Pick-up Truck or Large SUV for long US Drive?

[V8 Stang]

So i am off to the US in March starting from L.A driving up to Salt Lake City via death valley (for a weeks snow fun). Then driving back to L.A.

So around 2K miles in 11 days.


I have been looking at car hire, and am not sure to go for a premium Pick-up truck (F-150 or similar) or a full size SUV (Tahoe or similar)

Both should be V8 and 4 wheel drive (for the snowy bits).

I have driven both types in the US, and both were great fun. Im wondering if the Tahoe would be better on the longer journeys (around 10 hours).


The price is fairly close, £683 for the pickup and £776 for the Tahoe.

Oh and i will be solo, so either will have plenty of room for me and my suitcase!


So what do we think, Pick-up or Large SUV?

Edited by V8 Stang on Saturday 3rd December 10:59

[Bobupndown]

Suv more road biased and probably more relaxing to drive but it's a holiday, drive what you feel you'll enjoy most. The big v8 pickup will have you living the American dream.

[Crumpet]

Pick ups are a bit rubbish for storing bags and stuff, though. And also a bit bouncy compared to an SUV.

I a Suburban recently and it was perfect for cruising about. Slow, but still perfect.

[sherman]

How much is the Mustang/Camaro and some snow chains?

[Draxindustries1]

Although the suv will give a better ride you're not doing many miles, personally I'd go for the F150 pick up.
These are great things to drive and virtually unstoppable on most terrain.
I did NY to San Diego with Mrs D a few years ago, its approx 2700 miles. Non stop 2 drivers in under 48 hours but we stopped overnight in Tulsa.
The F150 is the truck we hired..

Edited by Draxindustries1 on Saturday 3rd December 16:00

[Justin85]

Pick up for me. Most of the larger SUV's are based on the same platform as the equivalent pick up anyway, and similarly designed to carry a load, so don't necessarily ride any better.

I spent a year in the 'States with a new F350 a few years ago (well, 2015) and rented a Mustang/Camaro/'Vette to do Route 1/Route 66/Bonneville respectively and they were fun, but you couldn't beat the truck for comfort and practicality and for feeling like it belonged from highway to dirt trails via drive-thru's and the Walmart car park.

[fttm]

March , you'll want the SUV . Pick ups are great , I run an F150 , but if the weather is dodgy you'll be swapping 2/4wd all the time and in 4wd they tend to plough rather than turn . SUVs have AWD , and stick to the road like sh*t to a blanket ,plus more room for luggage . Also run a Grand Cherokee and it'll go anywhere my truck will .

[A.J.M]

In 2017 a mate and I did a 3,000+ mile road trip round California and Nevada etc in 16 days.

We got a 3.5 eco boost V6 Expedition for us.
Typical hire car spec but it was a great big comfy bus, ate up going from Vegas to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and back in a day.

Get a big SUV.

[AdeTuono]

Draxindustries1 said:

Although the suv will give a better ride you're not doing many miles, personally I'd go for the F150 pick up.
These are great things to drive and virtually unstoppable on most terrain.
I did NY to San Diego with Mrs D a few years ago, its approx 2700 miles. Non stop 2 drivers in under 48 hours but we stopped overnight in Tulsa.
The F150 is the truck we hired..

Edited by Draxindustries1 on Saturday 3rd December 16:00

Non-stop with a stop then?

[V8 Stang]

Well ive gone for the pick-up purely for the fun.

When i went back to uscarhire the price had gone down as well £644 for 11 days with everything included and £0 excess seemed a very good price.

Its with Alamo and a choice location, so i can choose the truck!


I had a Ram when i was in Canada a few years ago, and that navigated snow with ease!





Roll on March