Glad to get the feedback on the PW and the other Dodge/Ram trucks.

After giving it some more thought, though, I don't think the PW would be right for me. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an awesome concept but for my needs (pulling a medium trailer and mild off-roading) it would be like swatting a fly with a sledghammer.

Yes, I love the solid axles and the by-god-shift lever for 4wd (I don't like "pushbutton" 4wd controls but I also have to grudgingly admit that the three vehicles we've owned with pushbutton 4wd have worked just fine.) But if I'm being honest with myself, a half ton truck would suit my needs and a 3/4 would be serious overkill.

And I don't mind overkill - except when it comes with a 33% fuel economy penalty, which I'm afraid it would (I'd love to be wrong about that but I don't think I am.) The modern half-ton trucks with multi-speed transmissions and engine management systems are returning some great MPG numbers and while gas is (relatively) cheap now, I know it won't always be.

Of course, the other dilemma for me is: Do I want to buy a new(er) truck at all? My '04 Suburban is still running strong but at 170k I sometimes feel like it's on borrowed time, and those newer vehicles sure are nice.

But on the flip side, I haven't had a car payment for many years and the prospect of car payments as well as a jump in insurance and huge registration costs makes me think I should keep driving my old hoopty until it falls apart.

Decisions, decisions....