Hey Y'all - Would you 2 door or 4 door

[JohnnyG]

Hello everyone, I'm a new forum member and full-time RVer looking to add a Polaris Xpedition to our adventures. We enjoyed renting a 2-seat General in Colorado, and the Xpedition's enclosed cab with heat and AC appeals to us.

My main question is about the 2-door vs. 4-door Expedition. I'm leaning towards the 2-door since I don't need the extra seating, but I'm curious about the performance difference on trails. We spend summers in Colorado, Utah, and other mountainous regions, and we're used to tackling trails like Engineers Pass, Imogene Pass, and Fins & Things in Moab with our Jeep Rubicon. I'm in my late 60s and prefer a more relaxed pace. We're primarily interested in scenic trails.

If the 2-door Xpedition can handle the same trails as the 4-door, I'd prefer that option. I'm wondering if the 4-door's added length offers any advantages beyond seating and storage. Since my wife will be towing the Xpedition behind our Jeep, the extra weight and length of the 4-door are also considerations, as is the higher cost.

I'd appreciate any insights from experienced Xpedition owners. Is the 4-door significantly better on the trails for our purposes?

Thanks,
JohnnyG

 

[johndeerefarmer]

Hello everyone, I'm a new forum member and full-time RVer looking to add a Polaris Xpedition to our adventures. We enjoyed renting a 2-seat General in Colorado, and the Xpedition's enclosed cab with heat and AC appeals to us.

My main question is about the 2-door vs. 4-door Expedition. I'm leaning towards the 2-door since I don't need the extra seating, but I'm curious about the performance difference on trails. We spend summers in Colorado, Utah, and other mountainous regions, and we're used to tackling trails like Engineers Pass, Imogene Pass, and Fins & Things in Moab with our Jeep Rubicon. I'm in my late 60s and prefer a more relaxed pace. We're primarily interested in scenic trails.

If the 2-door Xpedition can handle the same trails as the 4-door, I'd prefer that option. I'm wondering if the 4-door's added length offers any advantages beyond seating and storage. Since my wife will be towing the Xpedition behind our Jeep, the extra weight and length of the 4-door are also considerations, as is the higher cost.

I'd appreciate any insights from experienced Xpedition owners. Is the 4-door significantly better on the trails for our purposes?

Thanks,
JohnnyG

We have a vacation home in Colorado. Had a 2 door General for about 7 years. Had $3000 Fox shocks and ST springs
Our XP5 rides better stock than the General ever did.
Part of that is the extra length and the stock shocks are good
We will never go back to a 2 door
You need too look into the towing with the Jeep
XP5 weighs 2800# by itself
You might look into a 14' aluminum trailer to keep the weight down but they aren't cheap

 

[JTBarlow]

Howdy, and welcome to the Forum!

In my opinion, the 2 and 5 seaters both have their pros and cons.

We’ll start with the 2 seat Xpedition…
Pros.
It’s considerably more maneuverable on tight winding trails than the 5 seat.
As you said, it’s around 400 pounds lighter. And you can use a smaller trailer to haul it.
Also less space required to store it.
If you choose the Northstar, the A/C and heat have less area to heat or cool, and tends to work better.
Cons.
The shorter wheelbase has a little more difficulty handling twisty, off-camber trails than the 5 seat. There’s considerably more front and rear pitch from starting and stopping.
Bumps and whoops in the trails are a little more pronounced than with a 5 seater
And with the engine much closer to the driver, the noise levels are a little higher than a 5 seater.

For the 5 seater.
Pros.
Handles twisty, off-camber trails better. Also offers a more cushioned ride because of the length.
The rear passenger area is very nice for extra storage space, if not carrying more people.
The engine, being farther away from the driver, is slightly less noisy. And you’re not feeling the vibrations right on your back.
Cons.
A little less maneuverability on sharp corners.
Larger cabin area means the HVAC has to work harder to heat or cool in the extreme temps.
Requires a longer trailer for transport and more space for storage.
Around 400 pounds heavier than the 2 seater

For me personally, I much prefer the 5 seat Xpedition. I typically ride by myself but having the option for more people is worth it to me. I also have the trailering and storage capacity for the larger machine. Besides typically having the bed clear full with tool boxes, ice chests and a gas can, I usually carry a bunch of stuff in the back seat area as well.

Whichever you choose, the Xpedition is an incredibly capable machine with unmatched comfort and performance. I really don’t think you can go wrong with either, as long as they fit your needs.

 

[garciava]

I wanted the two-seater at first because I already have a 4 seat Pro XP. After we drove both it was an easy decision for us on the four-seater. A lot more room and better ride for the riding we do.

 

[attakracer]

I've gotta chime in for the 2 seaters in the group !! I have the two seat ADV and totally love it. I think its perfect for just about everything ! I especially like all the storage space INSIDE to keep everything dry and warm The ride might be a LITTLE worse than a 5 seater, but I don't think you would notice the difference.

 

[johndeerefarmer]

I've gotta chime in for the 2 seaters in the group !! I have the two seat ADV and totally love it. I think its perfect for just about everything ! I especially like all the storage space INSIDE to keep everything dry and warm The ride might be a LITTLE worse than a 5 seater, but I don't think you would notice the difference.

I guarantee he will notice the difference on Colorado's Rocky trails

 

[attakracer]

I guarantee he will notice the difference on Colorado's Rocky trails

Maybe so. Its up to him if he wants to drive a sports car or a bus is all i'm sayin

 

[JohnnyG]

I guarantee he will notice the difference on Colorado's Rocky trails

We will spend time in CO, that is for sure. Will it be that I can't go down the trail or that for parts of it, it will be less comfortable. I see a ton of two seater RZRs out there. Do they have the same problems?

 

[JohnnyG]

We will never go back to a 2 door
You need too look into the towing with the Jeep
XP5 weighs 2800# by itself
You might look into a 14' aluminum trailer to keep the weight down but they aren't cheap

The 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited can tow 3500# in the USA. That same Jeep can tow 5,000# in the rest of the world.

But that is part of the decision. I would need a 12' trailer with the 2 seater and 14 with the 5 seater. I believe that I can keep the weight under 3500# with the 2 seater. I think will will be a few hundred pounds over with the 5 seater. The wife will be driving the Jeep and trailer when we leave FL and head for Colorado. She has to be comfortable or this is not going to work. If she feels the trailer pushing her around, she will drop it off in the nearest field (JK, but she would not be happy.)

Are there trails that you would not take a 2 seater?

Thanks
-B

 

[jawshxpedition740]

Hello everyone, I'm a new forum member and full-time RVer looking to add a Polaris Xpedition to our adventures. We enjoyed renting a 2-seat General in Colorado, and the Xpedition's enclosed cab with heat and AC appeals to us.

My main question is about the 2-door vs. 4-door Expedition. I'm leaning towards the 2-door since I don't need the extra seating, but I'm curious about the performance difference on trails. We spend summers in Colorado, Utah, and other mountainous regions, and we're used to tackling trails like Engineers Pass, Imogene Pass, and Fins & Things in Moab with our Jeep Rubicon. I'm in my late 60s and prefer a more relaxed pace. We're primarily interested in scenic trails.

If the 2-door Xpedition can handle the same trails as the 4-door, I'd prefer that option. I'm wondering if the 4-door's added length offers any advantages beyond seating and storage. Since my wife will be towing the Xpedition behind our Jeep, the extra weight and length of the 4-door are also considerations, as is the higher cost.

I'd appreciate any insights from experienced Xpedition owners. Is the 4-door significantly better on the trails for our purposes?

Thanks,
JohnnyG

I went with the 2 seater for the nimbleness on the trails. We hit some tight switch backs and I watch the longer sxs's to several back ups to make the turn. I don't really take anyone else with me so I don't need the extra room for people. Plus the 5 seater is 4 to 5 thousand more dollars.

 

[JohnnyG]

99.99% of the time it will be my wife and I. And the ADV has the lockable bed area so, more than enough space for our junk. If we need to carry another person, we can still take the Jeep... a Rubicon with 2" lift on 33" tires, it is very capable.

Most of what we do it slow speed trail riding. A Sunday drive so to speak. We hope to hook up with a group of like minded riders.

 

[Jlpxpediton]

2 seater all day, it’s all personal preference however, I got what I wanted and I’m very happy with it, not once have I said “I wish I got the 5 seater” and I’ve gone hundreds of miles in West Virginia and North Carolina. At the end of the day if you like it that’s all that matters! Happy trails!!!

 

[JohnnyG]

2 seater all day, it’s all personal preference however, I got what I wanted and I’m very happy with it, not once have I said “I wish I got the 5 seater” and I’ve gone hundreds of miles in West Virginia and North Carolina. At the end of the day if you like it that’s all that matters! Happy trails!!!

We live on the east coast most of the year. We spend winters in SWFL, then take our second RV to where we are going for the summer. Summer 2025 - Colorato, 2026 - Pennsylvania, 2027 - Alaska, 2028 - Maine, 2029 - Michigan.

The Xpedition with heat and AC should do well in all of those places.

 

[johndeerefarmer]

We will spend time in CO, that is for sure. Will it be that I can't go down the trail or that for parts of it, it will be less comfortable. I see a ton of two seater RZRs out there. Do they have the same problems?

Mainly less comfortable with the two seater. Four seater is more stable but 2 seater can maneuver better. 4 seater might have to make three point turns on occasion.
Last trip to Colorado we took the XP5 up Hancock Pass, a really rough rocky trail. Went up part way and turned around and come back. Way too tippy for us. So now I am installing the SATV long travel kit AND new springs..

You gotta remember these things are tall and heavy and tippy. I had 5+2 beadlocks on it which made it 68" wide (stock is about 66"). Still too tippy at 68". Now I will be around 74" once I get the new springs installed

 

[garciava]

I live in western Colorado and a two-seater will go anywhere you want to go. If you do actual rock crawling like the hard stuff in Moab is when the shorter machine will struggle due to wheelbase. Buy the two-seater and enjoy.

if you do end up with the five-seater and plan on pulling long distances i sure recommend a two-axle trailer. Not a have to have but makes pulling these heavy machines easer on everything including yourself and the wife

 

[JTBarlow]

We will spend time in CO, that is for sure. Will it be that I can't go down the trail or that for parts of it, it will be less comfortable. I see a ton of two seater RZRs out there. Do they have the same problems?

RZRs are a slightly longer wheelbase and have more suspension travel. I don’t think you’ll be all that limited with a 2 seater overall. And realistically, if all you try is the 2 seater, you’ll see it rides incredibly well and won’t have any reason for the 5 seater. It’s only people who’ve run both that really notice the difference. And like @Jlpxpediton said, it all comes down to personal preference.
Whether it’s the 5 seater or 2 seat, if you can’t make it on any given trail, there’s likely a dozen others to choose from.

 

[johndeerefarmer]

The 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited can tow 3500# in the USA. That same Jeep can tow 5,000# in the rest of the world.

But that is part of the decision. I would need a 12' trailer with the 2 seater and 14 with the 5 seater. I believe that I can keep the weight under 3500# with the 2 seater. I think will will be a few hundred pounds over with the 5 seater. The wife will be driving the Jeep and trailer when we leave FL and head for Colorado. She has to be comfortable or this is not going to work. If she feels the trailer pushing her around, she will drop it off in the nearest field (JK, but she would not be happy.)

Are there trails that you would not take a 2 seater?

When I tow the XP5 behind my 8500 lb Super Duty I can tell it's back there (that's on a 16' steel trailer) when it's really windy or when a semi passes me. We brought it home behind my F150 (that we keep in CO) and the ride was definitely worse.

I don't think your wife is gonna like towing the XP5 behind a Jeep, especially on a long haul from FL to CO or FL to AK. I think you are better off with the 2 door based on that

 

[fasted54]

Maybe so. Its up to him if he wants to drive a sports car or a bus is all i'm sayin

You don’t see many Suburban’s doing what Blazer’s can do is a good comparison.

 

[Jlpxpediton]

I’m partial to 2 seaters lol

 

[jawshxpedition740]

I prefer 2 seaters. never once have I said I wish I had a 5 seater.