I am PCSing to Germany (Stuttgart). I have a 2014 Ford F-150 SuperCrew. Should I bring it with me?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:03:16 -0500

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 23 at 2017 2:06 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:06:32 -0500

No, the streets are narrow and you can do better with a local car. Think fuel economy and gear ratios.

Response by SGT Victoria Belbusti made Jan 23 at 2017 2:07 PM

SGT Victoria Belbusti — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:07:20 -0500

Some have done that it's possible. However you are rationed gas, you'll stick out, and the vechicle is rather hard to maneuver in some places.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2017 2:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:10:06 -0500

Your truck will be too big for most roads in the city/towns. I would recommend keeping it in the States and just getting a car from the nearest Lemon Lot where PCS/ETS people are trying to sell their cars.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2017 2:32 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:32:19 -0500

I had a 2002 F150 supercrew/shortbed that I opted to keep it in the states instead of bringing it to Stuttgart. Best decision...parking, roads and gas would've been a pain. There are many folks who sell local cars. I did see mil folks with large trucks there though so people do bring them. If really way the pros and cons: Cons: Parking; gas; cost for repairs; small roads; OPSEC; Pros: move large items. Good luck! Loved my time there. Left Jan 2016

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2017 2:47 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:47:30 -0500

Spent 2 years there and drove a 4 door Saturn ... it had issues on some of the roads. The Autobahn would be fine but the towns and inner city not so much. Gas is rationed, and this does just scream American. The Lemon lot isn't bad at Panzer and the Public Transport works great. If you live on Post they have a bus that goes to the other posts for free. I lived out in Maichingen and took a back road to the base. If you get the AT and T cell go to Breuningerland (Local Mall) the one on Panzer at the PX charges more just for a bill in English. Pay attention in the indoc class they teach you some of the language and the do's and don'ts. Germans are a precise people. Feel free to MSG me if you have other questions about the area. I loved it there one of my best Duty stations.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2017 2:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:55:58 -0500

Bring it, you'll be fine. The roads are narrow here in Germany but once you get the hang of it you will manage. So many Americans here have large pick-ups and SUVs (myself included) and no big deal. My friend has an H3 hummer for christs sake, and they are hunkie dorry. I do recommend purchasing a reliable, but small car while you are here if you want to, mainly for the tighter places, such as parking garages. We have a lemon lot on Panzer Kaserne outside the PX as well as local websites and PCSers selling their ''micro cars'' as I like to call them for peanuts. Keep OPSEC in mind, but many Germans drive American cars as well.

Response by MAJ Eric G Troup made Jan 23 at 2017 3:03 PM

MAJ Eric G Troup — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 15:03:03 -0500

No.

Response by MAJ Joe Bentley made Jan 23 at 2017 4:31 PM

MAJ Joe Bentley — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 16:31:54 -0500

My experience comes from when there was 2 Germanys, so take that for what it's worth. In the Stuttgart area you can get anywhere on the trains and subways. If you are married a vehicle comes in handy depending on where you find housing and when grocery shopping. Also you can get a vehicle when you arrive, but beware the guy who is getting a finders fee for selling it to you. Deal only with the actual seller.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 23 at 2017 5:43 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:43:13 -0500

If you like your truck and are confident in your driving, then take your truck, don't buy into all the damned hype of miniature road networks....

Germany, they have a modern society and a modern culture, where the hell do you think the Autobahns are? Holy Jesus man, if you like your truck, then take it and sell it before you come back to the states!....yes, you might have the occasional difficulty parking in some areas (that will NOT be the majority of the time), all the roads aren't nearly as wide as in the states but they are wide enough to pull a farm wagon (think an overflowing hay wagon) down the street. And, it wasn't that long ago that we were running Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams Tanks in the streets and villages across Germany.

Listen, if you want to take your truck, take it - don't listen to all the nay-sayers, take what you like and enjoy yourself in something you know works....buy a hoopty if you need a second vehicle but if you like your truck, take it. Hell, you stand a chance on selling it (at the end of your tour) for the US book value now!

Response by MSgt Carl Stokes made Jan 23 at 2017 6:17 PM

MSgt Carl Stokes — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 18:17:33 -0500

lol if you do, get ready to help everyone move or haul stuff for them. Its your truck, but I bought a cheap 944 Porsche and sold it to the next guy when I left. It could take awhile to get your truck back to the states.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2017 6:18 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 18:18:43 -0500

You may have issues with parking but the roadways should be okay. Italy on the other hand would be a definite no.

Response by SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales made Jan 23 at 2017 6:38 PM

SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 18:38:52 -0500

Lol... no... it is hard getting around some of those tight roads and god forbid you will find any parking to support that beast.. find u a little corolla..

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Jan 23 at 2017 7:27 PM

MSG Steve Wiersgalla — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 19:27:57 -0500

Take it if you want it's not that bad. Germans also import american vehicles I have seen many trucks owned by German Nationals. There will be places you may not be able to go but if you don't fit I guess you don't need to go that way. Now on the other hand a car is better suited for their driving style and you won't stick out as much There is an excellent public trans system and you don't really need a vehicle. I am however not a fan of putting it in storage. My truck sat only getting used by my wife a few time during my last deployment and some of the seals started drying up. When I got home it didn't take long to make the decision to get rid on it. You could always take it with and decide if you like it or not.

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Jan 23 at 2017 9:09 PM

CW4 Angel C. — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 21:09:33 -0500

Yes I always regret not taking my POV. Nevertheless you can always buy yourself a hoopty BMW, BENZ, OPEL etc

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 4:06 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 04:06:20 -0500

I am currently stationed here (for almost two years) and from my experiences, it should not be that much of an issue. Yes, like others have mentioned, parking can be a pain (esp in the downtown area) but Stuttgart isn't like other German cities, there are many local nationals that drive SUVs and vans. In smaller towns the roads are narrow, but the autobahn and most major roads are wide enough. If you end up living on post, then it really will not make a difference at all. If you haven't looked at this site, I highly recommend taking some time to review it, lots of good info that will prep you: http://www.stuttgart.army.mil/. Feel free to send me any specific qs you may have!

U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart - Home

U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart manages five installations that provide base operations and support services to nearly 25,000 joint U.S. military service members, civilian employees and family members who serve, work and live near Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 4:34 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 04:34:25 -0500

You'll be fine.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jan 24 at 2017 5:12 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 05:12:47 -0500

I would check first with Ford motor of Europe if they can get parts you would need for a tune up and other parts, the right wipers(I would pack sooner extra sets
To make sure). There might be some other things relating to a tune up such as oil filters . Well you can figure it up.. enjoy your new assignment !

Response by SSG Brian MacBain made Jan 24 at 2017 8:50 AM

SSG Brian MacBain — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 08:50:37 -0500

Well, the obvious, yourself...lol However, like what others stated, leave or sell the truck and get a vehicle over there. You will love Stuttgart. Have fun over there and thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jan 25 at 2017 5:14 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:14:14 -0500

For highway driving there are no issues. Terrible for driving through most towns and cities with tight roads. Parking will be a challenge in some places. You are rationed your fuel. If you go over your ration, you pay out of pocket.

Some folks leave their big cars with a family member. Others sell their vehicle.

Response by CSM Andrew Perrault made Jan 25 at 2017 9:13 PM

CSM Andrew Perrault — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:13:54 -0500

Might be hard to find parking, I recommend NO.....was stationed there in 196-1998 not a lot of room on the casernes

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2017 7:54 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 07:54:11 -0500

I am in Stuttgart. Parking is a painnnnn. Sometimes I feel that my compact car is too big for some of these parking spots. Although they do have parking garages and things, they do cost a few dollars an hour. Be prepared for the walk!

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 30 at 2017 2:21 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 14:21:46 -0500

Years ago I had a 4x4 Toyota Hilux, First Sergeant had a Bronco, it is pure bull you can't drive anywhere over there, for Christ sakes they have semi's over there, the German Army uses large trucks like we do no issues. Bring it! When you PCS you can sell it to a national for more than what it is worth.

Response by SFC Chris Foreman made Jun 25 at 2017 3:37 PM

SFC Chris Foreman — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 15:37:26 -0400

NO ROADS ARE TO SMALL AND YOU WILL HATE TRYING TO TRAVEL IN SOMETHING SO BIG THERE AND YOU WILL GET HIT BY ANOTHER CAR !!

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jun 25 at 2017 11:30 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 23:30:08 -0400

Sell it, store it, or loan it to your parents to take care off. The roads are small. It gets smaller as you enter small towns and other smaller countries.

Response by SFC Wendell Pruitt made Jul 10 at 2021 1:14 PM

SFC Wendell Pruitt — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 13:14:29 -0400

Think of it from a repair point of view, a 7 year old truck, If anything breaks or you need any major parts you will be ordering it and waiting for it to arrive from the States, You are much better off selling it and buying local when you arrive..... As for the size its not really an issue except for parking...