I ran into a deer a few weeks ago and my car was in the shop for repairs. The insurance company gave me a renter and since I had to haul a few things, I requested a truck. They gave me a Ford F150 with the King Ranch trim. I never knew they made trucks like that. I had seen them around before, but had never been in one. This was very nice truck

Anyways, this has me in the market for a truck. I'm not about to spend $ 65,000 on a King Ranch but have a budget between $ 8,000 to 12,000. Although I'm not trying to become a maintenance man, I have enough hauling to justify and I don't want to keep putting the stuff in my SUV. I'm thinking along the lines of a Nissan Frontier or maybe an older Ford F150. Not sure if I need a full size truck for the stuff I'm doing though. Typical stuff I'm hauling is lawn debris, landscaping materials, sheetrock, small appliances and etc.

Any recommendations?

My husband prefers the Nissan NV van. Stuff stays safe and dry inside, and organized, but can still haul a piece of plywood. In fact it was the only van he tested in that class that could.

I love my midsize Dakota with the crew cab and tonneau cover for the bed. I keep my basic tool bag in the back seat where they are protected although I can throw stuff under the cover and no one notices it is there. If I have passengers it is easy to move the few tool bags to the bed, and fold down the seat. The dog also gets to sit in the back seat! It functions a lot like a car with the second seat.

The cover rolls up for cargo that needs height. (brush, appliance etc). The bed is short so carrying sheetrock requires the tailgate down and 2x supports for overhang. The height of the bed makes it easy to reach into and climb onto. I have a trailer hitch for the landscape trailer, and it has decent hauling capacity. Of course 4 wheel drive for the snow season.

The size of the truck allows me to get into most parking spaces, backing into them is easier. Although like any truck, there are some spaces that there is not way I will be able to get into with the needed turning radius. Gas mileage really isn't any different than the big trucks.

How about a 5x8 Utility Trailer, with a hinged metal ramp.

Fancy and Expensive Pickups are an extension to the human

This question will get you a different answer from anyone that replies. I'm partial to Chevy. I drove the last truck 300k miles before getting rid of it. Loved that truck. I drive a Dodge Ram now and absolutely hate it. Will never buy another one. Pa drives a Ford and likes it, but he's also had to do some more major repairs to it than I would think it would need.

Since 1998, I’ve had a Dodge Caravan and a flat bed trailer. Gets me through nearly everything. Occasionally I need an enclosed trailer and UHaul has them for $20 for the day.

On one occasion I rented a cargo van to haul tile last year when it was going to be potentially more weight than I wanted to subject my 2007 van to. $150.

Cheaper than having my own for the once a decade need.

It sounds like maybe you fell in love with a FANCY truck, not just a truck to haul stuff. If not:

I like my old Ford Ranger with the regular cab. Gives me more bed for stuff. If I want to carry people, I use my car. ALL the newer trucks have extended cabs and lots of bling that I personally do not want - so I don't know how I'll ever replace it. It will hold 4X8 sheets easily, on top of the wheel wells. By putting an upside-down bucket (or spare tire) in the center of the bed, and one on the tailgate, it is supported to not bend/break.

For the price range says I would go with a Ford 150 van

I have to say I love my Sienna minivan. I can haul ten sheets of drywall in pouring rain with the trunk closed. It can fit a washer and dryer at the same time or a full-size refrigerator.

Then we put the seats back up and haul seven passengers, or take a middle seat out and have room enough for someone to lie down on long road trips.

Barb & RB,

I've been thinking about trailers as well. Some of them are expensive. I need an enclosed one for hauling certain stuff and could use a landscaping type trailer for lawn equipment. I just bought my SUV and wish I had gotten a small truck instead, but outfitting it with a hitch and using a trailer would a good compromise. Even renting one would work.

Another vote for the Tundra.

If you get one before 2007. Drives like a small truck but can still fit a full sheet of plywood in it for the 8 ft bed.

For a trailer, look for someone in a rural area who makes them. Mine was built from a truck axle that came from the junkyard. The rest is square box steel. It has a wooden floor that we need to replace every 10 years or so. Or, look for someone who distributes Doolittle Trailers. www.doolittletrailers.com

Truck owners are fiercely loyal so I'm not getting into that debate other than saying I loved my Ram.

Tips:

1. Be sure your tailgate has a lock. A few friends of mine have had their tailgates stolen. Also a backup camera makes finding the trailer hitch much easier.

The King Ranch is very nice, but it's closer to $75-85,000 for the F250, before taxes. But you are what you drive. Your ride is a calling card these days, how do uou wish to be seen? :D

I think the ultimate LL truck is an F250 4x4 supercrew with an 8 ft utility bed and ladder rack! Or an econoline 350 van. I would not buy a 2wd pickup if you do any snow or off road, there just isn't enough weight over the drive wheels. You need 4wd with front and rear lockers.

I've seen THREE cars right in front of me hit deer so far this summer. As we spend more time in the PNW on our new cars I want one of those giant steel brush bumpers that won't bend and smash your fenders when an elk decides to commit suicide.

I currently drive a F150 Lariat 4x4 with burled dash, cream leather, AIR CONDITIONED SEATS, elect mirrors and all the gizmos. Cause you really "need" a supercrew luxury truck to dump gravel in and trash it on dirt roads and driving through rivers... LOL

I "managed" for 35 years with my old 2wd 1980 F150. That truck was a beast. Roll up windows and three on the tree. I paid $1,800 in 1984, sold it last year for $1,500 and the buyer wrecked it 4 months later. It died saving her life though! :(

I would stick to full size trucks with 8 ft beds. When you need a truck, you need a TRUCK! Not some sporty toy. I deal with steep mountain passes (we live in a valley with 4,000 ft passes on each side). We are spending more time in the rockies where we have 10,000 ft plus passes, and if we want to pull a trailer I want enough power.

I don't think you can get much of a truck for $6-12,000 these days. Maybe a worn out 2wd. I think $25-30k is more realistic. In my area anyway. Though you can get a stripped F150 2x brand new for around that.

Searching is half the fun! Enjoy.

I'm on my 7th F-150 in my lifetime. I'm guessing over a million miles on them and very little repairs. I drive them to about 150K miles and then get a new one. I don't get the fancy bells and whistles, just basic electric windows and AC. Got a 4x4 this last time and really like it.

For me a full sized bed is a must, I want 4x8 sheet goods to lay flat in the bed. 8 foot bed is best so you can close the tailgate.

At least a half ton. I can't tell you how many times I have loaded it to the hilt with debris or heavy construction material.

LTD, that King Ranch was really impressive. I'd love to have one of those or the Lariat. If I had driven one of these before I got my Santa Fe last year, I would have gotten one; not a new one mind you, but I could go for $ 25-30K on a used one. The King Ranch had all of the bells and whistles except a sun roof. I really like that truck, but can't justify it now. I've got 6 new units I have to bring on stream and once that's done, I may take a look at getting one.

For now, I ran across this trailer which should be very effective for what I need to do:

www.walmart.com/ip/Detail-K2-MMT5X7-5-ft-x-7-ft-Multi-Purpose-Utility-Trailer-Black-powder-coated/748914635?

wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1148&adid=22222222227239414397&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=286018603189&wl4=pla-482975334382&wl5=9006961&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112562587&wl11=online&wl12=748914635&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=CKW-p-mM4OICFYSMyAod0pQFGQ

GKARL - yes that sucks. Well at least it wasn't a moose, those land in your front seat!

The right truck will come along. The key is don't put money you can't afford to spend into a depreciating asset.

LTD: Those deer can wind up in your front seat as well but I can't imagine tussling with a moose or an elk or even a large buck. For some reason, it seems that the does are the ones getting killed all of the time and it seems they're out in force now which is early. Usually, they aren't out until mating season which is in the fall. I'm always wary at dusk and am looking for them, but they just darted out on the highway suddenly. There was no time. Thank God that neither one of us got injured. I don't live in a rural area per se, but it's an area where their habitat has been invaded so there are far more accidents with them here than they are in the most established urban areas.

I rely on small Toyota trucks. Old small Toyota trucks.

However, the small truck works well because I own countless trailers. The light weight 4' by 6,7,8' models are what I pull most often now.

These trailers cost $300 or less to buy, $19.00 a year to tag.

I wish I had access to a larger truck, however I would not use it but a few times a year.

*I own some old Ford Dump trucks however they are no longer used. They were cool but the MPG just didn't work well. What large trucks can do can be hired easier than most tasks. Deliver gravel, haul trash etc. Add to this that Uhaul is out there and you will spend a fraction of what full time ownership would cost.