Best Vehicle for DIY Landlord

Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 78 posts · 6 votes

Hello Everyone!

I am looking for a new vehicle that I can use for construction projects, and also outdoor activities in Minnesota-- hunting, fishing, hauling kayaks..

For my business, I usually redo the unit once I buy it, and always find myself needing to carry more tools than my little car will allow!

I'm curious what you use?

- Econoline Van?

- SUV?

- Pickup?

- Old School VW Van

- 1980's or 90's model Toyota Landcruiser

- Suburu Outback-- yes, lots of negative stereotypes, but such a practical vehicle ;-)

0 Reply

473 views

Most Popular Reply

Jedd Braunwarth

Investor · Waconia, MN · Member since 2014 · 238 posts · 104 votes

12y

5 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

92 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Christopher Hunter
Real Estate Investor · Cypress, CA · Member since 2013 · 877 posts · 94 votes
12y
@Tom Henderson welcome to BiggerPockets Tom. Pick up truck would be the way to coming from a carpenter.
0 Reply
Jon Klaus
Developer · Garland, TX · Member since 2008 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
12y
I've put over 100k miles on my Toyota Tundra PU, and still like it a lot.
What are the negative stereotypes on the Outback?
0 Reply
Tom Henderson
OP
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 78 posts · 6 votes
12y
Great feedback already. Thanks much guys.
One of my best friends drives an Outback.. I usually call him Captain planet as he is pretty passionate about environmental issues.
0 Reply
Elizabeth Colegrove
Hanford, CA · Member since 2013 · 5k+ posts · 1k+ votes
12y
I have a Hylander but totally wish we had a cheap truck.
0 Reply
Marcia Maynard
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
12y
What not to get.... 1976 Orange Ford Econoline Panel Van with Orange/Red shag carpet and a Fred Flintstone doll on the dash board! That's what we had for years..... my husband still misses it!
Our Subaru Legacy Station Wagon works well for us. When we need to haul big materials we borrow our neighbors small pickup truck. We are into landlording, not too much rehabbing. When we hire the trades, they have their own vehicles to haul what they need.
2 Reply
Eric Gutierrez
Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2012 · 155 posts · 41 votes
12y
Kind of an old thread but anyways I had a Toyota Tacoma that I liked. I find my 4runner more useful all around now honestly. Rear window rolling down makes it work great. It hauls doors and 2x4s and such easier than the Tacoma. I had a trailer with both vehicles. I find I use the trailer a bit more often but not that much than before with the pickup.
0 Reply
Matthew Paul
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
12y
I find a van works well , with a trailer , the van is my rolling tool box , I leave the tools in it , ladders on top , if I need materials that dont fit in it , or need to make a landfill run I take the trailer , or grab the pick up .
4 Reply
John Cimino
Investor · Newark, DE · Member since 2014 · 68 posts · 24 votes
12y
The cheapest, most efficient and versatile is a mini van with all the rear seats out. It holds a ton of tools and supplies under lock and key and has high roof space like an SUV. All while knocking down high 20's in mpg due to better aerodynamics. My college boss was a DIY real estate investor in philly and swore by them.
3 Reply
David Lee
Wholesaler · Lenoir, NC · Member since 2013 · 297 posts · 127 votes
12y
I purchased a step van back in August. I love being able to keep my tools in the vehicle at all times and having room for anything else. I have had tools, vanities, 20sq of shingles all at the same time. It was not super expensive either. I bought it off of ebay for $4,500 with 72,000 miles. Here
is a picture.
5 Reply
David Lee
Wholesaler · Lenoir, NC · Member since 2013 · 297 posts · 127 votes
12y
2 Reply
David Lee
Wholesaler · Lenoir, NC · Member since 2013 · 297 posts · 127 votes
12y
1 Reply
Roy N.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
12y
Originally posted by @Tom Henderson:

Hello Everyone!
I'm curious what you use?
- Pickup?
- Old School VW Van
How about a little of each:
0 Reply
Jassem A.
Investor · PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 602 votes
12y
I use an old ford explorer with no back seats and homemade utility trailer
0 Reply
Jedd Braunwarth
Investor · Waconia, MN · Member since 2014 · 238 posts · 104 votes
12y
5 Reply
Bill Gulley
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
12y
Surprised no one mention the Sprinter Van, best van on the road today, you'll be waiting for the 4X4 version, but conversions are available.
You didn't mention the price range!
Judging from your list, get a Ford F-150 XLT, extended cab 4x4. From a 99 up, depending on budget, can't go wrong with the most popular truck on the road. An open ladder rack is a good way to go, ladders or kayaks.
Are you going to camp in your vehicle or outside it? Inside, get a van, the old Astro AWD are excellent off road, you can easily modify with a switch for true 4x4.
Consider the most use and traffic, full size panel vans or utility trucks gets old driving in traffic, limited visibility, parking lots can be a pain, a window van is much better, use see through curtains for privacy/visibility.
Next inside is a camper shell on the pickup. Build a platform in the bed, tools slide in underneath, upper area for camping or material hauling.
Security, can you leave power tools in clear view in the neighborhood or should they be locked up out of sight? Canvas covered ladder rack keeps eyes off the storage and makes a good tent platform in the woods.
Used utility vans even with racks are cheap, an old telephone or cable truck, just for properties as your company truck or personal, depreciate with mileage and run the wheels off and just replace it. Then you can go with a nicer whatever that looks better under kayaks going down the road.
I've done some "Expedition" travels, on and off road, consider the terrain, The Outback and Forrester (have a Forrester) are good for mild off road, even rougher than some forest roads, if you have deeper ruts, mud ponds or such, get a truck. All SUVs are not the same, many are mall crawlers for speed bumps (LOL). Land Cruiser is excellent, Toyota 4Runner, the Pathfinder is great, so is a Montero. The G Wagon is also great, not as roomy as the others. Had all of them, used and sold all of them. I'd rather have a truck for trucking.
Consider a good utility trailer for mowers. If you go with a van or PU with a camper top, you won't want to haul a refrigerator or stove, so use a trailer. I think a trailer is more handy for those once in awhile jobs. It will allow you to go smaller, like the Subby as a daily driver.
A mention to the Isuzu F series, cab over, 4 or 6 diesels, good set up, take off the duly set up for off road as rocks get stuck between tires. Various beds and boxes, easy driving but limited interior, function not fancy.
1 Reply
Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
12y
Honda Element. I bought one in 2003 and it has a ton of miles on it - most between my house and Home Depot. Plastic interior could almost be hosed out if necessary. I can fit 6 sheets of drywall in the back with the seats out.
[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
1 Reply
Kirk R.
Peoria, IL · Member since 2013 · 967 posts · 383 votes
12y
rent menards truck $20 for 75 minutes
0 Reply
Aaron Mazzrillo
Investor · Riverside, CA · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
12y
Real landlords drive pick up trucks. I have a Toyota Tacoma. Over 150K miles on it and I take it off roading to some of my favorite fly fishing and camping places all over the eastern Sierras. I've driven it from California to Maine round trip, all over California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. I've put gas, oil, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, air filters and 2 new headlight bulbs in it. Never any other problems. It's my second one and when this one dies, which I suspect won't be any time soon since my buddy has one with over 500K miles on it, I'll be getting another. I have a friend on his second Ford already and mine is still going strong. Best truck I've ever driven.
0 Reply
Kendall T.
Real Estate Investor · Fort Pierce, FL · Member since 2014 · 132 posts · 57 votes
12y
land cruisers are awesome, but trucks are nice too
1 Reply
Johann Jells
Rental Property Investor · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 876 votes
11y
I have the unsexy but extremely practical Dodge Sport Caravan. Way more room inside than most SUV's and a trailer hitch for when it gets serious like moving appliances. Even with the benches inside (sometimes gotta do the carpool) I can lay them down and slide in room doors. Benches out I've moved an entire small kitchen of cabinets, a 60 gal compressor with two 30 gal hot water heaters, and other sizeable loads. I have a ramp for moving my snowblower or bigass generator. 10 foot pipes or moldings can fit diagonally, and I have a roof rack for larger loads, or my kayaks and canoe.
It's a 2001 I bought in 2004 with 60k for $7700. Similar Japanese minivans were twice that.
Pickup trucks are less awesome when you can't lock up what's in there or it rains. If you need a cap for it, you might as well have minivan.
0 Reply
Jarrett Finley
Real Estate Investor · Palmer, AK · Member since 2008 · 27 posts · 3 votes
11y
I've had a Toyota Tundra for the last 8 years and been extremely happy with it. 150k miles and no issues. I bought a utility shell that has a rack on top off of Craigslist for $400. Really handy for ladders and lumber. Also does double duty as a great hunting and fishing rig!
0 Reply
Account Closed
Professional · Noblesville, IN · Member since 2014 · 222 posts · 66 votes
11y
My personal choice was the F150...but some combination of a primary vehicle and supplement with a choice of trailor that suits the material being transported is recommended. A covered trailor can be used as a job site material and tool storeage depending on the security of the area being worked.
0 Reply
Tim G.
Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
Old Toyota trucks! $3000 they run forever and for me it doubles as my Mexico vehicle since I wanna look like a nobody with nothing while I'm there.
All of my tenants have nicer looking vehicles than me, I like it that way.
This one just got rear ended, I was given $4200 and kept the truck. $500 for a bumper and fees and I have a free beater truck. Can't lose with a Toyota Truck!
1 Reply
Chris H.
Investor · South Fl · Member since 2014 · 20 posts · 4 votes
11y
Hi Tom,
I would look for a used pickup truck in good condition. Definitely don't buy new. I have a pickup truck that has been great to me. It gives me the option to put almost anything in the bed & you can tow rental equipment since you're a DIY Landlord.
Also, ensure that it's a 4x4 seeing that your located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Keep luxury options at a minimum & make certain you justify the need for a crew cab truck vs a ext. cab. I have a ext. cab & have not complaints. Something else to think about is where would you park this vehicle. Remember if you live in a community with a HOA; most don't want anything is or that looks commercial.
Good luck with your search...

0 Reply
Brian K.
Rental Property Investor · Buffalo, MN · Member since 2010 · 511 posts · 92 votes
11y
Hey @Tom Henderson what about a Suburban or a Sequoia?
My handyman drives around with a Sub. Will have plenty of pulling power and room, but will kill you on gas. You don't have to worry about your stuff walking off or the elements.
0 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.