Jeepster/Commando vs RTV? vs Mule?

[Bob_Skurka]

For quite a while I've been kicking around the idea of getting a utility vehicle. Kubota's RTV and Kawasaki Mules seem to be very popular and probably well made. I also looked at and like the AUSA Task 50. But then I saw a picture of TractorErnie's 4wd Dihatsu Mini-Pick up which is not street legal, but will run at highway speeds, has a full cab, etc. I recognized it because those little trucks are all over the islands in the Carribean and have often wondered about importing one, but then found out they can't be made street legal here.

But the idea of a street legal Utility Vehicle still strikes me as the best answer. Today I stumbled across a Jeepster Commando Pick Up. It is very small, 4wd, and they can be had for less than the price of a new RTV. Has anyone else considered using a Commando or similar vehicle and if so, what are the advantages and disadvantages you have come across?

 

[bczoom]

Bob,

Haven't seen one of the Commando's in years. Weren't they made in the 1960's? Can you still get parts and stuff?

How about a Suzuki Samurai? I believe many use these for on and off road. Probably plenty of parts around also. Slowzuki - thoughts/comments? If it weren't for cornering, I'd probably consider one myself.

Brian

 

[rdln]

THE DISADVANTAGES:

I'll probably try to come steal it.

I love those trucks.

other disadvantages are opening doors every time you want to get in, wait you can take them off....hhhmm.

they are bigger than utv and thus harder to get around obstacles and take more storage space.

you are probably looking at the late 60's to early seventies, the 1950's would be my choice, more personality in styling.

There was a member here who had one his name was super7, he hasn't been around for awhile.

I like your style.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I think production ended in the early 70's and yes parts are still available. The version I am thinking of is their pickup truck version, it seats 2 and has a separate small pick up bed. Overall size is going to be a bit wider and longer than an RTV but still smaller than a min-pick up truck.

The regular Jeepsters/Commandos were open 4 seaters and not well suited for filling up the back with mulch! As for the Samuri, I like those little things, but again, there is no real hauling space in those, even if you take out the rear seat. I've driven them and they are a blast, but not really suited for hauling bulk stuff like an RTV.

 

[SimS]

Bob;
I've been kicking around the same idea. I have been looking at Commandos, Jeep CJs, Samurais, etc. But I think I'm still leaning towards the utility vehicles. The reason is size. Even though a Jeep or Sami is small relatively speaking, it still is quite a bit wider and heavier than any UV. I will be using mine for woodland trails and chore work and I think the smaller footprint is going to be more practical. BTW I think the Jeep Commando is pretty cool and if it will work for you, I think you should snap it up. My 2 cents.

Sim

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> I will be using mine for woodland trails and chore work and I think the smaller footprint is going to be more practical. </font>

Sim and your thought is the nagging thing in my mind that still has me wondering if the Commando P/U is a good choice. My property is fairly small and there are paths now that I can't get a Kubota B2910 down easily so a Commando would need the paths widened. And I would think rutting would be a bigger issue too.

On the positive end of things I could run the Commando into town and pick up supplies, plants, etc. while I could not with a Mule or RTV.

As mentioned by RDLN in a previous post, the doors come off so that makes the cab easily accessable in the woods all summer and putting them on makes it more comfy in the winter if I use it then.

Lots to ponder.

 

[GregMVT]

I had a 1970 Commando, it was similar to the CJ only a little larger. I bought it used in the early '90's. It went everyplace I ever tried to take it. It had a V-6 Buick motor in, a 225 I think. It did have some problems. The frame rusted pretty bad near the rear shocks. I am not sure if it was built with a plastic gas line or if it was an after market add on but that cracke. Also parts were fairly hard to find at that time, and pricey. The saving grace for it was it got me through 3 winters or so and only cost me about $400 to buy it. I ended up putting a lot of parts into it, tranny, body work, rear lights, plus the usual stuff. It was a good vehicle, just check over everything on the one you are looking at.

 

[SkyPup]

I had a 1972 Commando with the AMC 304ci V-8, put over 380,000 miles (blew three timing belts) in 25 years of ownership. It was a great off-road hunting truck.

 

[btolle]

We have 2 Jeeps. Mine is a Jeep Wrangler and Charlotte's is a Jeep Liberty.

We like to go offroad in Colorado and Utah so the Wrangler has a winch, OME suspension (2 1/2" lift), mud grips, etc.

You are already aware of the problems associated with the larger vehicle. A Jeep needs an 8,000 pund winch to get it out of a "stuck" whereas an ATV can use a 2,000 pound winch.

The Jeep weighs between 3,500 and 4,000 pounds so it will make deeper ruts.

The ATV will go many places the Jeep won't go.

On the other hand, an ATV is more dangerous than a Jeep in a rollover. I doubt if ATV's are really more prone to rollovers it is probably that ATV riders take more chances than a Jeep driver would, but there are a lot more people hurt or killed on ATV's than in Jeeps.

We had a Forest Ranger killed a few months ago near where I live. He rolled an ATV and it crushed him. The irony was that he was in the process of laying out a new ATV trail when it happened. And the Forest Rangers are sent to ATV riders school before they are allowed to operate them.

Bill Tolle

 

[Riddler]

Bob, the guy who was born, raised and passed away on the 30 acre place I bought earlier this year left behind a Willy's jeep that looked almost like a war issue thing (he was in the Army for a long time). His relatives sold the thing before I took possession of the place, but I can see now that he used the thing exactly the same way I use my Kawasaki Mule now. I have no idea how old it was, but its small size, modest weight, open cockpit and rock bottom price probably made it an alternative of sorts to a RTV or Mule.