Truck vs SUV for hunting/daily driver?

[elkduds]

Among 2 4runners, a pathfinder, S10 blazer, escape, F250, GMC Sierra diesel, 2 SR5 Toyotas, Dodge D50, Grand Cherokee and some I've forgotten, here's what I like best: 1st gen Honda Ridgeline w topper. AWD, tows 5K#, 4 doors, giant back seat that folds away, sleep in the bed, v6, Honda reliability. I have a hitch basket and a utility trailer, and can pull a camp trailer if needed. Very flexible setup, comfortable enough for cross country trips.

 

[Trial153]

Among 2 4runners, a pathfinder, S10 blazer, escape, F250, GMC Sierra diesel, 2 SR5 Toyotas, Dodge D50, Grand Cherokee and some I've forgotten, here's what I like best: 1st gen Honda Ridgeline w topper. AWD, tows 5K#, 4 doors, giant back seat that folds away, sleep in the bed, v6, Honda reliability. I have a hitch basket and a utility trailer, and can pull a camp trailer if needed. Very flexible setup, comfortable enough for cross country trips.
View attachment 93197

My 2011, has 210k on it and its been fantastic.

 

[CCH]

I have mainly owned trucks, and primarily half ton. Recently I enjoyed a passionate dalliance with a Jeep JKU that I loved with an unbecoming glee, especially as a daily driver and given all of the cool places nearby to explore with it. In my mind, it was a hall pass sort of vehicle. Yes, it was hot and fun, but in the long run it just didn't cut it for getting work done. I went back to a truck, in this case a 3/4 ton Chevy gasser that looks like a service truck, and feel I have a much better hunting vehicle. However, it is far from an ideal daily driver. The good news is that I live pretty close to most of my destinations, so the gas mileage is not killer and certainly not much worse than the Jeep -- a thirsty girl considering her light weight. On the plus side, I simply do not have to worry about packing in or packing out -- the Jeep had such a low GVW that I could bring gear or friends, but not both, especially if packing out meat. It's pretty hard to get a vehicle to do it all. I want my daily driver to get good mileage, but I can't find one that will do so and pull my wife's camper. Last year I thanked the teacher who parked next to me with her Prius for offsetting my carbon footprint. She seemed unamused. It is what it is.

 

[.270]

I have considered getting rid of my crew cab F250 for a 4runner or possibly a bronco so I can sleep in the cab easily, I usually hunt by myself. I just can’t make the justification to trade it in a for a suv. My biggest complaint for my truck is the gas mileage, v10, and the uncomfortably of the rear seat but its paid for and I added a 45-gallon external tank to make the distance. My wife does have a 4x4 expedition with the 3.5 ecoboost and when I towed a 16’ trailer plus my family on a trip the mpg was close to my 03 V10. Real close. I also have a business truck and only use the beast for hunting and dump trips. Probably going to use it till the frame goes out.

 

[Titan_Bow]

I went from a Nissan Titan that I put 280k miles on with zero issues, to a Nissan Xterra that I have since put 116k on with no issues. I did not have a cap on the Titan so being able to comfortably sleep in the Xterra has been a game changer. Solo bonzai trips from CO to WY, NE, or MT are so much easier. The X is super off road too. I’ve got the Pro 4x model that has lockers, downhill decent control and all the other off road bells and whistles. It’s short wheel base makes it really nimble and I’ve never even thought about getting stuck ( I’ve been in the Breaks and all over Nebraska!) It’s been a great hunting rig for me. In 3 years I’m going to give it to my son and get something new. Unfortunately, Nissan stopped making the Xterra. I’ve looked long and hard at the 4Runner, but I may go back to a truck with a cap, unless I find a 2016 Xterra with no miles on it! Lol


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[Akwoodchuck]

One of my most favorite rigs was an '84 Suburban a client sold me for $100....what a tank. Could put a cord of wood, a moose, kids, dogs, and every tool known to man in the backseat and still have room to spare!
....like driving a full size couch down the highway .....unfortunately, it cost exactly a buck a mile to do so...

 

[H2PVon]

Every time my dog tangles with a skunk or rolls in something dead I'm glad he's in a kennel in the bed of my truck.

 

[Grizz23]

I might not use the bed of a truck very often but when one is needed it's nice to have. Now I don't drive very far to work so mileage isn't an issue for me.

 

[Shraggs]

Because I own a boat and tow it everywhere I couldn’t do an suv, or lumber yard runs. Also regional deer hunting, I have a ton more gear than western backpack hunting so the truck sees heavy use.

Me and a buddy can head elk hunting in my Subaru Forester with 160 at cooler. Just so much less gear.

If I had to it would be a forerunner like my wife’s for sure. Used pickup and car is pretty good option tho.

 

[NateK]

Man this is a tough one for me. I currently have a 1996 F250 regular cab with the 7.3 PSD that needs $$ to be up to taking out west on my annual trips. Plus its really not a lot of fun to ride in for hours on end (but I'm not about to get rid of it!). I also drive close to 90 miles every day for work so my daily needs to get solid fuel economy.

So what I really need is to get a smaller SUV that seats 7 and still gets 20-25 mpg highway I can roll in all week, Use my F250 for hunts here in TN, and swap vehicles with the wife (V8 4x4 Explorer) for western trips.

The most reasonable would be to trade the F250 for a smaller truck or SUV for my hunting vehicle, by a beater car for work, and the wife keep rolling hers all the time. But as stated above the PSD is close to my heart and those trucks get harder to find every stinking day!

I have taken both SUVs and trucks on hunting trips and honestly prefer the suv unless we have a ton of gear.

 

[Kootenay Hunter]

Tacoma’s don’t suck....

Not when it comes to gas....

 

[UglyArcher]

My lease is up on my F150 soon and I have been toying with the idea of getting a Toyota 4Runner next or another F150. What is everyones thoughts on truck vs suv? Anyone make the switch and have any thoughts?


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Definitely truck for me,my sons 4Runner is like a sardine can. (With topper)

 

[timberlinehunter]

Yeah thats one of my concerns. Coming from my 4 door f150, am I going to feel a huge difference in space and is it worth the trade offs. I am going to go test drive a 4runner tomorrow so it could be interesting. Lol


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[Ronb]

Tacoma 4door. Even the elk recommend it!

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[FoxLSX]

I drive a newer Ram, crew cabs are great. I also get a discount, so that helps. I've considered getting something smaller, but there has been many times that having a truck was either necessary or atleast a huge positive. Plus I get an honest 20+mpg on trips. I desperately need a topper though.

If I was going to get something smaller I'd probably go back to Subaru.

 

[Jbehredt]

Wife has a 4Runner, I have a silverado. I guess we couldn’t decide so we got both. If we’re taking the SxS or gonna sleep at the vehicle the truck gets the nod. More than just the two us, it’s her rig.

 

[ORdude]

I have a 4 runner and Tundra and find that the Tundra gets used most. Having a bed you can wash out just makes life easier

 

[NVVAHunt]

Ive found Toyota to be my go to for a lot of things. Currently have a Tundra because I need to tow my horses occasionally but if I didn’t need the towing capacity I would have gone with a Tacoma or 4Runner. The tundra is my daily driver and cost/maintenance has been real low especially if you do it yourself.


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[Wallace]

I have a 2015 Tundra with a shell, 2003 Land Cruiser, 1990 Land Cruiser, and a 1979 FJ40 Land Cruiser. If I had to get rid of all but one, I'd keep the Tundra. It's the nicest/newest, I can lock stuff up with the shell, it tows fine (terrible gas mileage), and it's good for driving back and forth hunting (roughly 15,000 miles a year). With all of that said, I've cranked my truck up twice in the last 2 months, I drive the 2003 or 1990 Land Cruiser daily, and either of those would work well for hunting (they get used for that sometimes).

 

[Boreal]

I've had S10, 95, 02, 08, 13, and now 16 Tacoma, 16 Ram 1500, Rav4, and a Jetta. Most recent was the Ram 1500 that I traded my 13 Taco for because I needed towing. I don't tow any more, so out went the Ram and I'm now into a 16 Taco that I hope is my last purchase for a long, long time. The SUV option worked for me for a while, until I tipped a cooler full of salmon inside the back of the Rav4. That slime will never come out of that carpet, and the smell will only get worse. Glad it was cold when I traded that one in!

The question I have is tonneau or topper for a pickup? I've got an OEM trifold tonneau that I don't really care for and am considering a Diamondback tonneau or ARE topper. Tonneau is half the cost, but less utility. I can't fit my Pelican cooler under the tonneau I have now, but I could put a Frontline rack above the toneau....