Truck Update

I've spent much of the last four months trying to sell my current truck and buy a bigger one.

Through a coworker's spouse, I have the ultimate hookup for discount codes on new GMCs (you know it's good when the dealer looks at your code, looks at you, raises an eyebrow and asks who you know in order to get that code), so with the used market being nuts right now (one year old 3/4 tons with 3,000 miles on them are going for $10-15k MORE than new here!), I placed an order for a new 3/4 ton in early April. And waited. And waited.

What I ordered

 

All the while, I was dreaming of the 2H LQ trailer I would buy, or the truck bed camper I'd get to pair with my 1H slant. During the pandemic and now that I'm traveling more places to show with my GP trainer, staying on-site at shows started to sound really good.

Unfortunately, due to the chip shortage, they were unable to place my order before the deadline for ordering 2021s came and went, and my discount code is not valid on 2022s. GM can't even sell enough full price trucks to meet demand right now because of the chip shortage, discounts are going to be hard to come by for a while.

I sorta stopped washing the half ton assuming I was getting rid of it and Mary noticed. I still hate black vehicles but beggars can't be choosers

As disappointed as I was to let my LQ dreams go, I was also relieved when I got my deposit back, because some things have changed since I placed that order. 

First, virtual lessons are working out so well, I'm not sure it makes financial sense to go to Wellington with GP trainer next winter.

Second, if I do decide I want to be warm next winter, my eventer aunt just bought a 10 acre farm in an equestrian community in Ocala and has already extended an invitation for me and Connor to stay with her.

My aunt's backyard. Excuse me while I pick my jaw off the ground.

Third, GP trainer is willing to do virtual warmups with me at shows she doesn't attend, so I could conceivably show closer to home and still have her warm me up.

And fourth, I'm now fully vaccinated and willing to stay in hotels or with the friends and family I have conveniently located near a surprising number of show facilities.

So while I'm a little disappointed, I have to admit that even if I have to replace the entire front differential on my truck at some point in the future out of pocket (not likely, since I'll just make GM keep fixing it if it keeps happening, but still), that's still cheaper than buying a new truck and trailer would've been. This used truck market is NUTS, y'all. My current truck has APPRECIATED by $7,000 since I bought it and put 20,000 miles on it!

Disco hanging out with his whip

 

As a consolation prize, I used my tax return money to pay off what little was left on this truck's loan, and then took my deposit money from the 3/4 ton and went on a, uh, small shopping spree lol. I'm going to have some interesting review posts coming up in the next few weeks!