HikeArizona.COM

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.)

@chumley
Agreed, the new Passport would not have fared well in that type of situation. (Even their jack would likely fall short of that task)
Also agreed, it fits the bill for exactly the reasons you mentioned.

Who is picking up the new Jeep Gladiator?

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/11/28/202 ... auto-show/

@cw50must
That is probably the ugliest thing I've ever seen ... but I'd still take it! Lol
Edit: I posted that before looking at the link, based on previous photos I had seen ... I actually kinda like that orange one.

Wheelbase is 137" !!! Yikes! That's 7" longer than the Suburban's! Does it have thrusters?

cw50must wrote:Who is picking up the new Jeep Gladiator?

Not me... even if I won the lottery I'd have no interest in owning an off-road land-yacht like that.

CannondaleKid wrote:Yup, perfect for those who will never drive off-pavement... unless by mistake

I am unfamiliar with the Chumley story ( I can only imagine, lol) but I do know that my humble CR-V has carried me quite well off pavement - purposely - many, many times. She gets me to Aravaipa Canyon, up Graham, up Carr Canyon, over the Chiricahua's and any other reasonable place I've asked her to.

@cactuscat
[ photo ]

cactuscat wrote:I am unfamiliar with the Chumley story

Photo: Chumley's unintended off-pavement

I had a CR-V for 4+ years and it did pretty well off-road... except for very steep up/downhills on loose terrain.
Uphills: It had front-wheel drive until it lost traction, at which time AWD kicked in but the moment it had traction again it dropped back to FWD-only, then constantly back-and-forth between FWD & AWD. Which meant having to take a pretty good run at the worst hills.
Downhills: The anti-lock braking would cut pressure to one or another wheels as normal, but on very loose surfaces, it kept cutting pressure until I had no braking at all. So anytime I forgot to pull the ABS fuse before taking on loose terrain, the emergency brake was sometimes the only means of braking. Not fun.

I bought a new trail rig. 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It already had some stuff done, AEV lift, All the nonsense on the front bumper, and some other small stuff. I like it so far.

That stuff on the front bumper is for Chevys and Fords when you find them stuck or broken down.
You have to move them out of the way and sometimes there is not enough room to go around.

I still don't quite like the electronic lockers, got mixed messages on mostly releasing the locker. Push the button and the locker light would still be lit, sometimes had to stop, slowly creep forward or back to get it to release. Getting into and out of 4-lo is going somewhat better now that is has been done a few times.
Once out of warranty I will likely do more modification, a lift, better larger tires etc. Really considering putting a full time detroit locker in the rear. I drove my Red Jeep for years with that and other than being careful on curvy highway in the rain and maybe a little more tire wear, increasing the tire rotation schedule, never had a problem with it.

Apparently holds 11 smugglers plus 6-8 bales. Leaps (almost) border fences in a single bound. I tend to doubt that this was its first rodeo over the border. Maybe your new 'hiking vehicle' is coming to a gub'ment auction near you!

@hikeaz
Must have been the last group to figure out how much easier smuggling through the ports of entry is.

RIP Matilda. Wednesday on the way home from work a long time Haz ride was unexpectedly retired by an impact with a large buck at 65 mph. There was no winners in this chance meeting except me walking away uninjured. The dedication of this tried and true Haz vehicle limping into the nearest town where I could get phone service before breathing her last breath as a last hurrah was much appreciated. Countless Haz Hikes and trips were facilitated with this trusty companion after 19 years of memories she will be missed.

@MtnBart01
Sorry to hear it. But is it bad that the photo I really wanted to see isn't the one you posted?

@chumley I couldn’t bring myself to take pic. Insurance totaled her. She drove until lack of coolant caused overheating. The left lense to the headlight was there, but the entire headlight was magically gone the front took a direct hit and the hood was peeled back more than a foot . Pretty extensive frame damage, but one of my hazards worked. She ran fine with the heater on until I slowed down in town at which point she decided to run quite hot. Basically a large dent the shape of the side of a rather large Mule Deer.

@MtnBart01
Sad news, but glad to know the only injury was to metal (except for the buck).

@MtnBart01
Ouch! I hope the next one serves you as well.

@MtnBart01
Was the buck able to be salvaged? I mean taken?

@Jim_H Unfortunately no.