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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.)

I see I have been mentioned. I just came down the 17 in near white out conditions near Schnebly hill. Holy Cow the Verde and near Black Canyon city---crazy flooding. Anyhow I think snorkels are overkill. I like wading out and seeing if any soft spots or rocks. I like the fact I have a 4wd Toyota and a 4wd Jeep. I'll never run less than 37 inch tires on the Jeep, that's for sure. I go over big rocks in 2wd and reserve the lockers and lo for serious stuff.
Coming down some slushy snow and ice covered roads up in Utah it was nice to use the 4wd on the Toy, and take the traction control off. I can't speak to a Subi's capability as I have never owned one. However I've driven some rental cars to some pretty good spots.
The one thing about the vehicles I have is that I can get to places some can't ( not UTV's) and as a result see places that have little to no traffic. As in the last few days backpacking a canyon system in utah during the atmospheric river event. Rain, floods, wind--- it's all good if you are properly equipped and have some experience-- and that goes for whatever vehicle you have.

@RedRoxx44
Thanks for chiming in! That part of 17 in whiteout is nerve-wracking. Hopefully the snow will be done in two weeks for my next trip.

Next-Gen 2025 Toyota 4Runner Will Have Hybrid Powertrain available.
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2025-to ... g-we-know/

@big_load
You're not really asking for much (trailhead approach) and some of these replies contain some overkill. I'll second @xsproutx that a Subaru-type (AWD with stock extra clearance) is an important step up from a sedan. I've been using an Outback for 13 yrs now (7yrs a stock Touareg before that).

Stock is just about good enough though I'd endorse changing OEM tires out for tougher ones (this is the one thing I do). Both Subaru and Touareg come with hokey spares. Never had a flat on the VW (tough tires) so I never used the blow-up donut. I did have flats with the Outback before I learned to upgrade tires, but it's full height skinny spare always got me out.

No skid plates - just don't drive over any big rocks.

The one thing I'd add that I don't have is some sort of back-up jump starter. In AZ anyway batteries die in a hurry and abruptly. I know one time I'd been to a remote spot on Sunday and Monday morning my car wouldn't start in my drive way. It stuck with me that if that happened 12hrs earlier I'd have been in a pickle.

Ok, the die is cast. I put a deposit on an incoming '23 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium this afternoon. With the availability constraints, I'll have to go aftermarket on some of the recommended extras, but at least I won't be waiting for a dealer to get new allocation or paying almost new car prices for something 2-4 years old. The first thing I checked was whether I could really sleep in the back, which is a big plus. Mrs. big_load even fits in there, too.

It will be quite a change after 26 years of driving a Subaru, especially at the gas pump.

big_load wrote:It will be quite a change after 26 years of driving a Subaru, especially at the gas pump.

Yes, but a good night's sleep is worth the extra $100 per tank!

FWIW, at last check there's still an annoying bump where the back seats when reclined are an inch or so higher than the back cargo area, so for the most ideal sleep you'll have to compensate for that with either a good mattress, or some way to elevate the back half to meet the front half.

Congrats on the new ride.

big_load wrote: Mrs. big_load even fits in there, too.

Hoping the Potential Future Ex-Mrs. Big_Load is okay with that comment.

chumley wrote:Yes, but a good night's sleep is worth the extra $100 per tank!

My options are still open, since I'm keeping my Subaru as long as I'm still commuting 70 miles/day. After it dies, we'll still have Mrs. big_load's much newer Outback.

chumley wrote:FWIW, at last check there's still an annoying bump where the back seats when reclined are an inch or so higher than the back cargo area, so for the most ideal sleep you'll have to compensate for that with either a good mattress, or some way to elevate the back half to meet the front half.

Thermarest NeoAir Xlite should be able to handle that.

Pivo wrote: ↑Apr 22 2023 3:17 pm

big_load wrote: Mrs. big_load even fits in there, too.

Hoping the Potential Future Ex-Mrs. Big_Load is okay with that comment.

She'll forgive me (I think). I did have to go less diagonal to make room for her. And some of our gear will have to sleep outside.

@chumley
The FJ has that issue also when I took the back seats out and just folded down the backrests. I fabricated a small wood deck that fits in the cargo hold that levels out the mattress. There is still a very small place where they meet but my memory foam mattress at 4 inches does a good job of making that not a problem. The deck can be removed but most of the time I just keep it in the back covered with a piece of carpet. I painted and waterproofed so any spills in the back won't warp it ( hopefully).

@big_load
Congrats! I’m curious what kind of mileage. I have been pretty surprised with the ‘22 Frontier. My previous commuter Tuscon got 32, but my wife’s 1 year older one gets 26 of course I commute to Taos and she drives up and down a 2000’ pass. The frontier with camper shell and RTT has averaged 21 mpg for all driving in town/highway and I get closer to 25 driving to/from Taos even with La Veta pass. It doesn’t cost that much more per trip and the seats are much more comfortable.

sneakySASQUATCH wrote:I’m curious what kind of mileage.

Supposedly 17-19, which brings tears to my eyes. It would be nice to do better. On the other hand, I'll be able to get where I want to go, and it will be less miserable than sleeping in the reclined driver's seat of a rental sedan.

I did the Taos to Le Veta Pass trip last September for the first time. It was a nice change of pace.

RedRoxx44 wrote:The FJ has that issue also when I took the back seats out and just folded down the backrests. I fabricated a small wood deck that fits in the cargo hold that levels out the mattress.

The optional slide-out tray in the 4Runner makes that bump go away. Apparently, lots of people who don't have that do what you did. I couldn't get the tray, so I might make a platform, too.

@big_load
A full/double size air mattress inflated to about 90-95% fits perfectly in the back of a 4Runner and makes that bump barely noticeable.

Another handy thing is a laptop tray; I have one that I can sit up in the back comfortably and read with it straddling my lap, and use it for any drink holding or coffee making in the vehicle in inclement weather.

@big_load
You might want to check out a Luno air mattress shaped specifically to fit a 4Runner. (They have models for other vehicles as well)
Luno Air Mattress 2.0

CannondaleKid wrote: ↑Apr 29 2023 10:20 am @big_load
You might want to check out a Luno air mattress shaped specifically to fit a 4Runner. (They have models for other vehicles as well)
Luno Air Mattress 2.0

That looks nice! I've been searching around, but hadn't come across that one yet.

My vehicle should reach the dealership early next week. I'll get new tires right away. I'm also thinking about installing front recovery points to mitigate the consequences getting stuck.

I personally decided against an air mattress for my vehicle camping. Plus for it is of course doesn't take up any room and if you have a pump that does the usb or power port then it airs up in a timely manner. However I am known to drag all kinds of debris into my vehicle ( lord knows how all these branches, leaves and thorns get in there ---oh driving some of the super narrow and brushed out roads with the windows down might do it). I feel like it would have a high likelihood of developing a hole so it's not worth it for me.

RedRoxx44 wrote:I am known to drag all kinds of debris into my vehicle

I keep a 12 v vacuum in my rig for that very reason plus a little dog with muddy toes.

Chevy Tahoe 4x4 with a little lift. I took the rear seats out, built a platform with storage, added solar, fridge, coffee pot, and a lithium battery. It is a nice SVU RV.

big_load wrote:My vehicle should reach the dealership early next week. I'll get new tires right away. I'm also thinking about installing front recovery points to mitigate the consequences getting stuck.

If possible I'd go up one size on the tires.
Along with a 2.5" lift (the most with no need to change suspension geometry) I went up one full size on my '07 4Runner tires for about a 3" higher clearance. (The front tires lightly brush the inner fenders only while backing up under full lock so no issues)

Another option rather than an air mattress is something like this:
4Runner Stealth Camping... Go to the 08:27 mark.