Used Trucks 4X4 Knoxville Area

AKBill

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AKBill
Thinking of buying a truck in the Knoxville area to take back to Alaska.

My dad passed 2 years ago and I'm just about to close the estate. I need to travel to Knoxville to sell dads house and bring back personal items dad had.

So my truck needs replaced, Alaska truck with rust, rust, rust..:(

Thinking of picking up a 4X4, 1/2 ton truck in Knoxville and driving to Seattle, then put it on the barge to Juneau.

I think I can find something way cheaper in Knoxville that is rust free for the most part. Take a week driving across the country. Visit friends along the way in Missouri, Nevada, and South Dakota.

Any recommendations on a dealer to contact. Looking for something no older that 10 years.

Thanks
Bill B
 
Hey Bill

I live about 2 hours by car just East of Knoxville. Seems the best prices I tend to find are on Craigslist or Auto trader rather than a dealer. If you are not opposed to buying a truck with a blemished title you can get low cost, late model, ready to go vehicles a little further East of me in Virginia at this dealer: https://www.ecoastauto.com/
 
Knoxvillle is not Arizona. While not quite the same salt exposure as AK , the eastern TN mountains do get snow and ice events.

Never fun to close an estate, but the the trip that comes with it sounds like it may be fun to do.
 
Live in Knoxville, used to live in New England. Back in New England, there was salt on the roads from late Oct until late March. Here they spread a liquid brine mix a few times a year, and only on the main roads. Most side roads never get treated. Been here 11 years, and I've never seen a rusted out car. The only time I'll see a car with white salt dust all over it is one headed south through here from the north. If you're going to be in this area anyway, there are plenty of trucks around, especially with all the recent specialized used car dealers popping up i.e Carvana. Sounds like a good plan to me.
 
Lemme know when you're in Seattle. I can try to help out if I'm around. Maybe even give you a ride in the Sierra, or help with logistics.

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A vehicle down here in the south isn’t going to rust out. We do get the occasional wintry mix (more-so up there in the mountains), but it’s certainly not going to be enough to rust a vehicle.

Good luck with the search, Bill!
 
Good deals on Craigslist tend to go fast. At the same time, the owners opinion of his vehicle may not be what you find so you may have to inspect several before finding the one you want.

A ten year old vehicle may need some work when you get to AK. Think about the service and dealers in your area that you'll be taking it to before you decide on a brand to look for.
 
I've considered doing this as well, although I was thinking of flying the plane to Nashville...my adult son has offered to drive one back for me. I'm thinking 250/350 class diesel pickup. Maybe this summer, and I figure since most diesels are good for several 100k miles, it might not be a bad purchase. So although not Knoxville, I've been watching Nashville Craigslist for a few months. I do notice the trucks seem to list for more than here in Michigan.
 
Knoxvillle is not Arizona. While not quite the same salt exposure as AK , the eastern TN mountains do get snow and ice events.

Never fun to close an estate, but the the trip that comes with it sounds like it may be fun to do.

We were thinking of taking about 2 weeks for the trip from Knoxville (Loudon, TN) to Seattle. Traveling 4 to 5 hours a day, find a room and take in the sites/events along the way. I would like to stop and say Hi to any POA'ers along the way. Thinking of traveling in mid April when the weather is not to hot (this northern boy can't take the heat). I have lived in Memphis, Pensacola and D.C., I enjoyed my time down south just not the heat...:)

Lemme know when you're in Seattle. I can try to help out if I'm around. Maybe even give you a ride in the Sierra, or help with logistics.

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Eric, I'll forward information as we firm up our trip. Maybe you can give me a ride in the twin bush plane...:rolleyes:

Good deals on Craigslist tend to go fast. At the same time, the owners opinion of his vehicle may not be what you find so you may have to inspect several before finding the one you want.

A ten year old vehicle may need some work when you get to AK. Think about the service and dealers in your area that you'll be taking it to before you decide on a brand to look for.

The wife likes Chevy/GM and I like Ford. Whatever she likes is good with me

I've considered doing this as well, although I was thinking of flying the plane to Nashville...my adult son has offered to drive one back for me. I'm thinking 250/350 class diesel pickup. Maybe this summer, and I figure since most diesels are good for several 100k miles, it might not be a bad purchase. So although not Knoxville, I've been watching Nashville Craigslist for a few months. I do notice the trucks seem to list for more than here in Michigan.

Whatever the price is, it's not going to higher than what I can choose from in Juneau..:)
 
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I was thinking of flying the plane to Nashville...my adult son has offered to drive one back for me.
So you’d have the better end of the deal huh?

:)
 
So you’d have the better end of the deal huh?

:)
He normally works 7 days a week, so to get him to take a day off work and do this, well, lets just say he will be well compensated! (and unlike me, he doesn't have a pilots license, so its not like he drew the short straw)
 
Let me know when you're in town, we can grab lunch!
 
I did the trip from Texas to Bellingham WA to catch the ferry to Juneau then drove up to Fairbanks. That was a great trip! On the way down drove all the way through the Yukon and took our slow time getting to Arkansas.

Anyways have a fun trip and good luck on finding a truck! If you make it to north MS for some odd reason let me know if even Memphis I'm sure @ktup-flyer and I can maybe meet up for some bbq.
 
I did the trip from Texas to Bellingham WA to catch the ferry to Juneau then drove up to Fairbanks. That was a great trip! On the way down drove all the way through the Yukon and took our slow time getting to Arkansas.

Anyways have a fun trip and good luck on finding a truck! If you make it to north MS for some odd reason let me know if even Memphis I'm sure @ktup-flyer and I can maybe meet up for some bbq.

I flew the Alcan Hwy from White Horse, YT ending up in Chicago. Great trip, but I did not have a lot of time and flew 10 hours a day. I hope our trip from Knoxville to Seattle will be leisurely...:)
 
Like @eman1200 said, it would be cool to coordinate our fly-in during this visit.
I'm in if you all are. I just need to firm up the dates and where you all would like to meet. I think Tami would be very happy to meet folks from POA...:)
 
Thinking of picking up a 4X4, 1/2 ton truck in Knoxville and driving to Seattle, then put it on the barge to Juneau.

To me, the best part of driving to/from Alaska is driving across B.C., Yukon and Alberta, Canada. I always meet friendly folks and the hotels seem to be better than in the US.
 
I would enjoy meeting folks from POA. We don't get out of Alaska to often, Tami and I enjoy meeting and talking with folks about aviation..:)
 
did u say the timeframe ur thinking of heading to TN?
 
I already have a rental check out scheduled in Spearfish, SD were I earned my wings 23 years ago... :D
 
Off to the airport to finish a few things on the Sport. Then move it outside tomorrow, to the poor mans tie down. Our travel plans should be set late next week after closing on dads house.

I will post travel dates so a meeting can be organized if you like

Take care
BB
 
If Ford, grab something 2010 or newer since you’d get the 5.0L(or 3.5L EcoBoost) with the 6-spd tranny and slightly bigger cab. If GM, I’d get something in that same year range, but get the AFM disabled on the 5.3L as they tend to burn oil with it active.

I like my ‘08 F-150 a lot as well, but mine has been extremely well-maintained since I’m the only owner it ever had. Most 10+ yr old trucks with 150K+ miles will need a number of maintenance items done (mostly suspension/external engine work), so getting a truck with 120K miles or less is probably a better option. No reason to go F-250/350 unless you really need to tow/haul heavy stuff.


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I already have a rental check out scheduled in Spearfish, SD were I earned my wings 23 years ago... :D
I'm just north of there in KBIS, let me know what date you think you'll be around and maybe we can meet up.
 
I'm just north of there in KBIS, let me know what date you think you'll be around and maybe we can meet up.
Will do. Closing the estate has been a real challenge, and has taken way longer than I expected. It will be a big load off my back. Tami and I deserve a little down time and I thought a trip across the country visiting friends new and old would help...:)
 
Well, things changed and Tami and I were not able to make our trip to TN this spring as planned. I am getting close to closing dads estate. Going to ask the lawyer to submit paperwork to probate court next week.>>>:)

I did just buy a truck locally from a kid (young man, John) that worked at the mine for about a year. He quit about 2 months ago because his girl friend is starting collage in Fairbanks this fall. He got a 2 year contract working at a mine north of Fairbanks the (Pogo Mine). Anyway I saw a truck for sale and called about it, didn't know John was selling it until he returned my call.

Truck was in my price range and in good shape. 2009 GMC 1500 extended cab, work truck (no carpet, rubber flooring), 4x4. White clean inside and out, 5.3L. $8500. I'm happy and so is John.

Still planning our trip to Knoxville, TN mid September. We normally fly into Nashville and drive to Knoxville because AK airline flies there and it saves cash not taking the puddle jumper from Atlanta to Knoxville. 3 hour drive thru some nice country is a pleasure coming from Juneau were you only have 50 miles of road...:rolleyes:

Our return trip will not be driving across the country as planned, but.. We are going to rent an RV when we return our rental car in Nashville and travel to St Louis to visit a friend I worked with 20+ years ago. Hoping to get some fishing, dove hunting, and some kick back time visiting Paul in Forestall, MO. Hope to also get some camping in the Smoky Mountain's when in Knoxville, as well as touching base with POA member @Ryanb

By the way, weather has been good here in Juneau this year. I thing I have flown almost every week since 1/1/19...:)

Have fun and safe flying...:)
 
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