All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Very curious what your opinion will be on the RAV4. I've been considering one to replace my wife's car next year. It would be the road trip vehicle and maybe day trips depending on where we go. Keeping the Tacoma for camping and mountain stuff though

 

Rav4 is gonna be real hard to beat in practicality terms. They're comfy for commuting, and still have a good amount of space for adventures. (read: broverlanding) I have a feeling we will replace the lady's Sportage with one as well. If you need a bit more the 4runner or a GX is the EZ choice.

 

That was my thought too.

The RAV is great for what it is, but it's pretty small for road tripping with more than 2 people and real amount of gear. About the size of the Outback and with a roof box and hitch rack for bikes it's doable for a family of 4 but it's crammed full for sure. It would be a near ideal local runaround vehicle for us though. I had the thought of that then a full size truck for road trips but that takes us replacing two vehicles.

 

Kind of a crazy option, but I'll throw out Transit van! It's not sexy but it is a highly functional and versatile vehicle. You could get one with a bench seat for 5 humans and just leave the back open for stuff or build out some gear storage that is covered and secure. They come in a ton of options... 130" wheelbase is shorter than Taco, low/mid/high roof (mid-roof has 6' of standing room), good gas mileage (20mpg highway), drives nicely on the highway and not too bad around town, easy to service (ecoboost), AWD or do a 4x4 conversion.

It's really nice to be able to change, load/unload kids, store skis and bikes, etc. inside of the vehicle too. We also find it really nice on road trips because we can easily climb in the back to sit with the kids and provide "in-flight services" which allow us to drive further between rest stops. If you want it to be a camping vehicle also then you can throw on a RTT, build in a removable bed platform, install a convertible seat/bed, or just bring an air mattress to throw in the floor.

https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/3...the-suv-alternative-you-didnt-know-you-wanted

 

Oh good call. That's actually another option I've pretty seriously considered. Ditch the Taco for a Transit. Like you said, I figured I'd start out with basic seating for our fam and a big empty garage in the back and slowly build it out as a convertible road trip/camper/utility van.

 

90% of our road trips are in my wife's Subaru Forester. 4 of us fit fine and no one complains about space. I took a trip with a buddy this spring in his '23 RAV4 hybrid and was really impressed. It's comfortable, quiet and lots of space. Not to mention stopping for gas once in 400+ miles! I was dead set on another Subaru but that trip changed my mind.

The RAV is similar in size to the Forester. I think we'll be fine on trips, especially if we add a roof box. We are done with camping as a family (that's where the only road trip complaints come from!). So, it's basic luggage for us - not carrying a ton of gear anymore. Also, the roughest roads I am on these days are washboarded FS roads. I think the RAV is more than capable for 95% of places I go. And honestly, the majority of driving is to work and to trailheads.

I've driven three different RAV hybrid models...XLE, SE & XSE. I liked them all. I also tried the TRD off road for fun and it was nice. This Woodland Edition is hard to find on a lot. I put the deposit down so I could actually see and drive one.

 

Yeah if you aren't doing much gear and just basic luggage it will probably be fine for you. It's even comfy for adults in the back. For us we are often going to outdoor places for a week plus with bikes, skis, fly fishing gear, kid/baby crap, etc, etc. Oh and the kids! ha The Outback/RAV/Forester class was fine for the two of us with gear but is a bit tight now that we've added two kids. Still doable just not ideal.

 

Sounds like you could use a roof box?

 

Oh I have one. Last winter I had the roof box, my bed with cover, and the entire cab in my Taco pretty much maxed out. Like I said, doable just not ideal. Had me thinking of getting a cap for the back.

 

from a financial point of view, a cap is like $4k (my alucab was like 4.7 after install and tax and whatever). i didn't think my mpg would go down, but im pretty sure it did. i'll find some time later this week or next week.

no idea what trade in value is for your taco, but if you could do a pretty straight trade then maybe it would be worth it in the long run?

that xtrusion rack/topper/tent combo thing, like that kuat rack topper combo thing, could be worth it at a lower price but you sacrifice weather proofing.

 

Finally back home in Boise. Afternoon Sunday ride, there were about 40 - 50 riders I saw out there enjoying the day. None were on e-Bikes.

 

I see some cranes there, is Boise growing? Who is moving in?

I used to spend time there when I was in semiconductor, Micron being a good customer of ours (around 2000). I was living in Austin, TX at the time. Both towns had similar vibes. Austin lost its vibe. Loved me a Table Rock nut brown ale . . .

 

My legs are gettin there. Trying to get out and ride at least twice a week even if its just a little 5-6 miles in the evening. about 5-6 miles and 650 feet of vert I can get done at the little bike park in about hour and a half leaving my place to getting home. Getting better on jumps too since one of these lines has jumps packed super close to eachother. The last line there is full face helmet territory for me. The mental comfort of sending big stuff in half shell vs full face. biggest jump is around 20 feet top of lip to start of the landing? ish.

Tahoe's starting to thaw out so stoke is high

 

Boise is growing too much, too fast, if you know what I mean. Before, I would know half the people out on the trail. Not anymore. Luckily, it still has small town vibe.

 

Yeah they are expensive. But new vehicles are crazy high now. I got a great deal on my truck and could probably sell it for what I bought it for in 2019 ($33k) but any full size replacement is probably $50k+ I assume. Haven't done much real looking. Used could be an option but full size (especially US brands) are out of my wheel house and I'd be less confident buying used. I also don't really want a cap on all the time and just for winter and road trips. If I'm going to lose my ability to use the bed for tailgate pad on normal basis I'd just get a 4Runner or something. Makes it harder to justify the cost of the cap. Was looking at some used fiberglass options which might be a good option for part time use.

Boise was already growing, but it was one of the pandemic boom towns along with my home town Bozeman. Both had a large influx of people and crazy real estate appreciation.

 

I stop in there every now and then. Kinds reminds me of SLC a few years ago, but changing extremely fast. I always stop in this spot for one of those breakfast sandos.

https://www.certifiedboise.com/

Overall not enough trees for me unless you're down by the river.

 

I’m seeing Tiffany blue bikes everywhere now.

I like that we’re back to mountain bikes being all sorts of funky colors.

 

I thought the toothpaste color was the deal last year? They even made a Taco in that color.. "lunar rock" I call it "testosterone reducing mint". I'll take my bikes and troks in black or silver thanks.

 

My wife and I both have Santa Cruz/Juliana bikes in that color.

I think it’s called Bay fog or something, which makes a lot of sense around here.

 

Protein Powder for Evil ha