I dig 4Runners. But at least where I live they are crazy expensive, even older used ones. Out of my budget. IK they can run forever, but I'm going for affordable this time around, used, no car payment, etc etc.
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TB'rs with trucks vs SUVs....
- Thread starter pbass2
- Start date
Yeah, the SUV was a step backwards. Most people never use them off-road. Minivans got the "soccer mom" stigma, so the soccer moms now all drive SUV's.
With that said, a minivan with the features of an SUV, such as active cruise control, would be superb.
Thanks for the input, Good stuff everybody, all the same considerations I've bounced around. In the end, pretty much anything will work, even if I had my whole rig in there: a compact 2x12, a 1x12, small case with a head and cables, and a bass or two. Most of the time it's a 1x12 and one bass. I'll never be the guy bringing a PA, drums, anything else like that. Will never need a bigger bass rig that I have now. Heck as Micguy says sometimes I don't need a bass rig at all. We will see.....
That’s a good way to be…
well, tacos are just as expensive as 4Runners! Unfortunately Toyotas hold value. I love my 06 tundra and 11 Camry.
I had trucks as my daily driver for 24 years. It was necessary when we built our house and turned five acres of corn field into a nice livable space. I now drive a Mazda CX-5 which was designed to carry two 1x12 Subway cabs and the rest of my gig gear perfectly in the back cargo area. My wife's CRV cannot do this.
Anyway, I no longer need a truck as long as I have at least one friend with a truck.
Anyway, I no longer need a truck as long as I have at least one friend with a truck.
D
When I moved to AR from WA I traded my new SUV for a 8 year old minivan. A Dodge Grand Caravan RT. I did that for my old dogs and gear. I thought I would sell it for a truck when I got here but found it very useful so I still drive it. Dual sliding doors and fold down seats makes it easy to carry large items.
It is kinda ballsy and has self leveling suspension so it handles the twisty roads well too.
I am comfortable with myself and don't worry what anybody thinks of minivans.
It is kinda ballsy and has self leveling suspension so it handles the twisty roads well too.
I am comfortable with myself and don't worry what anybody thinks of minivans.
Minivans make so much sense, but wife absolutely refuses to own one. Not sure why there’s a stigma against them but it’s real lol.
If I were you, I’d go with a 5-20 year old 4Runner. 4 dr hardtop Jeep would work too, but they aren’t the most comfortable rig for trips over 1 hour IME. The covered area is the way to go though.
Ideally, they still made full size 2 door Blazers and Jimmys.
If I were you, I’d go with a 5-20 year old 4Runner. 4 dr hardtop Jeep would work too, but they aren’t the most comfortable rig for trips over 1 hour IME. The covered area is the way to go though.
Ideally, they still made full size 2 door Blazers and Jimmys.
When I had an older Mercedes A-class that proved to not be quite enough internally, I looked quite seriously at a covered trailer as that also potentially allowed for putting gear on trolleys and loading it in up a low ramp. Then COVID happened, I moved to a house with less driveway but got a slightly bigger car.
A trailer might still be a valid option, provided you can park it.
The other issue was me being right fisted and spending the money for adding a tow hook and finding a cheap, decent trailer on eBay. It would have certainly made moving easier..
I have a Ford F-250 crew cab for hauling heavy stuff and pulling a trailer, but the company-supplied Toyota SUV that I’ve been using for gig hauling is going away when I retire at the end of this year. So, needing something economical, comfortable and able to haul a Ampeg 810 and all the trimmings, I picked up a Chevy HHR. Lots of room for gear and a low threshold to the cargo bay. Every other guy in our band has some kind of mini-van, but I like the combination of retro, sporty and cargo room that this supplies. 32 mpg ain’t bad either!
I'm guessing you live somewhere that road salt isn't a factor. Around here (Western NY) the only 20 year old 4Runners you see are in the junkyard.
And even in a non salted state, if you buy something that old I hope you're handy with a wrench.
I always heard Jeeps weren't that mechanically reliable, and expensive to repair....
I drove two different Jeeps as daily drivers..a 2015 and a 2021 from 2016 until May this year. Zero mechanical repairs. Each of those took 14-16 hour drives CO and AZ and hit the trails. Then drove home. 3.6 Pentastar engine. Also, my son drove a separate 2015 for 2 years (126K to 153K miles) as a daily driver in HS. He now has my 21. I would have bought a new one but the prices are insane…the GMC Sierra with rebates was cheaper and way more comfortable for the family.
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Well, this is TalkBass, isn't it? Why would the answer be any different than trying to choose between two different basses? In other words, get both!
Pretty much the theory that I subscribe to....
I have four Silverados..... 98, 03, 05 and an 07.
Two Camaros...... 79 & 81
Two Subaru Foresters.... 17 & 21
One El Camino.... 68 SS396 (real 138 and not a clone).
One 09 Corolla...
One 2010 HHR...
One 03 Mustang convertible....
And a huge 79 Blazer...
I'm a truck guy, but an SUV would be just fine. A couple buddies have PT Cruiser and Chevy HHR and they hold a lot of gear.
I have a '02-'04-'06 V6 Toy Taco 4x man 5 speed with an ARE cap that holds a lot. Cap has a side opening door in back, or can unlatch back panel and lift whole panel up. I can carry all the gear for my two bands = 2 combos, drums, PA and misc. Can also carry the 4 peeps in each band.
Sits a little high but can easily muscle big cabs in = Sunn 215 Concert cab. Have carpeted plywood over bed floor.
My wife has a lil' 4 door 2003 Buru Baja pup. Fun truck but the bed with tailgate up is only 3+ feet -- 5' with gate down and extender cage. Good enuff to carry a couple of combos. Throw the bass and guitars in the backseat.
I have a '02-'04-'06 V6 Toy Taco 4x man 5 speed with an ARE cap that holds a lot. Cap has a side opening door in back, or can unlatch back panel and lift whole panel up. I can carry all the gear for my two bands = 2 combos, drums, PA and misc. Can also carry the 4 peeps in each band.
Sits a little high but can easily muscle big cabs in = Sunn 215 Concert cab. Have carpeted plywood over bed floor.
My wife has a lil' 4 door 2003 Buru Baja pup. Fun truck but the bed with tailgate up is only 3+ feet -- 5' with gate down and extender cage. Good enuff to carry a couple of combos. Throw the bass and guitars in the backseat.
Not a mini-van per se, but a small work van: the Dodge Ram Promaster City—everyone wants mine. Good mileage, secure. There was a recall that meant replacing the engine, which was reliable but burned oil (no smoke). So it's possible to find one with 120k miles, but only 50k on the engine.
I've got a truck. It tows the trailer with all the band gear/PA/lights, etc. I've got a rig that lives in the rehearsal space and a rig at home. When I'm transporting without the trailer, it's just my bass, maybe a different pedalboard layout. Easily rides shotgun in the truck. If I was constantly transporting my cabs to rehearsal or gigs independent of band gear/trailer, I'd probably have an SUV or station wagon type vehicle.
