What colors are best for expedition vehicles

[thingsventured]

Okay, I'm looking at setting up a vehicle for expedition type travel and since I don't yet have the vehicle (toyota tacoma is my first choice so far) I'm wondering what colors are best. I was thinking black but then realized it might attract more heat and be a poor option if I get to head out west.

Are Black vehicles hotter? Are lighter colors better? I've noticed a lot of expedition type setups on white, silver, beige colors, all light colors, are these better? any experiences you could share?

thanks

 

[kodiak1232003]

white reflects all light but white

black aborbs all colors, and in turn the solar energy (heat) they possess


a light color with a white roof is probably the ideal color for a hot landscape.

that being said, my dark blue jeep wrangler does o.k. on moderate or cold days, but is hot on hot days due to the thin black hard top.

i plan on either shading it with a roof rack floor or by painted the roof white.

not sure which yet.

 

[Rob O]

White, tan/gold/sand/beige, and silver tend to mask dirt, dust and "pintstriping" better than darker colors. And because white and silver are two of the most popular colors (in terms of total sales, across vehicles), used replacement parts are probably easier to source.

 

[gooseboy]

From what ive read scratches dont show up as well on silver.

 

[DaveM]

leaving aside the question of color, I'm a big fan of any color that is "flat" or non metallic (no sparkly flecks). Looks more utilitarian and I have read that it is easier to touch up.

 

[slooowr6]

I pick white for heat reflection.

 

[chrismc]

In *most* conditions, white is considered to be the most visible from the air (surely not today in St Louis with 10 inches of fluffy white stuff). This may be a concern if you are travelling far from civilization and would like to be found. Obviously, this varies geographically...

 

[viatierra]

In *most* conditions, white is considered to be the most visible from the air (surely not today in St Louis with 10 inches of fluffy white stuff). This may be a concern if you are travelling far from civilization and would like to be found. Obviously, this varies geographically...

Really? Not a non-natural color like red or blue? After having white, I'm emotionally happier now to have something with a bit of pizzazz. I'll take a few scratches as the badge of a vehicle enjoyed for its purpose instead to sticking with bland white.

 

[robert j. yates]

The best color IMO is the one thats on my paid for Jeep....black.

 

[thingsventured]

I really love the look of black, but does anyone have any experience with a dark color that is out in the desert compared to possibly a compadre's lighter color, or vice versa, not necessarily in that order?

 

[ntsqd]

Keep in mind that silver is the hardest color to see in heat waves. Experiment with this on the highway. I did out of curiousity.

Technically I understand white to not be a color but rather the reflection of all visible light, while true black is the absorbsion of all visible light.

 

[DaveM]

Really? Not a non-natural color like red or blue? After having white, I'm emotionally happier now to have something with a bit of pizzazz. I'll take a few scratches as the badge of a vehicle enjoyed for its purpose instead to sticking with bland white.

White is a surprisingly unnatural color in most landscapes. Visibility from the air (as in an air rescue situation) has more to do with the amount of light being reflected not the color itself. Contrast against the background is the key and brilliance is what's important. Many unnatural colors can disappear at distance as their reflective light values drop to match their surroundings even if their color is totally out of place.

The military did some experiments with this phenomenon a while back showing that an effective camouflage for ships at sea could be made with lights set to the same brilliance as the background sky and water causing the ship to seem to disappear at distance, despite the fact that they were covered in bright lights.

 

[robert j. yates]

I really love the look of black, but does anyone have any experience with a dark color that is out in the desert compared to possibly a compadre's lighter color, or vice versa, not necessarily in that order?

I live in a coastal desert and wheel in the Mojave and frankly, its not really been an issue with my rig being black. That being said, Mario talked me out of black when we were setting up the order for my Horizon trailer

 

[Alaska Mike]

I prefer what Steph Brady terms froggy tones (greens and tans).

A certain consideration has to be paid to how color affects the perceived value of the vehicle. A white or tan has a certain utilitarian feel to it, which may contribute to a stealth effect when travelling through border towns and other high-theft areas.

 

[Nitromethane43]

I really love the look of black, but does anyone have any experience with a dark color that is out in the desert compared to possibly a compadre's lighter color, or vice versa, not necessarily in that order?

I would highly recommend avoiding black in the desert due to heat absorption, before with a black Tahoe it would be unbearable getting back into a vehicle after it sits for any period plus ice melts a lot quicker, a/c is a must during summer travel, equipment and electronics do not function well, high upkeep as it shows dust easily, and you get pulled over more often especially when outfitted as an expedition vehicle. Right now I have a silver Suburban and it's much easier to live with in Vegas and traveling to Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico deserts.

If you do not plan on traveling during the hot seasons it may be alright or if primary travel is to more mild climates.