Area:
Rural NW Oklahoma
Town is roughly 4-5 sq miles
~5000 population
Current vehicle situation:
2008 Hyundai Elantra
-This is my wife's daily driver for a 24 mile, 20 minute commute. Awesome job with higher oilfield pay
2004 Nissan Titan
2010 Honda Shadow Phantom
Job situation:
Like I said, the wife has a great job at an oilfield company in a neighboring community.
I'm a full-time firefighter on a combination department. This means that, because of our size, I'm technically on call whenever I'm off work and in town for responses to the station or scene when needed.
My situation is difficult. I really want to start riding a bike, and I've almost pulled the trigger several times on good Craigslist finds. The thing that hangs me up is needing the quick response at any time to the station. Also, when I'm at the station, we are allowed to go home for lunch and supper, usually in our personal vehicle. During the week I pack a lunch for the station, but on the weekend I go home to spend time with my wife. Every shift I go home for supper. I only live 1 mile from the station, but with an emergency response possibly needed, a bike isn't feasible on fire department days.
The Nissan Titan is soon to be posted for sale. My plan is to buy a $1500-2500, 30+ mpg car, hitch, and 6x12 utility trailer. I see roughly a $3000 profit strictly through these purchases and sale.
I help another firefighter on my days off that sometimes requires me to be a couple or few miles from the station or move to different jobs during the day. Also, within the next few months we will be beginning building our first house. I'll be doing a few things on the house; detached garage, siding, sheetrock, insulation, flooring, and cleanup. The local lumber store makes deliveries in town for any of my bigger supplies. Also, I have a brother-in-law, as well as other friends that I could borrow their truck if I absolutely needed one.
First, does the sale of my truck and use of a car and utility trailer make sense, especially with the upcoming build? Secondly, how can I incorporate the use of a bicycle into my daily transportation?