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Thanks for all the replies. Wow, so many different opinions to consider.
I was hoping for some insight on how the different vehicles would do when weighted down... including bike racks, roof boxes or camper shells. For instance once you cram the small Jetta Sportswagen TDI with gear including packed roof box and bike, is still much more efficient than one of the larger vehicles without a cargo box?
As for trip stops, they include everything from Savannah, New York City, Chicago, parks in the blue ridge mountains ...to the PCH, Redwood Forest, Yosemite, San Francisco, Seattle and Yellow Stone on the west. And, if possible, I would like to use this vehicle as an everyday driver once the traveling is done.
As for the canvas tent, I've been trying out the more "modern" tents locally but everyone has broken after a while. The aren't very durable, even the Coleman Instant tents with steel poles and double thick material. So I just bought a Kodiak Flex-Bow. It's supposed to last. We'll see.
As for price, I want to get something as cheaply as will do the job reliably, preferably under $20k. But would go up to $40k tops if it made sense. I'm even considering a used Sportsmobile, but would feel less free to put on the miles at 12-15 mpg than I would at 22+ mpg (from both a financial and ecological stand point).
Also, I'm trying to avoid towing something if possible because of the inflexibility when visiting cities etc.
Any thoughts on how loading down and "accessorizing" the various vehicles would effect mpg?
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