Why We Bought A Truck

Well that's another mini-step crossed off of our to-do list for our homestead!  We set a goal for buying a truck this fall and we can now check it off! And of course, having a truck really will simplify our lives in so many ways.

Here's how and why:

• For Towing: We have been towing our 18' travel trailer with our 6 cylinder Jeep and it really struggled on the up-hill climbs. With plans on traveling across the country in the next few years as well as plans to take the trailer back and forth to our property in the Adirondacks regularly we felt we needed something that would pull the trailer a little easier. This 8 cylinder truck also came with a trailer package: the hitch receiver, the 7 point socket for lights, anti-sway, and brake assist. Perfect! We didn't have any need to install anything else. All we need to buy is an adapter for the utility trailer (about $7) and we are ready to tow the ATV too!
• For Getting Around On Our Land: The truck not only has a nice big engine, but it has 4 wheel drive so we can really get around just about anywhere on our 30 acres with no problems! There is more clearance than the jeep and we won't be worried so much about it getting beat up a little bit because it is used and very economical (2013).  Even better, it is the Z71 so it has the off-road package which includes better shocks, hill descent control, skid plates, recovery hooks, high capacity air cleaner, heavy-duty locking rear differential, metal sill plates, and 18" wheels. Perfect for our future homestead :-)
• For Heavy Loads: Over the next few years we will be needing the bed of the truck for hauling all sorts of materials from Long Island where we live up to our Adirondack land. For example, we have to get our refurbished wood stove up there and the truck is the way to go! As we build over the next few years we will need to carry a lot of lumber and so much more! A truck is indispensable for this purpose.  The truck is full size so with the extended cab it still has a nice 6.5' bed. The bed came with a simple liner and there is a cap on top to keep things dry, or remove if needed. The bed will also come in handy for our son's ATV. One in the bed of the truck, one in the trailer we can tow, and we are good to go!
• For Plowing Our Future Driveway: Yes, it snows in the Adirondacks. The last few years not as much as we would have wanted, but it does snow, and sometimes it snows a lot. With a driveway of approximately 700 feet there is NO WAY we are shoveling, there is NO WAY we are using a snowblower, and it would simply be too much to plow with our ATV. Common sense says stay warm and get a plow for a couple thousand dollars. Then we can plow while it is snowing as needed right from the comfort of our heated truck cab!

Yup that's me driving! The truck really makes pulling the trailer easy.

I am sure we will find many other reasons why having a truck is necessary in the Adirondacks. A few off the top of my head: it will make it easy to get our canoes and kayaks to the local River and it will be the perfect travel space for the dogs we plan on adopting one day (can't wait)!

​Read more about our future homestead dreams here! 
Sincerely,