Vehicle Selection Help

[Shank2015]

I am mid way through planning a trip from the Midwest to Colorado/Utah.
Facts:

-Towing a 2,200ish lb travel trailer (Intech)
-Doing passes in the San Juans (nothing crazy)
-Traveling with someone who has a JL Rubicon on 35’s, they are towing a travel trailer too

I currently have a 4th Gen 4runner, 2ish inch lift, 32” tires. I was dead set on running it but am second guessing that decision, especially with almost 1/4 million miles on it. I also have a Jeep LJ but have pretty well ruled it out.

I am having a heck of a time making a decision on what to take, buy something new, TRD 4runner/Tacoma, LC, Jeep, ZR2. It’s hard to want to buy a new vehicle for basically 1-2 trips a year. On the flip side my wife could use a newer daily as she will be driving for work more.

A big part of my reservation with anything is being in pretty significantly less capable vehicle than a JL Rubicon, though I am not the biggest fan of them (corrosion, reliability, etc).

 

[Ozarker]

If what you have is in good condition take it, when it breaks down and dies, replace it.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

If you’re looking to buy, I’d look at a Bronco or ZR2. Both have front/rear lockers, and will tow your trailer with ease. The Bronco will be more off road capable, but the Colorado ZR2 holds its own.

 

[AbleGuy]

If what you have is in good condition take it, when it breaks down and dies, replace it.

Oh yeah…that’s sure to be fun!

As we all happily remember, some of the most enjoyable recollections of former trips are the warm and enduring memories created when old, unreliable rigs broke down in shite-ty weather in the absolute middle of nowhere, completely derailing and ruining long anticipated family adventures 🤣

Yup, yup…I’ll always fondly remember that cold, scary dark night when my new GF (and soon to be bride) and I, traveling in my little red Nissan 4x4 Frontier packed with camping gear on our very first trip together, broke down in an unrelenting, pounding downpour at 1:00 a.m. on the unlit, narrow shoulder of the highway on the east side of Issaquah Pass, as huge semi’s roared too closely by, throwing up curtains of water laden with ground up cinders…

Sigh, those truly were the good all days,ya?

 

[rruff]

I currently have a 4th Gen 4runner, 2ish inch lift, 32” tires. I was dead set on running it but am second guessing that decision, especially with almost 1/4 million miles on it. I also have a Jeep LJ but have pretty well ruled it out.

If it has been reliable and everything currently checks out, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Shank2015]

Oh yeah…that’s sure to be fun!

As we all happily remember, some of the most enjoyable recollections of former trips are the warm memories created when old, unreliable rigs broke down in shite-ty weather in the absolute middle of nowhere, completely derailing and ruining long anticipated family adventures 🤣

Haha yeah it is my fear. I’ve spent enough time broken down in the mountains on POS atv’s in high school without my wife and son, not looking for that.

If it has been reliable and everything currently checks out, I wouldn't worry about it.

I’ve only had it for 12,000 miles. It definitely isn’t perfect but the only real issue I have (that I don’t have parts to fix yet) is an O2 sensor code occasionally.

 

[p nut]

Just take the 4Runner. Make sure all maintenance items are done and go for it.