Looking to get a vehicle to set up for running a trap line. We can ROW trap here and my son and I want to hit it hard next year and want to set a vehicle up for running a trap line and never have to take stuff out of it. What is everyone found they like? A little truck? Small suv? Also tough and easy to work on would be nice. I’ve only ever owned fords or chevys
I also wouldn’t mind seeing how you guys have your rides set up

The roll up bed covers are great. You can leave everything in the truck like you want and cover it in a matter of seconds if you need to.

1998 Subaru Legacy Wagon. Manual transmission.

Well, it kinda depends on what you are trapping for. Water trapping, dirt trapping, cats/K-9s, coon? I can't say I have ever had the perfect setup, but I can tell you I've never had too much room in the bed of my truck. I will say, I would never go with a rig where the dead critters rode in the same space as me. I can get plenty of stink, fleas and lice in the fur shed.

I often thought a mini van w/ sliding side door would be ideal for ROW trapping.

Trapper Les uses one, so I can assume that's not a great idea. That is, however, a great rig for for soccer moms and road hunters.

If your going to trap row only you only need 2wd. Lots cheaper. If you can find a white pickup with an enclosed bed level with the top of the cab, put an orange gumball looking light on it, no one will guess what your doing. wear orange safety vests. carry everything in an awol bag.

He'll never find of these. The lesbians just don't part with them. Plus it'd take hours to scrape off all the rainbow bumper stickers.

Something easy to get in and out of. Plus easy to get into your storage compartment. I agree with keeping the animals in a different compartment as myself. Maybe Ford Ranger of Chevy S10 with extended cab.

Really, any truck will do. I keep traps and setting gear in totes next to the tailgate. The catch gets piled in the area between there and the cab. All of it sits on a plastic "grate" made from old shelving, a couple inches tall that allows water to drain off the catch and air to circulate.

Now that is hilarious!

If I was only going to ROW trap then I’d agree with Danny. 2wd truck only.

I’d get one of the early 2000’s Toyota tundras. Single cab 8 foot bed 2wd. 4.7 v8. Super reliable truck that will last forever and can be bought for a fair price

I agree a white GMC 1500 with a white topper all wired up for the beacon , I took it off and caulked the holes shut.

just so happens I have one runs great , just has a little deer front end damage

I'll cut you a deal on it since I have no idea when I will have the time to fix it.

Not in Iowa. You can't get up icy hills and you can't get on the dirt roads if they are wet. There are even questionable gravel roads if it's muddy. Missouri roads leave a lot to be desired as well in places I've seen.

Here's how I set up a small truck for trapping in the past...





I much prefer a full sized truck even if it has a short box...

A topper with side entry is mandatory for my trapping truck. Everything is dry and more secure.
A raised bed that allows wet critters to drain and cool when piled up is also a go to for me.

When I row trapped in Iowa, 4wd was a must.
I use 4wrd less In Wyoming than I did in Iowa row trapping.

ADC you must drive slower and got better trials than I run.
That stuff on top would fly right off.

Good set-up I like that., I just can't have stuff up like that to many steep hills here.

The cheapest 4x4 you can get that is not a ford……

To toss my two cents into the ring, you don't need 4wd until you do. And then you really wish you had it. If you can find it some rigs have a toggle for 2 wheel/4 wheel but I personally feel the slight milage loss from 4wd is worth the reliability. Not sure if it'll matter that often in Missouri unless you're on dirt roads though. Anyone living north of Missouri should definitely spring for 4wd if they can.

......Got to have 4x4

Good post ADC.
IowaTrapper (1,000 coon a season guy on here occasionally) traps out of a Chevy full size 4x4 pickup.
Soft road sides in mud, or icy and snow conditions, the 4x4 is important.
Make sure the cargo space is sufficient for gear and catches.
Get in good shape too if you are not already in good shape physically.
In and out of the truck, up and down ditches and steep banks and culverts, and doing so in a timely manner…you want to be in decent physical shape too.
Jim

I got to have my 4x4 when I need it.Going to happen.Driving in the woods,slippery conditions,winter time and snow.

Smart

I will say, ya couldn’t do that in a Subaru!

Now that is funny! Good one ADC

Mac

Absolutely get 4wd.

ADC I like that platform to keep the catch up off the bed. Ya I will get 4wd I thought a camper shell that has side access or some side toolboxes like those on a flatbed truck could be handy. I know they are heavy but a utility bed I always thought would be nice. Great way to keep stuff organized and at the ready.
Probably his last check of the season today. We have a big snow storm coming in. Had a nice boar coon he’s going to pull his muskrat sets after school

Here’s mine!! Just kidding. I use a 3/4 ton 4x4. Full size truck. The mpg sucks but, if you load down a small truck. The mpg would be about the same! Plus I have more room for equipment and fur. Just something to consider.

How many traps are you running? You can fit a whole lotta traps and coons in the trunck and back seat of a tiny car like a honda civic or toyota camry. You can pick one up a high mileage one for less than $2k off of facebook marketplace, and the 30+mpg gas mileage will be a lot better than the 20mpg you'll be lucky to get in a truck. And when it's totally clapped out, you can sell it again to some high school kid for $1500.

Don’t count the ol Buick out!

mines a clapped out Chinese fourwheeler with a laundry basket glued to the back

See if Smash wants to sell hers!

You mean one of these with a 3.4 V6 great row trapping truck for iowa easy to work out of and very reliable

Yep, great trucks! I'd love to find a 4wd one. I trap a lot of private ground that requires 4x4

Hard to find those trucks in the single cab long bed configuration with 4x4. Easy to find them 2wd

4x4 a must here.

wws

I agree that a Civic or Camry are dependable, but would suck to trap out of. No ground clearance and would get stuck a lot. And I'm not driving a car with 40 wet, muddy, stinking coons in the backseat!

With amount of fleas our MO critters have, there is no way I’d have them in the cabin of a vehicle. Our county roads on a day like today would require 4x4 if you pull off into the ditch any at all.