I'm wondering if I should keep Ridgeline or move to full 4x4 Toyota. If you with more experience could help...
I live in the Kootenays of BC and while I'm not interested in off-roading (climbing rocks, mud bogging, etc)... I am often "rough-roading" up forestry service roads to do hikes through the spring, summer, fall. Lots of washboard, rocks and ruts in the roads. Some climbs and descents but nothing too bad. I have an 06 Ridgeline LX and it can go everywhere I want to go. But I'm wondering if I'm shaking the heck out of it and if a true 4x4 would be better. This would be for the 15-20 days per year when I'm out there.
My question... would a 4Runner for example handle these kinds of roads over time better than the Ridgeline does? Does it soak up this stuff better? Last longer? Or is the difference only noticeable if I'm getting into extreme climbs and obstacles?
I guess the other question is, maybe I'd actually go further off the beaten path if I had more capacity. Love the Ridgeline in every way. Just don't want to be pushing it beyond its limits. So far mine has lasted well (200,000km/ 160mi) but it's getting rattly!
(BTW I'm no mechanic. I take it in for everything. So far it's treated me very well. Maybe I'm answering my own question...)
I live in the Kootenays of BC and while I'm not interested in off-roading (climbing rocks, mud bogging, etc)... I am often "rough-roading" up forestry service roads to do hikes through the spring, summer, fall. Lots of washboard, rocks and ruts in the roads. Some climbs and descents but nothing too bad. I have an 06 Ridgeline LX and it can go everywhere I want to go. But I'm wondering if I'm shaking the heck out of it and if a true 4x4 would be better. This would be for the 15-20 days per year when I'm out there.
My question... would a 4Runner for example handle these kinds of roads over time better than the Ridgeline does? Does it soak up this stuff better? Last longer? Or is the difference only noticeable if I'm getting into extreme climbs and obstacles?
I guess the other question is, maybe I'd actually go further off the beaten path if I had more capacity. Love the Ridgeline in every way. Just don't want to be pushing it beyond its limits. So far mine has lasted well (200,000km/ 160mi) but it's getting rattly!
(BTW I'm no mechanic. I take it in for everything. So far it's treated me very well. Maybe I'm answering my own question...)