Can you guess which member of our family has the best ground clearance, all-wheel drive, thick tires and a towing package? Boges the dog would be a good guess, but it's our "back-roads truck" lovingly known as "the Schplowa".
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| If you're going to the foothills of the Scapegoat Wilderness, a BRT will get you there. |
Back-roads trucks are basic necessities for many sportsfolks, can be considered reliable fishing buddies, are usually well-used alternate/second vehicles and are often named, spoken to and otherwise beloved.
Mine is a 1998 Ford Explorer XLT (see above -
yeah it's got rims). Key features:
- It's been lifted a bit, which helps on the mountain Jeep trails
- A V8 for pulling trailers over mountain passes
- All-terrain tires for traction and rocky Jeep trails and eastern Montana's "gumbo" roads
- All-wheel drive, which is huge on gumbo two-tracks and slick winter roads
I dread the day I have to find another, but I'll be looking for another Explorer.
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| The BRT's Bitterroot office. |
The back-roads truck is closely related to the fishing-guide rig (commonly
a Toyota pickup with a topper and stickers) and the
Western Mini-Van. These respected breeds are commonplace at bridge pull-offs, boat ramps, trailheads and campgrounds. It could be anything from a diesel work truck to a specialized cargo van, and while this trite homage awards them a little recognition, a good back-roads truck deserves high accolades and a place in the sportsman's driveway.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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