Let's talk about kayak transport

[Denis_Ruso]

I picked up a 1997 Toyota 4runner 4x4 with Locked Rear last year. So far its been my favorite car.

Pros: Cost was only 5500 so there's plenty in the budget to rig the car with what you need, notorious reliability (same engine as the taco), SUV so you can camp 2 comfortably with a sleeping platform in the back with the heater on, sits the family comfortably, 4x4 is great have never been stuck off-roading, lots of aftermarket parts available, your rods are stored inside the car so you can walk away with the car locked and not worry about someone snatching them while you go eat after kayaking.

Cons: The car is tall and transporting a kayak is a little tricky. This is mitigated with the Thule Hullavator. Not shiny and new.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by cris

Did some winter camping with my subaru outback last winter as well as some offroading this summer. It's awd not 4x4 but it was fine for what and I haven't gotten stuck at la jolla (yet).

Oh, if Subaru ever puts an STI drive train in the Crosstrek, that would be damn near the ultimate "kayak" vehicle for me. Throw slightly more capable tires on it and call it a day.

Originally Posted by Denis_Ruso

I picked up a 1997 Toyota 4runner 4x4 with Locked Rear last year. So far its been my favorite car...

Great call. Those late 90's / early 00's 4Runners are bullet proof. Excellent choice if you can find one that's comparatively low miles, they will last you FOREVER.....

[GTboosted]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

I have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

I know those things are COMFORTABLE. We used to have one but a bit older. Loved it till it started having too many problems. Different generation from yours

Originally Posted by cris

Did some winter camping with my subaru outback last winter as well as some offroading this summer. It's awd not 4x4 but it was fine for what and I haven't gotten stuck at la jolla (yet).

I'm sure that the Subaru's awd system is more than enough, I actually considered an outback but I need space for gear when I camp with my kids.

You see funny stuff at La Jolla. We saw a little corolla speed through a Saturday crowd to get to the hard packed sand lol

Originally Posted by Denis_Ruso

I picked up a 1997 Toyota 4runner 4x4 with Locked Rear last year. So far its been my favorite car.

I've seen it on your IG. Looks sick. Did you get it with the lift and wheels for that price?

[Denis_Ruso]

Originally Posted by GTboosted

I've seen it on your IG. Looks sick. Did you get it with the lift and wheels for that price?

Thanks.

Yea I scored a deal, the guy did most of the required maintenance, lift, tires, weld on sliders, skid plates, front bumper and air compressor with only 155K miles at the time.

I don't expect anything like that to pop up again but they are relatively around the same price in immaculate condition.

[oredith]

i was originally going to weld up a rack for the truck to transport the 2 kayaks, but the wife said no to the truck. she wants heated seats and comfy ride.. >_<



I get like 3 offers a month on the truck's windshield asking if I want to sell it..

[TJones]

A chevy 1500? It's not unheard of for them to knock of 10,000$. Maybe submit a request on internet and have dealers fight for your business. You would have to up your budget though. Maybe look for a slightly used one. This could apply to the competiition as well such as Ford.

[Harry Hill]

have a 2004 Grand Cherokee that is extremely comfortable to drive but it is beginning to have issues, the electronics in the transmission are acting up. I don't like the full time four wheel drive but even with it on the highway pulling my kayak trailer it gets about 19 mpg with the V8.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by TJones

A chevy 1500? It's not unheard of for them to knock of 10,000$. Maybe submit a request on internet and have dealers fight for your business. You would have to up your budget though. Maybe look for a slightly used one. This could apply to the competiition as well such as Ford.

I feel all new trucks are overpriced. That's why you see so many dealers offering huge discounts and still managing to keep their business open. Also why you see the resale on most full-sized trucks plummet so fast after the first 1-2 years.

When I was in AZ, I was REALLLLLLLY close to buying a PA14 and towing it with a CPO Chevy Silverado 1500. Far and away the most comfortable vehicle I'd ever been in. It's just way too impractical for me to drive something that big here in LA.

[Sdspeed]

How about a 1st Gen tundra 4x4? I'm bias because i own one with over 200k trouble free miles.
Here's a clean one, low mileage too.
http://www.mullaheychryslerdodgejeep...af6cf08464.htm