SUV or CREW CAB TRUCK

[eyehunter78]

Well i'm in the market for a new (used) ride and can't decide between a FULL size SUV (example Tahoe) or a crew cab truck. I like both but would like some input from people that have these vehicles or went through the same process of finding a vehicle that worked for them and why. First use for truck/suv will be for family use and second for hauling boat, fish house, utility trailer and fishing/hunting trips. Any help would be great.....Thanks

[Macgyver55]

I went through the same scenario a few years back. I wanted a crew cab and the wife wanted another Tahoe.

She suggested looking at an Avalanche which I had never even considered, but after looking at them, test driving, reading and finally talking to a relative that has one that's what I ended up with. It totally fits my needs and has proven to be every bit as versatile as I hoped it would be.

It doesn't fit everyones bill, but definitely worth a look and for some can be the best of both worlds.

[Powerstroke]

Any SUV will have less cargo room than a truck. Even the smallest bed in a truck will have more room. Also the storage space in the truck means you can put whatever you need in it and you won't have to face the smells of whatever you're hauling.

I've had several trucks, then downsized to a Nissan Xterra. It did everything I wanted it to, but with less space. Whenever we took a family trip, even you're basic weekend trip, it meant packing it to the top. That was before I got a dog. With two kids and a dog, most SUV's quickly get maxed out. Now try to haul an Otter fishhouse. Had to fold the seats down and now I could only use the front seats. Smell of gas/fish etc in the cab. Deer stands, bowcase, dead deer....in the cab.

I'd be looking at a full-size SUV for sure and even then you run into the storage issue. It just depends on what you plan on putting in it.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Here's what I would do.

Test drive both but bring a bottle of 2 cycle oil and a one gallon gas gan. Remove the caps from both and place in the respect transportation areas. Which one fits your needs best?

[littlebear]

Nothing beats the versatility of a pickup. I have a crew cab and can throw all gear in back, not worrying about gas/oil on carpet, wet gear soaking/stinking up cabin, firewood staining carpet, garbage smell from the cabin garbage, ....you get the point. If you want to isolate gear from the gas/garbage/field dressed deer, I throw the good gear into large totes. I do have a topper.

When it gets a little dirty, just take it to the local car wash, foam brush and pressure washed, it's like new. If I don't want to throw it in the back, the back seat flips up, with plenty of room for a decent amount of gear.

You may compromise on the leg room in the rear seat a little, but I'm 6'3, and don't feel cramped.

I'm guessing gas mileage and towing capacities between the two are similar.

My .02

[eyehunter78]

Thanks guys for the input. I am leaning towards the crew cab but, the wife really wants a SUV. Now I have a few things to point out to her.

Thanks again!!!

[paceman]

I am a little different than the other posters. I use to have a pickup but now drive an SUV and love it. I like the fact that everything stays warm and dry. I love going to the grocery store and simply putting all the goodies in the back, easy to load and remove. I use a tote system so the smelly stuff is contained. If something is gassy I simply remove the carpet covering, clean it. open a window in and let it air out. I have an expedition so plenty of room in there and the third seat is really nice for hauling large groups. I also use a hitch haul on the back for fish houses, snow blowers, lots of stuff. For the bigger stuff like plywood, 4 wheelers.. I simply pull a utility trailor. For me it had worked very well......

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I could probably use an SUV for about 90% of what I do, but it's the 10% that makes it really nice to have a truck. Things like hauling dead deer, ice fishing with gas augers, throwing a 4 wheeler in the box, etc.

On my F150 I installed a BedRug, and a BakFlip tonneau cover, both make the truck a little more SUV like. The BedRug looks and feels like carpet, but is plastic and is unharmed by oil, gas, blood, battery acid, etc. I was skeptical at first, but it is great! The BakFlip cover seals everything up tight. I do get a tiny bit of water in around the tailgate, but I could easily install a tailgate seal to take care of that.

Maybe a truck with a nice topper would be a good compromise?

[gixxer01]

There are no advantages to an SUV vs a crew cab with a topper or cover. I would hate for you to buy the SUV and find out there are things she doesn't want in it. Happened to me! Ended up having to haul a trailer for everything. Now our most reliable vehicle is useless to me. Get the truck, it serves every purpose!

[BoxMN]

I wasn't going to chime in, but will I am in the camp of truck with topper over an SUV. I have both now, though the SUV is Trailblazer, so on the smaller side. It is essentially the same thing, but topper is more versatile. If you get a bigger SUV or at least one with third row seating, then that is better if the purpose is for people hauling, but then a minivan is better, and while wouldn't get a minivan, they are awesome for that purpose.

Get side opening window(s) on the topper and you will love it. My two cents anyway, because I am with the folks that have a wife who thinks the back of the SUV is just as pristine as the front seat, which makes it useless for anything but groceries - haha, you should have seen her when I stuffed a deer in the back, and I mean stuffed, and it was a small deer If you get SUV, buy plenty of tarps and a covered trailer. Good luck though, either will be nice to have!

[walleye 4 me]

I was in the same situation about 4 years ago. Another kid on the way and needed to upgrade from the extended cab chevy. Wanted a crew cab w/ a topper but they were too spendy. Got a great deal on an 02 suburban and I must say it has been a great rig. pulls the boat great, lots of room for wife, 2 kids, big golden retriever and all our stuff. My clam 5600, fishtrap yukon and all my fishing gear and 4 guys fit in there nicely. when I had my old jiffy I would just put a garbage bag around the motor to keep the gas smell out. Now I have a strikemaster and it is not a problem anymore. I have had many dead deer in the back. I have a nice plastic liner in the cargo area, but I always have a otter sled with me to put the dear in. Makes loading them easier too. With the back seats down I can haul 4x8 sheets of plywood. With the 3rd row in, I can fit 8 people. When the time comes, I'm not sure if I will get another sub or a truck. But idefenitly think the sub is a great family/hunting/fishing rig.

[SkunkedAgain]

+3 on being in the same boat.

Just added a kid and needed to step up from my Ranger, which was perfect for us. I considered swapping the Ranger for an SUV but just bought a used F150 SuperCrew the other day. What really sealed the deal was going to the cabin two weeks ago with our Honda Pilot (the family car). I couldn't haul in fresh gas for the snowmobile. I did not want to have two vehicles that I couldn't haul stinky stuff with so I got the SuperCrew. I'm really happy with the F150 so far, but haven't had any of the major repair bills yet!

[gixxer01]

If I had to do it all over again, I would buy the truck first, and promise the next vehicle to her. I couldn't afford a a crew cab and tahoe, but a jeep or similar sized suv for her would be just as good. We're at the point with our vehicles where none serve all purposes but both will need replacing. We're looking at a lot of expense now in order to get a truck. Should have done it in the first place.

[Macgyver55]

All of the previous posts have reassure me that I picked the right thing for me with the Avalanche.

I can fold down the rear seats, remove the partition and carry full 4x8 sheets in a secure dry, sealed area and I've slept comfortably in it. You can leave the partition in and haul snow blowers, lawn mowers, gas (do it all the time) or whatever without the smell or the worry of a mess or spills. Its easy to wash out or pull the rubber mat and scrub it. Its strong enough to stand on top of the bed cover or leave it off for bigger stuff. They actually make a topper for it if a guy wants one (I dont) and they have a tent setup too if you are interested in that kind of thing.

I've not owned a car since 1975 when I bought my first pickup, then after some of those went to a full size blazer then 3 Tahoes and now an Avalanche. I've not owned a vehicle that I liked better, but as I said they are not for everyone. Best of all....the wife loves it!

[ccarlson]

Trucks are nice to keep smells of wet dogs and gas out of cab area but the suburban sure is nice to haul a dog in the middle of winter etc. Like another poster said, everything is warm and dry...groceries etc. But, you can get a truck for about $10k less than a suburban from what I found.

Best option: crew cab for you (with a topper if needed) and a smaller suv for the wife. My wife drives a highlander and loves it. We take that on winter trips if the dog needs a warm place to ride.

I've got a toyota tacoma crew cab that I like most of the time but kept my old suburban just for towing over 5000#'s which made sense to get better mileage most days and then tow heavy loads with the suburban until the ecoboost came out in the f150. Now I just need to wait until they hit the used market in higher numbers and lower prices. I think that will be a long wait.

ccarlson

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I agree with Lip_Ripper. I could get by with an SUV about 80-90% of the time. However, I love having the pickup and cannot see being without.

I had a buddy with an S-10 pickup and he sold it and got a Tahoe. Bigger is better, right? Called me two months later and asked if he could use my pickup. He was planting a tree and couldn't get it into the Tahoe. Told me he wished he still had the little two wheel drive S-10. About a month after that, he decided to build a deck. Got another call asking if he could use the truck to haul lumber and supplies. About six months later, called me again and asked if I could meet him to bring a snowblower to his house, didn't fit in the Tahoe. He kept the Tahoe less than one year and traded it for a Silverado.

The only downside to a pickup is that co-workers, friends and family think that because you have a truck they can call you at anytime to help them take things to the dump, move, pick up the new bed at IKEA, haul sod, etc.

[ricqik]

If shes gonne be using it more than u, get a suv, if ur gonna be using it more than her, get the cc truck.

[Hookmaster]

I bought a new Silverado Crew Cab in 2004 and added a topper. It has been great for the family (wife and 2 kids). For hunting, I flip down the rear seats and put the dogs kennel in the back. I like the box for hauling anything. Don't have to worry if its wet, muddy, smelly, etc. Now my daughter's in college and my son will be soon so my next vehicle will be an extended cab full size pickup. The dog can still be in the cab when it's cold but I will have a 6' 5" box instead of a 5' 8" box. Still can't get a 4x8 sheet of anything in it without the tailgate down, as compared to the Suburban but I don't haul this stuff very much and can wait for a dry day to haul it with the tailgate down like I do now and save $10,000+ to boot.

[eyehunter78]

Thanks for the input guys. Interesting to hear how these trucks work for people that use them everyday. Thanks again......

[B-man715]

Not sure how a guy could live without a truck? Like the other guys said, get a cover or cap for the bed (or both).

I haul my wheeler quite a bit just in the bed. Same goes for the lawnmower. There's not enough room in any SUV for a 60" Exmark

I don't use my trailer unless it is really needed. Just two more tires and wheel bearings to worry about.

If you do decide to go with an SUV, make sure you get a cute soccer ball sticker for the back window

[chasineyes]

I'll play the suburban dad and through this card out there...why not an AWD Minivan? Obvisouly If your towing a 4 place sledbed or a 20' glastron that won't work. The ONLY reason I mention this is that if I was your friend and you start biotching about the cost of fuel, I would have to smack you in the head. I had a F150 and traded for an Expedition and looking to sell that to get a minivan. I really SUCKS getting 16 MPG.

[Jarrod32]

I had the same decision to make a few years back. It came down to a simple question, as a lot of people have already mentioned:

What can you haul in the back of an SUV that you can't haul in the truck box under a topper/tonneau cover? My answer: Not much.

But...what can you haul in the truck box that you wouldn't want to have in the back of the SUV? There were quite a few things on that list, many of which have been mentioned. Dead deer, gas augers, snowblower, lawn mower, ATV...

So I went with the crew cab truck.