Dye Autos Denver Area Truck and Automotive Blog
It’s Summer, the kids are out of school, and the open road is calling. Summer is the ideal time for an old-fashioned American road trip. We’ve compiled a list of the best Colorado Summer road trips in a pickup truck.
At Dye Autos, we’ve sold thousands of pickup trucks from light duty, to mid-size, to heavy duty…and everything in between. A lot of our customers are repeat buyers. They come back to us because they know we listen and we deliver. We’ve heard each customer’s reasons they buy… and one of the most common is, “I just want to have fun family vacations in my pickup truck!”
Colorado has so much to offer.
It’s difficult to narrow down the best Colorado Summer road trips in a pickup truck. After careful consideration, we decided to highlight three outings – short, medium and extended – that begin from the Denver area.
Today’s pickup trucks are versatile but choosing the right one for your trip can be overwhelming. We’ve created a pickup truck size comparison article to help you choose what’s right for you >>here<<.
Short Excursion to Eldorado State Park
When you are hiking in the solitude-filled Eldorado Canyon State Park, it’s hard to believe you are just 45 minutes from Denver.
A magnet for climbers from around the world, Eldorado features jaw-dropping cliffs that soar into the blue sky. As you gaze at the walls above you, you’ll start to spot tiny, bright-colored figures climbing the park’s 500-plus climbing routes.
Bring a picnic here [two grocery stores are 6 miles away, Lucky’s Market and King Soopers] and sit alongside South Boulder Creek to gaze up at the climbers. Or cast your line in the creek in search of brown and rainbow trout.
Explore the trails: Fowler Trail is an easy hike, while the more moderate Rattlesnake Gulch Trail starts in the canyon before climbing 1.4 miles up 800 feet to give you spectacular views.
Stop in the visitor center to buy a fishing license and get hiking information. The best time to visit Eldorado is during a weekday. If you go on a weekend, arrive early as the park often reaches capacity during Summer months.
Mid-Size Trek to State Forest State Park
Escape the crowds at Rocky Mountain State Park and head to State Forest State Park in Walden, a nice 3 hour drive from Denver. You’ll find peaks that reach to the sky, alpine lakes, and a mixture of camping, yurt and cabin rentals to match your family’s desires.
Take a hike less than a mile to Lake Agnes, an alpine lake filled with stunning turquoise waters. There’s actually an island in the middle of it.
Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for moose. The North Park area, where the park is located, is considered Colorado’s “moose capital” with more than 600 of the large animals living here. Stop at the Moose Visitor Center for maps, information and to view interpretive displays.
Full-Size Voyage to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of America’s most breathtaking scenic treasures. Its narrow canyon walls stretch 2,700 feet high from the canyon bottom up to the sky. Five hours from Denver makes this trip perfect for a 2-3 or more day break.
Aside from its scenic splendor, the Black Canyon plays host to an amazing variety of outdoor adventures. In Summer, the park offers plentiful options for hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, and expert-level rock climbing.
Reconnect with friends during an overnight stay in the rustic camping area on the canyon rim, fish the Gold Medal waters of the Gunnison River in the canyon’s depths, and marvel at the celestial display in the night sky.
An International Dark Sky Park, the Black (as locals fondly refer to the canyon) offers not only a unique mosaic of beauty during the day, but paints a surreal lightscape at night.
Which trip sounds good to you?
Maybe all three of these places are calling your name. After all, what’s better than Colorado Summer road trips in a pickup truck?
Are you ready to go but need to consider replacing your current truck…or even getting into a pickup truck that would take you and your family on these trips…and so much more?
Regardless of the expedition you’re dreaming of, Dye Autos has a pickup truck to match. Contact us today via our website >>here<< or call us at (303) 286-1665.
Read More
More than half of the vehicles sold in the U.S. are light-duty pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers. There’s a big demand for used pickup trucks, both gas and diesel.
The used pickup truck market is estimated to be three times bigger than the new-truck market. Those who can’t afford to buy a new pickup, or who like to take advantage of some great deals, are always searching for the best deal on a used pickup truck.
At Dye Autos, we sell a lot of used pickup trucks.
Here are 5 important details to look for and consider when buying a used pickup truck.
1. Work with a dealer to set your budget.
It’s important to understand your budget and know what kind of truck you want. There are many options to choose from it’s crucial to set your expectations.
Start with an expert – a trusted dealer. At Dye Autos, we’ll help you determine what used pickup truck works for your lifestyle and your financial needs. We’ll give you a framework to work within so that shopping won’t get overwhelming.
2. Make a list to identify your wants and needs.
Many people approach buying a used pickup truck based on features they think they must have, rather than from a true evaluation of their needs. Making payments on a truck that’s too large or too small gets old real fast.
Consider these questions to identify your priorities.
- Is fuel mileage important, or are you willing to trade good fuel mileage for a larger engine with more power to tow and haul?
- Do you need a truck for occasional trips to the home improvement store or to the dump? A small truck with decent fuel economy might be the best choice.
- Is a 4WD truck a must for the roads you travel every day, or for snowy conditions in the winter?
- Do you regularly carry more than one passenger? Jump seats in a small second row are not suitable for more than short trips.
- Are you okay with either an automatic or manual transmission? Which accessories and/or safety features are must-haves? Jot down any characteristic that’s important to you and take it along when you shop.
3. Prioritize your lifestyle needs too.
Many people buy trucks for work but many others are just partial to diving pickup trucks. For them it’s a matter of lifestyle.
It’s important to make a list of the features most important to you that fit your lifestyle.
- Will you be hauling or transporting heavy materials?
- Do you drive mostly on highways or dirt and unpaved roads?
- Do you have kids that you’ll be driving back and forth to classes, soccer practice, dance recital, or school plays?
Prioritizing your lifestyle needs will help you decide which features you should be looking for first when shopping for your used pickup truck—be it larger cab space, a second row of seating, a stronger hitch, or a more powerful engine.
4. Get pre-approved.
At Dye Autos, we are the truck financing experts.
We’ve got 70 years of combined truck financing experience and 100 years in automotive retail. We’ve seen every situation and we can help you. How?
- We know what banks require.
- We often get customers approved while they’re here at the dealership.
- We have access to finance anyone.
- We’ll get you pre-approved faster than anyone.
Do you have a particular financing issue or concern? Let us help! Call us at (303) 286-1665 or contact us through our site >>here<< and we’ll put our experience to work for you.
5. Once you buy, stop looking.
Don’t second guess yourself!
You’ve done your homework, shopped around, found a trustworthy dealer, and made a careful decision. Now it’s time to enjoy your truck and not worry about the elusive truck that “got away.”
