Truckticular implants: The Stretch Truck
Is a 20-foot long, four-door longbed pickup still too small for your needs? Whether it's ego or an overabundance of backsides to seat, size definitely matters to Stretch Truck. The Denver based customizer will add extra length to your hauler (they've got a thing for Fords, it seems) with a seamless factory look. It's easy to take potshots about how these trucks are the panacea for insecurity, but they fill a niche that's too narrow for the automakers to fill themselves. One of their six-door Excursions would carry at least half of the Autoblog team with all our gear tossed in back. Stretch Truck's fine work costs accordingly, running in the $20,000 range, but you don't give up much. We expect that the turning circle is large enough to require a harbor pilot, and the extra wheelbase might make it difficult to crawl the Rubicon, but if you've got a need to carry a brood and a burden, these extra-long trucks might be just right.
Gallery: Stretch Trucks
[Source: Stretch Truck via Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PJ 9:46AM (3/12/2008)
"...if you've got a need to carry a brood and a burden..."
... you could buy a full-size van. Or a minivan, and then go to Hertz on the three weekends a year that you exceed its 3,500 lb towing capacity.
I know, I'm missing the point...
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Tourian 10:24AM (3/12/2008)
I saw a special on these where a farmer with 8 kids owned one. I don't think renting a truck would be an option for him. He seemed like one of the few people who would need one of thse on a daily basis.
Jaymez 10:43AM (3/12/2008)
Rather people want to admit it or not, sometimes a minivan doesn't suit a person's needs.
There's one woman around here who uses an older Lincoln limo for hauling her kids around. I fail to see how that could be better than using a streached truck for the same purpose.
Personally, I miss driving my truck. My commute is long enough and gas prices are high enough that I reluctantly drive my car instead.
For someone that doesn't give a rat's ass about "performance handling", I much prefer the ride and handling of a truck. It keeps me from doing stupid stuff like trying to carve a corner at near Autobahn speeds.
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Frylock350 11:32AM (3/12/2008)
A truck's driving experience is very enjoyable for me too. I could care less about "handling feel". If it goes where I point it its good enough for me. The shock absorption, ride height, long hood, conservative yet functional interior, comfortable seats that AREN'T rock hard sport seats most cars seem to have, smooth ride, etc are all things that make driving a truck enjoyable.
A minivan's driving experience sucks. If I needed kid space and couldn't afford a truck, I'd buy a Crown Vic.
Derek 5:22PM (3/12/2008)
In response to your limo question, I'll bet it weighs less and is less tip-prone than these trucks. Faster stopping, better economy (especially important with many kids) and better safety.
I think it's great that you guys know what you want in a vehicle though. I just wish that trucks today weren't so gigantic and completley block sightlines in traffic. Half my lane choices in traffic seem to be driven by trying to see around some truck or block a truck from getting in front of me and cutting off my view of traffic ahead. I personally find truck seating uncomfortable for anything more than a short trip and do not feel safe in such an overweight top heavy vehicle so driving one is not an option either.
SPG 11:27AM (3/12/2008)
Awesome, I love these things.
They are cool and funny.
Modern Centurion custom trucks.
And for those who have never seen these, just look up "Centurion Bronco".
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Icon149 11:29AM (3/12/2008)
I have seen these around Raleigh NC from time to time, usually hauling a work crew and all there associated equipment in the bed, this has nothing to do with insecurities and more to do with saving gas, it would require a second vehicle to haul everyone around (1 truck with 6 doors is better than 2 trucks with 4)... Makes perfect sense to me.
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MajorGeek 11:46AM (3/12/2008)
Ive seen workers in large trucks who travel around and they can barely fit them into a vehicle like an Expedition. Construction, computers, surveying teams and more. Maybe the fruit pickers around here can catch a ride inside a truck instead of the bed ;) I dont see huge sales, but they would have a lock in this area and could easily sell a lot of them. At first glance, what seems like a stupid idea, is a very smart niche idea. I would LMAO at someone driving these as a around town vehicle, I cant imagine why.
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f3rg 12:03PM (3/12/2008)
I like the Expedition (pic 6). That'd make for a sweet touring vehicle.
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STEVE 12:47PM (3/12/2008)
The Excursion 6 door was almost a reality back in 2000, Ford killed it at the last minute.
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Carlos 1:03PM (3/12/2008)
*Barf* Seriously, America needs to go to oil rehab to get off of it's addiction. This is just disgusting. And Classless.
Rich redneck-mobile, anyone? *Barf*
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Stuka 3:21PM (3/12/2008)
Uhm... Why so narrow minded? This is not a vehicle to daily drive by yourself to work. Every single one of these vehicles that I have seen has been a work truck. Loaded with equipment in back, and carrying a crew of workers. It uses a LOT less fuel to have one vehicle to haul everybody, than multiple 'smaller' vehicles.
Derek 5:51PM (3/12/2008)
Stuka, there are plenty of people who already drive by themselves to work in four door trucks and four door, six row SUV's. Why wouldn't people drive to work in a six door truck/SUV? (still solo of course!)
Wildgoosechase 9:37PM (3/12/2008)
This conversion costs $20k plus the cost of the original vehicle. The only ones spending that kid of money are ones who truely need it.
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Mike 10:39PM (3/15/2008)
I think the ultimate (and deserved) flipoff to the people who build these gas-hog monstrosities would be to get a first generation Honda Civic and stretch that.
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Leana Jo 5:51AM (3/16/2008)
Can you imagine the gas money on that thing?! Horrendous!! Too expensive. I don't think so. I'm sticking to my little compact car (more miles per gallon and don't have to use so much gas). Thanks...
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