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seatbeltpants
Oct 5, 2009, 7:02 PM
Post #27 of 36
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Registered: Mar 9, 2008
Posts: 581
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acorneau wrote: If I were going the car/camper route I would probably check out one of these instead: [image]http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/web_blackgray.JPG[/image] http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/camper.htm I would guess a new Honda would be much more reliable/comfortable than a 30 year old VW, but I've never tried one out personally.
that is pretty slick - will check it out. cheers for that!
steve
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chadnsc
Oct 5, 2009, 8:32 PM
Post #28 of 36
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Registered: Nov 24, 2003
Posts: 4449
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"Ursa wrote: With the start of the 2009 model year, Honda no longer offers a factory sunroof on any version of the Honda Element. As a result, Ursa Minor Vehicles is not able at this time to offer new Ecampers. We have begun to evaluate the design and installation changes needed to adapt our pop-top to non-sunroof vehicles, so please refer back to this page in the future, or send us an email to be added to our 2009 mailing list.
They don't make them anymore and the ones they do have that are used only work on 2008 models.
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donald949
Oct 6, 2009, 12:45 AM
Post #29 of 36
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Registered: May 24, 2007
Posts: 11455
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Well, certainly there are lots of options. I have done a few, and they all have+ and -. You'll have to decide which compromise works best for you.
I have camped in the back of my Suburban. As you note moving gear around is a pain. But for quick weekends or by myself, my prefered travel method. Raised platforms for storing under reduce the reoginizing pains, but cut down on space.
We've tent camped with the family. This is nice, but you do have to go to the trouble of pitching the tent.
I have towed a 22' trailer behind my Sub. Hooking up the trailer to the TV is a minor pain, but being inside the heated trailer when its 30 outside plus the wind blowing in JTree is Feb is nice. Then being free to drive around for sight seeing where ever I wanted was cool.
I've borrowed a freinds tent trailer. It tows great. But setting up and hooking up takes a fair bit more than a regular TT. If you are going to do a lot of traveling day after day, I would imagine the poping up and down would get tiresome. A regular travel trailer can generally be left hooked to the TV for just overnight camping. Also, not as wind proof as a hard sided trailer.
A motorhome requires driving your vehicle to where ever you destination of the day is. A small motorcycle and/or bicycles would be good for quick trips, but can't carry much gear. Bandit camping generally goes OK as long as you pull in late, pull out early, are quite, and don't set up camp.
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wes_allen
Oct 6, 2009, 12:48 AM
Post #30 of 36
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Registered: Mar 29, 2002
Posts: 549
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Really look into a scamp or casita style camper. They are really light (I could move our scamp pretty easy on my own) and they don't hurt the gas mileage all that bad, even if you are using a 4 cyl. They are kinda like a vanagon, but you can tow them with a car that works! Pair it with a mid size SUV, and you are good to go. If you want to sleep in a walmart or rest area, just park, walk from the car to the trailer, get in bed and sleep. No need to re-arrange everything, etc. You can drop the trailer where you are camping, then have a 4x4 to get you to the crag. Plus, you can find decent used ones for under 2k and then remodel to taste.
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Vinny_A
Oct 9, 2009, 3:04 AM
Post #31 of 36
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Registered: Aug 14, 2007
Posts: 77
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Ideally I would either go for a Sprinter, a Ford E450 or an E450 box truck conversion. The box truck conversion would have plenty of room, plus they can be had for under 10k with under 100k miles if you do some digging and are patient.
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iluvtoplayoutside
Oct 10, 2009, 2:02 AM
Post #32 of 36
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Registered: Mar 27, 2006
Posts: 59
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OK so when I met my husband, befor he was my boyfriend really, I learned he had a minivan. I like fast cars and though his minivan was a strange choice at first, but now I love taking it for long trips.
From traveling / being on the road a lot and hearing stories from my husband who bought a plymoth voyager minivan. Besides some minor but non-catastrophic incidents, the thing continues to run after 10 yrs of abuse and has over 300,000 miles on it with no major issues.
The is the biggest benefit of traveling around a lot iin a soccer mom type minivan is that the minivan appears harmless and no one usually would question it parked in a nice, quiet residential area.
This model gets almost 30 mpg if you don't really race it, and if you take the backseat out, we have both slept in the back with 3 bikes in the van, on a twin futon pad.
Ironic enough, I am taking a road trip for several months after the New Year holiday but I am not taking the van because I think it is too old, so I'm taking my honda fit instead--Luckily I am experienced in bare necessities, now it is just a matter of if I want to take my dog with me or not!
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tradmanclimbs
Oct 10, 2009, 2:13 AM
Post #33 of 36
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Registered: Apr 24, 2003
Posts: 2599
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I would not recomend this for liveing in for 6 months but my last 3 campers have been minie vans. Ford aerostar AWD, dodge Caravan AWD and now the Town and Country AWD. Plywood deck in the back with real furnituire foam and decent sheets and blankets. Curtain all the way arround and privacy glass. The absolute perfect stealth camper. drives like a car. AWD and reasonably reliable. ther grand caravan had 216,000 on it when I traded it in for the T&C
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dorienc
Oct 12, 2009, 11:08 PM
Post #34 of 36
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Registered: Aug 17, 2009
Posts: 49
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Drive the Westy. When it breaks down, you know God wants you to stay there a while.
When you are leading a parade up the mountainside, your passenger will have lot of opportunities to take scenic photos, and you will expand your vocabulary from the people passing you.
12 months of living in a mildewy Westy, with the fridge on the fritz, the water tank leaking, freezing in the cold, sweating in the heat, getting blown from one side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the other, will enable you to appreciate your NEXT wife that much more.
I've owned several Westys. Now I own a Honda Element (and no, I don't sleep in it). My favorite campsite is the 3rd floor of the Hilton. The money I save by not repairing Westy's pays for it.
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yodadave
Oct 13, 2009, 12:00 AM
Post #35 of 36
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Registered: Feb 11, 2008
Posts: 510
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check out jason kehls cribs video on youtube
i think its what i'd do
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subantz
Oct 13, 2009, 3:38 AM
Post #36 of 36
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Registered: Dec 7, 2007
Posts: 1247
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Yes indeed thats the Idea. but I went for the full size van. Built a bed in the rear off the floor. Then slapped a futon matress down and a down comforter. Room for all my gear Paddling and climbing under the bed and comfy. I bought a used bellsouth Van gutted the shelves and kept part of the rack for my boats. Now I sleep good no more tents. No more climbing in the bed of my truck with a shell. No more water leaks. Power inverter is a good option and a cooler I have is great. Crash pad makes a couch. Shit I ams a profesional Dirt bag ridin is style.
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