Rock Climbers: What's the Best Vehicle for Climbing Trips?

Jane Lu
· 3 min read
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The best vehicle for rock climbers needs to be suitable for all
types of weather and terrain
.
If you dedicate all your time to rock climbing, you'll be looking for a vehicle you can
live in
, so a van might be the best choice. For others, a pickup truck or SUV that can handle rough terrain could be more suitable for cruising to your climb site. 
If you want to watch your carbon footprint as you drive to a hiking spot, you might want to consider a more fuel-efficient car.
Whichever way you go, you'll want to ensure you have the space for up to 1,000 pounds of hiking gear, food and water, and any potential climbing buddies, as Kevin Boyko points out at
MojaGear
.
Here are some of the best vehicle options for climbing trips.
The Ram 2500 ProMaster is one of the best vans for climbing trips.

Best van for rock climbers: Ram 2500 ProMaster

If it's good enough for legendary rock climber Alex Honnold, the Ram 2500 ProMaster is good enough for us. He shows off his live-in van on the
CNBC Prime
YouTube channel. 
The 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary "Free Solo" was about Honnold’s climb of El Capitan. And he's pretty much lived in a van since 2007, though he did buy a house in Las Vegas in 2017. Honnold's first van-home was a Ford Econoline that he drove for a decade and racked up 200,000 miles in. Now, he spends most of the year on the road in his 2016 ProMaster.
Ram offers the ProMaster in the 1500, 2500, and 3500 models, all of which are famed for their reliability, a key feature if you're climbing your way through remote areas. What the Ram lacks in towing capacity it makes up for by offering extra payload capacity. This is important for hauling your climbing gear and other things you need for a life on the road.
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Best SUV: Honda Element

MORE: Honda Goes Rugged With TrailSport
If you expect to get your thrills on the rocks, who needs frills on your vehicle? The Honda Element provides a reliable ride that lets you traverse tough terrain without the bells and whistles that other SUVs offer. 
Rock climber Ranae Scott said the lack of frills makes the Element the perfect SUV to live in as it offers the maximum amount of usable space.

Best pickup truck: Toyota Tundra

MORE: Why the Toyota Tundra Was Named the Most-Loved Full-Sized Pickup Truck
For the rock climbers who would rather just toss in the gear and hit the rocks, the Toyota Tundra offers the most rugged truck to get you to the most difficult-to-reach climbing spots. 
You can add a camper-top cover to turn the bed into a bedroom that can sleep someone up to 6-foot-3 comfortably, according to
Tred
. The Tundra is also praised for its reliability with the fewest reported problems of any full-size pickup truck.

Best compact car: Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback has been the go-to vehicle for serious outdoors people who want a more fuel-efficient option for decades. The Outback was one of the first "cars" to offer four-wheel drive for getting to those out-of-the-way spots. In a pinch, you also can fold down the seats and make a spot to sleep in the back if the weather turns too rough for your tent.
Whatever vehicle suits your personality and rock-climbing lifestyle, you can find the best insurance options with
Jerry
. The AI-powered app compares rates from 50 top providers to get you the most affordable price for the coverage you need. This way, you’ll have peace of mind as you take your car on climbing adventures.

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