Good vehicle set-up for extended travel/CAMPING?

[yogiyoda]

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?

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by yogiyoda

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?

...

Any thoughts on how loading down and "accessorizing" the various vehicles would effect mpg?

I haven't ever put a roof box or bike rack on my Jetta so have no personal experience, but when you are starting out at ~45mpg with a "clean" JSW (Jetta Sportswagen) (meaning no attachments), you'd pretty much have to put an air brake on it to drop the FE down below 20mpg. From what I gather over on the TDI forums (Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community), you ought to be able to keep it in the high 30s without too much effort (unless you intend to do autocross racing with it 24/7). Pretty easy to swap in a taller 5th on the MarkIV (1999.5 to 2004? I think) versions (might be similar in the later versions) or put in a 6-speed to offset the FE loss of the box/bike (the taller 5th is one of the ways I'm getting FE in the 60's with mine).

If you do go the route of the TDI, be sure to join the TDI forum as there is an amazing amount of knowledge there, and there are quite a few folks willing to help out if you need it... whether you are at home or on the road. The VW MkIV's (Golf & Jetta) have their niggling problems but if treated well are pretty bullet-proof... I've got 350K miles on mine!

[suspectnumber961]

Have had some experience camping longer term...

* avoid tents and pop-ups made of fabric...at times you will be in windy areas...strong winds will tear up a tent or pop-up in a week at least....

* try not to use an expensive vehicle or setup....might avoid vandalism

* while mpg is important...having useable room and no need to setup and tear down a popup or tent in invaluable.

* the only trailer I'd use would be small and fiberglass...last thing you want out in the boonies is alum or fabric.

* I'd go with the Ford Transit Connect sans box on top...you have some room. You could put in an inexpensive bed platform with storage underneath. 2WD...but you can get around most places without 4WD.

* there are some yahoo groups that focus on living in vans, etc....great for ideas on refrigeration...where to camp...how to fix one up, etc.

* If you stay out long enough...you won't return as the same person. The aliens will get you and put in an implant.....

[freebeard]

How To Use Your Car As A Hotel - Jalopnik
How To Use Your Car As A Hotel

Letter Re: Perspectives on Roughing It and Covert Car Camping
http://www.survivalblog.com/2009/10/...s_on_roug.html

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

High-cube minivans such as the Transit Connect are not bad at all, too bad its Diesel versions are not available in America.

[aardvarcus]

My vote would be a modified # 3.) 4 Cyl Toyota Tacoma, except with a real (used) slide in camper. It would be nice to have a shower and toilet to maximize the camping and minimize the hoteling, remember 1 night in a hotel can buy an awful lot of gas. Buy an older but still reliable vehicle, and invest money in preventative maintenance before you start your trip. Do some aeromods, especially around the camper. Drive slow and enjoy your trip, you may get 20ish mpgs. When you finish your trip if you don’t need them sell the camper for 50%+ what you paid and the truck for 85%+ of what you paid. Use that money to buy a car that works for your needs then.

[samwichse]

I'm surprised no one's said it yet, but I say:

Ditch the roof cargo box idea completely. It's aerodynamic suicide and trust me they're not very convenient to use. If you need a separate place for your wet campsite stuff just throw a 25-40 gallon big tupperware bin in the back.

I vote for the Subaru Forester option for more off roading, Impreza hatch option if you want better gas mileage (obviously both are 4wd).

Sam

[LeanBurn]

My vote is for a reliable 4 cy minivan like the Toyota Sienna. Cavernous inside, room for everything to be kept inside while you sleep outstretched in comfort in all kinds of weather. Excellent fuel economy for the size, low attention getter and nice ride. If you absolutely needed more space a rear mounted hitch-box would deliver. It has decent handling and will be very reliable.

[slowmover]

I'd rather have an OLIVER, SCAMP or CASITA travel trailer over the options listed in the original post. There are several tens of thousands of RV parks in the US and Canada where the TT can be parked, securely, and the tow vehicle + tent used to go farther offroad. See Reviews of RV Parks and Campgrounds - RV Park Reviews as example.

One can overnight "free" at Wal-Mart, Cracker Barrel, etc (rest areas, truck stops) for the nights between destinations.

KamperBob has an excellent rig of this sort, and a blog that highlights his low cost travel. His threads & posts on this forum are where I'd recommend the OP begin. A smart man operating in a smart manner.

FWIW, my 1T Dodge and 35' aero aluminum TT (65' total length) cost me under $30k at purchase, and average mpg is 15+. Solo, the truck averages 24-mpg highway. I bring this up as weight and size and price for given performance are not barriers to high mpg / low operational cost in themselves when the vehicles are spec'd for such (although ownership costs may be high to restore/refurbish older models).

AIRSTREAM is the model TT of this type, and many used ones are excellent choices. See Airstream Trailer & Motorhome Owners Community for more.

An idea of how long these vehicles are to be kept, how many nights aboard over those years, and how many miles to be covered is the approach recommended to the OP. Money is not everything, but time & money, together, give a better picture.

Where to store when not in use is one factor, but travel housing accommodations too small when one is sick or injured is the counterbalance. Is this a toy to be used a few seasons, or can one use it over a lifetime?

Point / counterpoint versus the advantage /disadvantange approach to the whole question.

.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by samwichse

I'm surprised no one's said it yet, but I say:

Ditch the roof cargo box idea completely. It's aerodynamic suicide and trust me they're not very convenient to use. If you need a separate place for your wet campsite stuff just throw a 25-40 gallon big tupperware bin in the back.

I vote for the Subaru Forester option for more off roading, Impreza hatch option if you want better gas mileage (obviously both are 4wd).

Sam

AWD, unfortunately. Imprezas do get surprisingly good fuel economy, though.

Originally Posted by LeanBurn

My vote is for a reliable 4 cy minivan like the Toyota Sienna. Cavernous inside, room for everything to be kept inside while you sleep outstretched in comfort in all kinds of weather. Excellent fuel economy for the size, low attention getter and nice ride. If you absolutely needed more space a rear mounted hitch-box would deliver. It has decent handling and will be very reliable.

I would suggest the MP5 first, with a standard.