Trailers are a good idea
 

I've seen so many people buy larger cars or SUVs or trucks because they occasionally want to haul something.

IMO, it is so much better to get a smaller car and put a hitch on it and get a small trailer. I have one that folds up and can be stored inside. I've used it to haul sand, a motorcycle, a lawn tractor, boxes, etc. I don't worry about the strain on the engine - for slow, around town use it doesn't matter (within reason).

I know, I got a $200 fold up menards (harbor freight) job in the garage, it is rated at 1000 lbs and the car doesn't mind it once in a while. I cant imagine taking a full time mpg/insurance/handling hit for the few times we need to haul stuff. I've used it for landscaping, camping, canoes, motorcycles, appliances, lumber/drywall, the works and on a vehicle that can get 50+ mpg the rest of the time (that would be %99.99 of the time).

I have that same $200 Harbor Freight trailer; If I was going to use it alot I'd get the 12" wheels $250, but for occasional use (as often as most trucks have things in them) the $200 one works fine. Now if ALL you do with the vehicle is move lots of stuff; then I'd buy the truck. My Dad has a 4x8 utility trailer that he got about the time I was born it has had many repairs over the years, but it regularly (once a week) carries 500~800lbs with no issues. FYI if you do that buy some nice radial 12" tires works MUCH better than the cheeps they come with and will actually last.

edit: by my usage thus far I've been towing the trailer 5% of my miles. If you believe my SGII ( I don't) I get about a 25% hit in FE when towing.

Ive been doing this for the last 10 years. I had a 4x8 utility trailer that I would pull behind the 6000 wagon whenever I needed to haul something considerable. 16 mpg when towing, 30 mpg most any other time. Now I have a 5x8 that is similar and I usually use the van to tow it but the car would tow it very well.