Those of you that go deep into the back-country mountains and desert (CO, UT, NM etc) on the longer trails, what kind of range do you get out of a 4-door with auto tranny? Also, if you take extra fuel, I'd love to get feedback on the various bumper/tailgate carriers.

 

I did the White Rim in Moab this November and got an avg. of 10.6mpg. The trail was 90ish miles and I was running two high most of the time with maybe 5 miles of 4low, speed was close to 20 most of the time in 2hi.

 

The range I get in the mountains varies...but normally see about 15 to 17L/100km for fuel consumption (about 15.5 to 14 MPG). I never have tested how far I can go on a tank of fuel.

This is with my 6spd with 3:73 gearing and 33x12.50 tires and climbing and exploring in the Rocky & Selkirk mountain ranges elevation climbs from 400m (1200ft) to 3000m (9000ft). This is a mix of 4wd Hi & Lo with some 2wd on the FSR roads and highway. I normally pack a 25L gerry can with me if I know I am going to be a good distance away from any gas stations.

 

i drove 134 miles last year in soupy snow slush and mud up in the mountains on a elk hunt. it took around a half a tank. that was some 2hi,4hi, 4low mix.

 

White Rim is one on my bucket list

 

How did you plan on getting an elk home in the JK?

 

You pack elk out more than a few times and you realize how much extra weight is involved with the bones.

We bone the meat on the hillside,put it in laundry bags and then into a pack.

The only thing we take out with bone attached is the head. Otherwise,if we can't eat it,it stays in the woods.

Its amazing how small an elk becomes when its just a pile of meat.

 

I didnt think of that I imagine you reduced it down to the 400 lb range. with the cape and rack

 

Yup.....you pretty much always have to quarter out and/or debone a moose up here......and I have deboned plenty of game, (sheep and caribou) when we have to pack them out on our backs for miles....

 

The largest amount of moose meat that came back to town was about 650 lbs. And that was from a 70" bull with some bone still left in. You're talking about a 1500 lb. + animal on the hoof.