Archive for August, 2009
The first step is to determine the type of 4×4 you require. Given the size of the market (more than 50 models), this may seem a Herculean task, but the field breaks down in a hurry into four basic types: full-size and compact sport utilities, and full-size and compact pickup trucks. By and large, full-size vehicles from the same manufacturer share mechanical underpinnings and designs.The same holds true for the compact segment. And broadly speaking, sport utilities will cost more than a comparably equipped pickup.
What type would work best for you? That depends on the kinds of hunting and fishing you do, whether you need the vehicle for work, and if you need to haul your family around as well. thevitabl you’ll have to compromise. Though most sportsmen would like a vehicle dedicated exclusively to hunting and fishing, the majority need their vehicle to do double duty.
Think this through; sometimes the best choice isn’t obvious. For example, a Virginia angler I know was looking at compact sport utilities, but then decided on a compact pickup with a cap. Since he didn’t have any children and generally fished with one partner, he didn’t need to pay for the extra seats of a sport utility.
A full-size sport utility was the only alternative for a Texas sports-man I know, however, because, as he put it, “I’m a gear hog, and during the fall when I’m after birds, deer, and bass I practically live out of my truck. I need a lot of storage space for me and my partner, and since I drive anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to hunt, I also wanted a cab with some room to stretch out. And when I’m not in the field, the rear seat stays up so I can haul around my family.”
A Montana bird hunter recommends a compact sport utility. “There’s plenty of room for my pointer, my partners, and all our gear,” he says. “In addition, I prefer the fuel economy of the V6 engine to that of a big VS.”
Finally, there’s the big-game hunter from New Mexico who prefers full-size pickups. “With a big VS engine, I can tow a big trailer, and with a cap in place I can store enough gear for a week in deer camp. When I’m not hunting, the truck holds all my tools and work supplies.”
To each his own. Just remember, what works for a friend may or may not work for you. And since a new 4×4 will set you back anywhere from $20,000 to well over $40,000, don’t be in too big a hurry to make up your mind.
