Vehicle choice advice

Mr. Buscuits

Mr. Buscuits

Rank II

Enthusiast II

336
Delta County, CO, USA
First Name
Matt
Last Name
Clifford
Edit: I was able to talk the wife into keeping the squaredrop plus RTT that we have. So I no longer need to find the needle in the haystack.

I'm looking at getting a vehicle to replace my squaredrop, since my family's needs/wants have outgrown it. Specifically, my wife wants all 4 of us under one roof/structure. I'm looking at a few options locally (western CO), and wanted to get some opinions.

My needs:
ability to carry a 4 person RTT
Sit 2 adults, 2 kids around 10
Reach backcountry camping spots
Carry cooler/camping supplies for family of 4 for trips of 2-3 nights

I have been looking at XJs, and 4Runners, but I think they'll be too small. Frontiers with a bed rack are on my list, (Tacos are too expensive, and 1st gen Tundras have 300k plus, or the frames are rusted out) and I also have my eye on a couple Suburbans. In general, I'm not concerned with brand/style of vehicle, aiming for 33" tires, I want to stay under $10k, and under 200k miles if possible.

Now internet, go forth and give me advice!
 
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That 4 person RTT is going to be an issue, they are not light averaging 170 lbs then you get the cross bars to carry it, about 120 lbs so you are just under 300 lbs dynamic load on the roof. That severely limits your vehicle choice. People do put kind of weight up top and most or them complain about the vehicle handling.

The older Land Rover Defenders (1998) era could run 330lbs but they get some extra body roll, and generally got upgraded suspension and sway bars

If you choose a ground tent your life will be easier, but I don't know your backcountry off-roading environment to know if that is viable.

The load space issue is diffcult, I would suggest a Land Rover Discovery II or LR3 as they have fairly large load spaces, but they are maintenance-heavy, and getting to the 15 to 20+ year old range. They are also not something you want get cheap - that tends to end poorly.

I think a pickup truck using bed racks for the RTT avoid the dynamic load issues as it becomes more about the rack loading on those. And you have the space underneath for loading gear. Length could be an issue on some trails depending what you end up with.


@12C20 a JK or JL Unlimited will not carry a 4 person RTT, without a rather expensive rack that passes down to the frame averaging $3100.00 for the rack system. The stock roofs are only rated at 100 to 150 lbs
 
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12C20 said:
I’d suggest a JK or JL Unlimited.

Your large RTT can be mounted on an aftermarket roof or safari rack.

Good gear choice and packing strategy can let you all fit inside with gear.
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I should have mentioned I have a JKU, but it's a soft top, and staying as more of a wheeler than a camper. Also disgustingly, it's faster, easier and cheaper to buy a different vehicle than it is to buy a hardtop and rack. I'm not a fan of the exo-cage style racks.
 
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rgallant said:
That 4 person RTT is going to be an issue, they are not light averaging 170 lbs then you get the cross bars to carry it, about 120 lbs so you are just under 300 lbs dynamic load on the roof. That severely limits your vehicle choice. People do put kind of weight up top and most or them complain about the vehicle handling.

The older Land Rover Defenders (1998) era could run 330lbs but they get some extra body roll, and generally got upgraded suspension and sway bars

If you choose a ground tent your life will be easier, but I don't know your backcountry off-roading environment to know if that is viable.

The load space issue is diffcult, I would suggest a Land Rover Discovery II or LR3 as they have fairly large load spaces, but they are maintenance-heavy, and getting to the 15 to 20+ year old range. They are also not something you want get cheap - that tends to end poorly.

I think a pickup truck using bed racks for the RTT avoid the dynamic load issues as it becomes more about the rack loading on those. And you have the space underneath for loading gear. Length could be an issue on some trails depending what you end up with.


@12C20 a JK or JL Unlimited will not carry a 4 person RTT, without a rather expensive rack that passes down to the frame averaging $3100.00 for the rack system. The stock roofs are only rated at 100 to 150 lbs
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I do love Land Rovers, but have been avoiding them due to the maintenance issue. I think the truck plus rack is best option, they're just ridiculously expensive to find a used, midsize crew cab. They cost more than my Jeep did new!
Ground tent is off the table due to back issues. I have an 8ft awning and room, but that got shot down as well. Which is why I started looking into Suburbans, they're similar size to Gladiators/long bed Tacomas. Plus roof racks are available with a 300lb dynamic load across the roof, and all the storage. Only issue is they're low, and not a ton of aftermarket. Plus good ol' GM tie rod issues.
 
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@Mr. Buscuits Yup that is the issue LR's. Obviously I don't know your particular back issue, but have you considered a folding cot and folding mattress? I use that combo in my newest LR, and it works well but I don't have a bad back, but the mattress is 3 inch thick
 
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rgallant said:
@Mr. Buscuits Yup that is the issue LR's. Obviously I don't know your particular back issue, but have you considered a folding cot and folding mattress? I use that combo in my newest LR, and it works well but I don't have a bad back, but the mattress is 3 inch thick
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The roof tent is more of a "Happy wife, happy life" situation. I'm of the age, and sports injuries that my back hurts no matter what I do, and she wants a mattress. I know tent mattresses aren't anything to write home about, but she's against the cot idea, and against the sleeping on the ground idea.
When it's just me, I'm a cot guy, or even a sleep in the back of the Jeep on a foam roll guy.
 
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We are one our second roof top tent on our JKU. We researched all the available racks and found most have ratings far below what we needed and a lot of them are not rated at all. We looked at the Rhino Rack Backbone system as it carries weight down to the metal body, but was not happy with the lack of a dynamic rating or the thin metal supports as they do not offer much resistance to left/right sway and may leave some flex in the top. We settled on a Maximus 3 rack system. They use a Rhino Rack platform with their own custom designed mounts. You still have to drill a bunch of holes in the hardtop for bolt but the lower brackets are heavy gauge and mount directly to the roll bars. They list a 300lb Dynamic and 900lb static load rating for the system. If you are just mounting a tent, you can go with the mounts and two hd crossbars, eliminating 40 to 50 lbs from the platform option. We had a 130lb 23zero tent and 270 awning on the rig for 4 years and had zero issues with heavy use. (the family size version is almost 200lbs) Currently we are running a Bush Company wedge tent (160lbs) and find the Jeep actually handles better than the soft shell as the new wedge is very low profile and spreads the weight out over a longer length. We have a moderate lift and 35's with hd springs all around. Would not want to put any heavier of a tent on it, especially a softshell along with its higher center of gravity. Best part of the rack system is remove 8 bolts and the mounting brackets separate so you can still remove your hardtop, adds about 10 minutes to removal time. As far as mattresses go, all tent companies will tell you their mattress is the best combination of foam densities and you will sleep better than at home .... have not found one yet that is much better than the ground, especially for a side sleeper. First thing we do is pull it out and switch to an X-Ped self inflating mattress, no bottoming out and a decent night's sleep.
 
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As a JK owner I would never wish that pain on another person. I also live in western CO and love my rig... But it has been a lot of trouble from the day I got it.
 

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grubworm said:
well, out of your entire list of things...there is is really only ONE thing you need to change and that is the $10K limit.
i'd go with s 2nd gen Tundra with a bed rack and call it good.

spend a little extra now, enjoy it and with a Toyota, it will hold its value pretty well


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I have an F150, but it's the long bed. I can't personally enjoy how the Tundra looks, I understand I'm vain. I checked earlier k1500s and they're massive, not the best for the mountain trails I will be using. I don't want my vehicle choice to limit where I can get
 
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OTH Overland said:
We are one our second roof top tent on our JKU. We researched all the available racks and found most have ratings far below what we needed and a lot of them are not rated at all. We looked at the Rhino Rack Backbone system as it carries weight down to the metal body, but was not happy with the lack of a dynamic rating or the thin metal supports as they do not offer much resistance to left/right sway and may leave some flex in the top. We settled on a Maximus 3 rack system. They use a Rhino Rack platform with their own custom designed mounts. You still have to drill a bunch of holes in the hardtop for bolt but the lower brackets are heavy gauge and mount directly to the roll bars. They list a 300lb Dynamic and 900lb static load rating for the system. If you are just mounting a tent, you can go with the mounts and two hd crossbars, eliminating 40 to 50 lbs from the platform option. We had a 130lb 23zero tent and 270 awning on the rig for 4 years and had zero issues with heavy use. (the family size version is almost 200lbs) Currently we are running a Bush Company wedge tent (160lbs) and find the Jeep actually handles better than the soft shell as the new wedge is very low profile and spreads the weight out over a longer length. We have a moderate lift and 35's with hd springs all around. Would not want to put any heavier of a tent on it, especially a softshell along with its higher center of gravity. Best part of the rack system is remove 8 bolts and the mounting brackets separate so you can still remove your hardtop, adds about 10 minutes to removal time. As far as mattresses go, all tent companies will tell you their mattress is the best combination of foam densities and you will sleep better than at home .... have not found one yet that is much better than the ground, especially for a side sleeper. First thing we do is pull it out and switch to an X-Ped self inflating mattress, no bottoming out and a decent night's sleep.
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If I was going to put the tent on the Jeep, I would get a hardtop and that Rhino Rack. It seems the best option for the JKs. I'm not using the Jeep though. I know what you mean about every manufacturer saying they're mattress is the best, I'll have to look into that self inflating option
 
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JungleSkunk said:
As a JK owner I would never wish that pain on another person. I also live in western CO and love my rig... But it has been a lot of trouble from the day I got it.
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Yeah, I can't say the JK has been quality, needing a transmission rebuild and new shift forks at 14k miles was a tough pill to swallow, but at least it was under warranty. If I fit in Tacomas, I'd have one of those, but my left foot was too big to comfortably fit in the stick shift version. If the Colorado ZR2 had a manual, I'd have had that over the Jeep as well. But I enjoy it as a wheeler and a commuter, it just isn't a camper.
 
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Jim SoG said:
Might I suggest a Sequoia? Enough room for all and "stuff"..........

They can be built and are excellent.

Had one myself and built it nicely for off roading.

Jim
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This is exactly what I was going to come in here and suggest. First gen Sequoia's are very capable, can be found at the price point OP is looking for and have the bulletproof 2UZ-FE. If you find a facelifted 2005-2007, not only do you get that 2UZ but you get the five speed A750 transmission found in damn near every Toyota/Lexus truck from the era.
 
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Ooof. 4 people in a RTT doesn't sound like fun to me.

I think some sort of full size 4 door truck will be your golden ticket with your needs. I say truck because you can put the monster 4 person RTT on a lower profile bed rack without wrecking the vehicles center of gravity like on a SUV. I would not want my family of 4 loaded into a top heavy XJ, 4 Runner, Disco, JKU, Xterra or even Land Cruiser.

An older full size truck is about the same size as a modern midsize. I had a 2004 double cab Tundra (basically a Sequoia with a bed) that was practically the same size as a new Tacoma, but had far more usable space. For a family of 4 the truck was phenomenal. If that truck had a manual transmission, I probably would have never sold it (I understand vehicle vanity). It also had more back seat space than my land cruiser 100 and 200. You should be able to find rust free examples of first gen tundras and sequoias under your budget with little effort.
 
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KonzaLander said:
Ooof. 4 people in a RTT doesn't sound like fun to me.

I think some sort of full size 4 door truck will be your golden ticket with your needs. I say truck because you can put the monster 4 person RTT on a lower profile bed rack without wrecking the vehicles center of gravity like on a SUV. I would not want my family of 4 loaded into a top heavy XJ, 4 Runner, Disco, JKU, Xterra or even Land Cruiser.

An older full size truck is about the same size as a modern midsize. I had a 2004 double cab Tundra (basically a Sequoia with a bed) that was practically the same size as a new Tacoma, but had far more usable space. For a family of 4 the truck was phenomenal. If that truck had a manual transmission, I probably would have never sold it (I understand vehicle vanity). It also had more back seat space than my land cruiser 100 and 200. You should be able to find rust free examples of first gen tundras and sequoias under your budget with little effort.
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I agree, Im a bigger guy and there isnt a RT tent big enough id like to spend the night with 3 other people in.
 
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