Will probably be in the market soon, and am considering going with a full size SUV (expedition, tahoe, etc.). Two kids, two bigger dogs, wife has a minivan. I like the idea of having everything enclosed and having more room (especially when lugging the dogs around). I would say I only occasionally use my truck bed for something that couldn't realistically go in the back of an SUV, so day to day the SUV would be more practical. With my luck though, as soon as I make this decision I'll have something come up that requires a truck bed. Am I better off just getting another truck?
Anyone go from truck to SUV and regret it?
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Last: 15 days ago by AustinCountyAg
Do you have a bedcover for the truck?
I've also considered looking at an Expedition to replace my F150 more than once... But with all the outdoor stuff I do I just can't see transitioning into a full size SUV..
I've got the MX4 bedcover for my F150 - does a good job of keeping things out of sight and mostly dry...
I've also considered looking at an Expedition to replace my F150 more than once... But with all the outdoor stuff I do I just can't see transitioning into a full size SUV..
I've got the MX4 bedcover for my F150 - does a good job of keeping things out of sight and mostly dry...
I have a couple times, and each time, I go back to a truck. It seems I use the bed of a truck more often than I think I do. Also, I'm so ocd with my vehicles that when I did fold the seats down and use the back of the suv like a truck, I spent an afternoon cleaning the damn thing afterwards.
Yes. After going back and forth for years between truck and SUV, I decided to have both.
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Renting a trailer when you need a truck bed is a lot cheaper than renting a suv when you need a third row.
Not the same, but I went from truck to 4Runner back to a truck. Missed the truck, but sucked it up for 6 years because I couldn't bring myself to spend the money to replace it sooner.
Do you do things that you need to haul the family in your vehicle? If you have a minivan, unless you're hauling a boat or camper with the family often, it would seem to me that the added utility of a truck is more than that of a SUV?
Do you do things that you need to haul the family in your vehicle? If you have a minivan, unless you're hauling a boat or camper with the family often, it would seem to me that the added utility of a truck is more than that of a SUV?
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De Omnibus Dubitandum
De Omnibus Dubitandum
I drove Ford pickups for 47 years. When it was time to trade in 2021 I asked myself when was the last time I had put anything other than golf clubs in the bed. Couldn't think of when someone I went Telluride with no regrets.
I went from a Jeep Gladiator to a Toyota Land Cruiser. I miss the truck bed.
Always had a truck before my kids, but have been in an SUV now for a long while and won't go back until they're grown.
SUV is just much better at this stage of my life. Very few things I need a truck bed for and when I do I just borrow a friend's or my father in laws.
SUV is just much better at this stage of my life. Very few things I need a truck bed for and when I do I just borrow a friend's or my father in laws.
Get rid of the the minivan for an SUV. 2 problems solved. You have an SUV and you no longer have to drive a minivan.
I have a F-250 used for work, ranch, pulling show cattle, and so forth. The family vehicle is a 2023 Ford Expedition Platnium 4x4.
I recently went to a large SUV from driving a 1/2 ton (for most of the last 25 years) out of necessity when we became a family of 6. I was very tempted to switch to a front row bench and just stick the oldest in the front middle, but the means no front airbag and no rear A/C vents. I ended up keeping the old pickup truck even after buying a Navigator in March, but I have to say that in the time since, I have only used the pickup once to go to a rough jobsite. The large SUV is growing on me.
f burg ag said:
Yes. After going back and forth for years between truck and SUV, I decided to have both.
This is the right answer
Yep. May of 2023, traded in truck for a GX. Was the first time in my life not having truck. Feb 2025, traded in GX for a truck.
Pros:
- turn radius
- parking in tight lots/garage
- fun off road
- ride comfort
Cons (or things I underestimated)
- truckbed (would think this is obvious, but I didn't realize just how much I really use it)
- towing
- amount of cabin storage (under bench seat specifically)
- amount of cabin space in general
Ultimately with the amount of gear/equipment I keep in my vehicle, I had a huge storage locker taking up the GX cargo space with the third row down at virtually all times. And if I needed the third row, something had to be removed. I tried the hitch cargo carrier setup, even that's not as convenient as I hoped. For me, I determined it's better to have something and not use it, then need it and not have it.
Pros:
- turn radius
- parking in tight lots/garage
- fun off road
- ride comfort
Cons (or things I underestimated)
- truckbed (would think this is obvious, but I didn't realize just how much I really use it)
- towing
- amount of cabin storage (under bench seat specifically)
- amount of cabin space in general
Ultimately with the amount of gear/equipment I keep in my vehicle, I had a huge storage locker taking up the GX cargo space with the third row down at virtually all times. And if I needed the third row, something had to be removed. I tried the hitch cargo carrier setup, even that's not as convenient as I hoped. For me, I determined it's better to have something and not use it, then need it and not have it.
Why not both? It's pretty tough to have one vehicle that does everything. We've never owned a car. Always SUV and a truck. A big suv and a small truck like an F150 would cover everything you need, yes?
Not me, just changed to the 25 Z71 suburban and have no regrets. Fits kids dog and create no issues and still had the 6.2L option. Best of both worlds. I did pay more for Chevys version of the Weather Tech covers to keep it clean, especially for the back.
I went from a full size truck in 2012 to a midsize SUV and have never looked back. It's way more useful most of the time to have weather proof, secure storage, and the few times a year I find myself needing a truck bed I just rent a utility trailer. I also love how I can easily park in the garage and get way better MPGs.
I drove a truck in HS and then a Tahoe or Yukon for 14 years. Drove a truck for the next 6, and used it more as an SUV (bed cover) 99% of the time. Hated the turning radius, parking, driving downtown, and not having a climate controlled cargo area on the way home from Costco. Youth baseball equipment lived in the bed 10 months out of the year.
Switched to an Expedition last month, and it's a breath of fresh air. We have a utility trailer and a hitch carrier, so I don't see myself missing the truck bed much.
Switched to an Expedition last month, and it's a breath of fresh air. We have a utility trailer and a hitch carrier, so I don't see myself missing the truck bed much.
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Yea
mosdefn14 said:
I drove a truck in HS and then a Tahoe or Yukon for 14 years. Drove a truck for the next 6, and used it more as an SUV (bed cover) 99% of the time. Hated the turning radius, parking, driving downtown, and not having a climate controlled cargo area on the way home from Costco. Youth baseball equipment lived in the bed 10 months out of the year.
Switched to an Expedition last month, and it's a breath of fresh air. We have a utility trailer and a hitch carrier, so I don't see myself missing the truck bed much.
Thanks for the input, everyone. This one is really where I'm at. Right now, the vast majority of the things that go in the bed of my truck (kids stuff, coolers, camping gear, etc.) could also go in the back of an Expedition, and be more protected. Just can't decide if the rare occasion that I really need a truck bed justifies giving up utility for the rest of my use. The dogs are a big part of it; it gets pretty tight on camping trips where we need some level of off road capability with the four of us and both dogs piled into the truck.
coolerguy12 said:
Get rid of the the minivan for an SUV. 2 problems solved. You have an SUV and you no longer have to drive a minivan.
Not happening, wife is all about the minivan
Milwaukees Best Light said:
Renting a trailer when you need a truck bed is a lot cheaper than renting a suv when you need a third row.
This. Had a truck for 25 years. Went SUV 7 years ago; so much more convenient for me. When I need an open bed, I'll rent a trailer or just one of those by-the-hour Home Depot trucks. But that's rare. Got a good weathertech type mat for the cargo area
ElephantRider said:coolerguy12 said:
Get rid of the the minivan for an SUV. 2 problems solved. You have an SUV and you no longer have to drive a minivan.
Not happening, wife is all about the minivan
So was mine, until we picked up an excursion. Couldn't sell that minivan fast enough after she drove it for a week.
You sound exactly like I did a couple years ago.
While technically you can "rent a trailer anytime you need a truckbed"…nobody wants that hassle. What's more realistic is that you won't rent a trailer and will compromise.
And for me, that was the annoying aspect that I overlooked. I couldn't spontaneously take a trip that I would otherwise use the bed.
I remember taking gas to my buddy in Houston during Beryl - HUGE PITA and limited how much I could bring.
When there's been opportunity to buy/pick up big items from fellow Ags (generator, piano, weightlifting rack etc) - not worth it, end up missing out
Every trip to the lumber store, shooting range, lakehouse, beach, hunting, etc - all requires additional levels of planning that might be doable, but became too much over time.
/$0.02
While technically you can "rent a trailer anytime you need a truckbed"…nobody wants that hassle. What's more realistic is that you won't rent a trailer and will compromise.
And for me, that was the annoying aspect that I overlooked. I couldn't spontaneously take a trip that I would otherwise use the bed.
I remember taking gas to my buddy in Houston during Beryl - HUGE PITA and limited how much I could bring.
When there's been opportunity to buy/pick up big items from fellow Ags (generator, piano, weightlifting rack etc) - not worth it, end up missing out
Every trip to the lumber store, shooting range, lakehouse, beach, hunting, etc - all requires additional levels of planning that might be doable, but became too much over time.
/$0.02
It depends on the type of truck stuff you do. If you need to tow a 5th wheel or you are used to the longer bed of a F250 than the SUV isn't going to substitute. Same if you regularly do real offroading and need ground clearance. If considering F150 vs SUV the SUV starts making a lot more sense. Bed shrinkage is real. F150s aren't the trucks they used to be. I can safely put longer items in my Explorer than I can in a truck with a measly 5.5ft bed. I had an Explorer for years and loved it. When it was time to replace it I seriously looked at going to a truck but it just didn't make sense to me. I bought an Explorer ST. The 5500lb towing is somewhat limiting but good enough for my towing requirements. I have a 12' utility trailer to do truck stuff with and it tows our large teardrop RV just fine. It gets better gas mileage than a truck for everyday driving too. If your truck duties don't require the extra towing capacity than an SUV plus utility trailer is a better option IMO.
I went from a Tundra to a Jeep GC 4xe (huge POS) to a new Land Cruiser. The only thing I used my truck bed for was hauling a kayak from time to time, and once it had gone unused for two years I sold it. So far I haven't missed having a truck.
I have been thinking about getting an SUV next time I trade. For when I need to haul something with a truck bed I have a 5'x10" utility trailer with a ramp that is easier to load and unload than my truck and holds more as well. A midsize SUV with four wheel drive and a hitch would do me as good if not better than a truck.
We use our truck beds for actual truck stuff a few times a year. We use our SUVs for SUV stuff a few times a week. Im glad to have both, but if forced to only choose one it would be a full size SUV.
I have an SUV and a truck. They both get worked pretty hard. I can't hook up a Gooseneck to my SUV, but I've filled the cargo area of it with syrup tubs and cubes a time or two. The feed store always looks at me funny when I put a syrup tub in the back. All that to say it's nice to have both.
PharmD4 said:
You sound exactly like I did a couple years ago.
While technically you can "rent a trailer anytime you need a truckbed"…nobody wants that hassle. What's more realistic is that you won't rent a trailer and will compromise.
And for me, that was the annoying aspect that I overlooked. I couldn't spontaneously take a trip that I would otherwise use the bed.
I remember taking gas to my buddy in Houston during Beryl - HUGE PITA and limited how much I could bring.
When there's been opportunity to buy/pick up big items from fellow Ags (generator, piano, weightlifting rack etc) - not worth it, end up missing out
Every trip to the lumber store, shooting range, lakehouse, beach, hunting, etc - all requires additional levels of planning that might be doable, but became too much over time.
/$0.02
Agree w/ this completely.
My truck was recently totaled, and I was about 95% of the way to talking myself into an SUV. In the end, went back to a truck. This was three months ago and in that time I've used the truck bed for:
- two trips to the dump, one with a bunch of boxes broken down (bought a lovesac sectional) and a mattress and boxspring. The second with a bunch of random building debris and some old, trashed furniture
- delivering an old love seat to a friend of a friend who recently had a fire and needed all new furniture (he was covered on mattresses or else I would have delivered that too)
- taking some old baby toys (larger outside toys) and a bed frame to my wife's brother's family
- two trips to home depot, one for lumber and one for two new toilets
- bringing home a TV (zero chance it would have fit in an SUV)
Our 2005 Tundra has been our 3rd vehicle for 15 years. We use it several times a month to shoot and any Home Depot or Lowe's runs. Lastly I drive it when it rains really hard because our street floods and I don't want to flood my SUV.
We have friends and neighbors who borrow our truck for errands since they don't own one. All we ask is they gas it up.
We have friends and neighbors who borrow our truck for errands since they don't own one. All we ask is they gas it up.
I had F-150's for 25 years. Realized I rarely needed the bed much anymore so switched to a Yukon AT4 last year. No regrets at all, love it.
IMO the absolute best option, if your personal situation allows it, is to drive an SUV on the daily and have a work truck on the side for work truck needs. With a "work" truck you worry less about truly using it for work things. I have a 2014 Ram 2500 with the Cummins and 4x4, and it does absolutely everything I need a truck to do. But my daily is a much more comfortable SUV for hauling clients, kids, groceries, etc.
YMMV
YMMV
ElephantRider said:
Not happening, wife is all about the minivan
My wife and I were in the same boat many years ago. We were given a loaner Suburban for a week by a dealership while her car was being repaired. From then on, she was ready to move up to a Suburban. We had 4 kids and two dogs at the time. We kept the first one for 7 years and put just over 200k on it. Traded it in on a Yukon XL. Kept it for 8 years and was totaled with 240k on it. Never regretted a minute of it. Nice, big, comfortable ride with plenty of towing power.
So the greatest civilization is one where all citizens are equally armed and can only be persuaded, never forced. It removes force from the equation... and that's why carrying a gun is a civilized act.
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