Member III
I've thought about this for a while, so I thought I'd put it out there for comments.
I've got a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 that I've used for some shorter overlanding trips (I can sleep in the back). Gets about 10 - 12 mpg.
I've got a 1998 Jeep TJ on 33's that I also pull a trailer with that I use for extended cross-country and up into Canada & Alaska overlanding trips. Gets about 15 - 16 mpg.
I've got a 1946 Willys CJ2A that's moderately lifted and locked at both ends for four-wheeling fun.
Obviously I'm a manly-man.
However, I've also got a 2008 Toyota Yaris (my commuter car) that gets in the mid-30's mpg (I just noticed my truck in the background). Driving it keeps me from racking up the miles on my Jeep and truck.
I've run the Dempster Highway before in a 1998 Jeep ZJ (to Inuvik - was before the road was opened to TUK). Getting to and from the Dempster was pretty much all paved. I don't remember the Dempster being too bad (other than not paved). I possibly might want to get a group to run the Dempster to TUK next summer (2022).
I know gas can get expensive, and just from WA to TUK (and back) is a couple thousand miles (about 5,000 actually). And gas is more expensive in Canada. So here's my crazy idea:
What if I organized a run to TUK where pretty much anything goes vehicle - wise since most of the route is paved? The only vehicle-itself requirements would be:
(Vehicle does not necessarily have to be 4WD or AWD.)
Heavy-duty-ish all terrain tires on all four corners, and a full-size matching spare tire on a matching rim (no temporary spares even if they are the same size)
Tow attachment points front and rear (i.e. receiver hitch with a tow ring in the rear, and a tow-ring up front).
Vehicle needs to be in good mechanical repair (this isn't a beater-run).
I'd consider putting some sort of roof-rack on my Yaris (even if I had to drill holes in the roof), and I think I could pare-down my gear to make it work (there's actually quite a bit of room in the back with the back seat folded flat).
So do you think anyone would be interested? Think anyone would be willing to leave their outfitted Jeep or 4-runner at home and take their kitted lil' 2WD commuter car instead? You can buy used ones pretty cheap that were only used for commuting back-and-forth to work. And I'm pretty sure my wife would say "No" if I asked to borrow her 2017 Subaru Crosstrek for the trip.
Or maybe someone who only has a little commuter car (who dreams of overlanding) and wants to give Overlanding a shot in their... I dunno... KIA Soul (My 90 y/o Mom has one - they're pretty nice)?
Would the thought of saving (a lot) of gas money be an incentive? The views are the same no matter what you drive. From just Seattle WA to TUK and back is about 5,000 miles, and other than the approximately 1200 miles up and back on the Dempster, it is all paved. Does the thought of doing something unconventional interest you? The challenge of doing something different get your mental gears turning? Dare to be different?
Tell me what you think.
And yes; I know my truck and Jeep are way more capable and spacious than my Yaris (or your little commuter car) - we're not discussing the comparisons between the two types of vehicles.
I've got a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 that I've used for some shorter overlanding trips (I can sleep in the back). Gets about 10 - 12 mpg.
I've got a 1998 Jeep TJ on 33's that I also pull a trailer with that I use for extended cross-country and up into Canada & Alaska overlanding trips. Gets about 15 - 16 mpg.
I've got a 1946 Willys CJ2A that's moderately lifted and locked at both ends for four-wheeling fun.
Obviously I'm a manly-man.
However, I've also got a 2008 Toyota Yaris (my commuter car) that gets in the mid-30's mpg (I just noticed my truck in the background). Driving it keeps me from racking up the miles on my Jeep and truck.
I've run the Dempster Highway before in a 1998 Jeep ZJ (to Inuvik - was before the road was opened to TUK). Getting to and from the Dempster was pretty much all paved. I don't remember the Dempster being too bad (other than not paved). I possibly might want to get a group to run the Dempster to TUK next summer (2022).
I know gas can get expensive, and just from WA to TUK (and back) is a couple thousand miles (about 5,000 actually). And gas is more expensive in Canada. So here's my crazy idea:
What if I organized a run to TUK where pretty much anything goes vehicle - wise since most of the route is paved? The only vehicle-itself requirements would be:
(Vehicle does not necessarily have to be 4WD or AWD.)
Heavy-duty-ish all terrain tires on all four corners, and a full-size matching spare tire on a matching rim (no temporary spares even if they are the same size)
Tow attachment points front and rear (i.e. receiver hitch with a tow ring in the rear, and a tow-ring up front).
Vehicle needs to be in good mechanical repair (this isn't a beater-run).
I'd consider putting some sort of roof-rack on my Yaris (even if I had to drill holes in the roof), and I think I could pare-down my gear to make it work (there's actually quite a bit of room in the back with the back seat folded flat).
So do you think anyone would be interested? Think anyone would be willing to leave their outfitted Jeep or 4-runner at home and take their kitted lil' 2WD commuter car instead? You can buy used ones pretty cheap that were only used for commuting back-and-forth to work. And I'm pretty sure my wife would say "No" if I asked to borrow her 2017 Subaru Crosstrek for the trip.
Or maybe someone who only has a little commuter car (who dreams of overlanding) and wants to give Overlanding a shot in their... I dunno... KIA Soul (My 90 y/o Mom has one - they're pretty nice)?
Would the thought of saving (a lot) of gas money be an incentive? The views are the same no matter what you drive. From just Seattle WA to TUK and back is about 5,000 miles, and other than the approximately 1200 miles up and back on the Dempster, it is all paved. Does the thought of doing something unconventional interest you? The challenge of doing something different get your mental gears turning? Dare to be different?
Tell me what you think.
And yes; I know my truck and Jeep are way more capable and spacious than my Yaris (or your little commuter car) - we're not discussing the comparisons between the two types of vehicles.
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