lock the front piece. It's cleats are also trapped, side to side, by the bed, in front by the side blocks and in back by the tailgate.
I also added a couple pieces of parachute cord to clip the big pieces down, just in case. As Mike Rowe used to say, 'Safety 3rd'.
Neat little build. Ultimately, build what you need. Everyone has different needs. But to me, put a $200 bed cover on and use the whole bed as a trunk rather than just a small portion. But as I said, everyone has different needs. Interesting build.We switched to the Mav from a sedan and sometimes I miss having a trunk to throw a cooler and other stuff in. A hard tonneau cover and 2x6 would get the job done, but I'm cheap, and I already had the wood, so I put together what I'm calling the Pickup Truck Trunk.
The front piece slots into the bed pockets, with a spacer at the bottom to increase the footprint.
The 2 side blocks slot under the bed edge and hold down the top with 5/16" carriage bolts and star knobs. The 1by is cut to length to fit snugly into a pocket in the bed side with a cut out for one of clips for the plastic bed toppers.
The top piece has a J channel to lock the front piece. It's cleats are also trapped, side to side, by the bed, in front by the side blocks and in back by the tailgate.
I also added a couple pieces of parachute cord to clip the big pieces down, just in case. As Mike Rowe used to say, 'Safety 3rd'.
This works for me - very functional and very cheap. (Max cost was about $90-$120) 2x6 lumber cross members with Harbor Freight "very strong" tool hanging magnets, (1/2" by 2 feet - $3.40 each, nailed to the tops of the 2x6's. Ran across the 3 metal racks at Lowes. I put in 1 to 3 racks on top of or beside the 2x6's depending on what I'm hauling.
First off... I'm 40. Second, I don't think you know what FUDD means and it has no context here.
Sweet. Thanks for sharing. Now I'm thinking of incorporating some magnetsThis works for me - very functional and very cheap. (Max cost was about $90-$110) 2x6 lumber cross members with Harbor Freight "very strong" tool hanging magnets, (1/2" by 2 feet - $3.40 each, nailed to the tops of the 2x6's. Ran across the 3 metal racks at Lowes. I put in 1 to 3 racks on top of or beside the 2x6's depending on what I'm hauling.
The 2x6's have old pieces of straps nailed to the ends of the lumber to keep them from scratching my paint/SIBL. The 2 1/2 ft x 4 ft metal racks (shelves) (needed no cutting) were like $40 at Lowes and I can simply lay them on top of the 2x6's and the two 10lb magnets hold them very tightly with 20lbs of magnetizem without rattling. There's 2 HF magnets on each 2x6, I can lay the metal racks down horizontally across the vertical 2x6's or have the racks horizontal, held by side magnets on the 2x6 depending on what I am hauling. OR, simply take them out completely to haul a dirt bike or sheets of plywood. The 3 metal racks laying horizontal across the top of 2x6's provide a shelf for hauling 2 layers of stuff. (shown in pictures)
NOT SHOWN are 2 (2 1/2"'x6') "Underbed" plastic bins that or on wheels so I can easily pull the binds out. Plastic underbed binds at Walmart were $5-$10.00 @. Occasionally some things roll forward so an old hiking stick with a hook on the handle helps retrieve whatever rolls. Hiking stick is held in place with broom holder (magnetic of course) and attached to the inside of tailgate so it has easy access. Hopefully below pictures will better explain.
All of the above can be pulled out of the bed in 1 to 2 minutes or put back in, in 1 to 2 minutes. Secret to this set up are the strong magnets from Harbor Freight. Everything stays in place. Been using for almost 3 yrs and 20,000 miles on 2022 Hybrid and has adapted to everything I hauled.
Now, paint and put a "Whale Tail" on it, lol.We switched to the Mav from a sedan and sometimes I miss having a trunk to throw a cooler and other stuff in. A hard tonneau cover and 2x6 would get the job done, but I'm cheap, and I already had the wood, so I put together what I'm calling the Pickup Truck Trunk.
The front piece slots into the bed pockets, with a spacer at the bottom to increase the footprint.
The 2 side blocks slot under the bed edge and hold down the top with 5/16" carriage bolts and star knobs. The 1by is cut to length to fit snugly into a pocket in the bed side with a cut out for one of clips for the plastic bed toppers.
The top piece has a J channel to lock the front piece. It's cleats are also trapped, side to side, by the bed, in front by the side blocks and in back by the tailgate.
I also added a couple pieces of parachute cord to clip the big pieces down, just in case. As Mike Rowe used to say, 'Safety 3rd'.
First off, I was agreeing with your point about how full size trucks keep getting huge, not attacking you.
Since it’s not sitting over the “axle”, do you feel the weight? I hope I make sense.We switched to the Mav from a sedan and sometimes I miss having a trunk to throw a cooler and other stuff in. A hard tonneau cover and 2x6 would get the job done, but I'm cheap, and I already had the wood, so I put together what I'm calling the Pickup Truck Trunk.
The front piece slots into the bed pockets, with a spacer at the bottom to increase the footprint.
The 2 side blocks slot under the bed edge and hold down the top with 5/16" carriage bolts and star knobs. The 1by is cut to length to fit snugly into a pocket in the bed side with a cut out for one of clips for the plastic bed toppers.
The top piece has a J channel to lock the front piece. It's cleats are also trapped, side to side, by the bed, in front by the side blocks and in back by the tailgate.
I also added a couple pieces of parachute cord to clip the big pieces down, just in case. As Mike Rowe used to say, 'Safety 3rd'.
The weight wasn't noticeable at all. I've often wondered it mounting things to the receiver would effect the feel, if not the handling, of the truck.
hah! 48.
it's the aerodynamic drag you're feeling, not at all the weight. I know this because I have done it.
Makes sense. Thanks for the confirmation.hah! 48.
it's the aerodynamic drag you're feeling, not at all the weight. I know this because I have done it.
