Cheap (beater) work truck for home renovation projects?

[sugarwood]

Friend of mine is starting a long project, and needs an all-purpose utility vehicle.
Project involves both indoor and outdoor landscaping stuff.

Basic beater that he can toss after 3 years.
I told him not to go too cheap, since any repair is $500 and lost time.

Any major large hauls, he will probably have guys do it.
But, he needs a truck for the smaller stuff
(Dishwasher, trees/landscaping, cement bags, junk removal, etc)

Any pros/cons of Mini-van vs. Pickup vs. SUV ?
It seems like used trucks are dirt cheap, as low as $1500.
Gas mileage not a huge issue, since it's all very local.

Are Chevy/Ford ok, or are they considered very unreliable?

[cabmandone]

Drawback to a SUV or minivan is loading and unloading things. I'd go with a S10 or Ranger if he's looking for something to haul small stuff. They are easy to load small things all the way to the front of the bet and just as easy to unload because you can just reach over the sides. I used my old 95 Subaru Legacy wagon for hauling things but it's not really convenient for loading and unloading IMO.

[Dantilla]

Used pick-up with an 8-foot box.

Plywood/sheetrock lay flat
Drop the tailgate, and long lumber and extension ladders lay flat.
Yard materials like dirt, gravel, bark can be dropped in with a Bobcat or backhoe at the landscaping supply.
One can stand in the box with a shovel to spread dirt, gravel, bark. No need for a wheelbarrow.
Easy to reach over the sides to put stuff in, take stuff out. No need to fit things through a door.
Pick-ups are chick magnets. Well,... Maybe compared to minivans

[sugarwood]

S10 and Ranger is a great starting point.
Any years to avoid or prefer?

[dad911]

Does he have anything with a hitch?

If so, get a cheap 4x8 trailer from harbor freight. Couple hundred bucks.

Home Depot also rents trailers & trucks, pretty cheap.

[onewhippedpuppy]

How often does he need a truck? The local big box stores rent them for something like $30 for 90 minutes. 4x8 trailer is a decent option as well. Otherwise a 1/2 ton domestic truck with an 8' bed is the ticket. Buy for $1500, use it, sell for $1500. Dirt simple and cheap to fix if anything breaks.

[JavaBrewer]

Used trucks command a premium where I live, at least the ones that won't need a bunch of maintenance. How about a used SUV in the 2-3K range with a tow package? Then you get full comfortable seating for 4+ folks, lockable storage area, and when landscaping/larger item transport is needed a inexpensive trailer rental from HD. FYI - My son has a 2000 Explorer Limited. It's loaded with everything and it all still works UHaul will not rent a trailer for this year/model Explorer but other folks, including independent UHaul outfits, do. I have pulled their 5x8 trailer with the Ford many times on a 230 mile trip with zero issues. You will get more for your money with a SUV.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

You will get more for your money with a SUV.

My thinking is the opposite-

An SUV, or a small truck like an S-10 or Ranger, will be adequate most of the time, but occasionally, a bit more space is needed. Renting a trailer is inconvenient.
A full-size truck always has plenty of space, available at all times.
No need to go pick up a trailer (only during business hours), or watch the clock making sure you return the trailer (after being cleaned) on time. No extra rental costs.

If one is going to get an extra vehicle, why not get the one that is adequate 100% of the time?

My guess is that with a small truck or SUV, there will be times of aggravation, trying to stuff it to overloaded. There will be no regrets if one has a full-size truck.

A full-size truck also has far greater towing capacity if the need arises.

[fastfredracing]

My advice: I see you are from New York. In your area, I would be weary that most $1500.00 trucks will be nearly rusted back into the earth. Tell him to be on the lookout for it . Get a heap for 1500, then the brake lines go, the fuel lines go , the spring shackles rot and break, the fuel tank hanger cross member rusts through, and down the rabbit hole you go .

[RANDY P]

there's a gajillion of C1500's out there that are nothing.

Of if you're sure you're

1)- not towing
2)- would like to have something somewhat practical to drive, extended cab Ford Ranger. They almost drive like a car. S10, not so much and will break shocks and balljoints, BTDT.

JMHO- (and c1500 owner- it don't tow all that well, it's OK but not stellar- a 1989 350 V8)

rjp

[RANDY P]

PS if you even think you're gonna wind up on a boat launch, get a 4wd.

You been warned.

rjp

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Any pros/cons of Mini-van vs. Pickup vs. SUV ?
It seems like used trucks are dirt cheap, as low as $1500.
Gas mileage not a huge issue, since it's all very local.

Are Chevy/Ford ok, or are they considered very unreliable?

There are really no unreliable US work trucks - remember that they're the most commonly sold vehicles in the US and often sold as fleet vehicles, so they're the bread and butter of the industry. They can't afford to make bad ones.

IMO, your friend should look for a small pickup: Chevy S10, Dodge Dakota, or Ford Ranger/Mazda B. Ex-fleet is fine if it's been maintained and he doesn't mind white, and the fewer amenities(including 4wd) the fewer possible problems. My 20-year old Dakota has over 200k miles and has only needed the cracked radiator replaced (two weeks ago, $100, a half hour to DIY). It's got cloth seats, manual trans, manual windows, no AC, AM/FM cassette, even no cup holders. I do sometimes wish I'd gotten the V6 when climbing hills here in KY, though.

If he doesn't need a full-size, skip it - they're more of a hassle in urban areas where the size is a deficit.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

S10 and Ranger is a great starting point.
Any years to avoid or prefer?

I bought an early 2000s model Mazda B3000. Pretty much a Ford Ranger. It's been pretty handy for my home remodeling projects. I picked it up for a few $K and it really has been a solid, if unspectacular truck.

[Arizona_928]

Start browsing the ole Craigslist.

[LWJ]

US Trucks are great. Suburbans are great as well. They can take 4x8 plywood as well as take you skiing / fishing / camping. Cheap as dirt.

Easy equation. Check out Craigslist. Get something without rot.

[wdfifteen]

I haven't had a truck with an 8 foot bed in years. It's not that much of an advantage, and they aren't easy to find. 6 1/2 foot is fine. But, yes, a pickup is the most versatile vehicle you can get.

[Alan A]

Lease a small pickup truck.
No need to toss, just turn it in.
You can lease a Tacoma for $289 a month.
Zero maintenance worries.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

My advice: I see you are from New York. In your area, I would be weary that most $1500.00 trucks will be nearly rusted back into the earth. Tell him to be on the lookout for it . Get a heap for 1500, then the brake lines go, the fuel lines go , the spring shackles rot and break, the fuel tank hanger cross member rusts through, and down the rabbit hole you go .

This. I've got a 99 ram I've had since it was almost new. The aggressive spray antiicing stuff they're using in Pa is creating a whole new employment sector for replacing brake lines. I had one let go going downhill towing horses. Happy day.

I've since had the bottom of the truck sandblasted and painted, and the lines all replaced. On a beater.

[scottmandue]

I have also kicked around the idea of a $1500 pickup for home projects.
I would add Toyota to your search, one reason I have not bought a trunk is because my brother has a Tacoma I can borrow. Used it as his work trunk for years, now he is retired and his kids live in Santa Cruz so he runs between L.A. and S.C. a couple times a month with it. It has had the 'check engine light' on for as long as I can remember.

[DanielDudley]

Cheap used trucks are all over the place in summer. Set budget, and pick the nicest one that is convenient.