Truck to SUV?

[tony]

Anyone make the change?
I have always had a pickup. Now, I don't haul much or tow anything. But it is so damn handy to have a bed to toss stuff in. Last 5 years has been a ranger. Even with the tiny bed its still handy.

I went with my GF to pick up her car from the local Honda dealer after service. Milling around the lot I go to looking at the Honda Passports. V6, can tow 5,000 pounds. I really liked the looks and feature set of the thing.
Price was a killer though. 53k and then with the add ons I'd like to have it was pushing 60k!
Still, it has me thinking about trying an SUV once in my life.

 

[noKnees]

I have gone between the two, although I am currently with a small truck (2022 frontier). I can see the merit both ways. I have a smallish utillity trailer too. 5x10 so its light enough I can move it around and hook it up by myself with out the need for precision backing.

The advantages of the SUV are its shorter with a better turn radius than either of my trucks so around town stuff and parking are a bit better.

With the utility trailer its often easier to load or unload cargo especially stuff like an ATV or lawn tractor. I only really use the cargo aspect of the trailer or truck bed maybe monthly so admittedly I am a lightweight user. I do have a 3500lb boat that I need to trailer 50 miles twice a year.

The SUV as a default has a cover that keeps eyes out of the cargo area, where as the truck may or may not depending on if I have the hard cover on the bed. In some ways its easier to configure the SUV for some cargo. In the winter I have a roof top box for Skis and in the summer a roof rack for canoe/kayaks and my extension ladder. Yes I can put the skis in the bed of the truck, but the canoe is a PITA and configuring the truck with something like a ladder rack to carry it is pretty pricey.

I use a hard bed cover and it seems I am taking it off for every other load I carry.

The SUVs I have driven have been between 27 and 30mpg which beats the 21 I get from the frontier and way better than my old 2004 2500 Ram.

The reason I ended up with the truck instead of a SUV this last time around was I bought it in the great COVID auto shortage and there are really not that many SUVs that tow 5000lbs and I couldn't find one except at nearly 20K more than the truck price.

 

[justinspicher]

I switched from a 96 Tacoma single cab to an 05 Lexus GX470 and I couldn’t be happier. I didnt use the bed much and it always seemed to collect junk that I would have to eventually clean out.

I like having everything enclosed and organized.

 

[Scottf270]

Maybe not relevant to your decision, but I really have a problem paying as much for a smaller vehicle as I can buy a crew cab 1500 or 2500 pickup. Just doesn't seem like I'm getting the value for my dollars.

I know use and life style determine a person's need, but it seems like the smaller SUVs should be thousands less than a heavy duty truck that often is just as roomy and comfortable.

I kinda thought I'd like a 4RUNNER at times, but I'm not paying as much as I can buy a real pickup for.

It's your money and life, buy what makes you happy.

 

[Agross]

Have u checked out the pilots ? My wife just picked one up a few months ago. It’s a coulple years old with low mileage. Really likes it Has the v6.

 

[BLJ]

The biggest issues I had were trash cans and gas cans when I had an SUV.

Gasoline fumes inside suck.
Taking my trash cans to the end of my driveway sucked. Especially in the rain or snow because they stay outside.

Not sure if that’s an issue for you or not but something to consider.

 

[spur60]

I seem to alternate truck/SUV/truck. Went from 03 Silverado to 05 yukon to 19 F150. Now contemplating a Sequoia or 4runner. Or going old school and finding a nice late 90's Tahoe/yukon. I'd have to pick up a utility trailer though if I go back to an SUV.

 

[Speaks]

When my tundra is ready to trade I am getting a gx550, for the vast majority of things I would be better served with interior storage than the bed. Every year I use the bed less and less.

I likely will end up adding an older 3/4 ton for real towing though frankly might not need it.

For me the hardest part might just be mentally getting past the "I drive a pickup" aspect, I think practically speaking the SUV works fine for me.

 

[molliesmaster]

Truck with campershell. Best of both worlds. Wet dogs and smelly trash can stay in the back. But I can also keep gear dry and secure.

 

[Blockcaver]

I've had similar thoughts. The 2015 F150 5.0l with canopy and bed rug has done great and likely still will as I only have 210,000 km on it. But replacement is entering my mind, but I don't trade impulsively and typically drive my new rig for a decade or more.

But thoughts include looking into full size SUV's including Ford Expeditions, GMC Yukons, Suburbans, etc. One concern seeing them on the highway is all three I've mentioned appear really low with minimal clearance. This would be a non-starter for me as I use the F150 to go several hours deep down logging roads in the spring black bear hunting here in British Columbia. I tow my cargo trailer containing the SxS that becomes my bear camp every week from late April thru Memorial Day.

Comments???

In the fall I occasionally sleep in the truck bed/canopy and think the full size SUV would work out well for that use with tailgate cooking....when traveling up or back on a northern BC on a hunt.