If you actually need to haul stuff a van is vastly superior in most scenarios. The only use case that a pickup truck really makes sense for is for towing, but even then something like a range rover seems like a better option?
The biggest use case for a pickup over a van is loose materials like sand, dirt, etc. Ya know, stuff that suburban pickups usually aren’t carrying because the owner doesn’t want to get it dirty
I have a 2015 Honda Pilot with a roof rack. Can seat 8 and tow 4400lbs (probably not both at the same time, lol). I can also throw full sheets of drywall or plywood on the top (within reason). I’ve hauled 1000lbs of stone in it. Has no problem with 10ft PVC pipe or lumber. Thing is a fucking swiss army knife of a vehicle.
Have you ever been in a high roof van in high wind? I like the idea of vans as I can load motorcycles and keep them hidden but almost coming off the road was terrifying.
Not really. You can haul things upright in a pickup, which you can’t do in an SUV or van. If you’re going to be hauling lots of sheet goods a van interior will get trashed immediately, and most will have to have the back doors open for full sized sheets. A truck bed will hold up quite well and you won’t have to deal with tying back doors closed.
That’s not my experience. I bought a rusty, old E350 cargo van for towing a boat, but it’s useful for carrying materials. It’ll fit 4’x8’ sheets, and 10’ boards diagonally. Most of the pickup trucks that I see around these days have 6.5’ beds, and the suburban dad models have vestigial, 5.5’ beds.
If you actually need to haul stuff a van is vastly superior in most scenarios. The only use case that a pickup truck really makes sense for is for towing, but even then something like a range rover seems like a better option?
The biggest use case for a pickup over a van is loose materials like sand, dirt, etc. Ya know, stuff that suburban pickups usually aren’t carrying because the owner doesn’t want to get it dirty
I have a 2015 Honda Pilot with a roof rack. Can seat 8 and tow 4400lbs (probably not both at the same time, lol). I can also throw full sheets of drywall or plywood on the top (within reason). I’ve hauled 1000lbs of stone in it. Has no problem with 10ft PVC pipe or lumber. Thing is a fucking swiss army knife of a vehicle.
Have you ever been in a high roof van in high wind? I like the idea of vans as I can load motorcycles and keep them hidden but almost coming off the road was terrifying.
Not really. You can haul things upright in a pickup, which you can’t do in an SUV or van. If you’re going to be hauling lots of sheet goods a van interior will get trashed immediately, and most will have to have the back doors open for full sized sheets. A truck bed will hold up quite well and you won’t have to deal with tying back doors closed.
That’s not my experience. I bought a rusty, old E350 cargo van for towing a boat, but it’s useful for carrying materials. It’ll fit 4’x8’ sheets, and 10’ boards diagonally. Most of the pickup trucks that I see around these days have 6.5’ beds, and the suburban dad models have vestigial, 5.5’ beds.