toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795
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Post by toejam on Nov 27, 2015 6:42:48 GMT -8
I'm a 4x4 SUV guy. Similar in function to a pickup w/ shell, but slightly more civilized.
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swmtnbackpacker
Trail Wise!
Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
Posts: 4,886
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Nov 27, 2015 8:16:08 GMT -8
Depends how gnarly you want your camps and trailheads to be. I'd prefer the fuel-efficient sports coupe being better on highway (where most miles will be driven.... only if the above are easily accessible via pavement and ok on decent gravel roads,
However, if planning to ford streams, travel over deeply rutted mud, maybe big inclines, maybe big clearances, etc.. a pickup or SUV is preferable. I've seen situations where a second tow truck had to be called in after the first couldn't rescue a regular car.
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651
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Post by markskor on Nov 27, 2015 9:41:11 GMT -8
The past summers have spent, on an average, 3 continuous months out wandering, Sierra...(I guess that would qualify as "extended" here). While an older Jeep Wagoneer is my readily available vehicle, however... recently, when out extended backpacking, have found it easier to just leave it at home in Mammoth Lakes...as my trailhead entrances are typically miles away from my exits. Found it easiest to go out with just a backpack and a credit card. Thus I chose other...my usual 3 "other" options - 1) Local Sierra buses (YARTS), etc - 2) My hiking buddies car, whatever - 3) Whatever car is driven by whoever picks me up hitch hiking.
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Post by 1camper on Nov 27, 2015 10:34:30 GMT -8
A primary consideration is how many people?
More than 2 makes bathing with a white gas stove problematic. Depending on facilities for showers, ime, is worse. Months is a long time to go without a good showering option. Most good showering options will require at least a 20lb propane tank.
More than 2 also pretty much rules out a slide in. Another consideration is clearance. Not so much clearance from the ground but from trees. Slide ins are tall, hitting low hanging branches on forest roads will be more of a hazard than the need for 4 wheel drive depending on the time of year you go. Fiberglass and light aluminum are no match for a decent sized limb, one hard hit can send you home.
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whistlepunk
Trail Wise!
I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
Posts: 1,446
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Post by whistlepunk on Nov 27, 2015 10:54:56 GMT -8
A 19 ft trailer is too small.
What you really want is a 50ft Class A RV. There is nothing like a real shower, cold beer from the fridge, pop a DVD into the 60" TV, hot dinner from the microwave, then into a real bed after a full day of hiking. Fully rested and ready to go for another day of outdoor adventure.
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Nov 27, 2015 12:18:40 GMT -8
Months is a long time to go without a good showering option. Tell me about it. Six guys in a Mountain Hardware Stronghold tent after a month on the ice.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 27, 2015 12:57:36 GMT -8
I'd left out details I realize. Solo, Nova Scotia to the Olympic Pennisnsula down to the Rockies and the Sierra and over to Great Smoky Mountain with stops in between. Long backpacks interspersed with long roads in between. The rough country I'll be walking into so there's little need for off road capability, more rough weather. My thinking is with the backpack being under fabric a hard shelter in between would be nice and motels aren't always conveniently located.... and neither are tent sites. And I've done the sleep in the car thing and granted an MGB/GT is a worst case, but; nope. The overall context being I've realized my next set of research funding applications run five years: which takes me to 73.... Time to look ahead. Probably need some experimenting to get itrw experience given I've never done anything but car based travel. Thing being I love driving and "truck" doesn't have the same connotation as "sports car"
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tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
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Post by tarol on Nov 27, 2015 14:13:51 GMT -8
I like our Honda Pilot and we've done lots of trips in it now - room for gear and sleeping for two in the back. It's nice to not have to put up a tent if you don't want to. I like to go on dirt roads so I need some clearance and 4wd is nice. I had a Ford Ranger with a pickup shell once upon a time and that worked for me, but anyone taller would have trouble sleeping in the back.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,710
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 27, 2015 14:34:22 GMT -8
So, HSF, it wasn't a hypothetical, but what we think would work best for what you plan to do. For myself, I like to use commercial RV camps (KOA, etc.) for the times when we need showers, laundry, etc., and steer clear of both motels and RVs. That many miles? I'd have to vote for the fuel-efficient vehicle, and use the savings in gas costs to buy a motel now and then if you really need it. They aren't always conveniently located, but it's not that hard to find one, either. And, as I say, use RV parks for showers, etc.
Funny this should come up--we were just discussing over dinner last night what option we would want if we were to, say, spend 6 month in New Zealand. An apartment to come home to between trips would be nice, but seems inefficient since you pay rent to mostly not be there. I thought a small RV might do the job (would probably have to purchase or it would be more expensive than the apartment, but would be conveniently located near all hikes!), and might vote for that for your trip if you weren't talking about 30K miles or something--I simply could not stomach the gas costs/carbon footprint for that one.
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Post by 1camper on Nov 27, 2015 14:50:18 GMT -8
Solo? ..that changes everything. Solo has infinite possibilities depending on your particular comfort level, me? ..I'd just take the goldwing. Sounds like the trip of a lifetime anyway you decide to go. Best wishes.
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Woodsie
Trail Wise!
Colorado
Posts: 272
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Post by Woodsie on Nov 27, 2015 15:20:20 GMT -8
I have a Subaru Forester - I can sleep in it. Plus it will get me to the places I would most likely go (no hard-core 4-wheeling for me).
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ogg
Trail Wise!
Posts: 139
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Post by ogg on Nov 27, 2015 16:45:00 GMT -8
My Subaru Crosstrek worked great for me on a solo 2 1/2 week car-camping/motel/day hiking/backpacking/soft-roading road trip last summer. There was just enough room for me to sleep in the back when I needed to.
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Post by cloudwalker on Nov 27, 2015 17:07:31 GMT -8
If money was not an issue..... I'd still do the campground or motel every 3 or 4 days for a shower.
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JiminMD
Trail Wise!
Unrepentant Smartass
Posts: 955
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Post by JiminMD on Nov 27, 2015 17:18:03 GMT -8
I love my Forester, but for that distance and those mountains I'd want the Outback with the 6-cyl. You could easily sleep in the back with the seats down and it will be fine through whatever weather you encounter.
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Post by hikerjer on Nov 27, 2015 18:05:31 GMT -8
I've traveled for years in Ford Ranger pickup with a camper shell. I like the simplicity and versatility of it as well as the maneuverability. It's not a 4x4 which at times, I admit it would be nice but there have only been a few times I felt that I should have had it or not having four wheel drive prevented me from going where I would have liked to. Besides, I like the better mileage. I've traveled for several months at a time this way on many occasions and it's been quite comfortable. I just have my cooler, Coleman stove and lantern and a collapsible chair in the back. If I have lot of extra gear for backpacking, canoeing, cycling or whatever, I put the Thule box carrier on top but that's not usually necessary. I'm fine with limited space. If don't take as much stuff, it makes everything easier.
Also, I'm getting more and more into bicycling touring which, if you have the time, is the best way to travel, IMO.
BTW, why can't I vote in this poll?
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