What Percentage of Owners Off-Road?!

[crzyhawk]

Looks like only 7% stick to the pavement. Perhaps that is overinflated do to a poorly worded poll.

I think it's more indicative of this site being an enthusiast site, and an enthusiast is more likely to use a vehicle outside standard driving conditions. Karen, the soccer mom probably isn't checking B6G to learn more about her vehicle, so she'd not see the thread to answer on it.

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[HalfmuleFarmer]

I suspect SXS, either rentals or friends toys, have exposed a lot of people to off road activities. I see a lot of those things out on trails. One time off roading my Bronco a guy in a SXS passing the opposite direction on the trail stopped and said, "That's a pretty nice vehicle to have out here." Which I think was his subtle way of saying, "YOU are an idiot."

Well for many, off roading a Bronco can make a lot more sense and be more practical than a SXS. These SXS easily exceed $20K MSRP, and high end SXS are $50K or more....not to mention aftermarket add-on stuff....as Bronco owners are well aware! Then you need a trailer...and a place to keep the SXS and the trailer. Many home owner associations are NOT going to dig on your prized SXS sitting outside...and it may not fit in the garage sitting on the trailer. The SXS are surprisingly substantial machines and you can't pull it with a Prius commuter, so you will probably add some form of tow vehicle if you ain't got one. Or you could put one of those massive carry racks on your full sized pickup truck making it useless for any other practical purpose. And in most urban or suburban places (not all), you aren't driving the SXS down to the store to grab milk. Around here, federal and state forest service roads that link up a lot of the trails require licensed, street legal vehicles on designated roads....even though many SXS users push those limits.

Watching Matt's Off-Road Recovery, it seems A LOT of people fold up their SXS in some way. Turns out they are NOT indistructable. I suspect the cost of fixing a folded up front suspension on a SXS is NOT super cheap...like 1/10th the cost of a equivalent repair on a Bronco (body and paint damage aside). I also would not be surprised (I don't KNOW this) if service and parts are more readily available for a Bronco, both new new and used.

Is a stock Bronco as capable as a totally built top end SXS, no. But the people that truly utilize a Bronco to it's full potential are a much, much, much smaller percentage than even those those that take them off pavement. I suspect many of those SXS have never exercised the top AND bottom 25% of their suspension travel, either. And IMHO a Bronco is far more fun and classy than a SXS.

I bought my '22 HOSS 2.0 WT used w/12K miles for $46K in July of '24 and I drive it for everything and every where and at every opportunity I can. The moral of this rambling is go purchase a Bronco, get out there in them public lands you pay for, and wheel the snot out of that thing....responsibly of course and if you're so inclined. You'll be glad you did! If you don't, oh well....at least you could if you change your mind as you commute or run to the store.

I love this rant and agree 100%. Safety is a factor too. You crash your SXS and it’s totaled. They might encourage less-than-cautious behaviors as well. ;-) They’re fully street legal in Utah, just not on the highway, and I have two buddies who have destroyed theirs, one in Canyonlands and one getting t-boned on surface streets. They both walked away, luckily. One broken wrist, one broken nose. No airbags in those suckers.

 

[crzyhawk]

If you don't, oh well....at least you could if you change your mind as you commute or run to the store.

So much truth here. When I bought mine, I didn't intend to go off road at all. Then I decided it might be fun to find some old logging roads to drive like I did with my dad when I was a kid, and found my way to some forest service roads. The Bronco reserved my right to change my mind on how I used it. And when I did change my mind, the Bronco was there for me.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Then I decided it might be fun to find some old logging roads to drive like I did with my dad when I was a kid, and found my way to some forest service roads.

As a kid, I'd see a dude in a beat up, mud covered CJ , Bronco, or FJ with the top and doors off and I would think, "That looks like freedom!"

Finally as an old man I can confirm it not only looks like freedom, it feels like it, too!

Edit: I should note the "beat up" is part is a component of the "freedom". My Bronco has so many pin stripes in the paint and some scuffs and dents in the sliders. Some of the pin stripes will buff out but many won't. That is part of the freedom of not being OCD and a servant to keeping it pristine. Take care of it, maintain it, love it, but use the snot out of it.

 

[Wolfgang VTS]

While not necessarily "off-road" I have taken my Bronco out on a couple of gravel roads and a fire tower service road. The wife and I went to Cades Cove here in TN, sans top and doors of course, and decided to go out through Parson Branch road instead of finishing the remainder of the loop road. Not that Parson Branch is especially challenging by any means, the Bronco handled it like it was nothing. We especially loved all of the creek crossings along the way. We then decided to come back via the Foothills Pkwy into Wear's Valley. Just a nice, simple day of scenery.

Then a couple of weeks ago we took a drive to Del Rio TN and did a gravel road called Weavers Bend Road which takes you by Allen Branch Pond. There is a place to park beside the pond and the walk from the parking spot to the pond is maybe a minute. Nice and shaded, and there is even a bench beside the pond to sit on and relax. I walked down to the water's edge and could watch the fish swimming just beneath the surface of the pond. To finish that day, when we got to the end of Weavers Bend, we hung a left and went to Meadow Creek Road which took us out to the Meadow Creek Fire Tower. The views from the tower are incredible, and the breeze blowing across the top of the ridge almost felt like A/C on that 98-degree day. Then afterward we decided to finish out Meadow Creek Road instead of doubling back...and I am so happy that we did. The rest of the road was very similar to Parsons Branch, those that have driven PB will know what I'm taking about.

All in all, it's fair to say that I am in love with my Bronco. I have never had as much fun driving any other vehicle as I have had with it. Such a capable vehicle with the added bonus of being able to "go naked" without doors and the top...and grinning like an idiot while I do it!

 

[Wolfgang VTS]

As a kid, I'd see a dude in a beat up, mud covered CJ , Bronco, or FJ with the top and doors off and I would think, "That looks like freedom!"

Finally as an old man I can confirm it not only looks like freedom, it feels like it, too!

YES! This right here! I regret that I waited so damned long before I got my first Bronco. But instead of sitting around thinking about all the things that I have missed...I am actively out trying to make up for lost time.

 

[userdude]

The only reality I know is mine, therefore everyone is subject to my reality, which means if you disagree with what I believe then you too can na-na-na-na-boo-boo yourself right on outta here, cuz I can't hear you!!

 

[T800]

So much truth here. When I bought mine, I didn't intend to go off road at all. Then I decided it might be fun to find some old logging roads to drive like I did with my dad when I was a kid, and found my way to some forest service roads. The Bronco reserved my right to change my mind on how I used it. And when I did change my mind, the Bronco was there for me.

Same here! Started with a 2012 Jeep with no intention of going off road. About a month in, told my wife 'I'll never lift it!' So made me a liar shortly after.

Got bit by the offroad bug. Built it for the hardest trails in CA.

No intention of repeating this expensive journey with the Bronco though.

 

[crzyhawk]

I wish you success in not wanting to repeat the expensive journey though the Bronco!

 

[T800]

I wish you success in not wanting to repeat the expensive journey though the Bronco!

At least I've learned to stop using words like 'NEVER' when talking to my wife. 'No intention' is a lot less extreme and easier to defend in an argument...

 

[McG]

Talking about side by sides and how expensive they can be, I had a neighbor who was losing his business due to embezzling. He had this pretty sweet looking side by side and it was up for sale the second he got sued, he listed that thing for $55k! I'd rather buy a dedicated off road beater like an XJ instead of spend that kind of money.

 

[dpAtlanta]

I'm surprised that @Valhalla hasn't chimed in.
I'm sure everyone is curious if he has ever "played in the dirt."

 

[TerryVester]

I off road when ever I can. Sedona AZ area trails, Mesa AZ trails, Tucson AZ, Joshua Tree trail all over. We four wheel tow our Bronco with our RV and camp in these areas. We are retired and have a ball with our Bronco.

 

[Kyle McQ]

I'd bet the percentage of Raptor owners that go offroad is a lot smaller than Bronco owners.

Has anyone seen a Braptor on a dirt road even?

I'd bet the percentage of Raptor owners that go offroad is a lot smaller than Bronco owners.

Has anyone seen a Braptor on a dirt road even?

I'd bet the percentage of Raptor owners that go offroad is a lot smaller than Bronco owners.

Has anyone seen a Braptor on a dirt road even?

 

[crzyhawk]

I'm surprised that @Valhalla hasn't chimed in.
I'm sure everyone is curious if he has ever "played in the dirt."

probably out of town for the weekend, playing in dirt

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