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General Discussion / Re: Something for the Brain trust
« Last post by Bulldog9 on Today at 12:52:18 PM »As expected great feedback.
The Car dolly was my initial thought, then my wife started talking about getting an EV..... If I can convince her to keep her FWD Mini Lexus UX that is a strong runner.
Love the idea of a Miata, but it was too small for me before I got fat. Besides, if not a track racer, its a girls car ;-)
If I get one of those lightweight car carrier, I'll have to store it, and mobility of the rig is a big deal in most settings. This is still an issue with the Dolly. If just a Toad, it's easy to disconnect get into the Campground with the unit. Hard to drop the car carrier or doly and leave it somewhere while you 'camp' for a couple days. It's 32' and the chassis is pretty maneuverable. Also, so far, we've boondocked it 80% of the time and plan to do the same moving forward.
As for midsize trucks, I see several mentions of the new Frontier. I like it, and my last SGM bought one that looked like a 3/4 version of my Tundra. Didn't like how it rode/drove, and I'm not a Nissan guy. Couldn't pay me to buy a GM or Stellantis product. This pretty much leaves Toyota and Ford. Really too bad Toyota doesnt engineer a transfer case that gives full neutral like virtually all others do. As for Jeep.......... I think the Wrangler is one of the worst driving dynamics (to me) of virtually every vehicle on the road. The Gladiator is less so, but back in 2019-20 when they were clearing out the last years models, I test drove several, having had 3 Jeep SUV's in a row, I wanted to love it. But I really liked the Tundra, and a 10 minute test drive wasn't enough. A dealer let me test drive one overnight. I came away liking it, but not convinced to plunk $$ down. I got back in my Tundra and in 100 feet knew I couldn't sell it. Then again, I don't like the standard Tundra, the TRD PRO suspension. It's all preference. Same is true for the Ranger and F150. The raptor Suspensions are sublime and in my wheelhouse for driving dynamics and feel. No interest in the regular ranger. A Wrangler would be fun as a pop around vehicle when on the road camping, but NOT as my daily. I agree with Vagrant, I will likely regret getting rid of the Tundra, and especially in 5 years, when the Ford is being a Ford. I also have gotten used to the Caro and Cab space, nevermind the bulletproof nature of the truck. I've owned a LOT of cars over the years, and have to say this has been my absolute favorite as a daily driver. Prior to that my 2006 Jeep Commander that I had till 2017 when I bought the Tundra cured me of my perennial car itch.
$$ is an issue, more for responsible use. Sounds dumb, but I really don't want to 'add' another vehicle to pay VA personal property tax....... But right now, I'm looking at 2000 and older Jeeps so I can throw Antique plates on it, Hagerty Insurance, and play a little... Hmm.....
Unlikely we will need it by next summer, we will do a couple 2 week trips, and just throw the Stornello on the Mototote. But I'm a long term slow mover and planner and want to be able to flip the switch when the time comes.
Anyhow, thanks for letting me think out loud in a room where others understand......... .
The Car dolly was my initial thought, then my wife started talking about getting an EV..... If I can convince her to keep her FWD Mini Lexus UX that is a strong runner.
Love the idea of a Miata, but it was too small for me before I got fat. Besides, if not a track racer, its a girls car ;-)
If I get one of those lightweight car carrier, I'll have to store it, and mobility of the rig is a big deal in most settings. This is still an issue with the Dolly. If just a Toad, it's easy to disconnect get into the Campground with the unit. Hard to drop the car carrier or doly and leave it somewhere while you 'camp' for a couple days. It's 32' and the chassis is pretty maneuverable. Also, so far, we've boondocked it 80% of the time and plan to do the same moving forward.
As for midsize trucks, I see several mentions of the new Frontier. I like it, and my last SGM bought one that looked like a 3/4 version of my Tundra. Didn't like how it rode/drove, and I'm not a Nissan guy. Couldn't pay me to buy a GM or Stellantis product. This pretty much leaves Toyota and Ford. Really too bad Toyota doesnt engineer a transfer case that gives full neutral like virtually all others do. As for Jeep.......... I think the Wrangler is one of the worst driving dynamics (to me) of virtually every vehicle on the road. The Gladiator is less so, but back in 2019-20 when they were clearing out the last years models, I test drove several, having had 3 Jeep SUV's in a row, I wanted to love it. But I really liked the Tundra, and a 10 minute test drive wasn't enough. A dealer let me test drive one overnight. I came away liking it, but not convinced to plunk $$ down. I got back in my Tundra and in 100 feet knew I couldn't sell it. Then again, I don't like the standard Tundra, the TRD PRO suspension. It's all preference. Same is true for the Ranger and F150. The raptor Suspensions are sublime and in my wheelhouse for driving dynamics and feel. No interest in the regular ranger. A Wrangler would be fun as a pop around vehicle when on the road camping, but NOT as my daily. I agree with Vagrant, I will likely regret getting rid of the Tundra, and especially in 5 years, when the Ford is being a Ford. I also have gotten used to the Caro and Cab space, nevermind the bulletproof nature of the truck. I've owned a LOT of cars over the years, and have to say this has been my absolute favorite as a daily driver. Prior to that my 2006 Jeep Commander that I had till 2017 when I bought the Tundra cured me of my perennial car itch.
$$ is an issue, more for responsible use. Sounds dumb, but I really don't want to 'add' another vehicle to pay VA personal property tax....... But right now, I'm looking at 2000 and older Jeeps so I can throw Antique plates on it, Hagerty Insurance, and play a little... Hmm.....
Unlikely we will need it by next summer, we will do a couple 2 week trips, and just throw the Stornello on the Mototote. But I'm a long term slow mover and planner and want to be able to flip the switch when the time comes.
Anyhow, thanks for letting me think out loud in a room where others understand......... .
