My recreational vehicle - Neil M Travis - July 27, 2009

[rtidd]

My recreational vehicle
Neil talks about a dying breed; large utility vehicles, and the things that impact on the decision of which vehicle works best.

[Grn Mt Man]

Neil,

Enjoyed your account of recreational vehicles. Reminds me of my old Mitsubishi Montero. Had it for about 15 years and 258,000 miles worth of travel. My brother-in-law met a fellow on our hunt club lease one day and told him I lived in the town of XXXXXXXX. The man said, "NO - he lives on the mountain cause I've seen his Montero there just about every day this season. He must live in that vehicle." Sold it a few years ago and last I knew it was still running. It would take you anywhere and never got stuck.

[modocdan]

I drove a 1976 Chevy Blazer for 15 years. 8 MPG hiway/ less &less in town.......
best truck I ever had. Would go anywhere, and bring you and your gear back safe every time. The thing just wore out...I put over 300,000 miles on it. Now I have a 2000 chevy Tahoe. Everything the Blazer was and more. 4 doors, lots of room for everything you listed and more. 18 - 20 MPG hiway at 55. I won't give up the full size V8 powered 4X4s til somebody makes me. I'll buy the extra gas with a smile.............ModocDan

[fivedials]

Loved the story. Reminds me of my first car an '85 Ford Escort Pony. When your done laughing, read on. That car was like the clown car from the circus. Put the back seat down and you could put anything back there; and I did. Kenwood stereo system complete with cabinet and of course a pair of 975 speakers, a 30" TV (the old kind not these skinny things hanging on a wall). That car moved all my worldly possessions,in one trip, during my batchelor life and on into my married life. Do you have any idea how much stuff a child needs for a day trip to your in-laws? Yep, that Escort moved it with ease, started every time, went everywhere and till it became too rusty to drive in 2005 with 150,000+ miles still averaged almost 30 mpg.

[shortcaster]

Had a ford falcon. Tookk us on fishin & huntin' trips that'd curl yer finger nails but we had a milliond bucks wortha good times in it. Twas a good buggy !!!!

[Bobinmich]

Speaking as someone who was hit head on by a drunk driver driving a Dakota, I will never drive anything smaller than a Yukon, Won't ever loose that battle again. Barbara Boxer may think her Prius is God's gift to America but I'll pass. My Yukon holds all my bird hunting gear, the dog kennel, my steelhead gear, and would hold my bow hunting gear too if I could still pull back a bow. Like I said, I was hit head on by.......

Bob

[Sonny Edmonds]

Speaking as someone who was hit head on by a drunk driver driving a Dakota, Like I said, I was hit head on by.......

Bob

But did you kill the MF'r?
Dead criminals are never repeat offenders...

My RV is an RV (31', 6 MPG when pulling the boat). Bed and Breakfast for 7.
But my little Astra is my satellite ride.

[Big Bad Wulff]

Ford Excursion 7.3L diesel.

18mpg on last fishing trip and room for...............well just how many do we want to pack in here.

So much for the enviros and their reporting that Excursions get 7mpg.

[Gandolf]

Hi Neal,

Cool article.

My first vehicle/hunting vehicle was a 1960 Rambler American station wagon. It got about 25 mpg, and was very light. Two wheel drive with overdrive, but it did pretty darn good in mud and snow, and with chains it did extremely well. Plenty of room for decoys, guns, and fishing rods, etc.

Wish I still had it or one like it.

Regards,

Gandolf

[fcch]

I'm on my third truck for fishing. They kept getting bigger and bigger, although not in the same class as Neil!

I like the explorer like this' 'cause I still have a (small) truck bed, but everything can get locked up with a rigid cover.