Author Topic: Should we buy a truck (in the intermediate future)?  (Read 1807 times)

Maenad

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Should we buy a truck (in the intermediate future)?
« on: April 05, 2017, 08:18:06 AM »
A little bit of background: a friend of ours owns some land about 90 miles from our house that we all use for hunting. DH and I go up there a number of times during spring, summer, and fall to help with maintenance. We currently drive our Prius up, and can "off-road" on his land a little (which is hilarious, I should post pictures).

The situation:
  • We are planning to retire in 3 years, so this decision is a little ways in the future
  • We'd like to go up to the land >= 12 times/year to help with maintenance in retirement
  • We'd like to be able to haul a trailer with our friend's ATV from his house to the land (~30 miles)
  • We'd like to be able to bring stone back from his land for landscaping at our house
  • We currently rent a truck from HD occasionally for plywood, etc., so there's some other uses
First thought was to buy a used* truck that can haul rocks, equipment, and/or deer, and have a second, more fuel-efficient car for other use. We may want to do some road-tripping in retirement, but we're both pretty homebody and would spend most of our time gardening, etc. Both vehicles would likely last a looooong time.

I'd love some help on the decision-making process. What other factors should I consider? What options am I missing? Are there other kinds of vehicles that can off-road decently and haul heavy stuff? I want to really think about what will meet my needs with the most efficient use of my $$.


*I have no experience in buying used vehicles, since my parents were burned a few times and taught me to always buy new (I'm more than willing to unlearn that behavior!).

humbleMouse

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Re: Should we buy a truck (in the intermediate future)?
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2017, 08:44:23 AM »
Buy a used 4x4 ford ranger.  Cheap to buy, cheap to insure, decent fuel mileage, easy and cheap to fix.  You will be able to find a good 4x4 ranger used for well under 10k. 

Syonyk

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Re: Should we buy a truck (in the intermediate future)?
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2017, 05:52:50 PM »
Given the description, it sounds like you would benefit from a truck with 4WD - especially in winter.

A Ranger is an OK option, but the payload capacity on them is very poor, as is the towing capacity.  An older 4WD F150 might make more senes.

"Off roading decently and hauling heavy stuff" pretty much puts you into "truck" territory.

If you can do your own maintenance, that will save a ton of money.

Retire-Canada

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Re: Should we buy a truck (in the intermediate future)?
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2017, 06:24:17 PM »
A Ranger is an OK option, but the payload capacity on them is very poor, as is the towing capacity.  An older 4WD F150 might make more senes.

Yup. Had a Ranger. Great little truck hauling light bulky stuff, but doesn't have much payload/towing capacity. Establish the weights you need to haul in the bed of the truck and what you want to be able to tow first then look for a truck that can handle those missions.