Vehicle options for west-USA travel

<p>This question is directed primarily for landscape photographers in the western USA: What kind of vehicle do you use? If you drive from home, do you prefer a camper, SUV with 4WD, motorhome? I currently have a 4WD F150 with a camper shell. This works well in the desert SW but I don't find it particularly useful for camping in campgrounds (where most folks have RV's) and in bear country, and for many 4WD roads in the Rockies the full size pickup is too large. Also, I don't find the F150 sufficiently reliable. I'm thinking about a 4WD SUV and staying more in hotels but in many cases I like to overnight on location to get the first daylight. Sleeping in an SUV is not the most practical solution if you have to unload most of your gear. Smaller camper vans with 4WD are expensive and I don't consider aftermarket 4WD van conversions safe (I am not aware of any factory 4WD vans in the US). I also don't see myself trailering a small 4WD car/ORV either--it's a long way (1-2 full days of travel at a minimum) for me to get to my preferred locations. I don't want to give up 4WD, especially for driving in snow. What is your solution?</p>

<p>I have a 1992 Toyota 4WD extra-cab pickup with a canopy shell. This generation was made in Japan and I do my own maintenance and it is as reliable as any vehicle I've owned. It's also small enough to go on tight backroads. I have put non-skid tape on top of the canopy shell so I can get up there safely and set up ala Ansel Adams. Western National Parks are so crowded these days and I find getting this much elevation eliminates much of the "noise".<br>

Any vehicle is a compromise. You can stay in motels many nights for what it costs to get comfortable overnight capabilities in your vehicle.</p>

<p>My son uses a Jeep Cherokee and a popup trailer. The Jeep can go nearly anywhere, and climb steeper inclines than you can walk. The popup is adequate for two, and can be left in a campground. A .44 magnum is optional for agressive beasts of the four (or two) legged variety. You can set up a perimeter alarm using cans on a string. I think Claymores are legal in Arizona ;-)</p>

<p>I travel from the UK so I rent vehicles. I invariably rent a SUV with 4wd, and I stay in hotels and just get up early. I guess I've been known to drive 40/50 miles in the dark to photograph at dawn, but frankly is usually much less than that depending on where I may be. I usually look for relatively close locations to start the day at so I can look at a lightening sky and judge whether there's going to be worthwhile predawn light and early sunlight and if not well I'll go back to a comfortable bed. Equally I'm happy enough to get back from an evening shoot and eat late, or indeed to eat early before i go out for the evening. I'd rather drive a bit more and stay in comfort than camp out, espcially if I have my wife or someone else with me, and because of that I can select a vehicle that suits driving on the terrain rather than because I can sleep and eat in it. </p>

<p>WRT vehicle I get 4wd whether I need it or not because I invariably spend some time on unmetalled roads and you never know how they're going to turn in the wet or a bit of snow. This is after I've had to be pulled off some very gentle-looking places in vehicles that kind of pretend to be 4wd but aren't, like some Blazers for example. Most of the time I end up with an awd thing, but if I'm going to get on serious roads in Colorado, or if there's some fording involved I insist of a switchable/low ratio 4wd although these are getting quite hard to find from the major rental companies. The one advantage about rental though is that I can match the type of vehicle to the terrain- mostly in New England , Oregon and the like a comfortable medium size awd SUV is fine. But I don't want something like that on the little roads in Colorado. The one major disadvantage- and it is a big one- about renting vehicles is the tyres. No matter what the capability of the vehicle its not unusual to find it decked out with street tyres and a small sized spare. </p>

<p>I am totally opposite of you, I have had 4x4 F150's for close to 15 years and have traveled extensively in the back country of Utah and Colorado,......Reliability is absolutely not an issue for me. You would be shocked at where I took this thing. Have travelled with both F150 and Ranger. If size is an issue I wouldn't think twice about a Ford Ranger with a shell. Rock solid reliable easy to maneuver in back country and big enough to sleep in back with a topper.<br>

Good Luck!</p>

 

<p>Fly and rent obviously saves lots of time but, with the increasing use of small-body planes (regional jets) to even major US airports, the issue of carry-on has become increasingly relevant (widely discussed in this forum). Most nationl rental companies do not guarantee that you get a 4WD if you reserve an SUV. </p>

<p>Mark: Maybe my F150 is a lemon: Front windows failed twice (known design issue) leaving the car open (not good when full with camera gear); injector stuck wide open (also a known quality issue with a batch of injectors but Ford only repairs for free when the failure occurs), failed water pump, and, separately, a coolant leak. All these within 60k miles, 5 years. Three of these cases occurred on a weekend or holiday. With 2 weeks of vacation a year, I cannot afford losing two or, as in two cases, three days of vacation waiting for the car repair.</p>

<p>Most nationl rental companies do not guarantee that you get a 4WD if you reserve an SUV.</p>

<p>Agreed although Alamo did out of Denver in September last by saying that all SUV in that location were 4wd. I got a Patriot and whilst I don't want to own one, it was fine for what we wanted.</p>

<p>Sorry about the bad luck on the F150! I would try any of the small pickups w/4x4....Should be plenty versatile for you.<br />mark</p>

<p>I've had two 4WD rigs over the years, both pickups with camper shells. The first was an Chevy S10 extended cab. I don't recommend that vehicle due to reliability problems, but the point is that a 4WD pickup of that size is pretty useful as a backcountry camping vehicle. Now I have a Toyota T100, slightly larger in size than the current generation of Tacoma and I really enjoy the extra interior space, especially when my wife comes along. In both cases having a dedicated sleeping space inside the vehicle comes in really handy relative to using a tent, especially in rainy, windy, or snowy weather.</p>

<p>The issue of exterior vehicle size is a tricky one. On the one hand the smaller pickups do have a shorter turning radius and fit into smaller spaces, though they are still too long for the trickiest jeep trails. OTOH I sometimes found them awkward to use on trails that had evolved in response to use by full-size pickups, due to the ruts being too far apart. My T100 is much better in those situations, but conversely is too big for more jeep trails than would be the case with a smaller rig.</p>

<p>Over the past 28 years I've given a great deal of thought to this issue out of frustration and have probably pondered every possible spatial arrangement of vehicle function, gear storage, and sleeping area. You can have a really capable four-wheeler but you won't be able to sleep inside or else you'll have to offload most gear to do so and it will still be uncomfortable. You can have a larger vehicle that holds all your gear and has a dedicated (if spartan) sleeping area but you'll lose much, most, or all of your ability to take jeep trails depending on the vehicle configuration. Even just adding an extended cab onto a compact pickup for some basic storage significantly reduces off-pavement vehicle capability due to the increased wheelbase causing a larger turning radius and lower breakover angle. There is no optimum solution, just a series of compromises that are best addressed by considering your personal needs and preferences.</p>

<p>What you and I really need is a vehicle that is much bigger on the inside than the outside. That has not been developed yet.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I did a few weeks in Arizona mid-winter and for that I rented a Subaru Forester and stayed in motels. It got me where I wanted to go.</p>

<p>Bill: You describe the dilemma. Before a Dodge RAM and the F150 I had a smaller SUV. Having to unload the back of the vehicle in the evening is a pain when it rains, in bear country, or other theft-prone regions. Camper shells on the PU are dust vacuums, so I carry most of my gear in the extended cab. Now, I'm thinking about reverting to a larger SUV. A van would be preferred but unfortunately not available with factory 4WD in the US. Either case, I probably need a smaller car for every-day city driving.</p>

<p>Well, if you can afford it, get a sportsmobile. Yep, its expensive, but the 4x4 they install is top notch, haven't had a problem in 4 years. I usually stay in hotels and get up early to get out for sunrise light, but the Sportsmobile is set up for camping with a bed/refir/portapotty, etc. Nothing stops this beast!</p><div></div>

<p>I'm from Canada. I've done several desert trips + California Coast trips in spring and fall.</p>

<p>I fly, rent a compact car, and bring a tent, sleeping bags, and stove. Yes there's 20 minutes of set-up, but it's worth it. When the weather turns foul, or when we feel like a shower, we find a motel. Expensive camera gear always stays locked in the car.</p>

<p>I find renting cost-effective. If you want to do jeep trails and need high-clearance you could rent an SUV. Or, for some trips you could rent an equipped RV.</p>

<p>Now, if you want your own car then maybe a high-clearance 4wd vehicle like a Subaru would be the ticket. But owning and maintaining a second vehicle for those two weeks each year is very expensive IMO.</p>

<p>And nothing beats camping in the desert, sitting by the fire looking at the stars.</p>

<p>For most of my excursions in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, I use a 2002 VW Beetle Turbo with a roof rack and small gear/luggage carrier, which allows access to most areas with forest service roads; of course, if the snow and mud are not too deep -- then I use my 2009 VW Tiguan 4wd.</p>

<blockquote>I fly, rent a compact car, and bring a tent, sleeping bags, and stove.</blockquote>

<p>That might work for some purposes like a road trip on paved roads, but will not work if you want:<br>

-Anything other than the most minimal camping gear. I have used a backpacking rig for camping and taken a backpack on air travel. However, if I'm car camping I want a cooler, a water jug, and various other items beyond what a backpack will carry.<br>

-To travel in remote areas such on dirt roads in the desert. There you'll need a significant amount of emergency gear (shovel, tools, etc.) and a lot of water to travel safely. How many checked items would that take, and how practical would it be to get all this heavy gear to and through the airport?<br>

-To travel in winter conditions, with chains, snow shovel, emergency gear etc. in the vehicle, especially when in remote areas far from the usual tourist locations.<br>

-To take heavy, bulky gear. My landscape kit consists of two Pentax 67s (B&W plus color), a number of lenses (45mm-300mm), a 35mm kit for the exotic lenses you can't reasonably get in medium format, a very heavy tripod and ballhead to steady the Pentaxes, plus a box of accessories. I have traveled far lighter after flying into a place, but at the cost of severe losses in negative size and lens choices.</p>

<blockquote>I find renting cost-effective. If you want to do jeep trails and need high-clearance you could rent an SUV.</blockquote>

<p>You can't take a rental vehicle on those kinds of roads. The rental agreements expressly prohibit vehicle use on unmaintained roads.</p>

 

<blockquote>But owning and maintaining a second vehicle for those two weeks each year is very expensive IMO.</blockquote>

<p>In that narrow sense, yes. However, my truck serves as a general camping vehicle even when on trips that only use paved roads, and also gets used for hauling now and then. </p>

<p>What it boils down to is that if you want to do typical road tripping and camping then your suggestion may work well for some. If you are a true backcountry aficionado then it won't work.</p>

 

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I've photographed the desert southwest the past 16 years using a 95 Toyota 4WD extended cab truck with cab high camper shell, not much different than other responders. It has never failed me but I recently upgraded to a new Tacoma. Very similar but it has one of those silver sub woofer box thingys you can't opt out of that resembles some sort of afterbirth and gets in the way of storage. Since I'm mostly deaf anyway, a subwoofer doesn't help me at all. It has a little blue light and switch button at the bottom of this contraption, which turns it on, and which I unintentionally activate when I push my tripod into the back seat. The young kids think I'm cool at traffic lights; thump ta thump thump. I am oblivious to all this. <br>

It also has two small storage boxes in the bed with holes to the ground and leaks dust like a sieve. <br>

There is no perfect vehicle. I throw a twin mattress in the back to sleep comfortably on but as others commented, you unload some gear to be able to sleep better. I put in a plywood platform to get a second layer, which hides my gear if I want but puts your head closer to the roof, kind of like being in an MRI. </p>

<p>Thought about going bigger but you lose mobility. Wife has a Subaru Outback, which is also great in snow but is too pretty for me. I'd trash it the first time out.</p>

<p>www.bllproudphotography.com </p>

<p>The 4WD Sportsmobile is a tempting, though expsensive, option. I don't question that the 4WD option is reliable, but I wonder how safe these aftermarked conversions are. Vans are not the safest vehicles to begin with, and the 4WD conversion would probably reduce vehicle stability and steering and breaking response. I assume these are the reasons Ford and Chevy don't offer 4WD for their vans. I'm told the Mercedes/Dodge van is available as 4WD outside the US.</p>

<p>It's impossible to keep all dust out of a camper shell or the cab when on dusty roads, but a little advance work and some care on the road can make a huge difference:</p>

<p>1. I used electricians tape to plug the holes in the bed, though this means I need to be careful to not let water accumulate back there if it gets in for any reason. Turning the truck to face uphill will drain it out effortlessly.</p>

<p>2. There is a gap between the tailgate and the bed that lets loads of dust in. I used adhesive-backed foam stripping to seal this gap all the way around pretty effectively. I recently replaced the old foam after 10 years and the new foam worked amazingly well.</p>

<p>3. Examine the rubber gasket on the hatch when it's closed and latched against the tailgate for any gaps. Plug them with the same foam, or in a pinch use a wadded up paper towel or rag.</p>

<p>4. Keep an eye on the side windows on bumpy roads. The side window latches on my first shell eventually tended to vibrate loose, allowing the window to vibrate open and let dust in.</p>

<p>5. When opening up the rear hatch after travel on a dusty road, wipe down the edge of the tailgate with a moist cloth or paper towel. The gasket on the hatch rubs against the top of the tailgate with dust acting as an abrasive. The result is paint dust and (eventually) rust dust that you probably don't want on your hands and clothes. While you're at it, wipe down the handles (tailgate and hatch) as well.</p>

<p>6. After driving on dusty roads for a while, wipe down the rubber gaskets on the cab doors to remove dust. If you don't, eventually enough builds up to begin coming in.</p>

<p>7. If you're getting a new vehicle, if possible get one whose climate control can be set to recirculate, especially when the A/C is on. This will help minimize dust in the cab.</p>

<p>8. When setting up your bed in the shell before leaving home, lay down an oversized piece of plastic sheeting first, then the pad or mattress and whatever bedding or sleeping bag you use. Fold the plastic sheeting over the bed so it's covered, and weigh down the plastic. When you get to your camping spot for that night, unfold the plastic sheeting and tuck it out of the way. You will have a (relatively) clean bed and much less reason to sneeze that night!</p>

<p>After all these precautions you, your rig, and your gear will still get somewhat dusty over the course of a trip on dirt roads, but you can cut down on dust tremendously if you make an effort. Your camera gear will likely appreciate being in a slightly or modestly dusty environment rather than a dust storm.</p>

<p>I have been using a Nissan Xterra for the last 5 years or so, and have done a lot of off-road exploring and photographing around the Southwest in it. It has true 4WD, and it's small enough that it can go most anyplace you'll want to go by yourself (i.e. without another vehicle along), yet big enough that 2 people can comfortably sleep in the back. A stock Xterra with better tires (BFG All Terrains work great in the Southwest deserts and mountains) makes a very capable long road trip and off-road vehicle, at a reasonable price. Take a look at the 2005 and newer models, the older ones are still very capable, but there is a huge difference in the 2nd generation versions. Check out the various Xterra forums online for some ideas of what you can do with one.</p>

<p><em>Rocinante!</em><br>

<em> </em><br>

Michael J Hoffman</p>

<p>Bill De Jager,</p>

<p>Thanks for the tips. I was thinking about the gasket seal idea for the tail gate, your comments tell me this is the right direction. </p>

<p>I have used the plastic wrap that came with the mattress and it is effective. All your suggestions are things I have seen happen, especially the sliding windows coming open as you travel if they are not locked.<br>

Great tips</p>

 

<p>My current camper shell has double doors in the back. It makes getting in and out (middle of the night!) much easier, but dust issue is even worse than with the hatch.</p>

<p>These posts have been excellent. Thanks for all of your ideas and comments. Joe Smith</p>