The Trucker's Dilemma: Which Truck Is Least Likely to Break Down?

Imagine a scenario where you are faced with the choice of purchasing the truck least likely to break down. It turns out that this task is incredibly challenging, as there are numerous makes and models of trucks on the market today. However, if we were to venture into the past and select a model that has stood the test of time, my vote would go to the late 1940s or early 1950s Chevy pickup.

Our Family's History with Dodge RAM

Let's explore a fascinating family history tied to Dodge RAM pickups. Interestingly, our family's connection with these trucks stretches back to World War II. My grandfather drove a Dodge RAM during the war, and he held these vehicles in high regard. Ever since our first Dodge RAM in 1948, my family has had a long-standing relationship with this brand. Despite the trucks being hard-used and often pulling travel trailers, none were ever bad in quality. My own 2016 Dodge RAM has required nothing more than regular oil changes to keep it running in top condition.

The Reliability of Old Chevy Pickups

However, if I had to pick a specific truck from the past, I would choose an old Chevy pickup from the late 1940s or early 1950s. These trucks may not have lasted as long as modern trucks, but they were incredibly reliable. The simplicity of these vehicles contributed significantly to their durability and ease of maintenance.

Just consider the starting system: instead of pressing a button or using a key to start the truck, one simply pressed a pedal that engaged a switch to power the starter motor. There were no solenoid switches, no computers, and no complex electronics. It was a straightforward system with just a set of points, a condenser, a coil, and a distributor. These parts, while prone to wear, seldom failed as long as they were serviced regularly.

Features That Made Old Trucks Reliable

Another factor that made these old trucks reliable was their simplicity. They lacked many of the modern conveniences we take for granted today, such as power steering, power brakes, radios, power locks, windows, and mirrors. The simpler a vehicle, the fewer parts there are to fail. The only components likely to break down were the old-style generator and voltage regulator, but these were extremely reliable even after they had accumulated years of service.

Maintenance and Basic Troubleshooting

Maintaining an old Chevy pickup was a relatively simple task. You could fully disassemble the old one-barrel carburetor with just a couple of screwdrivers and one or two small wrenches. Cleaning and reassembling it would take about an hour. While it might eventually wear to a point where it didn't run as smoothly, it rarely got to the point where it stopped the truck from running entirelyunless the carburetor had accumulated too much trash or water.

Conclusively, as long as you had a well-maintained old Chevy pickup, it was more likely to fire up and run than a modern truck due to the latter's inherent complexity. The reliability of these old trucks is a testament to the importance of simplicity in vehicle design.

It's worth noting that many Ford and GM enthusiasts would swear by their brands, but our family's experience with Dodge RAM and the reliability of old Chevy pickups makes a compelling case for their time-tested durability.