Which if any overland platform/vehicle sounds like it fits my needs&wants?

[Deleted member 9101]

I was thinking F150 large fuel tank option. It would be light yrs superior in LA highway daily use than a clapped out trail jeep or Tacoma.

OMG...it would be like a luxury car when compared to those two bricks.

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

When you look at the measurements a full size truck it isn't really that much larger than a mid size. The midsized trucks are now the size of past full size trucks...lol.

A few years back I had an F150 with the Heavy Duty Payload Package and Max Tow Package for work. It was rated to carry and tow what 3/4 ton trucks were rated for a few years ago.

Now I have a 3/4 ton due to needing to haul even more in the bed whilst towing.

True story! And the new mid-sizers are more capable than the old fullsizes. I had an ‘01 Silverado, but my ‘17 Canyon has a higher payload and towing capacity For instance.

I agree about the dimensions, but I still find that the mid-size trucks are a lot more...nimble, I guess? I want to say “Car-Like” but that doesn’t quite capture it. Anyway, the driving experience for a GM Midsize is a lot different than it is for a GM full size trucks (I have limited experience with other brands in this regard). The steering radius is tighter, the driving position makes it easier to see the flanks of the rig, etc. The big difference for me is the weight for similar configurations; for my family a crewcab is necessary to fit the whole family, but I’ve only needed a short box, so my ‘18 Silverado and ‘17 Canyon are both Crew Cab, Short Box models - but my Silverado is about a thousand pounds heavier, and you feel every ounce off road in it relative to the Canyon. The Silverado feels like a truck - the Canyon feels like a much more refined JK (At least to me).

 

[Deleted member 9101]

True story! And the new mid-sizers are more capable than the old fullsizes. I had an ‘01 Silverado, but my ‘17 Canyon has a higher payload and towing capacity For instance.

I agree about the dimensions, but I still find that the mid-size trucks are a lot more...nimble, I guess? I want to say “Car-Like” but that doesn’t quite capture it. Anyway, the driving experience for a GM Midsize is a lot different than it is for a GM full size trucks (I have limited experience with other brands in this regard). The steering radius is tighter, the driving position makes it easier to see the flanks of the rig, etc. The big difference for me is the weight for similar configurations; for my family a crewcab is necessary to fit the whole family, but I’ve only needed a short box, so my ‘18 Silverado and ‘17 Canyon are both Crew Cab, Short Box models - but my Silverado is about a thousand pounds heavier, and you feel every ounce off road in it relative to the Canyon. The Silverado feels like a truck - the Canyon feels like a much more refined JK (At least to me).

True story...we were looking at going with crew cab Rangers at work... We ended up getting V6 crew cab Rams for less money. They are both rated to tow and haul about the same...lol.

I definitely feel ya on the crew cab. My last two trucks were extended cab, which worked great when my wife and I were "DINKs." Once the rear facing child seat entered the picture, crew cab was the only way to go. I had to get the short box due to parking garagesl, my own garage, and not having any real need for the 6.5 bed..

This pic is with my hitch about 1" away from the rear wall of my garage.

 

[jewishoverlander]

Im not that surprised that most people are recommending a truck. I think a small truck that can be lifted and do some tough trails is the ideal setup. Even a gladiator minus the wheelbase. I was trying to keep it in one car and i just am not a truck guy. If I have 2 cars then sure, I would definitely be down with some zippy sedan as my DD with normal MPG, one that I can even take in non-winter months up somewhere with friends to an airbnb in the mountains with 20+MPG (If I get a DD shes gonna be fairly sporty) and then have the truck for excursions and camping and overlanding and surfing and climbing etc. But I was trying to avoid having 2 cars. Ive had 2+ cars for years now and its just a pain I dont have room for them in LA. I currently own 3 cars!! But my parents are moving and dont have room at their place for my cars anymore.

For those wondering I own a 2006 Evo 9 MR with 25k miles and 450AWHP. 2015 Macan S and finally a 2012 Toyota prius that was supposed to be sold when I bought my Macan a year and a half ago but for various reasons didnt end up being sold. Im going to be selling all 3 of these cars, tho I might force my brother to keep the Evo as I think the value is about to skyrocket so I may hang on to her for another few years or two and let the price go up another 10k+

Ive also owned a 335i and a 135i - I drive my dads 2WD 2014 F150 pretty often and that car is great. I just would never want one as my daily.

 

[calicamper]

Im not that surprised that most people are recommending a truck. I think a small truck that can be lifted and do some tough trails is the ideal setup. Even a gladiator minus the wheelbase. I was trying to keep it in one car and i just am not a truck guy. If I have 2 cars then sure, I would definitely be down with some zippy sedan as my DD with normal MPG, one that I can even take in non-winter months up somewhere with friends to an airbnb in the mountains with 20+MPG (If I get a DD shes gonna be fairly sporty) and then have the truck for excursions and camping and overlanding and surfing and climbing etc. But I was trying to avoid having 2 cars. Ive had 2+ cars for years now and its just a pain I dont have room for them in LA. I currently own 3 cars!! But my parents are moving and dont have room at their place for my cars anymore.

For those wondering I own a 2006 Evo 9 MR with 25k miles and 450AWHP. 2015 Macan S and finally a 2012 Toyota prius that was supposed to be sold when I bought my Macan a year and a half ago but for various reasons didnt end up being sold. Im going to be selling all 3 of these cars, tho I might force my brother to keep the Evo as I think the value is about to skyrocket so I may hang on to her for another few years or two and let the price go up another 10k+

Ive also owned a 335i and a 135i - I drive my dads 2WD 2014 F150 pretty often and that car is great. I just would never want one as my daily.

Sell all three get a F150 Platinum. You get sporty, you get date night luxury, you get adventure rig.
Sold two cars my DD and my truck replaced it with a Expedition Platinum. Now thinking about selling my sports car and getting a camper/trailer thing the whole family will enjoy. The sports car hardly goes anywhere now.
The Expedition is 400hp stock and around town heavy traffic I get 16-17mpg. My 5 day Sierras trip with 4x6 trailer was typically 21-24mpg 65-70mph. 80mph its 19-20mpg

 

[calicamper]

Or wait and get the 2.7L Bronco.

 

[UHAULER]

I say stick with your plan and get the suv you want.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

True story! And the new mid-sizers are more capable than the old fullsizes. I had an ‘01 Silverado, but my ‘17 Canyon has a higher payload and towing capacity For instance.

Depends on the fullsize and how it is set up.

I fear no midsize with my '02 F-150 in regards to payload or towing.

My '85 Ranger had an optional "camper package" available that would have bumped it to almost 1800lbs for payload which is higher than most current midsize trucks. I assume even back then a '85 F-150 could be had with more. And everything but midsizes has gone up since.

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

Depends on the fullsize and how it is set up.

I fear no midsize with my '02 F-150 in regards to payload or towing.

My '85 Ranger had an optional "camper package" available that would have bumped it to almost 1800lbs for payload which is higher than most current midsize trucks. I assume even back then a '85 F-150 could be had with more. And everything but midsizes has gone up since.

Yes! I remember you telling me that a few days back. I think I will add a disclaimer to my “mid-size versus full size” posts in the future because you raise an excellent point. My comment may be true for the “average truck” — payload and towing has improved dramatically, on average - but the only way to know is to look at the door stickers that detail this as so much is dependent on specific packages. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

@jewishoverlander

Check out this video by Ronny Dahl featuring Andrew St. Pierre White. These two know a LOT about 4WD, and tend to focus on principles instead of “this brand versus that brand”. It’s very informative for getting started on your first Overland rig.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yes! I remember you telling me that a few days back. I think I will add a disclaimer to my “mid-size versus full size” posts in the future because you raise an excellent point. My comment may be true for the “average truck” — payload and towing has improved dramatically, on average - but the only way to know is to look at the door stickers that detail this as so much is dependent on specific packages. Thanks for the reminder!

That aside a fullsize is just a better platform. The frame is wider, the springs are farther apart, it is longer, it is wider... any way you want to cut it for hauling a load it is going to be more stable.

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

That aside a fullsize is just a better platform. The frame is wider, the springs are farther apart, it is longer, it is wider... any way you want to cut it for hauling a load it is going to be more stable.

With a load, 100% agree, and for most folks overlanding, a full size is a great choice.

For me, compared to my full-size, I actually find I prefer the experience of the mid-size, either a wagon or mini-truck - the physical dimensions, weight, turning radius, etc. are what I like better for remote travel. But, I prefer my motorbike over my mid-size so maybe I just prefer the smallest and lightest rig possible! I also 100% recognize this is a subjective perspective and it isn’t true for others who may prefer the extra cabin space a full size offers. The nice thing about the capabilities of modern trucks - full and mid-size - is that they are very good, beyond what most people need for most trips, and allow folks like me to make these subjective compromises with only minimal impact in other areas like towing and payload.

In an urban environment like what @jewishoverlander is in, a midsize also has lots of options for maneuvering a city. Thats not to say a full size is ‘hard’ in a city - it’s not really, it’s just a matter of getting used to it. Our full size is our main DD; our mid-size is primarily our Expo rig (which some may feel is backwards a bit, but again..preferences). Both vehicles are used around town often though (albeit less so over the last few months!) And I can say with confidence that the mid-size is a lot nicer in cramped parking lots than the full size!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

With a load, 100% agree, and for most folks overlanding, a full size is a great choice.

For me, compared to my full-size, I actually find I prefer the experience of the mid-size, either a wagon or mini-truck - the physical dimensions, weight, turning radius, etc. are what I like better for remote travel. But, I prefer my motorbike over my mid-size so maybe I just prefer the smallest and lightest rig possible! I also 100% recognize this is a subjective perspective and it isn’t true for others who may prefer the extra cabin space a full size offers. The nice thing about the capabilities of modern trucks - full and mid-size - is that they are very good, beyond what most people need for most trips, and allow folks like me to make these subjective compromises with only minimal impact in other areas like towing and payload.

In an urban environment like what @jewishoverlander is in, a midsize also has lots of options for maneuvering a city. Thats not to say a full size is ‘hard’ in a city - it’s not really, it’s just a matter of getting used to it. Our full size is our main DD; our mid-size is primarily our Expo rig (which some may feel is backwards a bit, but again..preferences). Both vehicles are used around town often though (albeit less so over the last few months!) And I can say with confidence that the mid-size is a lot nicer in cramped parking lots than the full size!

You are preaching the choir here lol.

My Ranger is my toy, my F-150 is my faithful work steed.

No way I would want to cram my F-150 into the places my Ranger will go with ease.

You don't eat ice cream with a fork, you don't cut a steak with a spoon kind of a thing.

 

[alanymarce]

I don't disagree. More fuel capacity can be added.

In most situations however, I would lean toward having that not be a permanent addition. I don't really need to carry it around every day. It can be very nice to be able to unload the vehicle when stuck also, that is hard to do with a full ~350lb fuel tank. You will probably have to accept a slight weight penalty to have the fuel in manageable containers, but you are also more free on where you place that weight in the vehicle to better balance the vehicle.

I agree with the benefit of being able to unload extra fuel if need be. In the case of the Simpson, specifically, we carried extra fuel in cans on the roof rack. We gave away one of the cans soon after the crossing, and the rest (to the Fire Service, who had a far bigger need than us at the time) once we were at the stage on the overall trip where extra fuel was no longer needed. We've thought about a permanent extra tank (Long Ranger) however so far haven't installed one. As you note, there is extra weight, even when empty, and we then lose the space which we currently use for other stuff. I suspect that 60L of extra fuel in (approved) plastic cans is going to weigh less than 60L of fuel in a built-in long Ranger tank (for our vehicle this is the capacity of the Long Ranger).

 

[alanymarce]

I was thinking F150 large fuel tank option. It would be light yrs superior in LA highway daily use than a clapped out trail jeep or Tacoma.

Hm - clearly a very different viewpoint in terms of daily use in a city. If we were to look at getting a second vehicle (which we're not) for daily use in our city (of 9 million) we'd look at a FIAT 500 or perhaps a Mini Cooper (although they've become much larger in the last couple of decades). We actually went into a showroom last week and looked at a Renault Twizy, with no particular intention other than curiosity - you could carry two of them in the tray of an F150 (they weigh 450 Kg). It's just as well that fuel is still more or less free in the USA.