On Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:12:02 -0700, "Dan" wrote:

I recently bought a house that's going to need some fairly major updating,
remodeling, etc. I'm not concerned about being able to do the various tasks
involved, most of which I have done before, but this will be the 1st time
I'll need to transport fairly large quantities of materials (like maybe 5-6
interior doors at once, 8+ sheets of drywall, 4x8 sheets of plywood, maybe
some French doors to replace the sliders I want to remove, etc.) & we don't
own a truck. I'm trying to decide between a trailer (to be pulled by my
wife's auto trannied Subaru Impreza) or a beater pickup/van. Up sides of
the trailer would probably be cost & insurance. Downside is I've never
pulled one & would need to learn that. I don't know much about selecting a
truck. Obviously to lay 4x8 sheets flat (not that that's essential, I
guess) , you need 4' between the wheel wells, so we're talking a bigger
model. For a truck I'd be looking at something in the 2-3 grand range (less
for a trailer, I hope), if that's doable. I't doesn't have to be PRETTY ;-)
If anyone has any helpful suggestions about this, especially specific
trailer/truck model suggestions, please share them. I know I could have all
the stuff delivered, but I plan to do this over time as time & $$$ allow, so
I'd prefer to just have the ability to go get what I want w/out having to
deal with repeated deliveries, charges, etc. Also we're new here, so I
don't really have anyone whose truck I could borrow, plus I'd kinda hate to
bug somebody repeatedly even if I did...

Thanks

Dan

If you decide to go with the pickup, you don't need a bed
big enough to lay sheetgoods flat, you just need a chunk
of 3/4" plywood to put under everything else.

Note that The towing capacity of an Impreza is only
1000#, unless the trailer has it's own brakes.
and the trailer itself is likely to be about 1/3rd
of that.

When comparing the relative costs of a special-purpose
pickup or van, (I'd go with a cargo van, myself),
remember that the van gives you an extra vehical,
more capacity, and doesn't add wear or threaten the
health of the other vehical compared to a trailer,
but that you don't have to pay insurance or much in the
way of taxes on a trailer.