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.)

Pivo wrote:While we're at it, turn off your smart phone.

The point of the vehicle (or tv) discussion is that there's exactly nobody who thinks that their phone (or Alexa) is some kind of information lockbox. However, many people don't realize how much data other devices gather and share.

xsproutx wrote:connected services

I don't have a very faith in the ethics of companies that have access to data. There's a cellular modem in my vehicle. I don't subscribe to any connected services, but if I push a button in an emergency, it will connect. I don't believe for a minute that if the auto manufacturer wants to gather vehicle data to further it's "research and development" that it can't fire off a data packet via the cellular technology that it has installed in the vehicle. I'm sure some engineer somewhere realized that a significant chunk of people don't bring their vehicles to the dealership where they can skim data from the OBD. For a consumer to disable these "features" may or may not be as easy for one person to another or one vehicle to another. And I suspect that will only get more difficult as vehicles become increasingly reliant on connected tech.

@chumley
Understood. I am not going to worry about it, for the same reasons I don’t wear snake proof boots or gaiters. I know they’re out there, yet I’m not going to obsess about them.

I do admit that the ads and mailings I have received after hiking with friends can be relevant and funny.

10 Least Reliable Cars
Consumer Reports' surveys reveal the models with the greatest risk of problems. More than a few potential hiking vehicles on the list.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ca ... 967595976/

Now, there is a list where I don't really take issue. Fords, Jeeps, and some weird things. Yup, sounds like a list of things that will break down.

@Jim_H
But you have to admit the odds of a pebble rattling around in the exhaust shield of the EVs is slim.

Seems like a lot of hybrids and EVs on the list.

I think lists can be helpful at identifying trends, but many people are still going to buy the vehicle they want or can initially afford.
Sometimes it’s just random luck or bad luck, sometimes it’s how well a vehicle is maintained, sometimes it’s a reflection of the owner’s expectations. My own experiences with various brands I’ve owned have been the opposite of most lists. All vehicles I’ve purchased have been new and serviced on schedule with either the dealership or a local garage. Going back a decade:

2016 Toyota 4Runner Trailsomething—very few issues besides the suspension. Recall for airbag or something. Kept for 4 years. I think it had close to 90k miles when sold/traded.
2017 Toyota Tundra 4x4—few issues. The center console fell apart, kind of weird. I think this one also had a recall for airbag. I had doubts about the transmission lasting. Kept for 3 years. About 90k miles, I think.
2020 Toyota 4 Runner TRD—no issues that I remember. However, an entire large cherry limeade got dumped down an AC vent, disappearing forever. Kept about 1 year and 36k miles.
2021 Toyota Tundra Platinum 4x4–no issues that I remember. Kept about 2 yrs and 40k miles.
2021 Toyota Sequoia TRD—fuel pump went out a month or two after purchase. Significant suspension issues. Kept 1 year and about 20k miles

2020 Ford Mustang 5.0 —not a hiking vehicle. No issues. Kept just under 2 years and 15k miles.
2022 Ford F250 Tremor 7.3L gas engine—no issues so far. Roof rats ate a wiring harness, but that’s not Ford’s fault. Had a check engine light come on, but the part seemed okay, cleared the code, and the light never came back on. Still own. Has 40k miles.
2022 F350 King Ranch diesel—no issues so far. Roof rats ate the same wiring harness twice, again, not Ford’s fault. Roof rats were exterminated. There was a faulty tire sensor upon purchase, which was fixed before delivery. Still own. Has 40k miles.

Jeep 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392–never had any issues. Got the occasional death wobble, but that’s a Jeep thing. Had for 2 years and 36k miles before being stolen.
Jeep 2024 Wrangler Rubicon 392– promptly replaced the above Jeep with the new one the next day. Only has less than 100 miles on it, so I can’t speak to reliability yet.

Prior to 2016 I had mostly GM vehicles due to a steep family discount. Most had significant problems.

@LindaAnn
Your stolen Jeep was likely over the border within 24 hours...darn Canadians. :-)

@LosDosSloFolks
Vegas to Canada is quite the drive, lol. All I know is that all the gps and transmitters were stripped out of it about a mile away from where it was stolen, within about 20 minutes. I could see that on the app. Then no trace of it, obviously. No license plate hits either.

LindaAnn wrote:All I know is that all the gps and transmitters were stripped out of it

From reading this forum, there's one commenter in particular who seems to be knowledgable on this process. Perhaps the vegas popo want to make sure they're getting enough greens in their diet? ;)

I might be at the border this weekend to repair a plaque at the 10th cav site. I'll keep a lookout for a Red 4 door Jeep. I always do this but anyone interested in tagging along PM me. But you'll have to bring your own HC vehicle. Probably 4wd capable. Last look over before the gaps in the wall are prolly finished I would say sometime in the next year ( or two).

chumley wrote:From reading this forum, there's one commenter in particular who seems to be knowledgable on this process.

People keep hounding me for my subaru, had to get my trail street cred SOMEHOW

Finally decided it was time to part with my beloved 2006 Subie Baja after 245K miles. Looked quite a while for a 2024 or 2025 Tacoma SR5 4x4 with 6-foot bed but apparently Toyota is unable or unwilling to build that model. So I went with a 2025 Nissan Frontier 4x4 King cab (2 doors plus the rear-opening half doors), essentially the same build as the SR5 but with a 3.8L V-6 instead of the 2.4L turbo. A little more reasonably priced than the Tacoma, plus higher towing capacity. Only annoyance was the the standard all season tires, changed those out for all terrain. Very happy with it so far.

@toddak
Nice ride. Now all you need is a HAZ decal.

I’m old and like comfort which is reflected in my vehicles. For most driving I have a CRV hybrid. I drove it from Gilbert to Safford and got 42 mpg for the roundtrip. It has AWD and can get me to most trailheads. For the really rough roads I have a 4Runner with 3” lift, grippy tires and a rear locking differential. It gets about 18 mpg and with rear seats folded and an inflatable queen mattress makes for cushy car camping.

Our hiking vehicle in the Maricopas complete now with it's free range AZ pinstriping.

@Alston_Neal
Was the shovel included?

@LosDosSloFolks
The correct term for this shovel is a sharpshooter. You can now impress the landscapers you meet with your vast shovel knowledge.

I picked up a '25 4runner last week but I'm kind of regretting it now that I've seen this video
[ youtube video ]

xsproutx wrote: ↑Mar 18 2025 12:30 pm I picked up a '25 4runner last week but I'm kind of regretting it now that I've seen this video
[ youtube video ]

Yeah, but it's hard to find one of those in good condition.