Good vehicle set-up for extended travel/CAMPING?

[yogiyoda]

Well, I was kind off leaning against a trailer because of the hassle when visiting cities. Also the smaller ones can make backing up really difficult. Ditto for the Scamp idea.

Miller88, what do you mean by an "eco devices like newer tractor trailers have installed"?

[jeff88]

I think, by the sounds of your plans, that either the Escape Hybrid or Highlander Hybrid is your best option. They have good mileage, plenty of storage space and *usually* a trailer hitch to attach a box or bike rack, etc. You have some decent off-roading capabilities too.

If you wanted to get really fancy, you could take a page out of christofoo's playbook and use the hitch rack as a foundation for a more aerodynamic shape on the back end. Maybe use the roof rack and hitch in combination to make a kammback or something.

Oh, and no creepy guy driving in the middle of nowhere look with either of those!

For the record, some opinions I found:
Last Crossover Standing
Offroading Highlander
A good review
Car&Driver Escape Hybrid

[deisel-lux]

pity you guys in the usa never got turbo diesel deisel landcruisers or patrols they shine as long range touring rigs decent on on fuel very rugged and run forever have large fuel tanks for good range and are not as large as american size trucks so they go places they cant

[Saskwatchian]

I just had a thought. Assuming you can get a 2" receiver hitch for the back of whatever vehicle you choose how about using one of those cargo carrier hitch tray thing with a big lock box and your bike sitting between the vehicle and box.

I am still not convinced you need external storage though Any vehicle long enough to sleep someone who is 6'2" has a good amount of storage space, especially if you raise the sleeping platform.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by yogiyoda

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.

For what it's worth, my old Boy Scout troop has been using Eureka Timberline tents for over ten years and if a tent can survive a bunch of teenage boys it can survive anything. In fact, my dad was the quartermaster, so I know those things rarely broke. We had probably fifteen of them and only had to repair one or two.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by yogiyoda

Well, I was kind off leaning against a trailer because of the hassle when visiting cities. Also the smaller ones can make backing up really difficult. Ditto for the Scamp idea.

Is this from experience? Or is it just apprehension? You might note that all of America is served by tractor-trailer units. In-town delivery units are smaller than OTR rigs, but not by much. And how do you think your favorite bar gets its beer? Combination rigs are the rule, not the exception for the distribution business.

Try your question over on one of the "egg" forums as to city accessibility.

Backing can be minimized with even the barest amount of planning. And there are plenty of places, paid and unpaid, where one can legally park overnight or up to a specified number of days.

It still makes more sense to use a trailer than to overspend on a single vehicle -- quasi motorhome -- and have less of everything needed (water, food, decent shower, etc). And one can have a vehicle better suited to solo driving in all instances.

.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by yogiyoda

Also, as a solo traveling 6'3" man pushing 40, I want to limit the "creepy" factor as much as possible. So that's a factor against panel/cargo vans.

It's sad the way people feel the need to project their own problems onto random strangers. 'Creepy' is that other persons problem, but they will willingly make it yours.

Second, would a roof top box really give such a drastic hit to mpg?

It depends. A square cornered box would be 10x as bad as those long skinny teardrops made for carrying skis. And you have an advantage lifting stuff up and down.

[justme1969]

Originally Posted by deisel-lux

pity you guys in the usa never got turbo diesel deisel landcruisers or patrols they shine as long range touring rigs decent on on fuel very rugged and run forever have large fuel tanks for good range and are not as large as american size trucks so they go places they cant

Yep its a pile for sure! The Diesel technology is here in USA for it but they only want to sell diesel trucks over 6Litres. Thats the big issue quite literally,
I still dont see why Toyota wont bring us a 4 cyl turbo diesel truck to market.
I seen a ford Ranger with a 2.5? turbo diesel 5 speed one time here in usa from aisian market that made me drool.

[Kenny]

Originally Posted by yogiyoda

Also, as a solo traveling 6'3" man pushing 40, I want to limit the "creepy" factor as much as possible. So that's a factor against panel/cargo vans.

YOUR appearance is far more suggestive than the vehicle's - although I will add... that minimal upkeep of the vehicle's cosmetics helps too.

This Maxi I built '94, and herded it cross country for 10 years. I wanted one with a slant 6 engine, but alas, none to be found... so I settled on torchin' in a '83 Nissan 2.8 Z-car motor & trans. My mileage was just north of 21 MPG - not bad considering it weighed almost 5100 lbs.



With fuel prices being much steeper now, I have regurgitated my original requirements, and travel x-country less. This time I opted for an Aerostar van. I was after a cargo (no windows), but not as easy to find... especially one with a 5-spd manual. I was lucky enough, however, to score this 5-speed gem (from the original owner) for $950. The Vulcan 3.0 is virtually indestructible, but I'd strongly discourage any Aero' with an automatic tranny. On my last 376 mi round trip to Elko, NV and back (2 weeks ago), I managed 26 & change avg. MPG. The downhill 112 mile stretch from Wells, NV to Filer, ID sipped only 3.5 gal.

(note; the rear side windows are currently being replaced w/fiberglass panels)

[UltArc]

I agree with the small sports SUV ideas, but when I think of making something like this, I want it to be zombie apocalypse proof.

Solar power trailer: Part 1 by Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM

PArt one of a solar powered trailer. I invision a Toyota 4Runner/Tacoma, switched to a standard gearbox with extra efficient final drive- and this attached to it. Possibly, even just a 4Runner/Tacoma made into a camper with this, and eventually the trailer. Can be kind of eco modded, while being a traveling hotel!

Edit: I know S in SUV means sports, but now SUVs usually mean giant and gaudy, while a SPORTS SUV, to me, means lighter, lower, more compact- Early Pathfinders, 4Runners, so on. I didn't mean it like, whats your VIN Number? Or, where can I find an ATM Machine? Face palm