Hiking vehicles

[rally_toad]

What kind of vehicles do you guys all drive when your going hiking? Im thinking about investing in a 4wd high clearance Jeep or something of the sort so I could get to some places where I definitely couldnt get to with what Im driving now (73 mustang):) I saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee today for $2600 and I was thinking about checking it out. What "hiking vehicle" is easiest to drive and which gets the best gas mileage (even though I know most wouldnt be too fuel efficient.)

[Alston_Neal]

I know it's south of the Mongolian Rim.

I made sure our FJ was kosher before heading into the Mazel tov mtns.

[big_load]

@sneakySASQUATCH

I talked with your Uncle Steve tonight. I'll probably see him tomorrow night, too.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

RTT got a patch

[big_load]

RTT got a patch

The patch is tempting me.

BTW, I was in Colorado Springs for a night last week after a bit of wandering around in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico.

[toddak]

The Mrs and I have been looking at future vehicle options since car camping in the Subaru is becoming less fun than it used to be. Rented a 19-foot 4WD pop-top Sprinter van for 6 days, drove north from Vegas then looped back south along the eastern side of the Sierras. Random observations:

- relatively easy to drive, got around 16 MPG
- overall very comfortable, wouldn't want to go any smaller than this for extended 2-person living
- pop top enables standing up and adds ventilation and light but a pain to put up and down
- small rooftop solar panel easily kept the fridge, lights, etc fully powered
- pretty limited storage space and no hot water (could be added)
- Thetford porta potti worked well but we mostly used it only as a last resort
- good A/C only in the front seats while driving, cabin heats up fast when parked in the sun (full A/C another must-have option)
- disappointing going off-road, even on relatively smooth dirt the magnified bumps, rattles, swaying gets old quickly, didn't even bother trying rougher roads

As always everything's a trade-off. Much more comfortable living but limited capability to get to the out-of-the way places we like to go. Add in the up-front cost and I don't really see a van like this as a realistic option now, but it will probably get more appealing the older we get.

[nonot]

@toddak
If it is something you are seriously considering, I image that you could do suspension swap and put off road tires on to improve the off-road experience (at loss of further mpg and lighter wallet).

I myself am debating a future approach to #vanlife camping vs towing a camping trailer. You seem to basically get the same mpg with either way, though the driving experience is different.

Trailers have better creature comforts (as standard options) than vans although off-road trailers can require double mortgages to pay for the thing.

[Alston_Neal]

Taxa is one of those companies making cool trailers. But their windows would drive my OCD into overdrive.
https://taxaoutdoors.com/habitats/cricket/

[azbackpackr]

I live in a 34-foot motorhome full time, but I don't really travel much in it. Just back-and-forth from the desert to Flagstaff. I move it twice per year.

Last year, for a cross-U.S. car camping trip in the fall, I purchased a very sturdy 4-person Eureka outfitter tent, plus a propane heater for it. I think that's about as far as I'm going to go with the glamping. Maybe I'll get a roll-up table sometime, and a wider, thicker Thermarest.

I'm often camping near friends who have vans, down along the river near Yuma/Blythe. It can get extremely windy down there. My van-dweller friends have a big advantage when it gets windy, over me in my tent. I always just go home! To me it seems the main advantages of the van are that you can lock it up with your stuff inside, and that you can get inside out of the wind and driving rain a lot better than even the best tent.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Saw the Storyteller vans at expo the beast mode looked reasonably capable super expensive, but off grid for days and enough battery power to run AC etc. I’ve got future plans for The Pinz, but the Nissan Frontier sleeps 4 comfortably has a 270 awning with walls that zip in and enclose the entire area. Significantly cheaper than a van more off-road capable and the whole thing sets up in under 10 minutes. Also, have looked at the camp 365’s which are towable even by Subarus and Hyundai’s and set up in about 10 min. and have 13” clearance for off-road.
https://camp365.com/

[RedRoxx44]

I've slept in the back of my FJ cruisers since my 2007 one. But it's just me now. It was cramped when my ex was on trips esp long ones with the dog but we made it work. Back seat is out and stored in the garage. The original a deck was made to make the inside totally level. With my newer FJ I simply folded down the back of the seats and removed the seat cushions for the back. That made a small ramp. I made a small wooden deck just for one side so when I roll out my 4 inch memory foam mattress and get my pillow I am set. The deck can be removed and stored if I am not using it.
I have a folding small metal table that I put outside and usually put a water jug on for camping. I have chairs but find I usually sit on a rock or the cooler. I set up one side for sleeping and the other is general items, my small table and kitchen set up for morning coffee inside if inclement weather. Clothing bag and pack. Reading material. Front passenger seat usually have maps, guide books and cameras. Small cooler that I raid while I am driving for snacks and drinks in the floorboard passenger side. I usually carry a water proof duffle bag in case I want more room and put stuff outside the vehicle in case of rain. I secured some small metal mesh baskets along an edge in the back for small items, headlamps, reading glasses, bug spray, etc.
I've had some great times in the vehicle in raging weather, comfortable and reading a great book. I must say I like it better than a tent, unless of course backpacking then it's more campsite choice that makes it for me.

[skatchkins]

Merry Christmas

[big_load]

Merry Christmas

Somebody must have known right where to wait. I hope they didn't bait him with Christmas cookies.

[big_load]

I'm finally reaching the time to get serious about a vehicle. My application will be primarily getting to trailheads and exploring high country and backcountry roads, nothing truly off-road. I've sampled some contenders and have a few on my short list. One area I need help with is customizations and extras. What are the extras that really matter, and what can live without.

[chumley]

primarily getting to trailheads and exploring high country and backcountry roads, nothing truly off-road .... What are the extras that really matter?

No extras are needed for your application.

Conveniences on the other hand ... I recommend a mini battery pack for an emergency jumpstart when you're out somewhere remote on your own. Tire patch and air compressor are nice. Depending on where the trailheads you're visiting are located, a better set of tires than what probably comes from the showroom might be helpful. There's a lot of chatter about tires here in the forum if you care to research what works best for you.

[SuperstitionGuy]

If you are traveling alone (one vehicle) it is best to have a winch to enable to self-rescue yourself.

[big_load]

@chumley
OK, those all make sense.

How about a skid plate or any kind of suspension mods?

[nonot]

Depending on what trailheads you are after, a suspension lift may or may not be helpful. I'd guess about 80% of trailheads are fine for 2WD moderate clearance (Suburus, etc) and about 95-98% of trailheads are fine with 4WD and stock high clearance (SUVs, most pickups). For those few final remote trailheads it helps to have a bit extra. If you don't get a suspension lift and think you might try that last few percent then a skid plate may be helpful. Upgrading to bigger tires than stock can be a type of suspension lift in itself, if they can fit the wheel wells.

Experience helps as well, I smacked my skid plate multiple times when first learning to off road drive, but after a few dozen experiences on some rough roads I haven't scratched it since.

My personal ranking of the importance of options/accessories for backcountry driving, most important to least important:
1) Full sized spare tire, jack that's usable off road, tire inflation tools, tire patch kit, improved tire iron beyond what comes with the vehicle, jumper cables. Dead batteries and flat tires can happen on any road. Except the spare tire this is probably about 150 dollars for everything, and there's no excuse for not having all of theses since you can go to any big box store.
2) Having true 4WD (AWD and other marketing terms do not count.) Useful for mud, gravel, snow, loose rocks on inclined roads, not even necessarily difficult roads.
3) Increasing suspension lift above stock or skid plate, get one or the other - for tackling adventurous roads.
4) Get the other you didn't get for the line above if you find having both would help you - for being very well prepared on adventurous roads.
5) Center diff lock - for extreme roads. Until they improve the computers enough for auto locking out wheels. Most electronic slip control systems are not programmed for extreme off camber situations.
6) If travelling alone, winch or at least a come-along and accessories - for self-rescue on isolated roads. More for peace of mind, better to not put yourself into situations needing rescue. Not needed if you inform a companion who can send help if you don't return on time. (Assumes you carry enough water and blankets for an extra unplanned night and would be OK footing the rescue/towing bill.)

Not very useful in my opinion:
Lighting upgrades: fog lights, light bars - except in very extreme roads where you are skylighting
Brush and bull bars: useless and act as damage amplifiers
Snorkels: There's only about 2 roads in AZ I can even imagine snorkels being useful. Both are bypassable.

[xsproutx]

@big_load
Kind of depends on skid plates... Assuming you're looking at vehicles that are pretty standard for people who like going on forest roads and a bit of off road and released in the last couple years, most come with those standard now. If it doesn't, I think it's a worthwhile mod and they're usually pretty damn affordable so no real reason not to get. For suspension, it's always a balance of everyday vs the weekend trip. Again, I'd say if you're looking at the "standard" vehicles people do in this hobby, there's no real need to change the suspension. Spend the money on some more multipurpose tires.

My subaru has a slight lift, tough tires, and it's gotten me to 98% of the stuff I want to do. Chums list for a battery to jumpstart and tire plugs are honestly all you need for most the stuff here.

[xsproutx]

I'd guess about 80% of trailheads are fine for 2WD moderate clearance (Suburus, etc) and about 95-98% of trailheads are fine with 4WD and stock high clearance (SUVs, most pickups).

Having true 4WD (AWD and other marketing terms do not count.)

Don't want to pick on you specifically but you always see people making the same tired, not factual, statements. Subarus have more clearance than almost any stock vehicle out there, including pickups and SUVs. Simple as that. Can't say I've ever seen a trailhead people said, "oh ho, can get here with a forerunner or tacoma but no subies!" that I had an issue with. I had a built forerunner and still prefer my subaru lol. Additionally, while I would agree AWD isn't as good/useful as true 4wd, I would also contend that "get to the trailhead" situations in AZ are easily done in AWD vs 4WD for the most part. Also, not every AWD is created equal of course. I only commented on this point because most the things you mention are exactly what AWD is particularly useful for.

These seem like arguments that are a decade out of date if I'm being honest

[CannondaleKid]

I've sampled some contenders and have a few on my short list. One area I need help with is customizations and extras. What are the extras that really matter, and what can live without

For extras, my first thought was "it depends on the vehicle"
That said, I'm wondering which vehicles are on your short list?
Exclusive of that knowledge... this is what I went with when I got '07 4Runner
#1. More rugged tires and one size larger
#2. 2.5" lift (the tallest lift without changing front suspension geometry)
#3. Rear air locker (a non-issue IF it had the electronic locker option, but it didn't)
#4. Auxiliary battery
#5. 150W Solar panel (connected to aux battery)
#6. 12v electric cooler