varmint mobile ??

[Mark W]

I’ve been thinking about refurbishing a Chevy Astro van as a hunting machine. Being an east coaster I’m about 1500 miles from the places that I usually Varmint shoot. I’m getting too old for those 25 hour straight through drives. Something with room to stretch out for a nap on those long trips would do me good sometimes.

 

[sw282]

If your state allows shooting from a vehicle, make sure it idles smooth.

 

[Rustytigwire]

going to be shopping for a new car shortly,and use it for varmint hunting, one thing i am looking for in the vehicle is ground clearance and cargo space with the rear seats folded down, and fuel economy,had a toyota Tacoma in mind, but no use for a truck, i bough my wife a new 2016 Subaru Forster and it is OK, but i had either the Subaru Outback in mind or the Honda CRV, leaning towards the Honda CRV, seems to have more room that the Outback and more HP, any thoughts on what i am after.

chet

Chet,
I posted my Dodge pic not intend to derail the thread but promote discussion. Thanks for your patience.
We are on Honda CRV #3 in this house. 2 lost to unavoidable accidents. I can attest to the reliability, low operating and minimum maintenence cost. The CRV is roomy and dependable. We had a terrible accident in one and i can attest to its crash safety also.
Suburu Forester? I rented one and really liked it but a keeping to existing fleet.
CRV holds value too.
Good luck!

 

[sw282]

l have a 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Plenty of ground clearance and Power to get me just about anywhere l need to go.. l can fold down the rear seat and get more room. There's even a pretty substantial roof rack.. l have seen some with a ladder going up the back to the roof... 0ften wondered if the rack would support the weight of a shooter and bench.. Possible a piece of 1/2'' Plywood secured by ''U'' BOLTS... My greatest fear would be falling off and breaking these OLD bones

 

[1raggedhole]

New Mahindra mini Jeep:
https://www.roxoroffroad.com/

 

[Alex Wheeler]

In these parts a Subaru is about like driving a VW bus. "They" have claimed it as their automobile. Not that that makes them a bad choice, Im just letting you know.

 

[tstowater]

I just disregarded fuel economy and went with a Suburban. Put in some sort of gun storage that you can put ammo and benches on top and everything is inside. Amazing how much stuff you can haul. Just got back from SD and had 12 guns along and storage room for more.

 

[Barlow]

My huntin rig is 1986 Ford Bronco 11. 5 speed stick, lock out hubs, heavy front bumper with 8500 lb Ramsay winch. Painted with bed liner paint (light brown). I carry 100 feet of chain, 25' tow strap, high lift jack, shovel, Stihl chain saw, axe, hatchet, Swede saw, tire chains, and hand tools and extra oil. I have used all of them at one time or another. This is my third Bronco 11, and I will never be without one. The turning radius is unbeatable. I plan on buying a new Ford Ranger when they come out this winter. Barlow

 

[chet]

Chet,
I posted my Dodge pic not intend to derail the thread but promote discussion. Thanks for your patience.
We are on Honda CRV #3 in this house. 2 lost to unavoidable accidents. I can attest to the reliability, low operating and minimum maintenence cost. The CRV is roomy and dependable. We had a terrible accident in one and i can attest to its crash safety also.
Suburu Forester? I rented one and really liked it but a keeping to existing fleet.
CRV holds value too.
Good luck!

hi Rusty
i stopped at a Honda dealer today and looked at the CRV, after opening the rear hatch my mind was made up to eliminate this one from my list, there is a step or call it a ledge about 2 inches drop right behind the rear seats, so when i slide in my shooting tables or rifle cases, they are going to hit and it will be a pain to get the shooting table up over it, i really wanted the CRV it has a little more space, dam. it was one of the SUV's breaking 30MPG, so it's either back to checking out the Outback or the 2019 Forster is totally redesigned over the the 14 thru 18 yr models. that Subaru Ascent looks cool but with a 2.4 turbo with around 250hp, fuel mileage will probably be in the 20's
chet

 

[GrocMax]

Fuel mileage has nearly nothing to do with engine max power. Rolling resistance, wind resistance, weight, drivetrain friction (2WD vs. AWD, 1800 RPM vs. 3200 RPM).

hi Rusty
i stopped at a Honda dealer today and looked at the CRV, after opening the rear hatch my mind was made up to eliminate this one from my list, there is a step or call it a ledge about 2 inches drop right behind the rear seats, so when i slide in my shooting tables or rifle cases, they are going to hit and it will be a pain to get the shooting table up over it, i really wanted the CRV it has a little more space, dam. it was one of the SUV's breaking 30MPG, so it's either back to checking out the Outback or the 2019 Forster is totally redesigned over the the 14 thru 18 yr models. that Subaru Ascent looks cool but with a 2.4 turbo with around 250hp, fuel mileage will probably be in the 20's
chet

 

[ben lurkin]

The CRV is fine for the street but I WOULD NOT advise one for off-road use. You will kill that continuously variable transmission and they are not inexpensive to replace.

 

[Nomad47]

hi Rusty
i stopped at a Honda dealer today and looked at the CRV, after opening the rear hatch my mind was made up to eliminate this one from my list, there is a step or call it a ledge about 2 inches drop right behind the rear seats, so when i slide in my shooting tables or rifle cases, they are going to hit and it will be a pain to get the shooting table up over it, i really wanted the CRV it has a little more space, dam. it was one of the SUV's breaking 30MPG, so it's either back to checking out the Outback or the 2019 Forster is totally redesigned over the the 14 thru 18 yr models. that Subaru Ascent looks cool but with a 2.4 turbo with around 250hp, fuel mileage will probably be in the 20's
chet

The rear cargo floor of the CR-V has 2 positions. And one of those creates a smooth floor. A salesman should have pointed that out. The manual explains the 2 positions.

 

[retired]

does that mean i cannot come up in my subaru ?? i did three times and now i am banned ?
( i actually will have a ram 2500 high roof 159 converted to a stealth camper.)

In these parts a Subaru is about like driving a VW bus. "They" have claimed it as their automobile. Not that that makes them a bad choice, Im just letting you know.

 

[retired]

when they made the 14-18 forester they added more head/leg room in the second seat. the results is a bump when you fold down the seat. only an inch or so.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

does that mean i cannot come up in my subaru ?? i did three times and now i am banned ?
( i actually will have a ram 2500 high roof 159 converted to a stealth camper.)

LOL, no we don't care. Just so long as theres not a Bernie sticker on it like all the ones in Missoula I actually think a 4x4 wagon is a sweet ride. It would be hard to beat a jeep wagonmaster if you could get one

 

[KMart]

Just get a Toyota Tacoma. White. Every warlord in every 3rd world country can't be wrong.

 

[JRS]

Ford Focus RS with a wheel and tire change.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Just get a Toyota Tacoma. White. Every warlord in every 3rd world country can't be wrong.

Quite possibly the funniest thing I'll read all day.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Just get a Toyota Tacoma. White. Every warlord in every 3rd world country can't be wrong.

Keeps those smelly critters out of your breathing space, too.

 

[mikeinct]

Whoa TB , where did you shoot a big ole stinky badger ?? Mike in ct