Don’t Buy a Truck, Get This Instead!

[@dennisbrown2571]

I also say, that if you are not doing heavy loads, get a 4x8 foot utility trailer. Almost any vehicle can tow these.

[@RKmndo]

Yup. I have one and have towed it behind several econocars, including my current 2016 Crosstrek. Harbor Freight now offers a 4x8 folder that handles almost 2000lb. A Crosstrek Wilderness tows up to 3500lb, and still has roof-rails and a hatchback. They can easily top 30MPG hwy too.

[@boathemian7694]

My trailer hauls more than many pickups lol

[@gavinmitchell5853]

I was thinking this exact thing! Also, I’m not afraid to damage or do junk hauls with my trailer.

[@OldCrank-c2v]

I see a lot of pickups towing utility trailers loaded with dirt, mulch, lumber, etc... Guess some guys don't want to get their truck beds dirty.

[@RKmndo]

​@@OldCrank-c2v A lot of utility trailers have more payload capacity than most pickups do. Also, if one exceeds capacity on a trailer, it's not necessarily damaging the vehicle that is needed for getting around.

[@markstone2138]

I have a flat carpeted 8 foot long floor in my Odyssey minivan. I can haul lots of stuff, or I can pull out the 3 section floor, put in the seats and haul 8 people. I have front wheel drive that's good in the snow and I get 29 mpg on the highway. It beats a pickup in almost all respects. I also have a 500 dollar trailer I can pull that greatly increases my hauling capability.

[@matthk]

I have a 2003 Honda CR-V (selective AWD) with LOADS of room and it can tow a trailer just fine. My ‘98 Forester wagon was even more roomy (though it’s the same length ). Wagons or SUVs - even smaller ones, are usually FAR better than pickups. Also, my CR-V has decent (stock) clearance and loves mountain tracks.

[@LP-jn4tw]

You're absolutely right about the minivan being a smart alternative. To a number of vehicles, too.

[@steveforsing13]

So Deadpool was right. The Honda Odyssey fucks hard.

[@jamesstephenson4544]

So yeah I have a 2013 Sienna we bought new and use like a truck, but there are a lot of instances I wish I had that bed.

[@koreymayo8884]

​@nicholasricci9760 that was only the old Honda Odyssey like 20 years ago!

[@michaelderuyter4743]

I had a Chrysler that I used on job sites for a few years. Worked great and kept all my gear dry. All the luxury features made it an amazing ride as well.

[@mtl98-n9g]

Really difficult to tow my boat and camper with a minivan though.

[@SVSky]

I have a Sienna, and I don't have kids, it's been a fantastic adventure vehicle. Wife and I have done Cali-Texas-Oshkosh-Cali trips in it. Because we bought it used we don't care much about dents or paint damage as long as it runs. It gets 25MPG consistently at highway speeds. When it dies... we'll buy another used Sienna.

[@salembeeman370]

I have a Nissan Rouge with a 4x6 trailer. You would be amazed by what I haul in this. This is all most people need.

[@wisenber]

CVTs fail much sooner when exposed to towing. Most people don't need a CVT replacement bill that's half the value of the vehicle when it happens.

[@koogle612]

Ive been a builder for 25 yrs. I owned a van for a little while. It was wonderful. Powerful & crazy convenient for full sheets of drywall plywood insulation any & all tools needing transport. I now have an 03 tundra w an 8 ft bed , camper shell & lumber rack. Its definitely heavier & lower on mileage. If I had it to do over Id go wk van.

[@clintpullin9386]

In 2020,.I owned a 1994 F350 idi diesel long bed truck. It was tired and rusty. I sold it. My wife asked me if I wanted to buy a newer truck as we got ready for retirement. After owning pickup trucks for 40+ years, I chose to keep a paid for 2013 Ford Edge and added a 5x10 utility trailer. Short bed super bling was not my style. I haven't regretted my decision. IMHO current pickup trucks at more than $500/month are an extremely poor use of MY money!

[@m.zehner7145]

Fun fact: the payload capacity of minivans is often similar or greater than that of half-ton pickups. Granted, the pickups can tow MUCH more, but between the wheels, a minivan can often handle more weight (and do it with better fuel economy).

[@billmM3605]

Fun fact: My half ton pickup has a 1878 lb payload, a mini van would be riding on the rear bumper.

[@m.zehner7145]

@@billmM3605 Good for you. 👏

[@billmM3605]

Well, at least my claim isn't false.

[@m.zehner7145]

@@billmM3605 What claim is false? The payload of most minivans is 1400-1500 pounds. A base model F-150 or Ram 1500 is about the same. Your truck’s payload is greater.

[@RKmndo]

Many minivans also have coilspring rear suspension, and are available with AWD that can help on a slick boat-ramp. Coilspring suspension, BTW, is generally EASY to supplement with affordable in-coil airbags, for 0 squat/sag at max payload/tongue capacity. Just inflate/deflate according to load. Many minivans and CUVs are also available with looooooong roof-rails. Just be careful of not exceeding GAWR, GVWR, hitch rating, roof-rail rating, and tire load rating.

[@winstonalan5731]

I never owned a minivan until 2003. Within 2 weeks I realized I should have bought one many years before that. Pick the right one for you, and they're great.

[@Doc1855]

We use our 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road, double cab, 6’ bed for work around our property. Yes I have a Tri-Fold (hard) tonneau cover and a lockable tailgate. My wife and I enjoy going on Forest and service roads during the summer. During the winter we use it to plow the 5-7 feet of snow off our private road. When we have to go to our 17K acre ranch in Montana we use our (my) Tacoma. So yeah, we need a 4WD pickup. My wife drives her Outback for commuting to and from work and when we need to go to Seattle, we take the Outback as our road car.

[@matafiyd]

You are not the norm sir

[@Doc1855]

@@matafiyd Apparently you don’t live in the PNW

[@katherinelangford981]

For most of what I do an older SUV was right for me. I cant fit the sheets of.lumber or drywall, but i can fit planks of lumber, i fit a new dishwasher, a 6 foot long, 2 foot wide printer, a gas moped, ladders inside, and longer on the roof, kayakas, biles on the back hitch. Its been great. Lots of room for a passensger or two and my dog. For the rare occasion i need a teuck specifically I can rent for a day or from Home Depot when taking home supplies.

[@jeffcurry1280]

Yep! I use my '02 Honda Odyssey as my daily driver, my "pickup truck" when I need to haul anything large, and my cross-country camper when I am on solo trips for work. Saves me money on gas, insurance, and hotel room costs while giving me all the high-end luxury features offered in '02. When my Odyssey dies, I will buy another used one and keep on "trucking!"

[@johnstapler5956]

You're right about the minivan. You can do almost anything with them. We had a couple 90s era minivans and they were perfect for hauling goods and cargo.

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

I will give minivans this: they are great when used as passenger vehicles in the snow. That's mainly because they're front wheel drive. And you can remove the seats and use them to haul cargo. But there's one thing you're not telling these folks: The weight you can carry in the back of a minivan is very limited. It's not set up with the suspension required to make it a hauler for any kind of weight. Yes, the space is there. But the suspension is not. One time, before I got my truck, I used my Dodge caravan to go pick up flooring that I was installing in my house. I got it all in there. But the back bumper was almost scraping on the ground all the way home. Be careful when choosing to use a minivan to haul things other than people. They were designed as people haulers. Whenever you try to use something outside of what it was designed for, you really better know what you're doing. An SUV is a far better choice if you want something you can convert back and forth between seating and cargo hauling. Although, even with the seats down, SUVs tend to provide far less space for cargo than either many vans or pickup trucks. Just understand that the engineers who work for all these car companies are generally not idiots. They design things for certain purposes, and they're meant to be used for those purposes. Yes, you can be slick and find ways to use these designs differently than they were intended. But if you're not mechanically inclined, it's very easy for you to accidentally cross lines that should not be crossed when you're making these plans.

[@DearSX]

Minivans are designed to carry 8 people and their stuff. I would say they can carry 1500lbs well.

[@RKmndo]

Supplemental in-coil airbags are affordable and easy to install on many minivans/CUVs to avoid sag/squat at max load-rating. Hitches and roof-racks are also affordable and easy to use. Just observe GVWR, GAWR, tire load-rating, roof-rail load-rating, and hitch rating.

[@hamachi21]

This comment is 100% correct. Be aware. I towed a relatively small 22 foot boat with my Honda Odyssey. Short distances too. I had to beef up the suspension. Just know that going in.

[@RKmndo]

​@@hamachi21 My buddy towed his 3000lb console boat locally with his minivan, which was rated for towing 3500lb. He was bouncing his hitch off of speedbumps. Then he installed supplemental in-coil airbags, and the minivan towed his boat locally like a champ after that.

[@hamachi21]

@@RKmndo Sounds familiar. My boat was just over 3000lb. I didn't get those air bags until, uh, a lot later. Some might say a little too much later. But they do the trick and work great.

[@dave3657]

I bought a minivan years ago when I had three large dogs and needed a vehicle to carry them in. But I found the minivan to be very versatile for daily use. No dogs now, but still use the van. I also do have an old pickup for hauling lumber and large items. Between the two 90% of the miles I drive is in the minivan. Both have a V6 which are holding up great.

[@natekunz1328]

I'm onboard with the mini-van idea! Completely agree! I'm definitely a misfit in Montana, though...I don't see too many other "dads" out there hauling the family along with a utility trailer and ATVs behind!

[@aaammm1033]

A 5x10 trailer is more useful then a truck bed.

[@frednurk6979]

than ... and yes, agree

[@betterwithrum]

Yes but you still have to safely tow it. A beefy full size SUV will do. A minivan eh, if the payload is light.

[@fishingismydrug1]

Agree on the minivan being a better buy! Years ago I had a Chevy Astro. It was the most USEFUL vehicle I've owned! Two captains chairs up front, two removable bench seats, that upon removing, yielded more than enough room to lay 4'x8' sheet goods on...AND they where then waterproof! Have both bench seats in, haul 8 people. Have only one bench seat in, haul 5 people, and have approximately 4'x4' "cargo" area. It was built on a frame, thus it didn't get the best mileage although, it could also tow 5000#'s, easily.

[@crosslink1493]

I used to sell Chevys. Those were great vehicles underneath (drivetrain/suspension), the only problem was the interiors were built so cheaply it turned customers off - doorhandles falling off, cheap upholstery that degraded in a few years, knobs falling off the dash, windows that wouldn't work (crank or electric), and other minor things that pissed off customers. Leave it to GM designers to make a great vehicle and screw it up with one or two simple flaws to save a buck.

[@jjcastleberry3662]

I agree, and you made a valid point here. However, We have too many Saturday Night Rhinestone Cowboy wannabees thinking, "I need a 100K+ 4x4"! So he can impress his pretty-boy fellas at the local Honky Tonk Bar. Both my Grand Daddy and Dad had F-100 single cab trucks. Grand Dad's was a 1965 F-100, SCAB, LWB, 3-speed column shift, I-6 223 CID. Daddy had a 1973 F-100, SCAB, LWB, 3-speed column shift, I-6 240. Neither truck had A/C equipped. Those years, it was floor vents, side window vents, and if it was sweltering, roll your windows down. My Dad taught me how to drive his pickup 1974 on Big Falls Ranch. My Brother and I would load 55-gallon drums of AVgas, then drive around next to each of Dad's crop dusters, filling up the gas tanks. Each Pawnee crop duster held up to 86 gallons of fuel. Ricky and I took turns on the manual hand pump in Central America's hot, humid climate. That was some miserable summer vacation when school was out. Looking back at it now, I realize that it built a character, which is why I spent 30 years in the Marine Corps. If I had to pick a truck, it would be an F-100 I-6 with a 3-sp column or 4-sp stick shift (Granny low).

[@davenewman2751]

As someone that has owned both vans and pickups i have to say lots of stuff can be hauled in either but some stuff only fits in a pickup. You'll be surprised how many furniture, appliaces, and larger electronics will not fit in a van. Also some items that you can squeeze in will damage the interior. My solution was to buy an old pickup to use when i need it for hauling and a reliable sedan for hauling people and the grocery runs etc. Most insurance companies will give you great rates on seldom used low mileage use pickups.

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

Unless you need a Truck for your occupation it is much more practical to get another vehicle and a utility trailer.

[@paulet3682]

We are on our second minivan and love it. I originally liked it because I didn't have to worry about my son throwing open the rear door and dinging a car parked next to us. But I totally love the sliding doors in the back seat. So much more convenient when parked in a parking lot. We haul lots of stuff in the van. But we also have a 4' x 6' wooden trailer with 36" tall sides and tailgate. We have hauled large wood chunks and landscaping blocks in the trailer. It is amazing how much furniture can be hauled in our Grand Caravan. I also love the height we sit at. With so many taller vehicles on the road, I can see decently most of the time. The only reason I would like a pickup would be if I went trash-picking. But I have the trailer for that. I just need to learn how to back it up someday. I have been known to disconnect the trailer if it is empty and reconnect it after turning the van around.

[@juliovazquez7139]

The mini van idea is a good one a friend of mine owned one and did all kinds of things with it so I myself will not roll my eyes or frown on this idea because I seen it first hand that it's practical ,good suggestions .😊😅.

[@johnconnolly5117]

I rocked A Mini van for years as a workish vehicle…my Toyota fit full sheets of plywood/sheetrock, lawnmowers & I even moved a ton …almost… of cement - took 2-3 trips but it did it- cut out some thin plywood to cover seat brackets to make sliding thing in & out- if they don’t fold down and go…

[@Wheelman151]

Had a 2004 Chrysler T&C. VERY versatile, with 20+ mpg. When the powered lift gate went out, it was over $4K 10 years ago. That's more than I've spent in 8 years on my 1995 F250 4x4 with 7.3liter Powerstroke. And the minivan wouldn't safely tow a yard of gravel in my 5x8 ft utility trailer, much less our 28 ft travel trailer. Folks, please be cautious of over generalizing for other peoples' needs or wants. But yes, many "off road" wonder vehicles never venture off the pavement.

[@Daryl-S]

Great video. Back in the late 80's my buddy inherited his moms caravan and he had his own painting business. Used to beat the crap out of it just hauling supplies and the best was traveling into downtown Chicago you didn't need special plate to travel on Lake Shore Drive. He was making great money just painting high rise condos! I always thought that was a great hack. Plus it was ugly so no need to worry to much about detailed cleaning lol My wife drove 2 Siennas last 14 years so we upgraded her to nice SUV and I'm now driving last one. 242,000 miles best vehicles on earth for mid to large young families.

[@rogerbarnaba1113]

I'm a carpenter, I ditched my truck and bought a minivan. 2019 f150 and 2022 tundra.I was sick ofwater all over my tools and the fact my tools and glue freeze before i get to the job site in the winter. I never haul material and the van makes way more sense.

[@mr.makeit4037]

I made my, believe it or not, a toyota matrix into a mini truck. I installed a roof rack to haul plywood and metal tubing. And i installed a diy storage platform inside the back to hold tools and other things. Solar panel on the roof rack to charge my tool batteries. All work great.

[@jakeaurod]

Did you relocate the antenna? I have a Pontiac Vibe, the Toyota Matrix's GM sibling, and have been thinking about increasing its utility by adding crossbars to the roof rack (which didn't come with any). I wonder if adding strap-on rack over the front doors and roof area would help. I've thought about adding a receiver/hitch for a trailer too, but the attachment area is rusty as hell and I have no where to store a trailer anyway (apartment).

[@mr.makeit4037]

@jakeaurod i just unscrewed and removed it when I transport wood, metal, etc

[@Tom-ej8bb]

Owned them All! When raising kids at one point we had 2 minivans. Then we started camping with a trailer. 20 years with a Pickup and a minivan or after kids an Accord and PU. Now retired and have Rav4 which is amazing with seats down and have said if the 05 accord ever causes any trouble I would go with a Mini or a Pilot!! Good Points !!!!

[@TheWoodHaven]

My 2016 RAM 1500 6 cyl pickup gets 23 MPG on the freeway, 21 combined. Very happy with it.

[@geedoubleu641]

Minivan!?!? My new Sienna is being delivered tomorrow. 😊 I can carry 3/4 ton inside, and also 4x8 plywood after I remove the 2nd row seats. If I leave the seats in, I can comfortably carry 8 people. I can also pull 3500 pounds. 245 net hp equivalent gets me reasonable performance and 36 mpg city and hwy.

[@wholeNwon]

I have a buddy who has done the same thing for decades. His running costs have been very low and functionality high.

[@mechalchuk]

Most empty trailers that F150 will be towing exceed 3500 lbs. That' might sound like a lot of weight but it's actually ~1100 lbs or a 1/2 tonne LESS than what the vehicle itself weighs. 3500 is an extremely low tow rating, not really worth mentioning. Did you spec it with the tow package, or are you going from the brochure that it can tow "UP TO" 3500 lbs? By contrast, my pickup will pull 26,200 lbs from a bumper hitch or 32,600 from a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch. It'll also carry that 3500 lbs in the box, with a 200lb man in each seat and still have payload left. Different needs for different people. A minivan is a super handy vehicles no doubt, but it isn't a replacement for a pickup in a lot of cases. Are the folded seat backs carpet? Might want to find some sort of mat to put in there if so, otherwise that bottom sheet will tear it up and leave splinters everywhere. That said, there isn't a pickup on the market than can haul 8 people or get anywhere near 36 mpg even downhill on a highway with a tail wind.

[@geedoubleu641]

@mechalchuk I wasn't implying that my minivan could replace my buddy's F350 Superduty diesel. I'm addressing people who drive SUVs that could easily get by with a minivan. The Sienna has such a low tow rating because it's a hybrid. The other minivans can tow much more but pay for it with about 14 mpg less. EDIT: Apparently, the other minivans have similar towing capacities. Makes me even happier about my decision to get the Sienna.

[@mechalchuk]

I don't see anywhere that you mentioned a comparison to an SUV. The video is discussing how a minivan might be better option than a pickup. It looks like the Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Caravan have the highest tow rating at 3600 lbs, the rest are essentially 3500 lbs. The hybrid model of the Pacifica isn't recommended to tow anything though. 3500 lbs is decent for a hybrid.

[@geedoubleu641]

@mechalchuk The video is about how a minivan might be a better option FOR MANY people. Such as those who really don't need a lot of towing capacity or a bed.

[@mikerobinson3672]

My Ford Transit Connect is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I haul everything from my work Tools to livestock in it. I have a 1994 GMC 3500HD and rarely drive it.

[@matthk]

In Australia and many other places, pickups (we call them utes/utilities) are ALL classed as commercial vehicles, so they have higher registration costs and much higher insurance.

[@NP-ek7dl]

He is 1000% right. Carries lots of tools and stuff covered and easy on gas - its not for all jobs but works. Pick the right tool for the right job - trucks amd vans have their uses. All welcome if your hard working

[@hwnwhaler1]

All welcome if your hard-working! I love this answer.

[@Kingswood7189]

Not gonna lie, minivans are underappreciated, just because one's big ego says, "I wouldn't be caught dead", lol. Fwd or not, vans usually come with pretty impressive powertrain options to get you where you need to go briskly. Years back, I had my '10 dakota (extended cab) and i sold her so my family could move to our home of 3 years so far. Rarely (honestly) did I do work/truck related things with her, and she was definitely not family friendly. Ironically enough, our '04 durango (and a 5' x 8' trailer) became our pickup truck, and we also have an '06 quest that makes a nice bit of power from that 3.5l v6, both can easily fit 10 foot 2 x 4s, 6s, and various other lumber down the middle.

[@sugrue8526]

I have a Ram 1500, F650, F750, E150, Mkt, AWD Town & Country. I enjoy and make money with them all. The AWD Town & Country is awesome. 5 pairs of snow skis and equipment fit under the rear seat. I wish they would make them like that again. Also, Ford 300 six is the best motor ever.

[@n.e.c.6389]

All those old inline 6cyl engines would last forever. The Ford 300, the Chevy 250 & 292 or the old Dodge Slant 6 225 cid were just beasts for taking anything we could throw at them & continuing to run right on.

[@HMKfilms360]

This is a really good video. Full of information and concise and doesn't extend longer than it need to be.

[@MikeStallings2023]

Ground clearance is always useful and is even a safety issue. For example where I live the roads are often flooded in storms. Hybrids are so efficient that we can afford extra ground clearance.

[@rrhunter4281]

Have had both. Have the truck now as work off road part of year. But agree the Minivan is awesome for hauling people and stuff. My biggest gripe about the Minivan is the road noise. Those suckers are loud and pretty annoying much of the time. If this was fixed i would go back to the minivan once quit working off road.

[@todwarner9207]

I have a 2010 Honda Odyssey with almost 300K miles and a Chevy pickup. The van easily holds 4X8 sheets goods , 10’ lumber, washer and dryer and does it in a secure, dry, clean environment. NO ONE wants to steal it or thinks it’s holding valuable tools. Police never give it a second look. I even used it to transport a Rock cover band when their transport didn’t show up. The only thing I use the C10 for is hauling my riding mower and I’m starting to hire yard maintenance out.

[@johnniehall3692]

I concur. The Honda Odyssey I owned was the most versatile and comfortable vehicle I ever had.. Much better than the F150 I owned earlier 😉👍

[@passthetunaporfavor]

I miss my Previa. That thing was a beast. We had four kids and camped and took roadies all over the country.

[@michaelgillett5744]

We have a truck and a minivan. Live on a farm and drive the van most.

[@stog9821]

Good suggestion unless you want to throw stinky, extremely dirty, or dead stuff in the back. You could do bales of hay, but it’s again not optimal. But still, you’re right for a lot of circumstances.

[@Alluvial.]

My neighbor with goats told me she could fit 18 bales of hay in her Sienna minivan (2 tie or 3, I don’t know). They had 4 (human) kids so the interior condition was no longer a concern, lol.

[@TexasScout]

My wife and I just took a trip to Colorado New Mexico and back to South Texas and my 2014 GMC Sierra with the 5.3 L multi displacement engine. Believe it or not, we average over 22 miles to the gallon for the entire trip.

[@comandermcgarrett7795]

When I bought me 2015 last year I was getting 24 mpg Now I get like 15 cause I have a check engine light 😂

[@oliverlloyd8762]

I agree with you 100%. I have had a dozen pickup trucks and always found a good reason to get rid of them. Minivans are King. They are the most versatile vehicle on the market. I don't know why anyone would buy an SUV or pickup truck over a minivan unless they use it for heavy duty work. Chrysler Pacifica is a great van. Seats fold right into the floor. I can tow 3,600 lb and sleep in it anywhere on the road with ease with the comfort of AC or heat. The 300 horsepower V6 will allow you to fly down the highway with great gas mileage.

[@pauld3402]

Uh, cause we live where the snow flies and mini-vans suck in snow?

[@betterwithrum]

Towing. I would happily replace my suv if anyone will make a beefy minivan with a 8,000-10,000 tow rating and 1000lb tongue weight. Until then, SUVs and trucks for us.

[@Steve-kl3mo]

Yep, had an F150 that I basically wore out and that developed a rusted frame. After looking at replacement options and cost of trucks, I decided to use my older SUV and purchase a trailer. I can now haul more and do more with this combination. When not needed, I just drop the trailer and have decent gas mileage in a family friendly vehicle.

[@csanders5870]

I knew from the start the alternative would be the minivan! 😂 It was the reason I chose one years ago and it really is the best choices for most people. I have moved everything from dressers to TVs to grills and mattresses and at times with my family sitting comfortably in their seats. My Kia Carnival has been incredible!

[@steffybredeemed5417]

Mini van is a great idea, and I would consider one in a heartbeat if we didn’t live on a mountain with a very steep dirt driveway that is almost impossible to get up even with 4wheel drive, someday we will have a better driveway, but until then we need our 4x4’s . I do own a Subaru Crosstrek which gets great mileage and can haul animal feed and such, we use my hubby’s Silverado for the real hauling.

[@justinstone3451]

Love the minivan suggestion! I carried 8 foot sheets of drywall in our old Dodge Grand Caravan.

[@Doc1855]

I change the front and rear differential, transfer case and transmission fluid every 30K miles. We usually drive our vehicles 250K - 300K miles, so I take care of our vehicles to get the most mileage possible out of them. We don’t mind keeping our vehicles for 15-20 years. As long as they stay reliable, we keep driving them. Vehicles are a money dump, so maintaining them are a must. When they wear out, buy another one. We’d much prefer to invest our money in gold and real estate than in a vehicle that drains our money. Invest in things that make you money.

[@Random_DIY]

I own 2 minivans and 1 pickup. These vehicles really get the work done. One thing on the safety. Most minivans aren't very safe if you get rear ended. The back row seats heads are near the rear glass and a large vehicles bumper will hit the head of the rear passenger. My pickup is a '23 F-150 with the V8. It gets good mileage. I get around 23-24 highway and 18 city. You do have to go light on the peddle but you can do it. I have the 8' bed which is, in my option, necessary to carry enough. I get slightly better city driving MPG with the minivans but really isn't much difference. I do tow 13k at times and of course the minivan can't touch that. Doing all my own maintenance on the vehicles and I can tell you I'd rather be in my pickup for any accident. It is vastly superior in build toughness.

[@Badenhawk]

I own that same truck but in a V8, and I also own a Honda Odyssey. Before I had my truck, I totally agreed that I could fit 4x8 sheets of a lot of things in my minivan. I love my minivan, and if I could put sliding doors on my F-150 I totally would

[@mattwaters6987]

Thanks for this video. I actually own a truck and minivan. The best of both worlds! 😊

[@ozone385]

Living here in South Dakota where we get a lot of snow I like my PU. We have a Ford Edge with AWD it works ok in the snow. My F-150 4X4 is better. I also like the better visibility out of the truck. We had a couple of mini vans, yes they are people haulers and light weight bulk haulers meaning grocery.

[@CarlosTorres-j4k]

I do love my minivan, I do have a multi family property and all the materials what I do need for repairs they fit in my minivan perfectly.

[@josesaldana5010]

You are correct. I own a tacti-cool minivan. The kids like to ride in the truck but don't mind the minivan, if you rename it. I love the mpg I get in it compared to the f350 diesel 4x4, that I also own; but each has its own usage. One is a cattle hauler the other is my everyday people hauler.

[@le8148]

You are right. Why I got a Subaru Crosstrek. My hubby thinks my next vehicle should be a truck, but I’m likely going to stick with Subaru and increase storage by getting a. Outback. Should be able to bring home Ikea furniture in that. Trucks are nice, but I worry about upfront, maintenance, and long term costs.

[@TimRHillard]

Grew up in Texas, always had a pickup. Now living in SoCal, I can’t afford the gas mileage. Plus, with all the yuppies buying trucks have driven the price too high.

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

Guys with four door pickups, six foot bed, with a load of sheet rock or 8’ lumber loaded on an angle with tailgate up. Funny stuff.

[@MatthewC137]

Guys with minivans involved in accidents with 4 door pickups. Funnier stuff.

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

@@MatthewC137 I have driven trucks of every type, except emergency vehicles, for work my whole working life. Literally. So yeah, funny Mini vans are family cars so no, not funny.

[@MatthewC137]

@@kgilliagorilla2761 I don't know what your experience has to do with anything but I know a "family" (aka people) would fare much better in a 3/4 or 1 ton crew cab than a ridiculous minivan. Btw, your use of "literally" tells me my kids are probably older than you.

[@m.zehner7145]

I think you are missing the point he is making. If anyone regularly hauls more than a ton of material or toys, then a pickup probably makes sense. (I would contend that many truck owners do not) His point, however, is that if you do not regularly tow heavy things, then there are reasonable alternatives worth consideration. I may ‘want’ a sports car. Maybe I can even make work for my life’s situations most of the time. However, the fact of the matter is that I can buy a vehicle that better meets my daily ‘needs’.

[@dom11949]

dodge minivan here. 10' boards will fit without opening windows. 12' boards need a window open. 4x8 sheet plywood. lower the seat backs and stack to the ceiling. short trips only with that much lumber. 4 to 6 sheets-no problem

[@tkendr01]

I own a 2022 RAM 2500 4x4 Hemi in Laramie trim. I use it as a daily driver and for road trips. Towing/hauling is minimal and the MPG is typical for an 8,000 pound vehicle. I owned other 1/2 ton trucks before this one. No surprises.

[@hwnfrd]

Aside from the fact that I do go off roading when going fishing in some areas that definitely require 4wd, I cringe at the thought of hauling rubbish to the dump and one of the bags rip and garbage spills out inside of an enclosed vehicle. If this happens with my puckup, no problem, just clean it back up and rinse it out.

[@moradalamzad9381]

I agree .i have a minivan, and i am pretty happy with it.

[@DEEZEEMTB]

For most applications you are absolutely correct. For me personally….NEVER😂

[@greggc8088]

🤣🤣Hilarious idea. Thanks for the laugh. Those rare times my wife parks her minivan behind me and I lazily take it a block over to the grocery store is so embarrassing I always regret just moving it and taking my own vehicle.

[@CarlosRodriguez-hb3vq]

I’ve hauled 4x8 plywood and two couches in my Honda Odyssey

[@jimurban5367]

Best thing about a minivan: the sliding doors prevent the possibility of your kids dinging doors next to you!

[@hwnwhaler1]

This is 110% correct. Back into 60s and 70s and even into the 80s guys would hold their dirt bikes 90% of the time with vans. You could lock up your tools, lock up your bikes, leave it overnight it will be out of the rain, and when you were not hauling the bikes, you could load trash and construction projects in the back as you would with a pick up. Minivans are just the modern on that. They are the most utilitarian useful vehicles available, for 99% of people and almost all suburban people.

[@Melody666Nikki]

Minivan is a terrible idea. Love my 4wd 157 wheelbase f150. I don’t drive it often. My 4wd 4runner gets the bulk of the mileage. I also have a 5 speed Jetta and I don’t drive it daily. They all have their purposes.

[@kimadams2995]

thankyou. Sold. I'll make the next one a minivan.

[@robertlynde9964]

My kids are grown and out of the house and I am never going to get rid of the minivan. With the seats folded down I can do anything and everything that my truck owning friends can do. And... every time I fill up the tank I double the value of my die hard minivan.

[@richvail7551]

Oh boy. You’re gonna get a lot of hate from this one. 😂😂😂 We have a truck and a van. We use both as intended and we love both our vehicles but most people I know wouldn’t get a van just cause of how vans are viewed by others. I try and live a practical lifestyle. I don’t suggest living this lifestyle if you want lots of friends and the mate of your dreams. Most of us love to live in dreamland and practical living is to vanilla for most. Practical living has one huge advantage, it builds strong character.

[@rdsrf]

Can’t haul my dirt bike with a mini van. A truck is also nice to haul things that have fumes or might contaminate the interior of your van. I guess l just like trucks in general.

[@BudgetMechanicHawaii]

Good point!

[@RKmndo]

Sure you can. Get a hitch-rack or a trailer.

[@Chesapeakepuppy]

I agree on all points. It’s not sexy but my minivan is super versatile.

[@alienadishner50]

Great info and vid. Thankyou. TRUCK wins every time in my world 💚

[@steve-ob8nq]

And if you need to haul even more stuff, get a trailer for your minivan.

[@MB-nv1bj]

Minivan + utility trailer can handle most of the avg/common truck duties and works better for a fam w kids

[@markcollins457]

Good subject and you should talk about how practical small station wagons where.

[@christophervanmeier1648]

I have a Dodge 2WD with the Big Cummins diesel. Costs me about $120.-$150. to fill, and the milage sucks. But it hauls everything. A minivan doesn't do so well twice a month hauling 20 bales of hay for our animals

[@randallthomas5207]

I bought a new seven passenger Dodge minivan in 2001. Two weeks after I bought it my brother and I needed to do a flooring project at our Mom’s house. A water line had broken, and the flooring and subfloor had to be removed and replaced. So, I picked him up early Saturday morning, and we went to breakfast, then to my house to leave the van seats in the garage. Before going to HomeDesperate to buy plywood subflooring and some 12-ft 2X4s. We get checked out and we’re pushing the cart with 12 sheets of plywood, and the 2X4s across the parking lot, when asked if we were going to rent a truck. I laughed, and asked him why he thought we dropped off the seats. He was shocked, when we got all the supplies loaded in and on the van. And, asked if I was sure the van would handle the load, and I informed him that the van had a load rating only 200-lbs less than a 3/4-ton Dodge pickup. It was designed for seven adults, and luggage. Drove that van until just a few years ago, when I bought a loader and needed to tow it on an equipment trailer. Which necessitated the purchase of a truck.

[@oldalaskan4097]

For years I lived without a truck, using a small trailer to haul motorcycles, boats, building materials etc. Until the transmission burned up. Some minivans probably have a decent trailer hauling capacity, but I doubt that any of them woud be adequate to pull a 4,000 lb camper.

[@ivangpavlovic5721]

Where I live to many people drive pickup trucks and never use them for what they were designed for. Never haul anything, go off road, tow anything. Useless.

[@Edson1977]

Here in Brazil, trucks are expensive, luxury vehicles. People buy trucks to drive around the city. They buy them for status, not necessity.

[@brucemangan3807]

Mini vans are great. If I didn’t need some extra ground clearance for where I live I would be looking to own one again.

[@ItchyKneeSon]

Funny... My dad, brother, and I are all in construction. I've got a Pathfinder (R51, 4x4, v6, 10-15mpg, tows 6k lbs.) and a 6x10 enclosed trailer. Dad's a G.C. driving an NV200 (fwd, CVT, 24mpg, tows 4k lbs.). And bro's an apprentice w/an '09 Mini Clubman (6 spd, 32mpg premium, tows golf clubs haha). Bro's trying to get rid of his Mini for a truck or small SUV. He wants something w/decent fuel economy, room inside for his clubs AND tools, fun to drive, 'cool' factor, 'fun' factor, and maybe nice enough to take bishes on dates. In other words, he wants the unattainable. Did I mention there's no room for a second vehicle and his budget is $3-5k? I've sent him probably 300-500 cars in the last couple years and he may have gone to look at a handful at most. I told him a modified van or small SUV fits his requirements at the beginning, too. I'm hoping he sees this and realizes he needs to make concessions somewhere. It's like he's trying to max out all the stats without any cheat codes or a MFKN Game Genie! So frustrating. lol

[@Doc1855]

Put 300# of sand bags over the rear axle during the winter months in snowy conditions

[@charlesdiehl1834]

That’s what I did with my first truck in the winters in south west Kansas. Never had a problem. Just boils down to having the weight in the right place and actual skill at driving.

[@Doc1855]

@@charlesdiehl1834 Yep

[@oldporkchops]

I agree with you on the benefits of the minivan but just wish it could tow more. The 3500 pounds that most tow is just too low.

[@freedomforall5071]

I have reliable 95 k1500 20+ years and keeping it!!!

[@EchoSigma6]

I’ve owned my Honda minivan since 2004 and have been mocked for it from everyone in the family with pickups to SUV’s but it’s a good gray man vehicle on top of the versatility. Who pays attention to a MV?

[@markcollins457]

Great subject, as soon as I flipped on to this my i thought "MiniVan". Too much hype about trucks 4x4 etc. To many trucks that are Mall Terrain vehicles. The SUV class of vehicles is a little disturbing its almost a must to have 4wd 7 seating 3 row high hp and the largest tires legally allowable. There is something for every body and price range, mine is a 97 Ford Ranger 3.0v6 5spd 4x4 with a cap. Bought it new in 96 the 4x4 I think I only used 6 times windup windows am/fm radio and air cond. I still daily it and do HVAC it's all about priorities. When I'm stuck in traffic(a lot) I look at all the vehicles and most have just the driver the only trucks using there "Heavy duty" options are highway repair guys!😊

[@charlier1955]

I was planning on getting a PU and a camper.... very spendy... Gonna get a toy sienna and build a little camper inside.. taking the grandkids on the road... one or two at a time. thx

[@ShawnOShea-f3v]

The minivan might work for the average person but when you're a farm hand, the pickup is the way to go, it's also advantageous to have a flatbed on that bad boy 🙃

[@Kopernicus67]

They are not commuter vehicles. Sure you may have all that power to tailgate people, blow by them, whatever, but you cannot stop or corner anywhere near how well a car can. When a truck spends 95%+ of its life on pavement, off-road tires are the worst. Poor braking, poor handling, expensive, poor gas mileage, and the one people don't expect - snow traction. No sipes, no traction on ice or packed snow. The AWD systems in many cars and CUVs blow away the transfer-case-based systems on snowy and icy roads. There is the other rub, carrying around 200_+ lb of a transfer case, which is only of any use for rock crawling or pulling heavy machinery out of a ditch. Again 99% of owners never do that. Get a car. Rent the $19.95 Home Depot pick-up when you need it. Or even better, get a CUV with a hitch.

[@BillLaBrie]

Pickups have their place. I’ve owned several. I always end up putting a cap on the bed after realizing that I don’t have much of a need for an open, unsecured space. That cap turns it into an inferior SUV-one with poor weather-sealing, no integrated locking, and limited seating. I’m much happier with full-size SUV’s that cost less than pickups in the used market and can still tow dump trailers when needed. If I didn’t need to tow, a minivan would be my choice.

[@UCfan]

Id like to have a truck, the problem is i drive at least 30k a year. My solution has been to rent a truck at u-haul or Lowe's on the few occasions a year i need one. So i get my 30mpg most of the time and come up with 40.00 dollars for the rental as needed.

[@LightUpNancy]

Really great points. Great idea for a video too.

[@jmrdrgz]

Damn you. You make sense. I am looking to buy a truck.

[@RKmndo]

I prefer SUVs with trailers for most things. The newest Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon can tow up to 5000lb. With the 2.0T, it might see 30+MPG hwy with the cruise set at 55MPH in a middle lane. Remove the rear seat, remove the roof, and maybe swap the swing-gate for a tail-gate, to have a pickup "bed". Herculine that sucker! Easily install affordable supplemental in-coil airbags, to avoid sag/squat at max payload/tongue rating.