You will need to have the right gear, no matter how long you plan on traveling.
A van lasted me five years. In fact, I lived there for longer than any other place I’ve ever lived since moving out of my childhood home. Strangely, I found moving to a van easier than in a house. I was afraid that my freedom to have everything in one place, ready for travel, would be lost. When I received my car as a regular-person vehicle, I immediately set to work on how to make it portable.
But we aren’t talking about a total, permanent car conversion. I was moving to LA and my car would only be used for getting around the city. But I wanted a system to make it easy to take road trips or backcountry camping. It would allow me to park my car, put on my shades, and go straight to sleep. In fact, I hoped it could go places that my van couldn’t. Turns out, there are many products that can do this exact job. There are many options. I began to research gear and was able to test it
A paid thesis writing service has some great recommendations and tips for anyone who wants to take the road this summer.
You Need to Have the Right Gear for Your Car
It doesn’t mean that you need to get a new vehicle. It is entirely possible that your car will be able to serve this purpose. For your bed, the most important thing is that your back seats fold down as flatly as possible. You will also want more space, which is a sign of comfort. However, the important question is: What type camping are you interested in? If you break that down, you should think about the places that you would like to visit and the types of roads and climate you’re likely encounter.
I wanted to be capable of winter camping. I was ideally located near ski resorts. I wanted to be on dirt trails. But, because this is my daily driver, I didn’t want something that makes it difficult to park in big cities or has huge tires that would eat my MPG. I chose a Honda CR-V. It ticked all the boxes. While I wouldn’t be able rock-crawling the Rubicon Trail and other trails, it has all wheel drive which should cover me for most dirt roads. The best thing about the back seat is that it folds flat. The crossover, which is also a standard car but can be used as a campervan, is the best option for most people. This is a mix of a sedan and an SUV. It would include vehicles such as the Subaru Outback (or Toyota RAV4), Mazda CX-5, Tesla Model X, or other similar vehicles.
Tires: Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail ($175/ea)
You may want to consider changing your tires depending upon the type of road trip.
Your choice of road trip will determine the kind of tires you need.
Is that a crossover you got? Cool. Now, remove the tires from the car and turn them into swings. These tires might be OK for dry roads but not for slippery or snowy roads. Most people will put all-terrain tires designed for pickup trucks on their crossovers, and then call it good. But this can come with a heavy price. Crossovers can’t be fitted with heavy wheels. This could cause significant strain and damage. The pickup trucks and larger SUVs have two components: a body, on top of a framework. Crossovers can be described as a unibody vehicle, with more space and a higher centre of gravity. Crossovers respond differently to different conditions, and you should get a tire specifically made for them.
Falken Wildpeak Trail Trail tires are the reason I purchased them as my first item for my CRV. These tires are the first and only all-terrain made specifically for crossovers. They manage to do it all very well. They are lightweight for a crossover drivetrain and offer solid fuel economy. I drove up steep, very icy roads through Yosemite National Forest in the winter. 4WD pickup trucks pulled over to install chains. Other pickup trucks were spinning tires and fishtailing poorly. My car behaved like it had been glued down. It didn’t even slip once. It was quite impressive.
If you have a larger vehicle with the ability to take heavy tires, I’ve had great luck with BF Goodrich All TerrainK02 tires in the past. They offer great off-road traction and are quiet on the highway. These are what I used on the Sprinter van that I owned (which was equipped with light truck tires), and they helped me get out of more than one jam on bad roads.
Chains: Security Chain Super Z6 – Price varies but is $90 for 2
Snow chains are required for certain winter roads. If you don’t have snow chains, you will be given a stiff ticket and likely turned around. I was fortunate to have the Falken tires. I didn’t need my chains all winter. But I did have to pass several checkpoints where rangers checked that I had them. I chose to go with the Super Z6 tire cables. They are so much easier to put in than traditional chains. It’s not necessary to move your vehicle mid-way through the process, as it is bungee-like. They also make driving much more comfortable. AWD or 4WD cars have a chain that fits all four tires. Also, practice installing and uninstalling them before you go. YouTube is your friend. Be sure to get the right size for your tires.
The Gear You Should Use to Go to Bed
Sleeping Bag: Big Agnes Cabin Creek 15 ($290)
If you have an air bed that’s designed for two, then you will need a sleeping bag for the two of you. It is difficult to cuddle if you’re all in your own sleeping bags. This setup used the Cabin Creek very well. It was easy to connect to the Luno Mattress so it didn’t slip. The 100% recycled synthetic insulation created a soft and fluffy loft that was both cozy and comfortable. Because the bag’s bottom is insulate, Big Agnes didn’t insulate it. However, synthetic stuffing and down cannot insulate because your bodyweight compresses the air. I found that the bag did not live up to its 15-degree F rating, although it did have the odd cold-spot (30 degrees Fahrenheit).
While I enjoyed the extra space for me to toss and turn, and the excellent hood and pillow barn on the Cabin, I would choose something like the Nemo Sonic 100-degree bag if I knew I was going to be sleeping by myself and warmth was more important than wiggleroom. While it isn’t cheap at $450 it is certainly the most stylish bag I’ve ever seen. It has temperature regulation and zippable zippers. The bag’s shape allows side-sleepers, like myself, to curl up in the same way as they normally do.
Gear to Keep Your Powered Up
I loved that I could bring my entire work gear along with me to van life. It was easy to plug in my smartphone, laptop, flashlights, or camera and charge it up. This also meant that I had enough juice to keep my fridge stocked. It’s because campervans have a “house” battery that can be used to charge all those extra things. While crossovers don’t come with house batteries, there are some clever solutions.
Jackery Explorer 1500 ($1,600) Portable Power Station
While this may seem a bit excessive, I can edit video and that can really drain my battery. Jackery’s Explorer 1500, a portable power source, has a battery, an inverter, as well as outlets. It is small enough to be easily hidden in the passenger seat’s foot area. The 1488Wh of power it has is impressive. It comes with two USB A ports, three AC outlets, three grounded AC outlets, and a 12-volt DC car plug. You can charge it at home by plugging the charger into a wall. Alternatively, you can charge it while you drive using the car charger. In case of an emergency, I keep it charged up at my home. However there is another way to get it going on the roads.
You’ll Need All the Gear You Need to Cook
Mug: Embertravel Mug 2 (180), With Car Charger (50)
While this is definitely a luxurious item, I love it without reservation. Although you can pour your coffee straight into a double wall thermos-type container, it will still stay hot for at least an hour. The Ember Mug has a built in battery and an electric heater. Once it reaches your desired temperature, it will keep it there. It reached 133°F for me. The digital display shows the temp and allows you to adjust it on-the-fly. Your beverage will stay at that temperature for up to 3 hours. It has a car charging port that plugs into a standard DC socket so it can continue to be powered even on long drives. The top works well to prevent spillages. The 12-ounce volume is a little too small. Please, 16-ounces for hot bean water
Sink: Sea To Summit Kitchen Sink 10L ($25)
A basin to wash everything in is very handy. These items could be dishes, gear, or even you (sponge-bath-style). This is basically a water container that folds down to a tiny size and can hold about 2.5 gallons. This soap is very useful. Use the mildest, biodegradable soap you can find and don’t let it get in direct contact with running water.
Water Carrying: GSI Outdoors Water Cube 20L ($10)
I believe it is always a good idea have a few gallon of water in your car. You can keep hydrated, it’s handy for emergency situations and you can wash your dog’s feet. This cube can be used in a variety of ways. It is made of soft plastic and folds up when not being used. It holds 3.9 gallons of liquid, is easy to transport, and doesn’t leak. Keep mine filled and behind my driver seat at all costs. If you are planning on camping in hot and dry desert areas, it is a good idea to take several.
You’ll be safe with the gear
Car Alarm: Viper SmartStart Pro System (beginning at $150
Look, if your car is filled with expensive, high-end gear, it’s important to protect it. While window shades (see the below) are crucial, I would argue that having an alarm system to protect your car is equally important. For more than five years, I carried the Viper SmartStart alarm system in my van. It provided me with a lot peace of heart. I would arm the system when I was in bed in a dark area. And I would arm it every time I left it because I had all my personal possessions in there.
Viper’s system works in modularity, but SmartStart Pro includes GPS and two way smartphone connectivity. It will notify you if your alarm goes off when you are over 1,000 miles from it. You can also check that your alarm is working or mark the exact location of where you left it. You can also opt for auto-start (which works great in freezing conditions) or a highly-recommended Glass Crash Sensor. This uses a mic and listens for the tell-tale sound. Two-way keyfobs can also be purchased. These will ring whenever your car alarm sounds and you’re within 1 mile.
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