On my last hunting trip Down South, I stopped at one of those roadside eateries that cater to folks like me who can’t resist hand-lettered “BBQ” signs. Once inside the screen door, I stared a long time at the menu, which was nothing more than a painted board nailed above the counter. Finally, the counterman took pity on me.

“It’s simple,” he said. “Beef.”

I nodded.

“‘Course, you can take that chopped, sliced, or shredded, with or without sauce, and you got beans and relish on the side. Oh, we got two sizes--large and extra large.”

As I recall, I went whole hog and ordered a huge sandwich with all the trimmings.

Buying a new 4x4 can be similarly gut-wrenching. You start simple, but suddenly you’re looking at a vehicle with all the trimmings. The only problem is that a new 4x4 is considerably more expensive than a barbecue sandwich. Careful preparation, however, can keep the heartburn to a minimum.

Starting Out: The first step is to determine the type of 4x4 you require. Given the size of the market (more than 50), this may seem a Herculean task, but the field breaks down in a hurry into four basic types: full-size and compact sport utilities, and full-size and compact pickup trucks. By and large, full-size vehicles from the same manufacturer share mechanical underpinnings and designs. The same holds true for the compact segment. And broadly speaking, sport utilities will cost more than a comparably equipped pickup.

What type works best for you? That depends on the kinds of hunting and fishing you enjoy, whether you need the vehicle for work, and if you need to haul your family around as well. Inevitably, you’ll have to compromise. Though most sportsmen would like a vehicle dedicated exclusively to hunting and fishing, the majority need their vehicle to do double duty.

Think this through; sometimes the best choice isn’t obvious. For example, a Virginia angler I know was looking at compact sport utilities, but then decided on a compact pickup with a cap. Since he didn’t have any children and generally fished with one partner only, he didn’t need to pay for the extra seats of a sport utility.

A full-size sport utility, however, was the only alternative for a Texas sportsman because, as he put it, “I’m a gear hog, and during the fall when I’m after birds, deer, and bass I practically live out of my truck. I need a lot of storage space for me and my partner, and since I drive anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to hunt, I also wanted a cab with some room to stretch out. And when I’m not in the field, the rear seat stays up so I can haul around my family.”

A Montana bird hunter recommends a compact sport utility. “There’s plenty of room for my pointer, my partners, and all our gear,” he says. “In addition, I prefer the fuel economy of the V6 engine to that of a big V8.”

Finally, there’s the big-game hunter from New Mexico who prefers full-size pickups. “With a big V8 engine, I can tow a big trailer, and with a cap in place I can store enough gear for a week in deer camp. When I’m not hunting, the truck holds all my tools and work supplies.”

To each his own. Just remember, what works for a friend may (or may not) work for you. And since a new 4x4 will set you back anywhere from $20,000 well over $40,000, don’t be in too big a hurry to make up your mind.