Diesel prices what they are right now—$6.50 per gallon at my local Maverick's this morning—there's still a big part of me that sees the benefit of owning a full-size pickup, and not just my Honda Ridgeline. Unlike most other HD truck owners, I use my truck for truck things. Hauling, towing, and all manner of hunting and powersport recreation have been achieved with just my little Ridgeline.
But lately, I've seen it falter a step or two due to my constant abuse and wanton disregard for its mechanical limitations. Chief among them being heading down this extremely rocky trail to go elk hunting and smashing the hell out of the aluminum skidplate protecting the driveshaft. It didn't make a great sound afterward and may have necessitated a trailside repair using a set of pliers and a large stick to bend it back into place. Still, it didn't leave me high and dry, and I got home.
