As some of you may know, I sold my pickup and downsized for economic reasons recently. However, in the summer time, I tow a 8000lb camping trailer five or trips for a Max of 28 days of truck usage. I'm looking for suggestions or critiques of my plans to accomplish this for the summer of 2016.
Option 1) Rent a truck when i need it. Advantage, newer reliable truck, no ongoing obligations. Disadvantage, hassle of picking it up and dropping it off each time, 100% sunk costs, plus many rental agreements (or all?) forbid towing. I estimate for the
Option 2) Buy truck for summer and sell in Fall. Several good options available in the $25,000 area, and in the $15,000 depending on how old of a truck I want to use. Advantage, no time limits like renting, less hassle picking up, possibly low overall cost if I can sell the truck for close to what I bought it for. Disadvantage, high capital cost outlay, would be on the hook for any repairs.
Option 3) sell my cheap car and just get myself back into a truck full time. Advantage, I'm a truck guy, and I'd love a newer truck. Disadvantage, Vehicle payment is hard to justify for a guy on EI.
Had considered trying to beg and borrow trucks from my buddies, but that's probably not realistic for the length of time I'm looking at. One or two weekends that would be possible.
My family extracts a lot of value from our trips in the trailer, and I don't think we want to forgo that for a year if we can help it.
I've posted a poll, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. I feel like I've thought this through, but I haven't decided on one option yet, so I don't think I'm pulling a Mar here.