compact pickup truck vs utv

[outdoorman]

I've been thiniking about getting a utv like polaris ranger or honda pioneer for use on my small hunting property. My honda recon gets me around but unable to carry much or a passenger. Has anyone else used a small pickup for hunting orfarm chores in place of a utv?

 

[JustUs4All]

I used a 72 Toyota FJ-40 for years before I got a UTV. I was very happy with it. The biggest problem with a PU will be turning radius and this wouldn't be a problem in open country.

 

[Railroader]

I use a '98 Toyota Tacoma single cab and a Polaris Ranger. Depends on where I'm going. Can't see being without either one.

I hunt, fish, and trap a good bit within a few miles of the house. The Ranger gets used almost daily.

Little truck gets used more during deer season.

 

[outdoorman]

I'm thinking a used single cab small pu truck can get me anywhere I want to haul stuff on the property. All the firebreak roads loops back around so no need to turnaround anywhere.

 

[B. White]

Lots of questions to consider, if it were me deciding.

1) You already have a recon. How often do you need to haul a passenger or a lot of stuff? I have a 2002 recon that got me by for years. I would occasionally drop somebody off when hunting, but not enough to need a UTV. I wouldn't want to go a long ways or on rough terrain, but on good roads we managed with somebody on the back and a stand in the back rack.

2) What are you hauling the recon with? Will it already access most of the area? I used to load the trailer with it and the truck with seed/fertilizer and move the truck as needed, so I was never a real long way from the truck.

3) Is it your property or a lease? If it is a lease and others have rangers and such, is there other equipment you can contribute to and share that is less than the cost of a truck, if you all have a good relationship?

4) How good are the roads, both roadbed and limbs on the side? How much extra maintenance would be required cutting trees and limbs back every year with a chain saw and pole saw to get a truck through? It grows fast.

5) Insurance, tag, tax, maintenance costs for a truck.

6) Cost of a used ranger vs. used trucks. Used vehicles are crazy high. Rangers may be as well, but a 500 will probably do everything you need and will be cheaper than the over priced big ones out there.

7) Efficiency- I've been through two small trucks (S10s) and an S10 blazer in my life before there were lots of ATV/UTV options. The 4wd blazer did ok other than maneuvering, but with a lot of miles it was not the most dependable. The pickups were 2wd and too light for good traction down most logging roads I ever needed to go down, which had a lot of clay. Got out of some sticky situations in GA and AL after a big downpour, but barely.

I had always said I would buy an old jeep or only use the tractor around the house, but my wife wanted a ranger and I got a pretty good deal on a little 500. I've taken it to some places I used to take the recon that were washed out bad and no way a small truck would go without tearing up the road or the truck. The little ranger handles much better without beating me to death. I probably wouldn't talk myself into either, if only for hunting and I had pretty good roads and already had a recon, but we haul water, fertilizer tools and other stuff around the house a lot and it does a good job without tearing up the yard.