BOV - It's Not What You Drive, but How You Drive It

[Stumpgrinder]

I currently drive a second gen Nissan Frontier, 4WD with an E-Locker in the back. I work construction, and use 4wd a couple of times a month.

I find that 4WD is a lot like my preps; it's good to have. At work I'll throw it on if there is even the slightest chance that I may get stuck. I think it's all about understanding what will hang you up, just like prepping. My first vehicle was a short bed, short cab 2WD chevy, and at the age of 17 I learned all about what will hang you up.

I don't think I'd ever buy a 2WD truck again if I can avoid it. Simply because, in the spirit of preparation, it may end up being the last vehicle I'll ever own. If I can set the locker and crawl across an obstical, rather than picking a line, saying a prayer, and using the momentum of a 4500lb 2WD truck... I would choose crawling, as most of us would. Simply for the longevity of my ride, if nothing else.

At the end of the day, do you need 4WD drive? No. But, I'd rather call a spade a spade and use the right tool for the job.

[Tater Raider]

I currently drive a second gen Nissan Frontier, 4WD with an E-Locker in the back. I work construction, and use 4wd a couple of times a month.

I find that 4WD is a lot like my preps; it's good to have. At work I'll throw it on if there is even the slightest chance that I may get stuck. I think it's all about understanding what will hang you up, just like prepping. My first vehicle was a short bed, short cab 2WD chevy, and at the age of 17 I learned all about what will hang you up.

I don't think I'd ever buy a 2WD truck again if I can avoid it. Simply because, in the spirit of preparation, it may end up being the last vehicle I'll ever own. If I can set the locker and crawl across an obstical, rather than picking a line, saying a prayer, and using the momentum of a 4500lb 2WD truck... I would choose crawling, as most of us would. Simply for the longevity of my ride, if nothing else.

At the end of the day, do you need 4WD drive? No. But, I'd rather call a spade a spade and use the right tool for the job.

And that is why I like 4WD and now own one. 99 times out a 100 an AWD vehicle will do just fine for what gets talked about here as far as BOV's go, and I'd go as far as saying that 95 times out of 100 any vehicle will do just fine, but I've decided to eliminate that off chance.

I've personally been off road (not off roading, just off anything resembling a road) in a full-sized 1970's Caddy and I know it did fine. It had room for 3 in the front, 3 in back, and helicopter pads on the roof, hood, and trunk lid, but it would drive through grassy areas without problems and let's face it - in a bug out you might not be able to do that much.

As far as the right tool for the job, just pointing out that what one person considers "absolutely vital" equipment another considers a luxury.

In the meantime...

See what you did, TaterRaider.

Yup. Damn proud I did it too.

Seriously I'm loving the discussion and hope it continues.


Oh, one last thing... ZS has adopted an informal thing where sarcasm is in blue text. I can't remember if Biggin or Nimdabrew started it, but it's kinda become the standard here. Use it or suffer the wrath of my army of mice.

[silentpoet]

I think within reason skill and willpower is more important than equipment. But you can go to extremes with that argument. When it comes down to it, make the best choice you can within the budget you have and considering your environment. Then learn to drive it. What you want to become is a skilled driver with a capable vehicle.

[0122358]

I remember the first time i took my 2wd ford ranger with a crappy 2.5L 4 banger and crappy highway tires off road when i went camping with my buddies over the 4th of july. My best firend was in his 89' 4x4 S10 and yelled over the CB as he took off up this muddy rocky hill, "Remember man, its 90 percent driver, 10 percent vehicle!" so i just just picked my lines, kept my speed constant and took my ranger where 4x4s would hesitate to go. I was totally amazed that my ranger made it up that damn hill. If i had pictures i would post them but i had left my camera in my tent...words cannot describe how narly this trail was...damn what a rush!

[FrANkNstEin]

I can relate.

I´ve bugged out in a BMW rear wheel drive once. When our side valley (where my gramps cabin was) was cut off by mud/rockslides. After ten days of recieving food by choppers we about had enough and decided we´d find our way out....

So we took the Beamer over the smaller rockslides with caution, crossed the riverbed two times in it and finally made it back home using the old unmaintained loggers trail on the other side of that narrow V-Valley. Thankfully, there are a few places in the river where you can actually cross with a normal car if you need to. The big and nasty rockslides are still visible today, after 15 years of time to overgrow. Half of the mountain came down back then. One of these days i gotta take a pic of the old road, disapearing under the rockslide and the new road going around it.

Of course we where lucky to find the right lines to make it through in that BMW, and of course we got wet feet crossing the river. But we made it out fine, the car needed no repairs (just drying) and served us well for another 4 years before we sold it.

I´m not saying, don´t buy a 4x4. In fact: i´m in the market for one (or two) about rigth f***n now. But a lot of times, you CAN do with something less, even though you´d think it´s impossible.

So, yes: i´d subscribe to "it´s not what you drive, but how you drive it" up to a certain point.