Is there an advantage to going off-road in a pickup truck or an SUV version of the same vehicle? This is what I wanted to find out by driving a new INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster pickup truck over the Backwards Bill trail and the Wipeout Hill obstacle. This was during the annual Grenadier Gathering in Moab Utah. We had a convoy of about six SUVs (“Wagons”) and four pickup trucks going over all of the same obstacles. Take a look!
The Grenadier vehicles are based on a large ladder frame. There are solid axles front and rear. Front and rear locking differentials are available. These have a low-range 4WD transfer case for slow speed off-roading, and plenty of torque from a 3.0L turbocharged BMW engine for crawling off-road or daily driving anywhere.
The Quartermaster pickup has a wheelbase that is about 1-foot longer than the Wagon’s. In addition to that, the truck’s departure angle is compromised due the bed overhang. This is the only way to do it if you want a 5-foot pickup truck bed and a four door crew cab. The departure angle will be compromised when making a pickup truck.
On the plus side, the longer wheelbase of the Quartermaster offers a smoother and more compliant ride on the highway and on the dirt trail. I found it one of the most comfortable vehicles to drive on a challenging and rocky Backward Bill trail. We spent close to 8 hours on the trail that day, and I did not feel beaten up at the end.
Please join me in the video below for the entire adventure.
