What is your favorite Cargo Hauler (Dropship)?

[Minemech]

What is your favorite Cargo Hauler? Why?

 I slipped in some that are not outright haulers but are reasonable candidates at any time to act as haulers anyhow.

 If I missed one, or what you find to be a viable candidate, feel free to name it and I will edit the poll. Castrums do not count.

[Daryk]

I'm partial to the Manatee, personally... ;)

[Minemech]

I'm partial to the Manatee, personally... ;)

Added.

[Daryk]

Thanks! :)

[Alan Grant]

Most on the list are definitely not purchased to be cargo haulers, they have other primary missions in which cargo/logistics is a secondary function. So this is going to get some funk results for sure.

"Control this is the Freighter Prosperity, inbound to the recharge station, request docking clearance."

"Uhhh, Freighter Prosperity, our warbook identifies you as a Vanir-class Dropship."

"We are a freighter."

"Umm, right, I mean.. stand by.... <whispers to person beside him> find that planetary defense Liaison guy, he's taking a leak, get him, yes RUN!"

[cray]

Mule. It's a very common workhorse adequate for sensible sorts of interstellar freight and having enough room to be converted into any military role.

[Daryk]

Alan Grant (and Cray): The Manatee doesn't have that problem, and to be fair, neither does the Mule (at least not until the WoB starts installing nukes...) :D

[beachhead1985]

I like the Jumbo, but I don't see it listed here.

[Minemech]

I like the Jumbo, but I don't see it listed here.

It has been added.

[idea weenie]

Mammoth.

It can make its own landing site, and still only needs one Docking Collar.  Plenty of room for custom setups, or just the default version can be filled with supplies that others to want to keep safe.

[Minemech]

 I have to admit, I did not expect the Mammoth to blow its way through by such a margin. I did not bother listing some such as the cargo Aurora because it is essentially a lesser cargo Leopard (Though the Aurora is lighter and a bit more controversial). I know the merchant Nagumo had an obscure reference in TRO 3057 alongside the cargo Union and Triumph dropships. I was a bit surprised the Rose did not get a vote.   

 

[Daryk]

I'm just happy the Manatee came in third (so far at least)... :)

[Liam's Ghost]

Unless we're factoring in semi-intangibles like noise ordinances around populated areas and maintenance to the spaceports that have to repeatedly endure dropships lifting off and landing, the Mammoth is basically the closest to the ideal, being able to carry the most cargo in a single hull.

But I still picked the Buccaneer, because I just think it's neat.

[Minemech]

Unless we're factoring in semi-intangibles like noise ordinances around populated areas and maintenance to the spaceports that have to repeatedly endure dropships lifting off and landing, the Mammoth is basically the closest to the ideal, being able to carry the most cargo in a single hull.

But I still picked the Buccaneer, because I just think it's neat.

The Buccaneer is indeed a phenomenal ship and one that is popular in-universe for just that. I chose a different ship from those two myself. The Buccaneer's status as an aerodyne is a plus in my opinion and was tempting. It is also one of my favorites.

[Giovanni Blasini]

I'm just happy the Manatee came in third (so far at least)... :)

Wait, are you the other Manatee voter?

[Daryk]

Yep!  I asked the OP to add it, too... ;)

[House Davie Merc]

Mule. It's a very common workhorse adequate for sensible sorts of interstellar freight and having enough room to be converted into any military role.

THIS.
It's listed as the most common merchant dropship. That means unlike a lot of the others listed
spare parts are available. I see remaining functional as more important then outright efficiency per ton.

You can't haul cargo if you can't keep it running.

[Minemech]

The good news is that the Mule has modestly more than half of the Mammoth. The bad news is that the other haulers have largely performed poorly compared with both. Given the niche role of these ships in a war game, it is understandable. I will admit that I thought that aesthetics among other factors would be more impactful, but perhaps given the background nature of these ships, those factors held less sway. I can easily see why both the Mule and the Mammoth would stand out. This made for an interesting contrast with the Assault Ship poll. 
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=80610.0

[Von Jankmon]

I voted Mammoth, it is the only think making the logistics anything but a joke.

[DevianID]

I voted Danais.  I know the Trojan is on the list, but since its just a variant I didnt vote for it.

Starting from the grey death book, where the danais had the millenium falcon treatment of hidden guns and such, I always loved it as a small scale hero ship.  Small enough to go unnoticed, big enough to be modded and still haul cargo.  Its the Firefly of the Battletech Verse, great for a small crew to hop job to job.

[Daryk]

With the two Small Craft bays, I can see that.  Even though I prefer the Manatee... :)

[Giovanni Blasini]

The Danais is an absolutely great ship.  My reason for choosing the Manatee, though, is that it comes in enough flavors to cover nearly any use case: it’s a general cargo hauler, or a dedicated ‘Mech hauler, can be a DropShuttle or use a KF boom and be a full DropShip.