This is actually the struggle I'm going through right now. I rarely need to cart around something large, but when I do it's something large. Like a few full sheets of plywood over 40 miles. I really don't want a pickup for the other 98% of the time, but there isn't really a viable option for renting a pickup for a few hours.
I've used renorun and paid for delivery, but they aren't available in all markets, that would be the #1 choice.
#2 would be a roof rack. renorun stopped serving my area (boston) so I use my tiny hr-v (the old one based on the fit frame.) and I throw plywood and drywall sheets on the roof rack all the time. Only 6 sheets at a time, and you need to have a 3/8 plywood sheet on the bottom so the drywall doesn't snap, but it's been pretty adequate.
I never used the home depot truck rental because you have to drive it back -- not a great option I think.
> By the time you turn 35, you're in a blood feud with either Lowes or Home Depot, and have sworn vengeance against a minimum of two major airlines. [1]
My blood feud is with Home Depot, and Lowe's near me doesn't have a rental program.
[1] https://twitter.com/KBSpangler/status/1551715401033302016
Really? I did exactly that this weekend and it was easy and didn't cost that much. I figure with how rarely I need one, renting a truck when needed is much cheaper than owning one. Added benefit is that I'm not constantly being asked to have my truck borrowed by friends and family.
It is a shame that registration and insurance doesn't operate on miles driven, and disincentives this.