Post by: ThurstonCokid on February 28, 2020, 11:06:56 AM
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Post by: vandeman17 on February 28, 2020, 11:14:46 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on February 28, 2020, 11:16:28 AM
A Tacoma is plenty doable, we drove to Wyoming several times as a kid to hunt in my Dad's 92 Toyota 4 banger. Brought back a lot of meat. We weren't camping though, and that makes a difference.
I personally love my Silverado with the 6.5' bed and canopy. I can haul all the necessary gear for a week or more of hunting whether I'm base camping or backpacking it. I can also sleep in the back of it with my canopy on, so camp is wherever I am. It's highly capable in the snow, especially when paired with chains, and it's comfortable for long drives. Can tow utility or travel trailer, or boat if that's a thing we may consider.
Post by: ThurstonCokid on February 28, 2020, 11:29:14 AM
That question needs more information to answer. What is your hunting style? Do you truck camp with a big base camp, or hunt out of a backpack? Early season in addition to late when there's snow? How much cargo space do you actually need? My guess is that if you're traveling out of state, especially if warm weather is a consideration, the Jeep is out simply because you won't be able to haul your gear and enough cooler space to handle the meat you may come home with. Figure on two 100 qt coolers for a mature bull elk, boned out, or an absolutely plugged 100 qt with a spike bull. You going solo or with partners? Room for their gear and additional animals...
A Tacoma is plenty doable, we drove to Wyoming several times as a kid to hunt in my Dad's 92 Toyota 4 banger. Brought back a lot of meat. We weren't camping though, and that makes a difference.
I personally love my Silverado with the 6.5' bed and canopy. I can haul all the necessary gear for a week or more of hunting whether I'm base camping or backpacking it. I can also sleep in the back of it with my canopy on, so camp is wherever I am. It's highly capable in the snow, especially when paired with chains, and it's comfortable for long drives. Can tow utility or travel trailer, or boat if that's a thing we may consider.
Solid point.. i usually run a fully loaded 4000 CI pack. 80 qt Cabela’s cooler( i bone out everything.) guess i may need to rethink that for elk.. rifle or bow, depending on the hunt. So not a ton of space needed but I’d like the idea of having a foldable table for once back at the truck cutting meat ex.. the real reason i was thinking of a new rig is due to all of the downhill slipping and sliding I’ve done in full size trucks... wondering if that’s a full size truck issue in general, or user/ chains fix. How i usually Hunt is 3-4 days out of the pack. And then back to the truck to relocate or restock up! Thanks for the info
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Post by: 7mmfan on February 28, 2020, 11:33:53 AM
Post by: ghosthunter on February 28, 2020, 11:38:21 AM
Never got into the super truck frame of mind.
It gets around the narrow roads easier than the big trucks and doesn't take a bank load to drive it around on Hwy or every day.
If I need more cargo space I back up to my 10x12 utility trailer and go.
No issues with it.
Post by: Stein on February 28, 2020, 11:50:19 AM
My 2016 F-150 is near ideal as far as my hunting goes.
Post by: Dhoey07 on February 28, 2020, 11:55:19 AM
Post by: Sandberm on February 28, 2020, 12:28:26 PM
I am on my 2nd Nissan Frontier. 2012 ,4x4, four door. have 90k on it.
Never got into the super truck frame of mind.
It gets around the narrow roads easier than the big trucks and doesn't take a bank load to drive it around on Hwy or every day.
If I need more cargo space I back up to my 10x12 utility trailer and go.
No issues with it.
I like narrow 4x4's also. My Colorado is great. S-10, Frontier, Tacoma, same story. Throw a canopy on the back for bonus points
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 28, 2020, 12:29:45 PM
Post by: follow maggie on February 28, 2020, 01:13:08 PM
It's a 2004 w/ 150k miles on it. Certainly not perfect for everyone, but I love it.
Post by: Cab on February 28, 2020, 01:41:18 PM
I can fit a whole futon mattress in the back with the seats down, the rear window gets rolled down so it doesn't fog up and boy oh boy it doesn't get much more comfortable camping wise. After a cold hunt, there's nothing like nice heated leather seats to sit on. Trucks are great but I love not having to set up a tent or buy anything extra to use it for camping. Best money I ever spent. :twocents:
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 28, 2020, 01:49:50 PM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 28, 2020, 01:54:51 PM
Trucks are great but I love not having to set up a tent or buy anything extra to use it for camping. Best money I ever spent. :twocents:
That's the same that I did with my SR5 with canopy. Throw up a tarp or something if you need space to sit out of the rain or cook. I loved that rig.
Pretty much like this, but with the 3.0 V6.
https://wenatchee.craigslist.org/cto/d/leavenworth-2004-toyota-tacoma-4x4-sr5/7075839229.html
Yeah, the guy is a tad high on price.
Post by: stlusn30-06 on February 28, 2020, 01:54:57 PM
So for me the ultimate hunting rig:
1994-97 Dodge Ram 2500-Diesel, with a manual transmission. 22 MPG on the highway for the long trips.
Everything is mechanical, (including the injection) there is no reliance on anything electrical. If the battery goes, it can be compression started and it'll run how it is supposed to.
-canopy
-carli 2.0 suspension
-a host of other minor steering/suspension upgrades to soften the ride offroad.
-Pulls a fishing boats too
-Drivetrain is borderline not killable. A million miles is definitely a possibility if you can store the thing indoors.
A lot of guys I know would say no way to rolling in a truck from that era. Stuff today just rides and drives too well. But I only use it for the woods and mountains, and for those purposes I want basic and fault tolerant.
Post by: ThurstonCokid on February 28, 2020, 01:58:29 PM
Buddy, what you really need (to buy for "us") is an expedition vehicle. Here are some options you should consider. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/58546863889335794/?lp=true
I’ll jump right on it!
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Post by: ThurstonCokid on February 28, 2020, 02:10:27 PM
Very subjective question. The short wheel base point should point you in the right direction. For me compact isn't a big deal. I haven't found myself on excessively tight 4w tracks. Ability to sleep in the back and haul a couple other guys gear is more important. And more than that, reliability. Completely limiting anything that can go wrong.
So for me the ultimate hunting rig:
1994-97 Dodge Ram 2500-Diesel, with a manual transmission. 22 MPG on the highway for the long trips.
Everything is mechanical, (including the injection) there is no reliance on anything electrical. If the battery goes, it can be compression started and it'll run how it is supposed to.
-canopy
-carli 2.0 suspension
-a host of other minor steering/suspension upgrades to soften the ride offroad.
-Pulls a fishing boats too
-Drivetrain is borderline not killable. A million miles is definitely a possibility if you can store the thing indoors.
A lot of guys I know would say no way to rolling in a truck from that era. Stuff today just rides and drives too well. But I only use it for the woods and mountains, and for those purposes I want basic and fault tolerant.
I really REALLLY like this one. Thanks
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Post by: baldopepper on February 28, 2020, 02:46:26 PM
Post by: Alchase on February 28, 2020, 07:08:04 PM
I am on my 2nd Nissan Frontier. 2012 ,4x4, four door. have 90k on it.
Never got into the super truck frame of mind.
It gets around the narrow roads easier than the big trucks and doesn't take a bank load to drive it around on Hwy or every day.
If I need more cargo space I back up to my 10x12 utility trailer and go.
No issues with it.
After years of full sized 4x4 trucks, I switched to mid-sized in 2010 and have not been happier. Granted my 2007 Dodge Dakota did not get any better MPG than a full size Ram, and was pretty anemic on power, LOL. I traded it in last year and
love my (new to me) 2016 Nissan Frontier 4x4 SV crew cab. I put a Bak-flip G2 Tonnue on it, and all my hunting gear can fit under it with the lid closed. I use a receiver carrier for deer.
This year was a complete clay/mud bog with 6 inches of rain the day before the opener for during deer season here in OKC, and it performed fantastic!
I never thought I would say this, but after braking my back last July, I realized heated seats are the bomb!
:chuckle:
Post by: Buckhunter24 on February 28, 2020, 07:12:10 PM
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,246987.0.html (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,246987.0.html)
Post by: BigGoonTuna on February 28, 2020, 07:35:20 PM
Now that I have kids and don’t have room for a dedicated beater any more, I picked up a 99 suburban from a neighbor on the cheap. If you can get over not having a real pickup bed, it makes a great hunting rig. I put a weather tech rear cargo liner in mine, and carry a tarp just in case I’m lucky enough to kill something.
Several reasons why I like the suburban:
They’re cheap. There’s this stigma about them being horrendous gas hogs, but they’re more aerodynamic than a pickup. Mine gets around 16mpg, compared to my Tacoma with about half the power that got 19mpg. L
You can sleep in the back comfortably, take the 3rd row seat out and the 2nd row flat, I can put my army cot back there easily.
Comfortable on long trips, way nicer ride than most pickups.
Owning one has made me really wonder if I need another truck. Almost wouldn’t mind just getting a 3/4 ton suburban and a box trailer for hauling dirty stuff.
Post by: MADMAX on February 28, 2020, 07:41:07 PM
Got a 96 GMC suburban
Great for parking at gates
Comfy and fun to hunt out of
All of the above
Post by: kselkhunter on February 28, 2020, 08:16:56 PM
Post by: j_h_nimrod on February 28, 2020, 09:44:00 PM
That said, I am not a fan of midsized trucks, I like a bigger platform and the 6” narrower platform just has not been a deciding factor for me.
I like my 2001 f150 supercrew w/5.5’ bed for its short wheel base and tight turn radius (later models have a longer wheel base and larger turn radius), but the 5.4 Triton is a bit of a dog and not very fuel efficient. The 3.55 gears are either too slow or too fast on most bumpy roads, would like 4.10 but then mileage would really suck. I can turn around on all but the narrowest single tracks though. I don’t mind sleeping in the drivers seat for a quick camp. Bed has plenty of room for most all I need and the extra cab room for dry gear.
My 2015 f150 Screw is very similar and a lot more comfortable for the long haul and is more fuel efficient so it goes on my long trips, though it is not as trail worthy. Front seats don’t lay as flat so not as comfortable to sleep in. Gearing seems better for slow, bumpy roads, though still has a 3.55 rear.
I pull a 5x8 trailer for a mini camper/bike hauler that is perfect for two guys and more gear than anyone really needs.
A 2018 Ram 2500 quad cab with Cummins is great, probably my ultimate all around rig, but heavy and not very nimble. Tons of power and all the pulling power I need.
Ideally I would buy a Ram 2500 chassis cab and trick it out, just the $100k is holding me back :chuckle:
No right or wrong answers, just opinions.
Post by: Pnwrider on February 28, 2020, 10:39:05 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 01, 2020, 11:08:58 AM
By the way, August is the month to buy. They increase the rebates and cut the 4-year extended warranty in half. The warranty is transferable. Resale value on these trucks is off the charts. Get financing through whoever the local dealer goes through and then search the credit unions for an additional point off the APR. Oh, and it's fun to walk in with a bag of cash for your down payment and see everyone's reactions, especially the credit manager, who almost never sees cash for anything. I used a large ziplock bag for mine.
Post by: dwils233 on March 01, 2020, 11:14:53 AM
I always have heard suspect things about the long term quality of newer ram interiors...but as long as it doesn't fall apart it would be a comfy and capable hunting rig
Post by: bornhunter on March 01, 2020, 11:19:38 AM
I bought my 2019 OR TRD Tacoma last August. Not only is it packed with features, but it goes through and over just about anything. I needed a friend who's more familiar with what 4WD vehicles can do to show me the extent of its capabilities. I absolutely love the vehicle except for the mileage. Mileage is about 16 average, not the 18-22 on the sticker. Otherwise, I'm trilled with the performance of this vehicle, pulling, quality of ride, specialty 4WD selection. Check out crawl mode on YouTube. Amazing stuff.
By the way, August is the month to buy. They increase the rebates and cut the 4-year extended warranty in half. The warranty is transferable. Resale value on these trucks is off the charts. Get financing through whoever the local dealer goes through and then search the credit unions for an additional point off the APR. Oh, and it's fun to walk in with a bag of cash for your down payment and see everyone's reactions, especially the credit manager, who almost never sees cash for anything. I used a large ziplock bag for mine.
Very true about these rigs. I have a 2014 tac trd. Goes anywhere in anything but mileage does suck and terrible road noise at freeway speeds.
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 01, 2020, 11:31:13 AM
Post by: Stein on March 01, 2020, 11:47:35 AM
The new Ram 1500 ecodiesel have been catching my eye. 30 mpg and up to 500 miles a tank is a huge feature for me in a hunting rig. Sure it's a full size, but the mpg is better than most midsize and you've got more truck when you need it.
I always have heard suspect things about the long term quality of newer ram interiors...but as long as it doesn't fall apart it would be a comfy and capable hunting rig
Take a look at the Fords too, you can get an optional 36 gallon tank. At 20 mpg, I have about 720 miles of range which is a nice benefit. I can one stop it to my hunting grounds in MT and don't have to worry about mid week refueling in most instances. If you had one of the 6 cylinder versions, the range would be even more.
Post by: huntnnw on March 02, 2020, 01:49:02 PM
Post by: Mudman on March 02, 2020, 02:23:06 PM
Post by: Cab on March 05, 2020, 08:46:36 AM