Serious question, why does everyone act like you need a 4x4 to get to any decent campsite?

Last week, I took my front-wheel drive Honda Civic up a pretty rough forest service road near Flagstaff to get to a dispersed spot. I mean, I had to go slow and pick my lines, but I made it just fine. People at the trailhead looked at me like I was nuts. Three years ago, I had a big truck and honestly, I got it stuck more often because I thought I could just plow through anything. With the car, you have to think about it, check the ground clearance, and maybe walk the last half mile if it gets too dicey. I feel like the 'real' camping experience gets lost when you just rely on a huge vehicle to get you exactly where you want to go. Has anyone else had good luck getting off the pavement without a dedicated off-road rig?

2 comments

2 Comments

roseb471mo ago

My old Corolla got me to more trailheads in the White Mountains than I can count. The key is a good set of all-terrain tires and knowing when to get out and scout ahead on foot. I've dragged the oil pan exactly once, on a rock I should have seen. Now I keep a couple of 2x6 planks in the trunk for sketchy ruts or if I need a little extra clearance under a tire. Slow and smart beats big and dumb most of the time.

butler.shane1mo ago

Remember when everyone thought you needed a monster truck just to drive in snow? My buddy's Subaru with good tires goes more places than most bro-dozers because he actually knows how to drive it. People just like buying the gear instead of learning the skill.