| Author |
Topic |
Vancouver
Canada
291 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 11:43 AM
|
For those of you who are regulars on the rougher roads in the province, what do you drive? I'm a city dweller who lives without a car in the city, but I need something to get me out of here. Yes I'm a weekend warrior and Toyota wants me to drive a RAV4, but I'm not sure that will do the trick. Do any of the smaller pickups/SUVs actually hold together or is a full size truck necessary?
I kind of like the Toyota Tacoma, Car and Driver says it is pretty good too. |
Edited by - Coastal on 03/01/2006 12:17 PM
|
|
Vancouver, BC
Canada
1425 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 11:53 AM
|
| Suzukis are probably the most capable of the small SUVs. They are the only ones that have low range gearing and true 4 wheel drive. Most small SUVs have AWD with a center differential that reduces traction when you need it most. |
|
|
 canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 12:34 PM
|
how much money are you willing to drop and is gas mileage a big concern?
I off road frequently and can honestly say that many smaller SUV type vehicles can conquer quite challenging terrain.I drive a modified 3/4 ton GMC,but on most trails it's overkill  |
|
|
Raincouver, British Columbia
Canada
718 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 12:47 PM
|
| About a year and a half ago the bf and I did some research into exactly this situation. He decided that since most of the smaller SUVs are built on a car frame, they didn't have high enough clearance or didn't come with skid plates, etc. to make it worth his while. In the end, it came down to the Jeep Liberty or the Nissan XTerra. The XTerra won out since it had a better interior (a little roomier) and Nissan wasn't going to nickel and dime us with all the off-road features (on the Liberty Jeep makes you buy the big engine if you want the skid plates, etc. and we didn't need that). If you are looking at the XTerra, keep in mind that the 2005 and newer models are huge! You are better off buying a 2004 (like we have) or older since they are smaller. Well, if you are looking for a small SUV that is. |
|
|
Courtenay, BC
Canada
181 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 12:52 PM
|
Go with the RAV, it will handle 95% of the trails. The 5% that it doesn't you will have to walk 30 minutes. Keep in mind too that when you get into the real rough stuff, walking is almost just as fast.
I drive a Jimmy, at the time it was the cheapest thing out there, $20k brand new. I was amazed on a drive to the trail head to see a RAV4 at the end, this road was a deactivated logging road with tones of deep cross ditches. When I talked to the driver, he said that due to the short wheel base he had no problems, but the 4Runner in front was scrapping the tail pipe on a few of the ditches. Mind you the road was dry at the time.
When it comes time to replace the Jimmy, I will be replacing it with either a RAV4 or an Xtrail, I don't do enough true off roading to warrant a gas guzzler, but if diesel takes off at the time of the Jimmy replacement another true 4x4 could be on the list. One thing to watch out for, on some of the car based SUVs they have stabilizers bars by the wheels that really reduce the amount of off road it can do.
|
|
|
Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
59 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 1:05 PM
|
Hello There!
I drive a 93 Cherokee Country and it is absolutely great for accessing some of the harder to reach trail heads. It has plenty of clearance, not too bad on gas and will get you to almost where-ever you may want to go. If the road is too rough for the Jeep then its time to get out and walk! |
|
|
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 1:42 PM
|
I have a Subaru Forester, its a little too low to take on really rough roads, but it still holds its own again most SUV's.
Get a Toyota SR5 pickup. Those trucks are awesome.
----------------------------------------
Gucci Hiker Hater. |
|
|
|
Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5942 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 2:17 PM
|
I have a C.R.V. that gets to to where I want to go most of the time. With the shorter wheel base they tend not to get hung up on them. The only real complaint I have is that it could use a more aggresive tire.
Also this year they came out with skids plates as an extra but I think you can find aftermarket ones for a decent price. Big plus is the gas mileage. I had a Chev 1/2 ton that went anywhere but it kept me poor.
Now having said all that how you drive plays a part as well. a few years back I took a Honda Civic (S.I.R.) up to Mt. Cheam and back without a mishap. |
|
|
Langley, BC
549 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 2:18 PM
|
Suzuki Vitara/Chevy Tracker are true trucklets with body on frame construction and 4Low. The downside is the 4WD isn't AWD so it's for offroad only. (The 2006 Grand Vitara is now unibody like everybody else.)
The Toyota Tacoma is a nice small truck (but gets bigger every year) and it's a big plus to be able to throw all you stuff in the back without worrying about damaging the interior. Plus you can put a bed platform in the back and sleep in it. Or sleep under it.
Toyota 4Runners are nice too. Nissan Pathfinders are ok too. Everybody I know who's had a Ford Ranger/Mazda Bxxx would never buy another.
As you look at vehicles there's 3 things to look at -- ground clearance, approach angle (determined by the overhang in the front), and departure angle (determined by the overhang in the back). Most AWD cars (like Suby Outbacks) have good ground clearance but lousy angles. On our logging roads with our cross ditches you'll hang up on the bumper or pinch the exhaust shut.
My lack of skidplates has never been an issue but I have a full size Dodge truck with a lot of clearance in the middle. |
|
|
|
Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3620 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 2:23 PM
|
I got me a Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5.9 Limited..
 ... her first trip... the Pemby/Harrison FSR...
 ... way North of 100 Mile House somewhere...
With 275 HP, she sucks gas but hauls *ss when needed... and with leather seats and air conditioning, what's not to love in the backcountry???
C'Jack...
----------------------------------------
...hang on, I'm coming... |
Edited by - OK Jack on 03/01/2006 3:00 PM |
|
|
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Canada
285 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 2:32 PM
|
If your thinking of buying a new car, remember that your going to be pelted with rocks and branches, and covered in mud or dust... |
|
|
|
Mysterious, pop can stove stashin', gps totin', overnighter virgin, wannabe tentmaker and foul weather wuss who rides a thumper to the trailhead with wonderdog Max to hike the Chilliwack Valley
Chwk
Canada
4921 Posts |
|
161 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 3:03 PM
|
It really depends on what you want. I drive a Jeep TJ (Jeep jeep) and it will go anywhere the big boys go. But, I have to deal with limited interior space and poor gas mileage. My friend drives a Toyota pickup. He has the same concerns. Another friend drives a Suzuki Grand Vitara. It is the ultimate, good fuel mileage, good interior space and can follow my jeep nearly anywhere. It has more plastic on teh outside though, so it gets dinged up worse.
Of the small SUV's, only the Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, old Kia Sportage and Jeep TJ have any real offroad credentials. Any 4x4 light pickup will work well, but most require selection of the larger engines to get 4x4 and this causes poor fuel mileage. And exception is the GMC/Chev Colorado/Canyon.
Other small SUV's are barely more capable than cars on logging roads. Thes include Honda Element, Honda CRV, Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute etc. Keep in mind it depends on the types of roads that you wish to travel. Hiking in the Chilliwack Valley, Pemberton Area or Fraser Canyon virtually requires a good 4x4 to access the trails. However, hiking North Shore and Whistler area a 4x4 would be overkill.
One thing to keep in mind is that no matter how much u hike, you will spend 99% of your time on paved roads. I have found my TJ is a fun vehicle, but rarely gets a good workout. However, I still have to deal with getting 20 miles/gallon going to work every day.
Having driven many of these vehicles for various reasons, I would strongly reccomend the Suzuki, if you can deal with the ugliness and the poorer resail value. A good second choice would be a GMC Canyon pickup. |
|
|
161 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 3:10 PM
|
Some more things I thought of.
Here are some things you can't deal without.
1. Low range transfer case
2. Skid protection
3. High approach angles. This is the angle between the bottom of the front tires and the front of the vehicles. Here in BC, unless you are "4x4ing", to get to trailheads, you have to deal with washouts and waterbars. You need each of those items to safely cross waterbars. While you could, say, get to Statlu falls trail in a RAV4, of you get stuck, there is no low range to pull yourself out. Lack of skid protection will have you cringing when you touch. A touch could cause damage to important things like oil pans or transmissions. A lack of high approach angles would mean your front and rear bumpers will scrape and hang up as you pass through the ditch/washout. So, it really doesn't matter what vehicle you get as long as it has those 3 items. |
|
|
Cloverdale
183 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 3:29 PM
|
If you like the toyota tacoma like your post indicates then go for it. It has all the things everybody was mentioning. If your looking at used ones try and find one with the TRD package which comes with an "electric locker" for the rear axle. This gives you twice the amount of traction that stock 4x4's have when its really slippery. If you do find a TRD learn when and when not to use this feature. 1996-2001 4runners also have this option.
There is some awesome backcountry camping in the lower mainland if you can get to them.
 |
|
|
summerland, bc
Canada
653 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 3:38 PM
|
| I drive a Dodge Dakota 4x4, 4.9L locking dif , skid plates and love it but it does drink the gas, for me its a big plus to have the ability to toss dirty gear, fire wood, bikes ,atv's and what not into the truck bed which is something you cant do with a suv |
|
|
mission, b.c
48 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 6:29 PM
|
I drive a toyota tundra. It pulls our trailer easily and is a great offroad vehicle. My brother who is a logger and is a dyed in the wool general motors guy finally had to admit after a week of hunting in it that it was as good or better as any truck he has ever had. also went mushroom picking up the Skagit with a friend who drives a blazer, i drove in and his comment was that if we had been in his blazer it would have fallen apart on that particular road. btw, picked about 30lbs of chantrelles. |
|
|
North Vancouver
231 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 6:46 PM
|
| No contest: Plymouth Valiant or Dodge Dart '62 - '67. Slant Six. |
|
|
881 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 6:53 PM
|
The Kia Sportage ranks high.It has an actual frame not unibody like most suv's.Land cruisers and 4runners are the toughest.Samurai's go anywhere.My rig is a bloody tank and is not made for tight steep roads.
Where the truck reaches it's limit I resort to the KX.
 |
|
|
|
canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 6:57 PM
|
Yes of course,the slant six.
A great engine usually found in poorly built cars |
|
|
|
canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 7:00 PM
|
| I guess bottom line still is...you got 5,10 or 40k+ to spend? |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Back Road Vehicles
