Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

Thanks! I'm using a Canon 80D, and that was with the 18-135 USM lens (which is a great lens IMO)

 

On the fourth day, we hit our highest elevation and several fire lookouts (which were, dare I say, surrounded by burned forest). We also made our way down to Lake Chelan via The Jungle - a fun, steep, narrow set of switchbacks that we refused to re-route around as suggested by the cautious folks who coordinate the WABDR!

Check out the story and more than 50 pics - WABDR Day 4: Lookouts. And The Jungle!​

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Read it here: WABDR Day 4: Lookouts. And The Jungle!


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Catch up on the whole story so far: [Day 1] [Day 2] [Day 3] [Day 4]

follow all the adventures at https://adventuretaco.com



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Lifted the '03 Eurovan Winnebago camper. These are fairly capable offroad units after lift. Nothing spectacular, but has enough ground clearance and good approach/departure angles to get through gullies.

Easy to see the difference, stock with 225/60/16's vs lifted with 225/70/16's.

 

As we neared the north end of the WABDR, it'd been a fun but relatively easy trip. I don't know if it was more experience than we had on the OBDR or if the route was just easier - but @mrs.turbodb and I were happy to finally get a bit more technical trail (even if it was a side trail) for the excitement.

And then, there was the excitement at the border...

Check out the conclusion - WABDR Day 5 & 6: Finally 4WD; and a Run for the Border​

Read it here: WABDR Day 5 & 6: Finally 4WD; and a Run for the Border


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Catch up on the whole story: [Day 1] [Day 2] [Day 3] [Day 4] [Day 5 & 6]

follow all the adventures at https://adventuretaco.com



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What a clear and beautiful day. That's awesome

 

this thread brings about serious wanderlust

 

Hot on the heels of the WABDR trip, we re-provisioned and headed out again just 17 hours later - this time to Idaho to meet up with a couple fellow TWers. Our ultimate destination being California, it was a bit out of our way - but in the end, so worth it. If you've never been, the Sawtooth's are amazing.

Read the story and peep the pics: Two-and-a-Half Days in Idaho​

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Two-and-a-Half Days in Idaho [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

follow all the adventures: https://adventuretaco.com




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Here's the next installment of our recent Idaho trip with Ben and Mikey. Truly an amazing couple of days - the most glorious sunrise I've ever seen. EVER. And a really fun adventure to one of the highest roads in Idaho (and the excitement along the way). Oh, and the Sawtooths - so much, in so little time!

Check it all out: Two-and-a-Half Days in Idaho, Part 2.​

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Check it all out: Two-and-a-Half Days in Idaho, Part 2.​

Catch up on the whole story: Two-and-a-Half Days in Idaho: [Part 1] [Part 2] [Epilogue]




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After parting ways with Ben in Boise, we headed southwest towards California - and the start of our next trip! Along the way, several cool discoveries, and memories of trips past, and I finally got to weigh the truck. Man, it's not light!

Story and pics: Idaho Epilogue: We Found the Overland Trail​

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Miss part of the story?
Two-and-a-Half Days in Idaho [Part 1] [Part 2] [Epilogue]



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'03 Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the wild. Fairly badass, IMO. 5600lbs loaded, gets to some nice places, comfortable unit. 20mpg while doing so.

I've always liked these VW poptop conversions, this is my fourth, this one has passing power and BRAKING power. Previous versions had shit for brakes. 5600lbs loaded I want strong brakes.

 

Another quick trip in the trailer

Build thread found here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mreimanns-expo-trailer-build-round-two.532305/

 

~4900lbs curb weight for the Winnebago conversions. I believe the curb weight for the barebones LWB cargo van platform is 4200lbs. 6100lbs GVWR. The cabinetry Winnebago installed is laminated pressed wood, kind of overkill, IMO. The cabinetry is built on an aluminum frame, so they could have used lighter wood. Plus the poptop is not just the plastic shell, it has a full-length laminated sheet of pressed wood underneath. Then, add in the floor sheet in the cargo area. There's most of the 700lbs difference.

In case anybody is ever interested in acquiring one of these VW Transporter campers variously referred to as Westfalias, VW camper, VW poptop, Campmobile, I recommend the 2001-2003 LWB Winnebago conversions.

I've owned '67, '68, '95, '03 VW campers, the lone version I haven't owned is the Vanagon.

The reason I recommend the '01-'03 is the most engine power and the most BRAKING power. All other versions are well-known to be underpowered, but glossed over is how weak the brakes are. 2001 they did the right thing, put 16" wheels on so they could put larger discs in.

Prior to 2001, VW was wedded to 14" and 15" wheels that prevented the larger discs needed. They put 16" wheels on in 2001, larger discs, finally capable brakes.

The reason I recommend the LWB Winnebago conversion is 16.5" more interior length, has all the conveniences built in except for a water heater and inside shower/toilet.

As always with recreation vehicles, it's what works for you. This '03 VW is a stout glamper.

 

Somebody awhile back posted a link to download offline .gpx files of each state and now I can't find it. I downloaded a few but need to download another state. Not sure if it was a Garmin link or what but I was using the Backcountry navigator app to import it.

 

Straight up truck bed camping

 

Made it out to the Sierras for about a week. Had a blast, and captured some sweet shots in the mountains - both day and night.

Read it all: Sierras Part 2: Wait, Adventure Without Driving?!



Read it all: Sierras Part 2: Wait, Adventure Without Driving?!



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Hands down one of the coolest pictures I have ever seen.

 

$198k for a 10-yr old Earthroamer - https://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/d/earthroamer-xv-lt/6630035322.html

The Earthroamer website says these sell new for $451k minimum, so in ten years you probably lose $250,000 in value. https://earthroamer.com/xv-lt/

It can't be versatile offroad, the F550 chassis has a 58ft turning circle. 12' tall, 8' wide. And a 5g cassette toilet??? 85g fresh water, and you get a 5g cassette toilet??? Only a 2-burner stove (diesel fuel), no oven, a single sink, diesel furnace. Maybe I'm wrong, but a diesel stove and furnace, wouldn't the fumes be a bit unpleasant?

 

In part 3 of my recent trip to the Sierras, we ventured out of camp and found a nice, lightly traveled road that ended with amazing views. Of course, along the way there was plenty of adventure.

Story and Photos: Sierras Part 3: We Adventure Out!​

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Story and Photos: Sierras Part 3: We Adventure Out!​

There's more to the story; check out previous installments
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]



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Yep, sure could use lo range! This is the first 2WD auto trans I've driven offroad, the torque converter takes up the strain when slowly bumping into an obstacle, engine doesn't stall, but some momentum is needed climbing.

At what speed the line is that can't be crossed to avoid front suspension damage, I don't know. The front suspension is torsion bar, that seems an inherently stout setup. Bars are connected to forged LCA's then to the frame, Toyota had torsion bars from 1985-1995.

Have the '08 4Runner and a lifted offroadable 19' trailer for drop-n-go, the Eurovan is a tweener. Versatile unit.

 

Let's talk trail/road spares for a minute.

Suppose you were to take a say...7500 mile venture...with some light wheeling potentially mixed in. What sort of repair items might you pack with you? A large amount of time spent on varying graded / rugged / cratered gravel roads. Already have a full size spare, plugs, patch kit. Suppose you may be away from an area that has a proper auto parts store and expensive parts when you do find one.