If you’re looking to buy a vehicle that is street legal and can be built to tackle legitimate off-road trails, there are really only two body types to choose from: pickup truck or SUV. 

So which do you prefer? Both have similar advantages for off-roading, offering ample ground clearance, body-on-frame construction, and powerful engines, but each has its own unique pros and cons.

Poll: What’s the Best Looking New Half-Ton Pickup from the Big Three?

Pickup trucks offer the flexibility of bed storage and all the mounting options that come with having a bed. And with products like the Ford Raptor, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, Ram Power Wagon and more on the market, there are excellent choices in the truck field to start with. Not to mention all the big V8s available in the truck world, and even diesel if you want it.

On the other hand, SUVs offer more covered cargo space from the factory, usually more seating capacity and more weight over the rear axle, which means the weight distribution is closer to even than in a front-heavy pickup. Some examples of great body-on-frame off-road SUVs include the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Armada, Toyota FJ Cruiser and of course the Jeep Wrangler.

So if you were to start building a brand-new off-road rig tomorrow, would you be starting with a pickup truck or an SUV? Answer the question in our poll below and feel free to comment on why you feel one is better than the other.