[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I assume you're looking used? If not, then I think your budget is a little small.

Can't go wrong with an F-150 that is a couple of years old.
There is a reason why most work trucks in the oil and gas biz are Fords.

As for smaller trucks. Right now I drive a Tacoma, and they're great, but they're pretty pricey, so I'm not sure what you can get for $30k, but if you can find one that is a couple of years old, have at 'er they're great tucks.

I used to drive a Colorado, it was a pretty good truck but I was pretty hard on it and it just didn't hold up the way I had hoped it would.
If you're looking for something to haul hockey equipment that is good in the snow, it's great, but if you're looking to use it on more than paved roads, it's not the greatest.

I should add that both the Tacoma and Colorado are fine for space. You can put 4 adults in them pretty easily, though the Tacoma (granted I'm talking about an '09 so an older one could be different) is a bit bigger.