It's all about odds/%. The dryer climates (west of the Pecos)tend to protect steel from that nasty cancer called rust. In areas east of the Mississippi, you can certainly find relatively rust free projects; it is just harder to do. Also if you confine your search to the eastern seaboard your odds are not as good.
Rather than riding through the country (not a bad idea) looking for your next
truck,I would check with all the internet sites for trucks for sale, request pictures of likely rust areas and pick the best $ value.
Good luck!
