Pickup truck Vs car with trailer

[georgemiller]

I haul some light items one or 2 days a week and occasional home depot runs. I now have a Dodge Conversion van that I removed the rear seat and use that. The van only gets 13 mpg. and is getting old.

I don't need to drive around kids as they are older now.

I want to cut my fuel bill down. I was thinking either a small 4 cylinder pickup or Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and putting trailer hitch on and getting small utility type trailer for use when I need it.

Any thoughts?

 

[sciphi]

How light is light? I have a 4x8 utility trailer I tow once a month or so with my Cruze. Staying within the car's cargo capacity minus the weight of the trailer gives about 450 lbs of capacity, or enough for the bulky but lighter things I'd realistically tow. Keep in mind that without a specific tow rating on the car in question, it's going to be a bit limited in what it can haul safely.

Having a trailer to use on demand is nice, but it is definitely more convenient to have a pickup. Hooking up a trailer, especially a Harbor Freight folding trailer that spends most of its time folded in the garage, does take about 15-20 minutes to get unfolded and hooked up. Also, the car's fuel economy while towing in a suburban environment won't be that good, at a few mpg under EPA city rating in my experience. Highway does better, but still nowhere near EPA highway. It's still far more efficient than a truck in both cases, though!

I guess what I'm trying to say is pick what fits your needs best. If you need a fuel-efficient daily driver that can handle the occasional tow, pick the car. If you need to tow/haul heavier things more regularly, go with the truck.

 

[Shannow]

A builder that we know has a Camry as the family car, and a long "builder's trailer" (It's not a box, not a car trailer, but sort of a hybrid).

And he runs his business that way.

Can get roofing iron, drywall etc. to the job, then leave it either outside the customer's place/yard while he does stuff with the car.

 

[georgemiller]

Lawnmower, blower and weed wacker, small branches. I take care of 2 houses landscaping so I transport my equipment over there.

 

[skyactiv]

If your willing to drive a stick, the last Ford Rangers made with a four cylinder were rated 22 city, 27 highway.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: georgemiller
Lawnmower, blower and weed wacker, small branches. I take care of 2 houses landscaping so I transport my equipment over there.


A car ought to be just fine with that load. And, the bonus of a trailer is a lower loading height than a pickup. Keeping the equipment on the trailer during landscaping season so the trailer can be hitched up quickly should work fine.

 

[Mackelroy]

Trailers are a pain, and you have to store them, hook them up ect. So I wouldn't recommend a trailer unless its a necessary means to do so.

Im a Truck guy , but have used a small trailer with a car also and vice versa, you can make do with either as long as the trailers tongue height is compatible, and its a light weight trailer.

 

[E365]

I'm a trailer guy. I couldn't imagine driving a SUV or pickup full time . As long as you have room for it, the trailer will have basically zero maintenance needs, zero repair needs, no annual registration, no insurance (usually).

I get 30+ MPG 99% of the time and an enjoyable driving experience. On the occasions I need it, just as much utility value as a pickup/SUV. The only downside is weight limitations . I'm limited to 1,500 lbs like you probably should with most small cars. Rarely an issue with what I need it for ( lumber, drywall, etc.)

I have an Aluma 5x8 enclosed. FAR more volume than even a Suburban. If I had room I'd also get a larger Aluma open utility trailer.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Mackelroy
Trailers are a pain, and you have to store them, hook them up ect.


On top of that, you have to register it, and have it inspected yearly in some States. Have to keep the lights working on it, tires good, bearings and springs good, etc..

Like anything else, they're great when you have a definite need for them.

How about a minivan? Then again, you're talking ~20mpg day/day driving. Your 13mpg isn't bad if it's paid for and not needing much.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
If your willing to drive a stick, the last Ford Rangers made with a four cylinder were rated 22 city, 27 highway.


True; and since OP georgemiller didn't say new or used, a new F150 with the 3.7 V6 is rated 17/23 and from.what I've been reading often does better.

 

[ARB1977]

I saw a Honda Accord last week towing a huge boat. I had to do a double take.

 

[expat]

Are you talking about only having one verhicle (car) and getting a trailer to tow when you need to move stuff.
Or are you thinking of getting a second verhicle like a truck or car AND trailer?

Most new trucks are a pain to get things (like mowers)in and out of, they are two high.

Older small trucks like the old Toyotas, Mazdas or Rangers are great, but are no substitute for a 4 seat sedan.

Most people doing landscape work around here use JDM imports like the Suzuki Carry with drop down sides to the box. They are cheap and very economical to run.

 

[supton]

Trailers are nice, you can beat 'em up and not care. Simple to work on. Want to put so e screws I to the decking for a tie down? Zero thoughts about residual value.

Moving a mower around, in and out of the trailer is easier. Backing up a trailer isn't that bad.

If parking the trailer at the house is easy I'd probably go that route.

 

[JHZR2]

There are pros and cons to trucks and trailers. If you think a trailer is a good bet, look for a car that is spec'd for trailering. For example, my saab 9-3 is specified by the manufacturer for 3500 lb.

 

[hattaresguy]

Get a trailer and leave the lawn equipment on it, doing lawns out of a pickup bed is a PITA.

 

[jimbrewer]

Originally Posted By: georgemiller
I haul some light items one or 2 days a week and occasional home depot runs. I now have a Dodge Conversion van that I removed the rear seat and use that. The van only gets 13 mpg. and is getting old.

I don't need to drive around kids as they are older now.

I want to cut my fuel bill down. I was thinking either a small 4 cylinder pickup or Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and putting trailer hitch on and getting small utility type trailer for use when I need it.

Any thoughts?


I'd say light hauling one or two days a week is enough to justify a pickup truck. A basic, full-size pickup truck. One of those basic small pickups ought to be about the same price as the most basic sedan sold by the same car company. They aren't. They are considerably more expensive. They are also obsolescent. I admit my F-150 XL with the 3.7L is waaay more truck than I will ever need and a bit ungainly in town. There are worse criticisms.

The tricked out cowboy cadillac configurations receive all the attention, but the trucks in basic trim have all you need for daily use: AT air, radio, cloth seats. Dodge sells them with the really excellent Pentastar for just a little over 20K. A Tacoma is a bit over $17 K and you have to row your own gears. No hardship in my book, but still. http://www.truecar.com/prices-new/toyota/tacoma-pricing/2014/AB586862/

Toy gets 21 mpg city with 4 cylinders and manual trans. Ram gets 18 mpg with the AT.

Yeah you can get by with a trailer. But its a PITA. twice a week you fold it and unfold it. You have to spend a few minutes lining it up when you leave. You have to take special care on the road. Sure, your car might be "rated" to tow X number of pounds, but be advised that unless its a newly introduced SAE rating, its really a made up number. Honda Civics weren't designed to tow things, at least not on a regular basis.

Reading the thread again, I have to admit that getting things in and out of the bed is a pain. Just part of the overkill mentality of American truck manufacturers. For one or two days a week, I'd live with it.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

You folks are missing the obvious. Get an old minivan. I have 4, all roadworthy. At the moment, only one registered, but all are safe for extended trips. Remove the 3rd. seat for small stuff, all the seats gets you a 4'X 8' cargo space. They all get 18-20 mpg in local driving, 23-25 mpg on the road. They will all carry 6 passengers if needed.

AND THEY ARE CHEAP TO BUY!!

Works for me.

Wayne

 

[Cujet]

Jetta TDI wagon and small HF trailer.

 

[Silk]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
A builder that we know has a Camry as the family car, and a long "builder's trailer"


A mate of mine is a builder, he has a Fiat Uno and a small Tow N Stow trailer, all his tools in the Uno (no passengers) and cement etc in the trailer. He did some major alterations to my MIL's house, all the big stuff gets delivered, small bits and pieces with the trailer.

I find pickups useless, too narrow purpose. I did have a van, but mainly use my trailer to haul my motorcycle to trials meetings.

 

[IndyIan]

Personally I like the trailer option. Then you can drive something nice and efficient most of the time and avoid a 3rd vehicle.
Also its handy to leave a trailer loaded if you want or leave it somewhere to be loaded by someone else.