Good vehicle set-up for extended travel/CAMPING?
 

Hello,

I will be doing some extended solo traveling in North America with a mix of some car camping along with staying in hotels/hostels etc. Want to see national parks (some mountain and dirt roads) as well as cities (need for secure vehicle that can be parked in the city). I have a lot of gear including large canvas tent, deluxe folding cot, cooler, bicycle and much more.

Some vehicle requirements: Would like a place to throw some wet/dirty items when having to pack up a site in the rain etc. Would like to have space behind drivers seat to lean back chair and sleep occasionally. Would like to keep total cost of ownership as low as possible. Would like as good fuel milage as possible. Would like to minimize fear of having items stolen. (not so sure how secure cargo boxes are)

I'm not real happy with my current 2007 V6 Honda Accord from either a cargo carrying or mpg stand point. What are your thoughts on the following vehicle options from a fuel efficiency standpoint?

1.) Small wagon (Jetta Sportwagen TDI, Mazda5) with roof cargo box and tow hitch bike rack.

2.) Small SUV (Forester, CX-5, RAV4) with roof cargo box and rear hitch bike rack.

3.) 4 Cyl Toyota Tacoma with camper shell and rear hitch bike rack

4.) Ford Transit Connect with roof cargo box and rear hitch bike rack.

5.) Mini-van (Toyota Sienna) with roof cargo box and tow hitch bike rack

6.) Mercedes Benz Sprinter

7.) Dodge Ram 1500 Pentastar v6 with camper shell and rear hitch bike rack

8.) other?

I can look up fuel efficiency online for each vehicle. But don't know what the best choice from a fuel standpoint would be when taking into account the heavy loads, roof cargo box and rear bike mount. Your thoughts?

I say number 3 with a 5 speed and 31 inch tires.
But it wouldn't be my first choice to sleep in.

Have you looked at the 2008-20121 escape hybrid with AWD? It has decent mileage, great stoage capacity (especially for your bike, you could put it inside or on the hitch) and can hold its own in offroading (an escape forum I am on has members who regularly offroad with Jeeps; the jeep drivers always look at him funny, but by the end of the day they are surprised when he has kept up with them!). You can get some Husky or Weathertech floor mats to keep everything clean if you want.

On a side note, what are your plans for the trip (like planned places to see) or are you going to just decide as you go?

I LOVE the CX-5.
The MP5 might be better, though. Good advice so far, but there really are a crazy amount of options. It sounds like a crossover would be better than a car, only over a truck because they usually have worse aero and final drive ratio.

What would help ME add information would be your price range. I mean, otherwise I would suggest a Ferrarri FF with a trailer hitch lol

Sounds like a fun road trip!

Honda CRX HF!!! Oh, wait :D

The Accord we're comparing gets 18/26mpg.

You don't need a truck or SUV to drive on "mountain or dirt roads" unless you're going on really remote two-track logging roads. A FWD car or minivan will do just fine. It's also unlikely that the trucks you listed will get any better fuel economy than your Accord.

I'll recommend a Mk4 VW Jetta TDI Wagon (31/39mpg) or B5/B5.5 Passat TDI Wagon (23/34mpg). My dad has a B5.5 Passat Wagon and although it's not a diesel, it can carry a ton of stuff. The seats are very comfortable and supportive for long trips. You can lay out a sleeping bag along one side and have your cargo on the other side. Only snag is that as far as I can tell, TDI Passats were not offered here with manual transmissions.

If you get a VW, make sure it's been well taken care of. My dad got a two year old CPO and it has been very good to him so far.

Late 90s Subaru Legacy, manual. You can comfortably sleep in the back (I did for a year and a half just to save money), and I averaged 28mpg. I've had 5 people and all their gear piled in for a weekend of rock climbing and camping. The car handles better in the snow than any other vehicle I have driven, can climb things usually reserved for Jeeps, and can pull trucks out of ditches.

I used to keep a sleeping bag in the back for spur of the moment over-night trips to the beach. 230,000 trouble-free miles and smiles.

I have been thinking of what kind of vehicle to do some 'RV'ing.

A Prius towing a smallish tent trailer comes up pretty high on the list.
The GenI has a trunk, which gives you pretty secure storage when key-only opening.

Really kinda thinking building something custom might be worth it,
something long and narrow with popups and slideouts. Gotta keep great aero, but unfolds when in camp.

Random thoughts:

If you haven't read http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post365483, you might find it helpful. If you go with a trailer listen to anything slowmover says.

If you could afford 'a Ferrarri FF with a trailer hitch' you could get a 23-window VW bus instead and come back home with better stories. But your tailbone will remember every mile.

Dump the canvas tent, and get one made of modern fabric. It will weigh less. In any case that will be the piece that's hard to put away wet.

Urban —> panel van with a skylight. ...and rear hitch bike rack.

You can get a pretty good lift on a VW TDI too... Below is a pic of a Jetta sedan, but the same can be done on a wagon too...
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...3/DSC09829.jpg
Would be a great alternative to a Subaru Outback!