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 ;-)

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Jedd Braunwarth

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

12y

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Gene HackerPro Member
Flipper/Rehabber · Lake Isabella, CA · Member since 2011 · 974 posts · 488 votes
11y
Used full size vans can be a real bargain. I bought a 2002 van several years ago with less than 60K miles for $4K. If it was a pickup (same brand, engine, trans, mileage) it would have been double that. It can fit full sheets of plywood inside and is secure which is nice when you have to go to multiple stores. The gas mileage is not great but I have a 14ft dump trailer I use for clean-outs which can wight over 7K pounds loaded and it handles that with no issue.
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Phil Hensley
Lexington, KY · Member since 2015 · 4 posts · 7 votes
11y
Some of your decision, which you've likely made by now, depends upon your cosmetic preferences. Personally I don't care therefore, six years ago, I bought a white rusting 1994 Dodge Caravan for $750 at an auto auction. This is the second such vehicle I've purchased in the last 12 years (the other was a Ford Aerostar). Like others, I removed the back seat and have a ton of tools/materials that do not need to be moved out of the weather and are under lock and key. I even hauled materials in the past year to build my family's new home. Dozens of times it hauled a dully trailer fully of concrete, 2x12s, 2x4s, etc, etc, etc from the store and continues to work well. My worker was amazed at what it could do. Don't be fooled into thinking you need a strong, and perhaps expensive, pick-up/etc to do your work, especially if it's simply to maintain existing properties. My van is now more rust than white it seems!
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James Mudd
Real Estate Agent · Realtor - Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 342 posts · 55 votes
11y
...help me. I've got truck fever, so this is not a good post for me to see. I've been looking for an excuse to get a 2-3 year old GMC 1500 Extended Cab :-/
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Jake Hartnett
Real Estate Agent · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2014 · 95 posts · 82 votes
10y
A Grand Caravan with no seats holds 4x8 sheets flat (cant say that about a pickup truck) you can lock all of your tools up, you can buy it for next to nothing, and nothing gets rained on. My father has been in property management in Minnesota for 20+ years and has always had one.
You can always throw one of the seats in and comfortably fit four people to go camping with plenty of cargo room. Smaller kayaks fit in the back and you can always put a hitch and or a rack on it and carry more gear than you would ever need. Its the best vehicle in the world if you don't let your ego get in the way.
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Roy N.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10y
@Jake Hartnett
Both VW and Mercedes single cab pickups will carry a sheet of plywood or sheetrock. The Dokas (double cabs) require the long box to do the same.
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Account Closed
Frederick, MD · Member since 2015 · 654 posts · 256 votes
10y
Originally posted by @Marcia Maynard:

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!
Was it powered by your feet through the floorboards?! Great gas mileage!
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Account Closed
Frederick, MD · Member since 2015 · 654 posts · 256 votes
10y
Borrow or rent multiple types of vehicles before buying, if you can... you'll quickly learn what you like or don't like about each type as it suits your life and can narrow down your choice to available brands/quality build.
Pickups are great, except if it's raining on the day you want to haul drywall... vans are great because they're more secure... SUV can be a PIA if trying to get full sheets of plywood in them... panel trucks are harder to navigate small alleys...
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Roy N.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10y
@Account Closed
After a couple of vans and 'classic' N.A. pickups, we found a preference for the Euro-style flat-bed pickup:
- a flat-bed pickup (sideboards and tailgate fold down);
- 3-way dump (dumps to the rear or to each side)
- has removable frame and curtains (for carrying drywall in the rain);
- has all-wheel drive;
- has crew-cab (doka) with an auxiliary heater (we plan to remove part of the rear bench to install a parts cabinet/shelf.
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Account Closed
Frederick, MD · Member since 2015 · 654 posts · 256 votes
10y
Originally posted by @Roy N.:
@Account Closed
After a couple of vans and 'classic' N.A. pickups, we found a preference for the Euro-style flat-bed pickup:
a flat-bed pickup (sideboards and tailgate fold down);
3-way dump (dumps to the rear or to each side)
has removable frame and curtains (for carrying drywall in the rain);
has all-wheel drive;
has crew-cab (doka) with an auxiliary heater (we plan to remove part of the rear bench to install a parts cabinet/shelf.
Wow, I must say I've not seen that before... very versatile indeed!
Curious, since single axle, what's the payload capacity and GVW?
Can the removable frame support extension ladders and/or long material?
What kind of coin must one drop on something like that?
Gas or diesel?
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Roy N.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10y
@Account Closed
That particular model (LT35) has a GVW of 3500kg (~7800 lbs) with the payload being 1200 - 1300 kg (2600 - 2800 lbs) ... the dropside version w/o the 3-way dump carries a little more (~200kg) as the vehicle itself weighs less.
That truck has a 2.5l, 5cyl 75Kw (102 PS) diesel ... there are versions with a 112Kw (150 PS) engines. Fuel economy wise, we are seeing 8 - 10 l/100K (~24 - 29 USmpg).
The divider at the front of the box is steel, as is the rear bracket. The remainder of the stake-pocket frame for the tarpaulin and side curtains is aluminium with sets of woof slats running the length of each side for tie-down railings.
The box is ~2.75 x 2.0 m (9 x 6.5 ft), so lots of room in the box itself, and no problem running 12 - 16' material across the top of the box. I have also seen "Y"-stands that mount on the front (like a towbar hitch) which allow you to carry materials a the length of the truck.
The truck came from Europe and, but the time it landed in the port of Halifax, we had spent ~7.5K CAD - a little pricey for a 15-year old truck (import restrictions at the time). The key is to hunt around for a vehicle coming out of service with a small municipality - mileage tends to be low. Ironically a 3-4 year old, second hand truck would be about double ... forthcoming harmonization of vehicle sat standards are suppose to permit us (in Canada) to import newer foreign vehicles.
We could have probably made due with a smaller VW Transporter or small Merc 200 class Sprinter, but we could not find one with a 3-way dump (which has turned out to be my favourite feature).
We have already had offers to purchase the truck (for more than our costs) ... so, as soon as we find a newer one with *all* the features we want ....
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Max T.
Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10y
I have an older Ford Explorer XLT. It is bigger than the standard explorer. It has a 3rd row of seats in the back and can fit 7 adults. When the seats fold down it is wide enough to fit 4x8 sheets of ply or dry INSIDE. The roof racks are also great for hauling stuff. I do a fair amount of fishing/biking so it is great for that too. Mine is a 2003. Only downside is gas mileage, but if your distances are short its not too bad.
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Samuel Sedore
Real Estate Agent · Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, Ontario · Member since 2013 · 408 posts · 90 votes
10y
Originally posted by @Roy N.:
@Account Closed
After a couple of vans and 'classic' N.A. pickups, we found a preference for the Euro-style flat-bed pickup:
a flat-bed pickup (sideboards and tailgate fold down);
3-way dump (dumps to the rear or to each side)
has removable frame and curtains (for carrying drywall in the rain);
has all-wheel drive;
has crew-cab (doka) with an auxiliary heater (we plan to remove part of the rear bench to install a parts cabinet/shelf.
Nice! Don't see those in Canada to often smart buy!
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Marc M.
Contractor · Rockville, MD · Member since 2014 · 423 posts · 135 votes
10y
Originally posted by @Roy N.:
@Account Closed
After a couple of vans and 'classic' N.A. pickups, we found a preference for the Euro-style flat-bed pickup:
a flat-bed pickup (sideboards and tailgate fold down);
3-way dump (dumps to the rear or to each side)
has removable frame and curtains (for carrying drywall in the rain);
has all-wheel drive;
has crew-cab (doka) with an auxiliary heater (we plan to remove part of the rear bench to install a parts cabinet/shelf.
That's a badass rig!
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Marc M.
Contractor · Rockville, MD · Member since 2014 · 423 posts · 135 votes
10y
To the OP, short of one of those ^, I'd suggest a pickup with a lockable fiberglass tonneau cover. My tools were always out of sight and if thieves wanted them, they'd have to make a ton of noise or spend a lot of time getting in. It was also waterproof so carrying drywall or MDF on a rainy day was no problem.
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Jeremy Dolan
Manhattan, NY · Member since 2015 · 109 posts · 27 votes
10y
Pick up trucks will allow for all the necessary space you might need, while giving you a comfortable and easy way to maneuver around.
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David MacClintock
Investor · Oneonta, NY · Member since 2015 · 57 posts · 27 votes
10y
I've got an 07 F350 Cab and Chassis with a 12 Foot service body on it. It weighs almost 10k dry but I travel for rehabs and it allows me to carry days worth of tools and material. The bed is wider, longer and taller than a standard pickup. I got it this spring for 8k from the people who lease to home depot and other outfits. Its got high miles. Which interestingly is a good thing with todays vehicles. Power trains don't wear out like they used to and corrosion is the real enemy. Rather one thats been used than one that has sat. It is underpowered with the small v8 but I'm not much of a speed driver anyway. Gets 15mpg when I'm loaded up. Don't know about unloaded since who wants to drive that around as a grocery getter. The company is constantly sending me really good deals but the catch is you have to go to VA Beach to get it or have it shipped. Message me if you want the info of the sales rep I deal with.
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Jake Matthew
Real Estate Agent · Prairie Village, KS · Member since 2014 · 37 posts · 10 votes
10y
pick up truck is definitely the most versatile vehicle to meet all of the OPs needs and also be used as a daily driver
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Rico S.
Daytona Beach, FL · Member since 2015 · 130 posts · 28 votes
10y
This site is the best!!!! Literally everything you need to know about REI in the palm of your hands! It gives us newbies like me great confidence to reach out and get involve to moving forward to purchasing my first property! I would love to connect and learn more from you.
Thank you,
Rico
@Jedd Braunwarth
@John Cimino
@Elizabeth Colegrove
@Jeremy Dolan
@Jarrett Finley
@Tim G.
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JD MartinBusiness Member
Moderator
Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
10y
I don't think you can beat a crew-cab pickup if you need one vehicle to do everything. I have one and it is the most versatile vehicle I have ever owned. I love vans (full-size ones), but as a DIY rehabber I am not carrying a dozen sheets of drywall around with me (and if you are a serious drywaller you are using 4x12 sheets anyway except for repair stuff or very small rooms/projects), but I am often carrying a load of tear-out rubbish to the dump, and stopping at Lowes on the way back to pick up materials. Carrying materials out of the van into the dumpster gets old fast, especially if there's a lot of loose, small material, vs. just tossing the crap directly into the back of the truck and sweeping it into the dumpster.
My 4WD crew cab Nissan Titan does everything as far as having one vehicle. I have a second vehicle I use as a commuter to my "day" job, but just because I don't want to kill my truck. I love my truck :)
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Pat L.
Rental Property Investor · Upstate, NY · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10y
Finally dumped the 225K miles 2003 Sequoia for a new Ram 1500 & 1 large & 1 small trailer. All Sect. 179 deductions :)
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Edward Debbs
Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 45 posts · 15 votes
10y
Originally posted by @John Cimino:

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.
Spoken like a guy who knows. Minivans are the best kept secret in versatility. I would also mention to the guy who said "real landlords drive pickup trucks" that I respectfully disagree. While completely unsexy, my Toyota minivan fulfills all my normal daily needs, which includes hauling kids around and all their associated stuff. Up to 8 people, which is sometimes something I need. A truck won't do that for me. I can stack 8x4 sheets of plywood or drywall inside the van. So if it rains, my materials are dry, whereas the guy driving the pickup has a bed full of ruined sheetrock. I've got a towing hitch too, so I can tow a 5x12 trailer, and I've towed a boat with it too, been there done that, minivans today aren't the boxy powerless turds of the '80s.
On top of all that, I probably paid 15-20k less than the pickup guy did for his, and I'm getting probably at least 25% better gas mileage.
If I were doing full time contractor work and needed a ladder rack or to tow 3-5 tons on a regular basis, I'd own a truck. For once-in-a-while light handiwork (tile, sheetrock,rebuilding a small deck etc) there's no point in owning something with all that capability. You're not using it for what it's built for as a landlord.
For the one vehicle solution to hauling family and junk around + doing some handiwork on the side and hauling stuff around while not getting it wet, unfortunately for the style-minded, a minivan is by far the most efficient way to go. Sorry for the bad news!
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Roy N.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10y
Originally posted by @Edward Debbs:
On top of all that, I probably paid 15-20k less than the pickup guy did for his, and I'm getting probably at least 25% better gas mileage.
....
For the one vehicle solution to hauling family and junk around + doing some handiwork on the side and hauling stuff around while not getting it wet, unfortunately for the style-minded, a minivan is by far the most efficient way to go. Sorry for the bad news!
As someone who used a VW panel van for years (the pre-minivan), I am a fan of a van except for when you need to do demo ... if you have a good dump trailer, than the van is fine.
Our new truck (pictured above) meets all of the features previously provided by our van (with the exception of the walk-through from the cabin to the box), plus offers a 3-way dump. I bet it will also rival the mileage of your minivan.
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Edward Debbs
Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 45 posts · 15 votes
10y
Originally posted by @Roy N.:

Originally posted by @Edward Debbs:

On top of all that, I probably paid 15-20k less than the pickup guy did for his, and I'm getting probably at least 25% better gas mileage.
....
For the one vehicle solution to hauling family and junk around + doing some handiwork on the side and hauling stuff around while not getting it wet, unfortunately for the style-minded, a minivan is by far the most efficient way to go. Sorry for the bad news!
As someone who used a VW panel van for years (the pre-minivan), I am a fan of a van except for when you need to do demo ... if you have a good dump trailer, than the van is fine.
Our new truck (pictured above) meets all of the features previously provided by our van (with the exception of the walk-through from the cabin to the box), plus offers a 3-way dump. I bet it will also rival the mileage of your minivan.
When I do a demo, I typically hire a drop dumpster. I agree though, if you're doing that sort of work on a regular basis you need a truck. While I can tow about 2 tons with my van, I don't like doing it all the time or for long distances. THere's no frame on those things and the brakes aren't as heavy duty as a truck's brakes. For the amount of work I do, and I would suppose most non-contractor landlords do, I think the van is typically enough.
The van you pictured is an amazing machine. It would be a great option for somebody who needs to shift toward more work capability. I know you said it's pricey for a 15 year old vehicle, but those diesels run forever. I'll bet you'll never need to replace it.
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Christopher Leon
Realtor · Schaumburg, IL · Member since 2011 · 289 posts · 118 votes
10y
Tom Henderson I drive a Honda Element. Great for all around use like what your needing. I haul my large RC planes inside, I can lift the rear seats and haul fridge's, stoves, etc. it has a tailgate too which helps. Another good vehicle is a Chevy HHR. Good luck
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Christopher Leon
Realtor · Schaumburg, IL · Member since 2011 · 289 posts · 118 votes
10y
Tom Henderson I almost forgot, both the element and HHR are 4 cylinders! HHR gets much better gas mileage, but I prefer my element for the extra storage space.
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