Are Fords Good Cars? A Look At Reliability And Safety

Few routes in the Pacific Northwest challenge an overland rig quite like the push up Mt. Hood. Leaving US-26 behind at Government Camp to take on Timberline Highway means tackling six continuous miles of steep alpine pavement, sharp hairpin switchbacks, and sudden weather shifts that can drop from clear blue skies to mountain freezing levels in minutes. Taking our 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 Carpathian Edition up to the 6,000-foot tree line brought modern British engineering face-to-face with one of Oregon’s defining architectural wonders: Timberline Lodge. A Hand-Hewn Alpine Fortress: The Legacy of Timberline Lodge Rolling onto the volcanic flagstone terrace of Timberline Lodge places you directly in the shadow of a true Depression-era marvel. Constructed between 1936 and 1938 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) alongside the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), this structure was engineered to prove what human hands could forge from raw, unforgiving alpine terrain. Massive Volcanic Masonry: The foundation and towering chimneys are built from local volcanic andesite and basalt boulders, some weighing several tons, quarried directly from the surrounding mountain slopes. At the heart of the lodge stands a massive 90-foot-tall, 400-ton hexagonal stone chimney with six operational fireplaces across two floors—serving as the literal and structural anchor of the entire building. Hand-Hewed Alpine Timbers: The soaring timbers framing the central headhouse weren’t cut in a modern mill; they were hand-hewn with broadaxes and adzes by local timber workers. Giant, peeled Douglas fir trunks, measuring up to 40 inches in diameter, act as towering columns supporting the steep rooflines designed to shed tens of feet of winter snowpack. Artisanal Wrought Iron & Carvings: Nearly every functional piece of hardware inside the lodge tells a story of survival and recycling during the Great Depression. Blacksmiths hand-forged discarded railroad tracks into heavy iron gate latches and firewood andirons, while craftspeople hand-carved wildlife motifs—beavers, wolves, and bighorn sheep—directly into the cedar newel posts. Crowning the peak of the hexagonal roof sits a 750-pound bronze snow goose weather vane watching over the timberline. Presidential Dedication & Pop Culture Fame: On September 28, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stood on this terrace to dedicate the structure, praising it as a testament to the resilience of American workers. Decades later, its imposing timber-and-stone silhouette achieved worldwide pop culture fame when director Stanley Kubrick chose it as the ominous exterior for the Overlook Hotel in the 1980 horror classic The Shining. The Pinnacle of Modern Overlanding: The Carpathian Edition V8 While classic Defenders built their reputation on mechanical simplicity, the 2023 Carpathian Edition sits at the absolute pinnacle of luxury performance engineering. It marries Land Rover’s iconic expedition DNA with genuine supercar-rivaling muscle. 518 Horsepower Supercharged V8: Under the satin black hood beats Land Rover’s formidable 5.0-liter supercharged V8 (P525). Unlike turbocharged engines that suffer power loss and lag in thin alpine air, the mechanically driven supercharger feeds immediate boost at 6,000 feet. Squeeze the throttle coming out of a second-gear hairpin, and the quad-tipped sport exhaust barks with a thunderous V8 roar, hurtling this three-ton rig up steep 8% mountain grades like a sport sedan. Bespoke Carpathian Exterior: The Carpathian Edition is distinguished by its exclusive Carpathian Grey Metallic paint paired with contrasting Narvik Black across the hood, roof, and rear tailgate. Crucially for Pacific Northwest brush and gravel, the entire body is wrapped from the factory in Land Rover’s recyclable Satin Protective Film. This semi-matte armor wards off stone chips and stray branches while giving the truck an imposing, technical appearance under high-mountain sun. Dynamic Chassis & Electronic Rear Locker: To manage 518 horsepower, Land Rover fitted stiffer suspension bushings, thick anti-roll bars, and a dedicated Dynamic Program within the Terrain Response 2 system. Paired with an Electronic Active Rear Differential featuring brake torque vectoring, the Defender pulls through tight mountain sweepers flat and composed, completely neutralizing the top-heavy body roll common to high-riding 4x4s. Expedition Ready Inside: Inside the cabin, heated and ventilated front seats are upholstered in durable Windsor leather with Miko suedecloth inserts and hard-wearing Robustec accents. The thick-rimmed, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel features tactile satin-chrome paddle shifters, while Land Rover’s durable rubberized cabin flooring ensures that muddy hiking boots or snowy ski gear won't ruin a luxury interior. From Central Oregon to the Volcanoes For drivers based in Bend and Redmond, the Cascade volcanoes are our backyard playground. Whether you're heading north to ski the Palmer Snowfield, loading mountain bikes for the Timberline Trail, or crossing over the pass for a weekend trip to Portland, this truck eliminates the compromise between off-road capability and high-speed highway composure. At highway speeds on US-26, the electronic air suspension automatically lowers to optimize aerodynamics and seal out wind noise. But when you turn off onto rocky logging roads or encounter sudden high-desert winter snowdrifts, a single tap raises the suspension to provide 11.5 inches of ground clearance and nearly three feet of water wading depth. Vehicle Snapshot: 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition Engine: 5.0L Supercharged V8 (518 HP / 461 lb-ft of Torque) Performance: 0–60 MPH in 4.9 seconds | Top Speed: 149 MPH Drivetrain: Permanent AWD, 8-Speed Auto, 2-Speed Transfer Case, Active Electronic Rear Differential Chassis: Adaptive Air Suspension with Terrain Response 2 Dynamic Program Exclusive Styling: Carpathian Grey Satin Protective Film with Narvik Black Contrast Accents Towing Capacity: Up to 8,201 lbs Ready for the Pass at Auto Kings A flagship overland machine like this is meant to be driven where pavement ends and high elevation begins. The exact 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 Carpathian Edition featured at Timberline Lodge is fully detailed, safety-inspected, and available now on our showroom floor. If you want the ultimate combination of supercharged muscle, legendary British all-terrain capability, and rare factory satin styling, stop by Auto Kings in Central Oregon to inspect this Defender in person and take command of your next mountain crossing.

Towing the High Cascades: How a 2018 Ram 2500 Longhorn Tames Mountain Grades Anyone who tows in the Pacific Northwest knows the sinking feeling of watching engine temps climb as a mountain grade steepens. You pull out from the valley floor, hit a relentless 6% grade on Santiam Pass or Government Camp with an enclosed box trailer catching a headwind, and your truck drops three gears, screaming at 4,500 RPM just to hold 50 MPH. We hooked a heavy tandem-axle Haulmark enclosed trailer to our black 2018 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn and pointed it west into the Cascades to see if fourth-generation Ram heavy-duty engineering still holds the crown for real-world Northwest hauling. Quick Hauler Specs: 2018 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 Powertrain: 6.7L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel Inline-6 Output: 370 Horsepower / 800 lb-ft of Torque Transmission: 68RFE 6-Speed Automatic with Tow/Haul Mode Max Tow Rating: Upwards of 17,000+ lbs (configuration dependent) Rear Suspension: Class-exclusive Five-Link Coil Rear Axle The Sweet Spot of the Fourth-Gen (DS/DJ) Platform Truck enthusiasts hold the late fourth-generation Rams in high regard for a reason. By 2018—the final chapter of this iconic body style—Ram had spent nearly a decade ironing out every quirk of the heavy-duty chassis. You get the rugged, proven steel-frame bones that built Ram’s modern reputation, paired with modern tech like the 8.4-inch Uconnect system, Apple CarPlay, and factory integrated trailer brake controls. It represents that rare sweet spot: fully modernized convenience without the hyper-complicated, sensor-overloaded feel of newer platforms. The Cummins Difference: 800 lb-ft of Pure Diesel Low-End The true test came halfway up the mountain pass as the highway narrowed to two lanes and the grade pitched up. Under the hood, the legendary 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six turbo diesel barely broke a sweat. Unlike high-revving V8s that need to hunt for redline to make power, the inline-six layout produces its wall of 800 lb-ft of torque right at 1,600 RPM. Leaning into the throttle to overtake a slow logging rig felt effortless; the boost spooled instantly, the 68RFE transmission held its gear, and the truck pulled the enclosed trailer uphill like it was running empty on a flat interstate. Coming back down the other side of the pass is where most heavy hauls get white-knuckle. This is where Ram’s Smart Diesel Exhaust Brake changes everything. Tap the dash button, lift off the accelerator, and the variable-geometry turbo backpressures the engine. It holds the heavy trailer back with a deep, commercial-grade exhaust growl, saving your service brake pads from glazing over and keeping the steering wheel calm into tight downhill curves. Taming the "Bucking Bronco": The Five-Link Coil Secret Traditionally, heavy-duty three-quarter-ton pickups punish your spine with stiff, multi-leaf rear springs. Ram broke the mold for this generation by swapping out leaf springs for a heavy-duty five-link rear coil suspension. On the road, the difference is immediate. When an empty enclosed trailer hits rhythmic concrete frost heaves on mountain bridges, standard leaf-spring trucks can hop and "buck." Ram’s coil-spring link design provides superior lateral axle control. It plants the rear tires, absorbs road chitter, and keeps the trailer tracking in a dead-straight line even when high-elevation wind gusts try to push you across the center stripe. Ranch Luxury Inside the Longhorn After hours behind the wheel wrestling mountain weather, stepping inside the Laramie Longhorn feels like walking into an exclusive high-desert lodge. Ram didn't use cheap synthetic vinyl here. The Longhorn is wrapped in thick, saddle-grade cattleman leather with laser-etched Western filigree, paired with real burnished wood trim and deep-pile floor mats with removable carpet inserts. With heated and ventilated bucket seats, you stay cool climbing through sunny canyon flats and warm when the evening mountain air drops near freezing. Ready to Hitch Up at Auto Kings A truck like this isn't bought to sit in a suburban garage—it's built to pull cattle trailers, haul race cars, move heavy cargo boxes, and cross Cascade passes without flinching. The exact 2018 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn featured in this run is thoroughly inspected, detailed, and available now on our showroom floor. If you are looking for a proven, turnkey heavy-duty diesel hauler built to work across Central Oregon and beyond, stop by Auto Kings in Bend or Redmond to see it in person and hook up for your next big run.

Living in Central Oregon, we’re spoiled by towering ponderosa pines, jagged volcanic peaks, and endless bluebird skies. But every so often, the open road calls for something different: the crisp bite of salt spray, rolling Pacific fog, and the rhythmic thunder of surf breaking against rugged sea stacks. Few rides in North America rival the journey from the high desert over the Cascade Range and down to iconic U.S. Highway 101. We recently loaded up a vivid black 2014 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited and pointed the front wheel west, tracking the Pacific coastline all the way to the windswept heights of Cape Perpetua. If you’ve ever wondered why grand American touring bikes exist, this ride answers the question within the first five miles. The Machine: 2014 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited (Project RUSHMORE) Tackling a multi-hundred-mile cross-state haul through steep mountain passes, coastal dampness, and winding coastal two-lanes requires a motorcycle engineered for serious endurance. The 2014 model year marked the launch of Harley’s Project RUSHMORE —a major overhaul that refined grand touring comfort and road manners. Twin-Cooled High Output Twin Cam 103: Powering this 2014 Ultra Limited is the Twin-Cooled Twin Cam 103 V-Twin. With liquid-cooled cylinder heads tucked discreetly inside the lower fairings, it maintains peak power and rider comfort even in slow coastal traffic and climbing summer grades. Pumping out over 105 lb-ft of low-end torque, you can roll on the throttle in sixth gear and let that signature American rumble pull you up coastal headlands without endless downshifting. Splitstream Fairing Aerodynamics: The wind-tunnel-designed Batwing fairing features the center Splitstream vent, equalizing air pressure to virtually eliminate helmet buffeting across windy coastal headlands. Touring Comfort & Hidden Brembo Hardware: Between the plush seating, one-touch saddlebag latches, and spacious Tour-Pak trunk, long days in the saddle are effortless. When damp ocean pavement demands sudden stopping power, the factory Reflex Linked Brembo ABS brakes (stamped with the Bar & Shield script on the outside, but engineered by Brembo) distribute braking force evenly between wheels for rock-solid stability. Cape Perpetua: Centuries of Maritime and Coastal History Rising steep above the churning Pacific south of Yachats, the massive headland of Cape Perpetua carries deep layers of Pacific Northwest history dating back thousands of years. Ancient Indigenous Lands: For over 6,000 years before European arrival, the area was home to the Alsea people. Shell middens along the surrounding coves still tell the story of generations harvesting mussels, clams, and marine life along these rocky shelves. Named by Captain Cook (1778): On March 7, 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook sighted this prominent headland during his third voyage across the globe aboard the HMS Resolution. Because he spotted the bluff on St. Perpetua’s Day, he named it Cape Perpetua —one of the earliest documented English geographic place names in the entire state of Oregon. Great Depression Stonework (1930s): During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established Camp Perpetua at the base of the mountain. CCC crews hand-built the winding trails, access roads, and the stone lookout shelter perched near the crest—constructed with the same rugged rustic masonry style seen at Central Oregon's own Dee Wright Observatory. World War II Coastal Radar Post: Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. military recognized the strategic elevation of Cape Perpetua. Soldiers transformed the stone CCC shelter into a coastal aircraft-warning station and temporary radar installation, watching the horizon day and night to guard the Pacific coastline from enemy submarines and naval vessels. Geological Spectacles Below: Looking straight down from the heights, Highway 101 hugs the edge of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve, home to violent geological features forged by volcanic basalt—including Thor’s Well, Devil’s Churn, and the Spouting Horn, where high-tide ocean swells shoot spray into the air like natural geysers. The Transition: High Desert Heat to Marine Layer One of the greatest joys of riding or driving out of Bend and Redmond is experiencing Oregon's diverse biomes in a single day. You can start your morning under dry high-desert sunshine, carve through the cedar-scented switchbacks of the Cascade passes, roll across the lush Willamette Valley, and finish your day listening to the surf crash as the Pacific marine layer cools your engine. It’s the kind of route that resets your perspective and reminds you why we live in this corner of the country. Your Adventure Starts at Auto Kings Whether your idea of the ultimate road trip involves the open-air pulse of a heavyweight touring motorcycle, the precision handling of a supercharged sports coupe, or the go-anywhere confidence of a family-hauling 4x4, the Pacific Northwest was built to be explored. At Auto Kings, we don't just sell vehicles—we live for the drives they make possible. Stop by our Bend or Redmond locations today to check out our hand-picked inventory, swap road-trip stories, and find the machine ready for your next Pacific Northwest journey.