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epic_ed
Sep 21, 2006, 6:41 AM
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epic_ed moved this thread from Trip Reports to General.
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epic_ed
Sep 21, 2006, 7:01 AM
Post #27 of 42
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It really depends on how stealth you need to be. In Yosemite, rolling in to the park sporting a conversion van or a truck with a camper shell is a sure plan to get tooled. If low profile living is the primary motivator the best set up I've ever seen was a Dodge Ram that had a shell and a platform built for storage. But here's the twist -- the storage was all on top of the platform, and they slept like babies underneath. The only way to get caught with this plan is if you're a loud snorer.
Other than that you can go nutz making modifications to a variety of SUV platforms -- Jeeps, Toyotas, and any flavor of pick up truck. One of the best and most affordable SUVs out there that is sleeper-friendly is the Isuzu Trooper. They no longer make the new, and the older ones are cheap and reasonably easy to find. They were built to compete in the full-sized SUV market but didn't get much love because they are really off-road vehicles at heart. Not enough luxury and cushyness for soccer mom's, but perfect for dirt bags. I nearly bought one of these as my new expedition vehicle project, but found a great deal on a Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80. The Land Cruiser is the better vehicle, but they are more expensive and worse on the gas mileage. I think the Trooper is one of the best kept secrets out there for people who are looking for a road trip vehicle they can live out of without breaking the bank.
Ed
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al_piner
Sep 23, 2006, 7:03 AM
Post #28 of 42
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Registered: Sep 20, 2006
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'76 Caddy Eldorado a.k.a. The Environmet Assualt Vehicle . I'm 5'11' and I could lay flat in the front or back seat without bending my knees .
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mattyp
Sep 23, 2006, 7:24 AM
Post #29 of 42
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DesertDude, I guess my best non-sarcastic suggestion would be a pick-up truck with a shell on the back. The platform idea is the best. My Grandpa had one in the back of his dodge ram when I was a kid and road trips were the best. He had the platform covered in nice thick carpet and you could remove panels to access the storage area. Just make sure the bed of the truck is long enough and the shell has windows with screens to vent but still keep bugs out.
oh yeah, i'd have to say my favorite is sleeping on the hood of a Humvee in Afghanistan in the winter. Ice on top of the sleeping bag, but nice and warm up from the engine heat.
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markc
Sep 23, 2006, 9:51 AM
Post #30 of 42
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In reply to: My wife and I love our honda element. We sleep on the inside due to the seats folding into a bed. The gear storage is great and the all wheel drive has saved us several times.
I had my doubts about the Element, but I'm coming around since a friend purchased one. The interior seems rugged so far, and it's really easy to convert the rear space. I'm even getting used to the look of it.
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mattyp
Sep 23, 2006, 10:01 AM
Post #31 of 42
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I'd have to disagree, that car (Element) is hideous. I'd rather look at vomit. Well, maybe not that bad, but you get the idea.
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kman
Sep 23, 2006, 3:15 PM
Post #32 of 42
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In reply to: I agree. Domestic cars are for Bush supporters
:lol: :lol: :lol: Thanks for the laugh.
I replaced my Blazer with a Forester.
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fortvideo
Sep 23, 2006, 3:49 PM
Post #33 of 42
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Registered: Aug 17, 2006
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VW BUS!!! (It just takes a while to get to the spot!!!)
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kantkatchme
Sep 24, 2006, 12:40 AM
Post #34 of 42
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when i drove down the west coast a few years ago we went in a chevy impala. there were a few nights that we slept in truck stops, so we just moved things around in the trunk and put the back seats down. they didnt go flat, so it wasnt the greatest. but it worked. (2 ppl)
ive also slept in the back of a toyota pick up and a matrix with the seats down. (the matrix goes flat)
dam i miss that little car.
-peace
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eisoutside
Sep 24, 2006, 12:57 AM
Post #35 of 42
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I've got a Jeep Cherokee that is pretty great for just about everything. It doesn't get great gas mileage, but it's a strong truck that will go just about anywhere, haul all your friends and all you gear, and run reliably just as long as you change the oil regularly.
Nothing against any of the other vehicles that were listed, but this is what I recommend.
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michalp
Sep 24, 2006, 1:14 AM
Post #36 of 42
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Registered: Sep 1, 2006
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We tested 2 great rentals: Pontiac Vibe (aka Toyota Matrix) and Chevy HHR (kind of ugly caravan-shaped car but it handles very well!). Both have rear seats which folds to make flat space. I (5.9 feet tall) nearly fit in Pontiac/Toyota. But in the HHR I was very comfortable (as an "American car" this one surprised me a lot); I got a very comfy sleep in the parking lot before setting out at midnight to begin our climb to Mt Rainier!
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happy_cat
Sep 24, 2006, 1:15 AM
Post #37 of 42
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I have a '95 Ford Escort stationwagon sort of thing that I have spent many a night in. The front seats go down almost flat, and are comfy to curl up on for a good nights sleep, or I can shift some gear around, fold down the back seats and stretch out in back. Great for road-tripping by myself, but with 2 people things get a little cramped. Gas milage isnt too shabby either.
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austinclmbr
Sep 24, 2006, 1:21 AM
Post #38 of 42
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Registered: May 2, 2005
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I have had a cherokee, a wrangler, land rover discovery, Nissan truck, and a nissan Xterra. While the interior storage in the Xterra leaves something to be desired the cost, power, gas milage, capability, and standard roof rack have hands down won me over. Big enough to sleep in if nesc, plenty of power, comfortable on road, VERY capable off road, decent gas....it really has it all. Plus durring the week I can fold up the seats and the dog, kid, and girlfriend all have plenty room to go to the park.
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tradmanclimbs
Sep 24, 2006, 1:46 AM
Post #39 of 42
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Registered: Apr 24, 2003
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I pulled the seats out of a dodge Grand caravan AWD, Built a deck and rigged with Curtains. Road trip in it all the time. My GF has an 86 westy but we only use that for shorter trips. they drive hard and break ocasionaly. The Grand caravan has cruise control, handles like a cargets 21-24mpg HWY and is pretty liveable with the set up that I have. goes up hills as well 8^) Westy is the tickit though for liveing room. the bed in my caravan is more comfortable though..
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sspssp
Sep 24, 2006, 9:03 PM
Post #40 of 42
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Registered: Jan 2, 2003
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In reply to: but the ultimate car camping rig (in my opinion) is a 4x4 pickup with a high-rise cap on back.
A pickup as the ultimate camping rig? Not even close. Pickups rather suck for camping. Ultimate camper's, gotta be something like a 40+ (how long do they comes these days?) RV.
Now if you're talking about the ultimate climber's vehicle..., maybe a 4X4 pickup (although I like my full sized van better).
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desertdude420
Sep 24, 2006, 9:48 PM
Post #41 of 42
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Registered: Sep 20, 2006
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Here are my feelings on the most common vehicles mentioned so far on this post:
-RV's are just not a practical choice for climbers. They are expensive, conspiciuos, cumbersome, gas guzzlers, hard to drive/park, etc...
-Camper vans are comfy but they have a "somebody is sleeping in here" appearance wherever they are parked. Not to mention driving a slow, boxy vehicle makes a short road trip seem a like a cross-country trek!
-Wagons/SUV's are sweet for long distance, but require you to unload/shuffle all your gear in order to sleep in them. Plus the lack of head room and screened windows is pretty important. You have either no ventalation or you get chewed all night by bugs.
-4x4 pickups are the best for climbers in my opinion, because they are a stealthy place to sleep in public (with tinted rear windows or curtains), don't require any shuffling of gear, can go anywhere, are comfy driving on long trips, provide a full-size sleeping area that can be sealed off from both the driving compartment and storage, and lets face it... red-neck cops in rural areas are much more likely to hassle a "hippy van" than a pickup truck!
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rockscars
Sep 24, 2006, 9:55 PM
Post #42 of 42
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Registered: Aug 9, 2006
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Jeep cherokee. build a wooden storage platform, take out the back seat, make a few makeshift screen for the window.... There is it luxury in the back of your own car!
just figure out how to turn the interior light off!!
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