Keep a desiccant pack in the car, it'll go a long way towards avoiding damp-related issues. The reusable silica gel ones market for gun safes come in a metal can that's easy to handle & recharge in the oven at low temperature. We have muddy gear in/out of our cars constantly and this has worked for us.

A 9x8 trailer is a cheap alternative. Although, living in a suburb it might be hard to find a place to put it.

> Some uses are, impulse Craigslist and local furniture purchases, outdoor sports equipment, home garden projects.

Why would you buy a pickup for any of these activities? It'd be quite terrible? A van is a perfect solution.