The Pickup Truck Has Met It's Match: The Utility Trailer

-by Stephen A. Lovett, Senior Editor

Let me start by staying that the pickup truck is a great vehicle.  It has served this country very well, in fact, it has built most of it.  Pickups from Ford, GM and Chrysler have served their owners with loyalty over the years and should be commended for their duty.

I appreciate that the pickup is an invaluable tool for professionals such as builders, plumbers, carpenters, firefighters and rangers.  These tradesmen use their trucks to haul 100% of the time.  They are true work trucks.

I am perplexed by the pickup’s recent popularity a household vehicle.    As an everyday vehicle, they waste fuel and space for what?  The occasional run to the hardware store, or even the thought of doing so.  In most cases, we really are purchasing the ability or fantasy to do such things, while most users find they rarely do them.  Household pickups which operate 98% of the time with nothing in the bed are owned by people who like the allure of hauling things, and don’t want to cut off that possibility.

Well, I have the perfect solution for such weekend wannabe’s!  Instead of buying a huge, wasteful truck for 2% usage at best, buy the car that you want, and a utility trailer.  Store the trailer vertically in the garage, and hook it up to your car with a proper hitch when you need to carry something tall or extremely long.  A utility trailer can be had from Costco for $500, the hitch will cost you about $250 installed for a “hidden hitch” which you can’t tell is there until  you attach the tongue and ball to haul, giving you a clean look for most of your driving, plus you’ll save a ton on fuel.  Not to mention, you’ll be in a vehicle that has much better performance than any pickup.

This is even a good solution for the more active handyman.  My neighbor built a 1000 square-foot finished garage on his own.  He hauled all the supplies needed with his Chrysler Sebring convertible.  Pretty amazing, huh?  Well he used the Sebring and of course, a utility trailer.  In fact, depending on the equipment, a utility trailer may be even more handy than a pickup.  Rare these days are the 8-foot beds on pickups that were truly useful.  As pickups have become fancier and their interiors longer, most pickups now have short-beds, with cargo length less than 6-feet.  That’s not even enough for the obligatory 4X8 sheet of plywood.  Get yourself an 8-ft trailer, and you’re good to go.  Plus you don’t have to worry about scratching paint in the bed or denting the thing.  It’s only 500 bucks, so who cares how you treat it.  Now that’s starting to sound like the old pickup that we fell in love with.

Lesson learned?  Don’t drive some expensive, cumbersome vehicle 100% of the time for utility that you may need 2% of the time.  Put your utility to work only when you need to with a simple hitch and utility trailer.

Comments

[Sytze Vliegen]

In the Netherlands we have been calling this "Utility Trailer" a "bakkie" for ages.

Great invention! I love you all! God bless you!

[Hennie Houseman]

Also you can carry horses in it, right?

[Weduwe Rost]

And horses as well, amongst others. Do they supply nets to keep the pigs inside?

[air yeezy]

No matter how gluttonous devouring all the time, we need to breathe at this time, and strive to win our reputation, the sickle of time can not hurt us. - William Shakespeare

[supra shoes]

Believe: Tomorrow will be better!

[Chrisitan Louboutin sandals]

plus you’ll save a ton on fuel. Not to mention, you’ll be in a vehicle that has much better performance than any pickup.

This is even a good solution for the more active handyman. My neighbor built a 1000 square-foot finished garage on his own. He hauled all the supplies needed with his Chrysler Sebring convertible. Pretty amazing, huh? Well he used the Sebring and of course, a utility trailer. In fact, depending on the equipment, a utility trailer may be even more handy than a pickup. Rare these days are the 8-foot beds on pickups that were truly useful. As pickups have become fancier and their interiors longer, most pickups

[UH2L]

I couldn't agree more Christian. Why lug around utility you don't need 98% of the time?

[justin bieber shoes]

I'm interested in such offer,The sound quality in these podcasts is really poor. I feel bad about complaining about something that is free, but I think it is important.

[radii supras]

Love those! I enjoy following your posts on facebook and rss!

[Truck Lowering Suspension Parts]

Pic-up trucks have contributed a lot to the auto industry and almost certainly all things around the world. People buy them because it is really useful.