Let's see some hunting rigs....

[Andrew Sacco]

This is in the dog section because I am considering a change of vehicle next season and my decision will be DOG and hunting driven. I have a Toyota 4R TRD Pro 2020 which is about as bullet proof a vehicle that you can get, but is going to be too small with two dogs. I have 130,000 on the odo and the only thing I've done is rotors and pads and oil changes. That's it. My wants are these in order:

1. Durability and toughness
2. 2 dogs in crates (English setters)
3. Would like a new vehicle not a used legacy vehicle

Am of course open to a pickup. Have always been a Toyota fan, the last 5 we've had have accumulated 1.2 million miles and never had issues. Now, they are changing everything and with hybrid battery space it takes up valuable dog and gear space. So if you can post photos of your hunting rigs and recommendations along with preferred (removable or built in) dog crates. I drive my vehicles pretty hard and use them and my 4R in Maine has been nothing short of outstanding. I just don't know where to go from here. I am getting a lot of "Do NOT buy a new Toyota (Chevy, Ford, GMC...) engine no matter what you do, find an old 2018 V8... " I have zero interest in buying something with 70,000 on it already.

[John B White]

Toyota Land Cruiser. I own 3. A 1987 fj60 (with 430 hp LS3 and auto) Ive had this for 30 years, on my third engine.

A 1999 fj100 with 340k and more to go (this is my dog wagon).

A 2019 fj200 I’ve barely put 25k on this. It’s a backup.

All hold 2 crates between the wheel wells (though the 60 requires a platform for one of ‘em) with room for 2-3 shotguns between them.

Rear seats all folds down and/or flip forward. I’ve had 3 crates in the 100 and could probably fit another.

The 100 is my favorite in terms of comfort and utility.

The 60 is my second. Still rides like an old truck but more than keeps up with traffic. The Chevy engine actually gets better mileage than the straight 6’s I’ve had in it previously.
May replace the leaf springs with coil overs.

The 200 is for dates. Hence the low mileage.

A Land Cruiser can go anywhere. Except past a gas station.

[David Livesay]

Would an enclosed trailer not be ideal for all your hunting equipment and dog cages? Might have to install air vents and fans. Just hook up to your favorite vehicle and go.

[Andrew Sacco]

John, I had an FJ 80 and loved it, and I LOVE Land Cruisers, but the new ones, not so much. It's sad what they did to them, but that's what I'm talking about although I love them I'd rather not get into a new to me old vehicle. I think you're smart to hang on to those beauties!

Dave, there's no way a trailer will get to where I drive the 4R. My buddies F150 barely gets there due to clearance and length and a trailer would be a disaster because at times I'm backing up a long ways to find a place to turn around. I have thought about that but the North Maine Woods off the logging roads can get gnarly. I think this will end up being a pickup but then we get into the well worn debate on how crappy all the half ton pickups are these days and it has devolved into name calling if you spend time looking at reviews and forums. I like the Tundra but my local dealer told me "wait until they get rid of this engine..." Not the vote of confidence I wanted.

[Mike Koneski]

I have an F150 with a cap and I keep two large dog crates in the back. When traveling I keep the dogs in the crates in the back and guns/luggage in the back seat with the seats folded up. More than enough room for two hunters and dogs and gear.

[Dave Tatman]

Full disclosure: I’m a retired GM Plant Manager, so I may be a bit biased.

FWIW, Andrew, my latest rig is a 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2, with a Leer cap, Thule racks, and an interior bed rug. I’ve also added big KC HiLites on the hood. We call ‘em ditch lights, as they are invaluable for illuminating deer on the way back to the cabin in the evenings. I’m only blessed with one setter right now, so generally Beau’s kennel is in the back seat, guns and gear in the bed. His kennel is a Ruffland Large, and you could easily put two side by side under the cap. The slightly smaller size and off-road lift of this truck make it even better in grouse country over my GMC Sierra Denali. It has the highly regarded Turbomax four cylinder engine (the only engine option available) and one that has been the subject of virtually no field issues. I tow my drift boat and/or my UTV trailer behind it with no issues. Towing a big boat or a large RV might be a challenge, but this turbo four has lots of guts.

As I said, for what it’s worth……. Best of luck in your quest!

[Andrew Sacco]

Thanks Dave. I love the Ruffland kennels. Nice rig for sure. I had a few friends had to ditch their F150's for various reasons (cam phasers and another a transmission failure at 90,000 miles). I've been a Ford guy and have never owned a Chevy but the GMC's look nice too, in the AT4 trim. I'll have to start driving these things. I could do with a Sequoia but that's long in the tooth and big and sorely needs an update.

[Dan Steingraber]

I’ve been hunting in 1500/4wheel drive suburbans for 25 years. I don’t think you can do better. They ride like a Cadillac and go wherever you need to go, have tons of space and the dogs are in the truck. If I ever downsized I’d likely go with a 4 runner and have a custom dog box made for it. BTW, I have a great, custom made 2 dog box with a custom canvas cover so it’s perfect for warm or cold weather I’m going to sell.

[Andrew Sacco]

Does the box fit any particular vehicle Dan?

[Kevin McCormack]

Mercedes Benz UNIMOG; select the wheelbase best for your dog crates and ancillary gear. They will climb log stairs and shale arroyos, skidding trails and rushing streams. Their sprocket drive axles give the tallest ground clearance of any currently manufactured "SUV".

[Daryl Corona]

My setup is like Dans. I've had 3 Suburbans with a custom storage box with drawers underneath two dog boxes. Everything is under cover and secure except this last 2017 GMC Suburban has a poorly designed engine which crapped out at 130k miles along with a failing transmission. The last two went 300k with minimal problems. Their newest version of the 5.3L variable timing engine has been a problem and will eventually fail as mine did. The transmissions have been cheapened. GM won't do a thing to compensate. The new 12k replacement engine will eventually have the same problem but is warranteed 3years/unlimited mileage.

[Chris Pope]

What great info here. My choice for vehicle since 2008 has been the Honda Ridgeline with a Leer cap on the back fitted with slider screened windows on the driver side and tip up with a slider on the passenger side. It was replaced with 180K miles in 2019 by another new one and that now has 160K miles on it. We've had many roadtrips between NH, SC, SD, Montana and FL. And we always travel with the dogs in both cold and very hot weather. Many of those miles have been on forest roads in SC (very smooth compared to the pothole ridden forest roads in NH that will jar your false teeth loose.)
-Average mileage on the highway fully loaded with enough hunting gear for a month is 25.5 MPG.
-2 dogs ride in the back seat while travelling long distances because the ridgeline has seperate controlled AC for the back floor and upper vents and a very cool dog space makes for quiet sleeping dogs on 12 hour days on the road.
-while hunting dogs are crated in the rear area.
-Ridgeline has a very useful hard storage area under the rear deck. Perfect place for firearms and other valuables while travelling. Crooks can break into anything but it will take some effort and noise to get into the locked cap and the locked trunk, I can easily store 5 hard cased shotguns in the space plus additional equipment.
-while in NH this month chasing birds we can fit 4 hunters and 2 big dogs and 1 Boykin with all our gear. I've carried a fully loaded truck and a very heavy Uhaul (with all my firearms and reloading equipment and lead for 1000 miles and the truck handled beautifully.
-The Ridgeline is quite a bit less expensive that the full size trucks.
Disadvantages? If you really need the space of a full sized truck this is not for you. But we've been very happy. Rumor has it that 2026 may be the last year of production while they do a 2 year redesign (which Honda did once before.) The assumption is they are going to fit up the new version with hybrid technology. My wife has a hybrid and for us one is enough.
So I may jump in and buy a new 2026 later this year- we'll see. Looking forward to hearing from others also. Also if others have had a bad experience with the newer model Ridgelines (2020 and up).

Please let us know what you decide.

[Andrew Sacco]

There are a plethora of engine issues in all of the half ton pickups. The Ridgeline is a very solid vehicle but never owned a Honda. Nice try with a UNIMOG Kevin. Was wondering who would come up that gem, or a Hummer or a G Wagon (no thanks to all three).

[Dan Steingraber]

Does the box fit any particular vehicle Dan?

I had it made For My suburban but I’ll measure it. The holes are plenty big. I used to put my setter and pointer in one side and my lab in the other.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Hunting rigs, well, I'd recommend a full size truck with the Supercrew or 4 full doors. I'd recommend a 6.5 ft bed, 6 at the minimum. You'll regret a 5.5 ft bed. Truck vault and Decked systems look great, but I need full use of my bed after hunting season and they are not the easiest to remove by yourself when you want them out.
I have used this elevated plywood floor system for almost 20 years now, can put it in or out in minutes, and you'll have maybe $70 in it. It will hold 2 extra large kennels and have also put 3 intermediate kennels across. Lots of space in back of and underneath. My Ford will also hold a large kennel in the back seat with it folded up. Loading it up tomorrow for a 3 week stint up north, leaving Wednesday.
Oh, my truck is a 2022 King Ranch F150 4wd

[Andrew Sacco]

I have some decisions to make before the little one gets much bigger. I can do with the 4 Runner and two Ruffland kennels side by side in the back and gear in the seat area, but with two hunters on a road trip it's just too small. I know those truck vaults Harold, they are some heavy. I have never even been in a Suburban, should go look at one of those.

[Kevin McCormack]

Nice try with a UNIMOG Kevin. Was wondering who would come up that gem, or a Hummer or a G Wagon (no thanks to all three).[/QUOTE]

Here are some shots of a long wheelbase heavy duty version we encountered in Banff at a rest stop a couple of years ago in a tour through western Canada. The logo decal represents a group of international off-roaders who have their rigs shipped worldwide to explore remote sections of the hinterlands in various countries. The concept intrigued me; unfortunately we never got to talk to the owners. Would have loved to have found out where they'd been in this beast!