Hands down most SUVs are going to be easier to load because you're walking right up to the cargo area. You don't have to lift over the tailgate or push items across the tailgate Gap. Plain and simple hand loading especially a bulky item into an SUVs easier than a pickup truck.
Some do. My XL did not. But a hitch receiver is only a $100 add-on if you order one. You can have one added after you buy a truck, but it's going to be a lot more than 100 bucks.
Here are some pictures to consider in your circumstances.
Most SUVs one lift and it's in the vehicle.
With a pickup truck you have to first get it up onto the tailgate.
Then while bending you have to slide it over the tailgate Gap into the bed.
At almost 70 years old with arthritis in my spine it's not the easiest thing for me to do. With the Escape it is far easier, being able to walk right up to the cargo area and putting things right inside.
My wife has trouble lifting grocery bags over the tailgate into the bed she prefers her Escape
That's our situation.
I look at facts. For most people an SUV with a lift up tailgate, is far easier to load the cargo area than loading a pickup truck OVER the tailgate. No if I'm hauling gas cans or rolls of sod I prefer using one of my trucks. My wife is forbid me for putting gas cans in the back of her Escape.
Here are some pictures to consider in your circumstances.
Most SUVs one lift and it's in the vehicle.
With a pickup truck you have to first get it up onto the tailgate.
Then while bending you have to slide it over the tailgate Gap into the bed.
Thank you so much, Glen, for your detailed and thoughtful response.
I can certainly see the issue with getting the scooter over the actual tailgate and into the truck itself.
To put the scooter into the Volvo wagon, I first remove the (27+ pound) battery and the seat, and fold down the tiller (steering handle). Then I can easily lift the scooter by the front and position the front wheels into the wagon. With a considerable part of the weight now already in the vehicle, I can then pick up the scooter by the rear, and swing it around into the car. (With the Volvo, the scooter has to be stowed across the back area, but in our Ram MaxiVan, it can roll right in lengthwise.) (4th row back seats removed)
The problem with continuing to use the Volvo is that it is an '01, has done many miles, and has a variety of possibly-terminal issues, sigh. I have an '05 Volvo XC70 wagon in addition, and that one also comes with a variety of eventually-terminal issues. Just a matter of time.
