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.)

[trekkin_gecko]

@RedRoxx44
@cactuscat
my next vehicle will have that capability
although I still like to tent camp

[cactuscat]

@trekkin_gecko
Yeah, I think it's gonna be nice - I will post pics when done!
I figure I will still get my share of tent and hammock camping when backpacking.

[outdoor_lover]

@trekkin_gecko
Wait, don't you have a Truck? Just put a Shell on it... You can also buy Boxes for it if you don't/can't build them yourself... I've done that with a couple of different Pickups I've owned...

I really enjoy sleeping in my Vehicle as well. I'm a tad too long for it, but as long as it's not Frigid Cold, I just sleep with the Hatch open. I've been told I could remove the Back Seats and it would give me just a Tad more Room, but I don't have anywhere to put the Seats and sometimes I have to haul Family around, so it would be a Pain... I can sleep with the Hatch closed, but it's just a tad too cramped.... That's why I carry Tarps, so I can just Rig them so I can sleep with the Hatch open even in the Rain and it gives me room to still Cook and keep stuff dry.... Tarps are very handy to cover anything that I need out of the Vehicle so I can sleep in it. I finally bought a Tent, but mainly for Backpacking. I don't want to wear it out Car Camping, especially when I have a nice 3" Foam Mattress to sleep on. Hint: If you are thinking about a Foam Mattress to sleep on, DO NOT get Memory Foam... First Hand Experience talking here, I'll be selling that Mattress at my next Garage Sale, lol

[sneakySASQUATCH]

@outdoor_lover
I just built a quick remove platform for Yertle. I can leave the main platform in place, but have to remove kid car seats and add a piece with 4 wing nuts to set up sleeping. Two exped megamats create the sleeping area and Make a queen size spot for my wife and I with 9+ r value. The exped mega mats come in a double as well which is narrower than two put together, but may fit in smaller vehicles.The sides are vertical so two fit together perfectly for our platform. They are self inflating and have memory foam as well. They are heavy, but they aren’t meant for backpacking and they are as comfortable as our bed. We got them on super sale, and have been sleeping on them all summer and they are great. Because of the generator bay and not wanting to remove seating for three there is not room to sit up, but it is pretty comfortable and the air mattresses can be rolled up and the platform used for gear, while still leaving room underneath for the dogs. It’s a work in progress. Because it was a radio truck, it has blackout curtains with Velcro all the way around saving me sewing curtains and the gas heater even makes winter trips comfy. The fold out table with storage underneath means all I have left is to get solar, inverter, and batteries to run an ARB fridge freezer although I think they are efficient enough to run off the 24 volt system already in place. For now the cooler fits in the generator bay. I never really liked car camping, but with little kids we’ve found freecampsites.net to be a good resource for dispersed camping wherever we want to explore. With off-road capability there are great sites almost everywhere. After this years mosquito issues at the dunes and a couple of other spots we camped I also got an awning with a zip in mosquito netting that fits on the rack. In nice weather Bear can sleep there and guard the camp.

[Pivo]

@cactuscat
I switched to a folding 3" pad for sleeping in the back of my Land Cruiser. My air mattress would get mushy when the air temps cooled. Along with a tent that covers the tailgate and hatch gives me more room and protects from wind and rain.

[RedRoxx44]

I have a netting I use from a craft store with magnets for the mosquito bug screen as needed in back. Also have a "plug" so can shut back door but it doesn't lock to be able to push it open to get out easily for the FJ. It has a fold down deck to level it for the bed. I have used the same 4 inch memory foam full or double size mattress for 8 years. It's actually pretty firm which I like. Rolls up for storage with travel.
The Jeep I rigged a pull cord to unlock the back door if I am in it closed up to get out. I can sleep in the back at an angle and can still stretch out some. I pulled out all the carpet, laid down stick on insulation every where that has some padding, and rigged some other carpet much easier to clean. I use a small self inflating mattress and a 2 inch memory foam topper in that one, sometimes I fold it over to minimize the room it takes up.
I also use a folding computer desk top rig to set up my cook stove on so I can have hot coffee in the morning inside the vehicle. Also use it for the lap top map program to peruse it in the evening if needed. The legs are short so it is a low profile but a nice level hard surface to work on.
I also added some stick on LED light bars in the back of both vehicles, adds a lot of nice even light when needing to sort thru stuff in the back in the dark, in addition to a headlamp of course.
For when it is warm and don't want to close up the vehicle but it's monsoon and rainy have a large tarp, attach to vehicle with bungees and tie it off the back, with cords and or stakes, to get air flow but not the rain. That has worked well even in pretty stormy conditions.

[outdoor_lover]

@MtnBart01 @RedRoxx44
It's Interesting that you guys don't have Issues with the Memory Foam. At least when it's Cold... I bought a Twin Sized Memory Foam Mattress and although it was fine in the Summer, when I went on my Fall Trips with Cold Nights, it like...Froze.... Hard as a Frickin' Rock. I'd lay on it and my Body Temp would melt it and I would literally create a Mold in the Bed... And I couldn't roll it up if it was still cold in the Morning....I hated it... I went to regular Foam after that.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

@outdoor_lover
The mattresses are a combination air and foam. I run into the problem your describing with my pillow.

[cactuscat]

My CRV camper is coming along - the frame/platform are being built, and I completed screens for two windows and curtains for the rest ... ordered my mattress today ... hoping to try it all out next week!

[sweaty_trek_yeti]

Sometimes before I bought my 2nd Gen 4runner, I would hitchhike to a trailhead, hike the trail and then hitchhike home in time for work. Used to time it just right to orave work early Friday and be back zombie tired before work Monday morning. Now, I rides in in quick.

[hikeaz]

2018 Wrangler > http://alturl.com/4gmmp

[SuperstitionGuy]

@sweaty_trek_yeti
In my backpacking prime my wife would drop me off near the Superstition Trail Heads and I would hitch hike and then hike or backpack from the south to the north or from the west to the east or vice a versa and she would pick me up three days later at the opposite end. Sometimes I had to walk a little further than I had planned but I met a lot of interesting people doing this. They would share with me their hiking and backpacking experiences and I would share information with them. Even got picked up by a State Trooper at the Fish Creek Bridge late one night and met him again 20 years later after we both retired. Some where on this website I told about the three Bikini clad ASU co-eds that picked me up and gave me a ride in their open top jeep.

[cactuscat]

<r>My CRV camper is mostly done - just a little tweaking left to do. I am going to cover the plywood - thinking I will sort of "upholster" it with fabric and a staple gun. Turned out to work best resting the front-most platform on the front seats (layed back) - I'm going to attach another leg or two under the middle for more support where the front platform folds back on a piano hinge. I am super happy with the Lucid 3" foam mattress! It even has a removable, washable cover and it folds up for transportation and storage ... also folds to make a mini lounger, good for reading and such. It's pretty deluxe.

[big_load]

@cactuscat

That looks like a nice setup.

[Jim]

I got T-Boned today, and while the repair place said it is not likely to be totaled, I won't be keeping my car after a collision. Sort of a shame as while I didn't care for a lot about it, I was about to the get the title.

Based on my hiking preferences, is it better for me to look at a Tacoma, F-150, or some SUV? What about just being cheap and getting a small sedan. My rental is a Cadillac, and it just feels weird and tiny. If I get a pick-up, not having 4wd is probably dumb.

[kelly14]

@Jim_H I’ve managed to get everywhere I’ve wanted to go (except once) in my 2wd truck but yes I would kill for that 4wd just to have that added level of comfort.

Having at least high clearance if not a 4wd vehicle is I feel a requirement to get to all the finest hiking destinations This state offers. But then again if you got a buddy you hike with all the time who has all that maybe you can get away with a Prius?

Sorry about the accident btw hope everyone made it out in 1 piece.

[Jim]

Anyone have experience with a Nissan Frontier?

[hikeaz]

We have a Frontier for a shop truck (235k and climbing)... V6 Pretty bomber and without the $ premium one needs to give for a Tacoma (although they are awesome). Nissan had a recall on bad radiators that allowed coolant into the auto. trans, fluid, ruining first the solenoids then the trans. Be certain there is no 'funky look' to either the trans fluid or coolant.

[CannondaleKid]

@Jim_H
I'd recommend your decision tree look something like this:
- New or used?
- How much do I want to spend?
- How important is fuel economy?
- Car, Pickup or SUV?
Car for fuel economy
PU for more hauling capability
SUV for more interior space... can sleep in it
- If I get a 4WD (PU or SUV) how much will I use 4WD?
- Do I want 4WD to go places I never could before or just for peace-of-mind

Just a few things to think about.

[kelly14]

@Jim_H I have a 2016 Nissan Frontier and have beaten the crap out of it going on almost 3 years. No issues whatsoever. Very reliable truck IMO. Quite a bit cheaper too than it’s competitors.