How many DIY without a truck?

Rehabbing & House Flipping
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How many DIY without a truck?

William Huston
Trinity, FL · Member since 2016 · 209 posts · 57 votes

I am curious how many DIY folks here are making it work without a truck, recently i have been contemplating switching out the car for a truck as i perform more and more DIY task myself, i have been making everything work so far with a 2012 Chevy Volt i purchased when i got my real estate license with the expectations of doing more driving as a Realtor, but surprisingly i have driven very little in the last 2 years with my license, i have only been doing sales part time while working part time as a registered nurse with the expectations of switching over, but i have yet to feel comfortable going full time in real estate sales with the income i have been earning vs my nursing income, so i have been only averaging around 10k miles a year the last 2 years. 

The reasons i have been thinking of making the switch is i have spent a good chunk of money the last 2 years after selling my previous truck on deliveries and paying friends to grab something or move something for me with a truck. Also there has been many of days i could have finished a project if i could get it that day with a truck, but couldn't, so i had to pay to have it home delivered...

I purchased a hitch kit for my Volt, as a lot of people online told me they tow with trailers with light loads all the time without an issue, but after adding the hitch with the intentions of just renting a cheap trailer from uhaul when i need one... came to find out that because my car has a 0 tow rating from the manufacture, uhaul cant legally rent me a trailer.. their system says every trailer is above the towable limits, preventing me.. So i would have to purchase a trailer now and i really dont have anywhere to truly put a trailer, HOA prevents it outside, so it would take up my garage space, which i prefer to park my vehicle to keep it out of the weather, and safely inside.

Recently a coworker of mine purchased a Chevy Colorado with the 2.8L duramax diesel as a realtor, his is a 2wd version and driving around showing houses his fuelly claims he is averaging 27-34 mpg per tank driving it, so been thinking of trading my car in for a used 2016 model to spend the least amount on a depreciating asset. 

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Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
7y

I have used a van for 40 years both through my employment and personally. For 20 years I have used a dodge caravan, with fold down seats, and have been a landlord and home flipper for the entire time. Van is capable of carrying 4 X 8 sheet goods and, with tinted windows, you simply lock up all your tools safely at night.  The van along with a utility trailer has served all my construction needs.

Problem with a truck is the items in the box are exposed and can not be left unattended. Advantage of a van with the fold away seats is it is also a family vehicle when needed. Look around and you will see that trades all use vans to carry tools and material. Generally you will see the supervisor, not the trades, driving a pick up. 

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  • Chris Szepessy
    Catskill, NY · Member since 2018 · 636 posts · 668 votes
    7y

    I couldn't survive without a truck. Even before I owned rental properties, I used my truck as a truck 1-2 times a week. I also have a 1995 Subaru that I drive daily to save on gas. Instead of buying a newer truck, you could find a decent older truck for $4-5k and keep you current car as a daily driver. 

    1Reply
  • Linda WeygantPro Member
    Investor and CPA · Arvada, CO · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    I used to have a very nice Volkswagen Jetta.  The day a bag of powdered tile mud split open in my trunk was a day that truly sucked and put me on the path to truck ownership.

    If you're not quite ready for a truck's gas sucking issues, try a foldable trailer like this:

    Foldable Trailer

    Takes up very minimal space in your garage and when unfolded and a sturdy piece of thick plywood as the base, works really well for hauling around stuff.  My partner still drives his 2006 Subaru Outback with a tow hitch and he uses the trailer for motorcycles, drywall, appliances, kitchen cabinets, ladders, etc.  Works really well and when you're done, you pull the plywood, fold it up and store it in a small space in the garage.  Easy Peasy.

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    1Reply
  • Bob H.
    Rental Property Investor · Cedar Park, TX · Member since 2014 · 414 posts · 272 votes
    7y

    I like @Chris Szepessy's suggestion, if you have room to park both a car and a truck. You can buy an old truck, preferably a small one, and fix a few things at a relatively low cost. I like my 1989 Ford Ranger, which works well for landlord stuff. (A sunroof and no AC is a bit rough in Texas sometimes.) At other times I prefer the mileage and easier driving of a 2007 Corolla.

    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y

    Enough with the tiny trucks , Get a MANS truck , a fully dressed out 1 ton   Diesel with dual rear wheels , 4x4 , winch on the front and a lift kit with tall tires . Ford , chevy or Dodge .  Gas mileage is for wimps .  Command the road go BIG or go home .

    Or find a cheap beater that does the job 

    3Reply
  • Gilbert Dominguez
    Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2016 · 211 posts · 144 votes
    7y

    You can rent a truck from U-Haul for about $25.00 plus gas and milage/day. I think Home Depot will deliver to just about anywhere for about $75.00 for a truck full of building materials. 

    Even as a Licensed GC and always with my own truck I would more often than not have all building materials delivered to the job site. Aside from being unsafe using a car to transport building materials is a pain in the .................................................................................................................................................................

    1Reply
  • Brian Pulaski
    Flipper/Rehabber · Montgomery, NY · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    Had a brand new accord when I started to flip. Found out after house number 1 that was a poor decision. I now own a truck and wouldn't think to go back. I do a lot of the work, so having my tools with me, and the ability to bring materials to and from my houses is a massive plus!

    0Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y

    I have used a van for 40 years both through my employment and personally. For 20 years I have used a dodge caravan, with fold down seats, and have been a landlord and home flipper for the entire time. Van is capable of carrying 4 X 8 sheet goods and, with tinted windows, you simply lock up all your tools safely at night.  The van along with a utility trailer has served all my construction needs.

    Problem with a truck is the items in the box are exposed and can not be left unattended. Advantage of a van with the fold away seats is it is also a family vehicle when needed. Look around and you will see that trades all use vans to carry tools and material. Generally you will see the supervisor, not the trades, driving a pick up. 

    6Reply
  • Joe Jor
    Westchester, NY · Member since 2018 · 115 posts · 52 votes
    7y

    I do pretty well with a 2008 Honda fit.  It has great interior space with near-fold-flat seats.  The largest repair I've had to do was fully replace a 6x8 closet; no full apartment overhauls yet.  In that instance, I was able to fit 8 ft lengths inside (2x4, PVC ...) and strap plywood/sheetrock to the roof.  

    Home depot is only 2 miles away on local roads, so that is the counter point.

    Joe

    0Reply
  • Mike B.
    Flipper/Rehabber · Yardley, PA · Member since 2015 · 451 posts · 307 votes
    7y

    I rehab about 1-2 homes/year.  I currently drive a 2011 scion XB with a roof rack.  I have been contemplating lately, to get a used Ranger 4-door 4x4 beater (e.g. 100K miles and spend <8K if possible) but haven't pulled the trigger.  My XB is great since it's boxy; lots of room to carry tools and materials.  Anything large (4x8 plywood or drywall sheets) or appliances I usually have delivered anyway.  If I had a truck, would likely only use it to the full advantage a handful of times a year, hence why I haven't purchased one. 

    IF you feel you need a truck, I would recommend saving money and getting a used ranger.  I've done a lot of research on this and for the value, accessories, etc.. used Ranger is the way to go (e.g. 2000-2010, with approx 70-150K miles, 4 door option, 4x4).  Since the 4-door model has the rear doors open suicide, you can modify the extended cab part to easily hold tools etc (make your own organizer out of wood sheeting). Then you could add a ladder rack, etc on top to carry long stuff. 

    0Reply
  • Matt R.
    Blue Springs, MO · Member since 2015 · 481 posts · 313 votes
    7y

    I rehabbed and rented my first house with just a 2001 Toyota sedan, including hauling a 22' extension ladder to and from the house.  I rented a U-Haul truck or van three times (which could have been reduced to two, with better planning), and I think I rented the Home Depot truck once.  I borrowed my other half's car (Chevy HHR) once, to pick up a new steel garage door section.  I had a refrigerator delivered.

    Putting the ladder on the Toyota is an adventure.  It's reasonably secure, but I also only drive on city streets (35 mph max), and not the Interstate.  The rent house is 8 miles away from my house, so this is not too bad.

    I found it hard to make it out of U-Haul without spending about $50-60.  The sticker price on their "in-town" trucks is $20, but you also pay about a buck a mile, and they make up some other fees too.  My rent house was only about a mile from a big U-Haul dealer, so pick-up and drop-off were close; if the U-Haul dealer is further away, that adds to the cost.  If you're in a big city, it is usually a little cheaper to go to the big U-Haul dealer, rather than "Bob's Auto Service" that also rents U-Haul.  The big dealers also have better availability of trucks.

    Where I used to live, there were a couple of car-rental places that might have helped, if I was investing at the time.  One specialized in older pickups for use around town - their site says they'll rent you a 1/2 ton for 3 hours, unlimited miles, for $29 all in, or for 24 hours, 75 miles, $45 all in.  The other place specialized in new pickup and van rental and was more expensive, but I also hopped in one of their trucks and drove it from Oklahoma to New York without worrying about the truck.  So it might pay to look around at the local options.

    One local landlord I know has a full-size older Chevy truck that he got cheaply from a family member.  Another one has a Dodge minivan - he likes the idea of the minivan but doesn't recommend Dodge after a couple of expensive repairs to his (it's only a couple of years old).  Like @Thomas S. said, an advantage of a van is that it's a little more secure.

    The folding trailer idea may also work for you.  There is another kind of folding trailer where the bed doesn't fold, but the tongue does, sometimes sold as a "dump" trailer.  If your garage is either tall enough or wide enough, you might be able to set that kind of trailer up against the wall in the garage, and still park your car in there.  The trailer like that I used had steel pockets along the side rails for 2x4s, so you could build yourself a "fence" for the outside edges of the trailer if you needed something more than a flat bed.

    If there is a Ford, Chevy, or Toyota dealer in your area that has a big commercial truck department, you might prowl around their lot on Sunday, or on their web site.  Sometimes they will have used work trucks for reasonable money, and they usually already have ladder racks, toolboxes, shelves, etc installed.  You may also be able to get a short warranty in the deal.

    If you know any contractors (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc), you might ask if any of them are selling a truck.  A private sale takes a little more work, but sometimes you can get a better deal.

    I don't get money from any companies mentioned.

    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y

    I use a 1 ton ford extended window van and a trailer . I removed all the bench seats except behind the driver . ( this is so my kids have a place to sit ) I covered the rear windows with luan plywood on the inside . I carry tools and supplies and they stay in the van . I pull a 5 x 8 dump trailer 5000 lb GVW .  The trailer can hold 50 sheets of sheetrock .  or 2 tons of stone , dirt or construction debris. 

    Now if you are looking for a deal on a truck , look for a single cab pick up . They go for less because just about everyone wants 4 door pickups .

    1Reply
  • Don Meinke
    Investor · Northeast, NE · Member since 2015 · 258 posts · 83 votes
    7y

    I drive a 97 Olds mini van.  Works pretty good.  I took out the 3rd row seats cause didn't use them anyway.  The BAD part is the second row seats don't fold down or go down for 4 X 8 stuff.  If YOU only drove it you could take those out too.  I have put 10 and 12 foot lumber inside and closed the hatch. Could tie it down too  Have seen a trailer that stands up against garage wall which works too.  There are good older pickups around that are good also.  Lots of options

    2Reply
  • Jim Adrian
    Architect · Papillion, NE · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 840 votes
    7y

    I use my wife's prius!  lol

    1Reply
  • Johann Jells
    Rental Property Investor · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 876 votes
    7y

    Minivan camp. No problem shlepping appliances, tools, snowblower, lumber, 10' pipes, or the kids carpool. Pickups are simply a "manly accessory" in much of the country for guys who wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan. Same with all the SUV's that have far less room than a minivan and have never seen a dirt road, never mind driven off road.

    2Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    @William Huston

    The guys that actually make money in DIY landlording all seem to be the same when it comes to this. Our work vehicle used to be a Honda Odyssey minivan with 200,000 miles on it. It was bar none the best vehicle ever to research auction properties. We could drive it into any Pgh hood and never worry about it. Our current setup is a Toyota RAV4 crossover with a roof rack, a folding cargo carrier, and two utility trailers. The hitch and the wiring harness had to be put in separately on the RAV4. We keep leather gloves, ratchet straps and a moving blanket in the tire compartment in the RAV4 at all times.

    1Reply
  • Mike B.
    Flipper/Rehabber · Yardley, PA · Member since 2015 · 451 posts · 307 votes
    7y

    Well as an update to my above post, I just happened to be looking around on craigslist when I found a guy selling a 99 ranger 4 door, 4x4, for $2500! Only 81K original miles.  It was too good to pass up, so I bought it.  Needs about $1K worth of work and it'll be a solid truck for a long time.  So I guess I now have my 'beater' work truck.

    0Reply
  • Andrew Flora
    Rental Property Investor · North Vernon, IN · Member since 2018 · 136 posts · 192 votes
    7y
    2016 model truck? Dont do it! You can buy another door or 2 with that money! Like others have said an old mini van or cargo van is perfect or an older truck. Dont finance any vehicle
    1Reply
  • Patrick S.
    San Antonio, TX · Member since 2018 · 24 posts · 12 votes
    7y

    I loved my old ranger.  I finally sold it, and missed it ever since.  If you ever need to buy drywall or plywood, you pretty much need a truck.  Now I have a couple of handymen that do everything for me, but still would be nice to have sometimes.

    0Reply
  • George W.
    Investor · NJ · Member since 2018 · 869 posts · 921 votes
    7y

    Either a cheap pickup truck. Or get something that can tow a enclosed trailer. Pickups are good for any general use but if it's raining your tools get wet or even worse stolen. Pickups also can tow heavy weight for the most part and plow snow with ease. I use a high top work van and also own a pickup. I would never work out of a car, too much weight from tools & material it's unsafe for braking. I like the idea of enclosed trailers. They're like mini shops, come in many sizes and secure.you can also leave them at job sites. If you're a diy maybe get a used suv and a enclosed trailer. Then you can still have something to move people and tools safely without shelling out big bucks for a pickup. One more perk of the trailer is that pickup trucks the bed is high off ground with no ramps. Not as easy for loading big heavy objects.

    1Reply
  • Chris Purcell
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2010 · 739 posts · 372 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Gilbert Dominguez:

    You can rent a truck from U-Haul for about $25.00 plus gas and milage/day. I think Home Depot will deliver to just about anywhere for about $75.00 for a truck full of building materials. 

    Even as a Licensed GC and always with my own truck I would more often than not have all building materials delivered to the job site. Aside from being unsafe using a car to transport building materials is a pain in the .................................................................................................................................................................

    $20 delivery if you have pro services

    0Reply
  • Dale Carlson
    Rental Property Investor · Port Washington, WI · Member since 2016 · 46 posts · 63 votes
    7y

    yea...i have to say a van is not very manly, but when you pull up to a Wisconsin Home Depot with a light drizzle in March, you will be glad that you can stick 35 sheets of drywall, lumber, nail guns, compressor, tools, etc in the back of your minivan, and its snug as bug in a rug, and out of the elements. 

    3Reply
  • Scott Schultz
    Rental Property Investor · West Bend, WI · Member since 2015 · 931 posts · 598 votes
    7y

    I have been considering if i can do without my 2008 Tundra, but the thought of replacing it makes me ill, I can buy a house for what even a base model 5.7L 4X4 costs but i have a 7X14 enclosed job trailer and a 7X14, 14,000 dump trailer, so i have to be able to tow, I was considering a full size van, but none of the newer ones are rated for towing very much, must are only 6,000 lb. I have rented equipment like skid steers and mini excavators and prefer the towing capacity. I could get by with something smaller and rent what i need, but i dont know I would be happy, I can replace my Tundra (like for like but new) for about $28K, but man thats a $750-800/mo rental. 

    0Reply
  • Johann Jells
    Rental Property Investor · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 876 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Dale Carlson:

    yea...i have to say a van is not very manly, but when you pull up to a Wisconsin Home Depot with a light drizzle in March, you will be glad that you can stick 35 sheets of drywall, lumber, nail guns, compressor, tools, etc in the back of your minivan, and its snug as bug in a rug, and out of the elements. 

     1/2" drywall is 52lb, that sounds like a >2000lb load, well over the limit of a minivan!  No bottoming out?

    This one below turned up in my image search for the pic above that I had seen before, it was too good not to post.  I can imagine a captioning contest for it! What's the donkey thinking....

    0Reply
  • Terrell Garren
    Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    Life is meaningless without a Ford Ranger. 

    0Reply
  • Dale Carlson
    Rental Property Investor · Port Washington, WI · Member since 2016 · 46 posts · 63 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Johann Jells:
    Originally posted by @Dale Carlson:

    yea...i have to say a van is not very manly, but when you pull up to a Wisconsin Home Depot with a light drizzle in March, you will be glad that you can stick 35 sheets of drywall, lumber, nail guns, compressor, tools, etc in the back of your minivan, and its snug as bug in a rug, and out of the elements. 

     1/2" drywall is 52lb, that sounds like a >2000lb load, well over the limit of a minivan!  No bottoming out?

    This one below turned up in my image search for the pic above that I had seen before, it was too good not to post.  I can imagine a captioning contest for it! What's the donkey thinking....

     The 3/8" at HD weighs about 1500lbs for 35 sheets.  it cant be much more than having 5 guys loaded in the back with camping gear, cooler, etc.  i dont haul that much every day or for long distances.  bottom line is - you cant beat the security of the minivan.  stuff wont get wet, and it wont get stolen....hopefully.   = )

    0Reply
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