SUV vs. Pick-up

[jeffsw6]

A trailer solves that problem very easily.

My gf's uncle has a ext cab P/U with 6.5 ft bed, and it is like the worst possible vehicle for him, he just has it because he doesn't want to be an SUV guy. He is always hauling lumber hanging out of the bed, worrying about if his tools or materials will be stolen out of the bed, and driving home after work to get his drums so he can then play music with his band after work. If he would just buy a trailer and a SUV his life would really be easier.

 

[SGFarm]

Thanks for all of the input. I am in Eastern ON so 4x4 is a necessity.

I am leaning towards staying SUV, I have a small (4x8) dump trailer and I am looking for a 16' float. It is handy to have interior space clean and dry.

I did not realize that newer sub's would be better, I figured that my older one would be built heavier and would take the work better than a newer citified version. I am keeping an eye for a 3/4 diesel sub but they are not easy to find. But 3/4 diesel pick-ups are around.

Thanks

Mike

 

[schmism]

You also might consier a full size van.

My E350 (one ton van) was 1/4 the cost of a 3/4 or 1ton pickup of the same vintage.

My 12 pass lived a life of a church van so it wasnt all beat up like some of the other one ton utility vans.

Ive used it more with no seats than with seats. I can get full 4x8 sheets inside flat on the floor, i can fit 10' sticks of lumber and conduit inside with the door closed and you can side load a full size pallet through the side doors. They have more interior height than a pickup with a topper and much more than a full size SUV. Gas millage is virutally the same as a pickup or full size SUV.

They come in both gas and diesel and have more room than a SUV while having the ability to tow/haul almost as much as the pickups (although personally i think they just fudge the numbers on paper to make the pickups look better)

 

[Cat_Driver]

Comparing a pick up to an SUV is truly Apples and Oranges.

You can always add weight to a pick up with cement blocks or water bags for winter driving. You can always add either a fiberglass cap to lock and keep things dry. You can also add a utility Bed which will give you many lockable dry area and with a closing locking bed cover it's all safe.

The SUV limits you to the amount and type of items you can put in the back. Obviously tall items will not fit like they will in a pick up. Also for hauling things they tend to tear up the interior.

They both come in 4x4 and unless you go one ton and above they will tow nearly the same.

 

[slowzuki]

I don't know about the 3/4 ton burbs but a guy on pirate4x4 tows 16,000 lb with his 3/4 ton avalanche. All over the US from what I can tell. Can't do that with the 1/2 ton model.

 

[Ken45101]

A crew cab pickup with a full size bed is a big vehicle! It doesn't fit into parking spaces all that well When it comes to tight places, it seems to have the turning radius of an aircraft carrier! However, it does have a good amount of inside cargo space and of course plenty of outside space.

We have both, a full size crew cab dually pickup and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep is better for grocery shopping but of course the pickup is the champion for hauling and things like lumber and firewood.

If you are not frequently carrying adult passengers, perhaps the extended cab is a better compromise than a crew cab. Prior to the current pickup, we had a Ford extended cab with a 7-1/2' bed. It fit in shopping centers parking lots much better.

Ken

 

[s219]

I have driven pickups for work, and always liked them for overal utility, but just haven't been able to get my head around the idea of one as my daily driver. For me at least, an SUV and a utility trailer is a better combo. The SUV covers 90% of my daily driving and weekend hobby/sports needs, and then I can hitch up a trailer for other stuff like getting gravel, mulch, hay, or lumber.

 

[Ken45101]

I have driven pickups for work, and always liked them for overal utility, but just haven't been able to get my head around the idea of one as my daily driver.

It's a "country thing" :laughing:

Ken

 

[Samandothers]

I have a 98 suburban and a 04 3/4 pup. We used the suburban to pull horsetrailer with no issue. when we got the camper we needed bigger vehicle and go the 3/4. The suburban has the barn door style rear hatch versus lift gate and it is easier to load as you don't have to get things up and past a tail gate. A suburban and trailer may be a good combo.

 

[crazyal]

I have both a fiberglass cap and a ladder rack for my Tundra. I also have an easy way to remove both. There's very little I can't carry (not talking weight). The ladder rack means I can carry lumber and steel up to 20' as well as tall items (like a fridge) and still easily be able to strap them down while the cap is nice for things that can't get wet or I want to lock up.

But I built my garage with 12' ceiling in the main floor so I could rig up a system to lift both off by myself in minutes. I don't think I would limit myself to a SUV unless I needed the rear seats most of the time. The rear seats in my Tundra are pretty nice but I'm not sure if I would want to go on a long distance trip sitting on them.