What does your camping setup look like?

[affinity]

Wow! Thanks for the link. I saw your face and instantly recognized you. Your favorite client, "Genie," is my wife. And congrats on the new Model Y!!!

Wow! What a small world! Your face was covered so I couldn't recognize you.

Thank you so much and maybe we should go camping together some day!!

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[Trekboy]

I was hoping to see someone with a Lance Model 1995 or 1985. That's my dream trailer when I get my CT. My current 4Runner won't quite pull it.

 

[The Tumbler]

First trip with this setup a couple of weeks ago. Family of 5. 3 kids sleep in the XTR trailer, wife and I in the RTT roof nest. I have a cheap Amazon pop up tent and CT bed mattress from Mars as an extra spot if needed (this time my mom came with us and my nephew). At only ~1500lbs the range loss is great compared to heavier options and accommodates all 5 of us (7 on this trip). This was a trip to Yosemite valley.

Would love some more isolated NorCal overland spot recommendations from anyone!

 

[hemiarch]

First trip with this setup a couple of weeks ago. Family of 5. 3 kids sleep in the XTR trailer, wife and I in the RTT roof nest. I have a cheap Amazon pop up tent and CT bed mattress from Mars as an extra spot if needed (this time my mom came with us and my nephew). At only ~1500lbs the range loss is great compared to heavier options and accommodates all 5 of us (7 on this trip). This was a trip to Yosemite valley.

Would love some more isolated NorCal overland spot recommendations from anyone!

Way cool! Any thoughts on what to look for in this sort of trailer? Recommendations you can make based on your shopping?
Do you have a pic of where the kids sleep? The inside?

 

[CyberT]

First trip with this setup a couple of weeks ago. Family of 5. 3 kids sleep in the XTR trailer, wife and I in the RTT roof nest. I have a cheap Amazon pop up tent and CT bed mattress from Mars as an extra spot if needed (this time my mom came with us and my nephew). At only ~1500lbs the range loss is great compared to heavier options and accommodates all 5 of us (7 on this trip). This was a trip to Yosemite valley.

Would love some more isolated NorCal overland spot recommendations from anyone!

What a cool setup you got there. Sleeps 7? How solid is sleeping in the RTT? Any rocking or wobble when the kids are moving around inside and you above?

 

[The Tumbler]

Way cool! Any thoughts on what to look for in this sort of trailer? Recommendations you can make based on your shopping?
Do you have a pic of where the kids sleep? The inside?

I am still getting into it but yes, a few thoughts: I bought this used but was interested in two main features. A bunk bed inside (shown in the picture) for my 4 year old so all 3 could fit in it and the electronic setup including fridge. This has 2 battle born 100ah batteries and a RedArc power management system that’s pretty fancy. The two batteries would probably power the Dometic fridge and lights for 4/5 days without help. I can plug in a set of solar panels to charge it or simply plug it into the Cybertruck and top it off at anytime. With ability to use the truck as backup power, 1 battery would probably suffice, but the previous guy has already set it all up.

it also has a substantial awning that pulls out and walls that can be attached to create a room for gear or shelter which we didn’t use this go round.

A sink and water system can be added to the galley but I think that’s more pain than it’s worth and takes up space. I may mount a hot water heater to the side to have instant hot water for dish cleaning etc at some point.

Last, this is a Vintage Overland XTR trailer. Falls into the “teardrop” trailer catagory. There’s a lot of options but I liked these the best with the galley/fridge setup and inside space.

 

[The Tumbler]

What a cool setup you got there. Sleeps 7? How solid is sleeping in the RTT? Any rocking or wobble when the kids are moving around inside and you above?

3 in the Trailer (which includes a small bunk for the 4 year old), 2 in the RTT and then 2 in the CT bed. Having the Cybertent for that would be cool but I am skeptical of the time to disassemble when we are headed out for the day with the truck, plus the cost. Sheesh.

The trailer has rear stabilizer’s like an RV to level it and stabilize, but still you feel all the kids moving around . One of the downsides, but I figure we are camping so perfect sleep is rather unachievable.

i love this Roofnest Falcon XL RTT. Picked it for time to setup and comfort of the built in mattress . Found it used on Marketplace.

 

[Spartacus]

wanted something that didn't piss rainwater into the bed of truck, also needed A/C availability directly into tent when the vented rear window gets installed.

 

[Eka]

How I've been solo traveling in my Model Y.
- Large cheap thick self inflating air mattress made for a cot. It's about 3/5 the width of the MY back, and is slightly longer.
- 4 cheap polyester rectangular sleeping bags, each for a different temperature range.
- Few blankets and comforter with some non fitted sheets.
- A couple space blankets.
- Coleman 2 burner white gas stove from 1967 or 1968. I also have their camp oven for going on top of the stove.
- MSR backpacking stove from 1976. Sounds like a jet engine, but boils water fast, and can properly heat a wok. Will run on white gas or gasoline. Don't use gasoline because of the additives.
- A bunch of packing cubes of various sizes for storing and organizing my clothes. A few leather grocery sacks for organizing miscellaneous things.
- ICECO JP30 12-24 VDC cooler.
- 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery with internal heater with a 2-4-8 Amp DC to DC charger for it.
- Set of window blinds.

I make the bed on the driver's side with the back seat folded down. The rest of my gear goes on the passenger side, or in the back seat foot well. The cooler goes in the passenger side back seat with the compressor vents to the back. That way it opens to the front so I can reach into it's top when driving. I have a foam block that attaches to the handle that holds it away from the back of the seat for airflow. A beach towel or 2 folded into a wedge shape sits on the seat and levels it. The back of the front seat keeps it from tipping forward. I cal also place it on the folded down passenger side back seat, but it is harder to reach into.

For winter time camping:
- 5 day cooler with a sheet of 1/8" aluminum plate covering the whole bottom with a silicone pad heater attached. It also has a thermostat to turn it on when the temperature goes below 38F, and off when it goes above 40F. That was powered with it's own Group 31 lead acid battery in the past. I now use a LiFePO4 battery. It only draws around 2 amps when it is on, and it doesn't run often. In the winter I put stuff I don't want to freeze in it. In the summer the 5 day cooler was my ice chest before getting the ICECO JP30 cooler. I forget how large of 120VAC silicon heater I used. With

The air mattress, sleeping bags, sheets, blankets, and comforter are a set I came up with during my Aurora watching days. I'd use them in various combinations based on the temperature. A space blanket would go near the bottom of the stack of sleeping bags under me to reflect heat back up. I'd use one a few blanket layers above my feet and legs, but not body. I'd lay out in the open bed of my pickup and do the Aurora data gathering over night. Even on -20F nights. From sunrise to noon I'd sleep. Then I'd place the MSR stove on high under the engine, and lay a tarp and a few blankets over the hood, and let the stove run as I cooked lunch on the Coleman stove. For some reason the truck always started up nicely.

When I get the Cybertruck, I think I'll add a microwave oven, induction hot plate, and a toaster/convection oven. I'd thought about adding them and one of those solar battery things to the MY. I can put the bedding nest in the back on one side, and the supplies on the other. I'll have to use some waterproof totes. I have been looking into some sort of topper for the back. Either buy one, or design and make my own.

 

[CyberT]

How I've been solo traveling in my Model Y.
- Large cheap thick self inflating air mattress made for a cot. It's about 3/5 the width of the MY back, and is slightly longer.
- 4 cheap polyester rectangular sleeping bags, each for a different temperature range.
- Few blankets and comforter with some non fitted sheets.
- A couple space blankets.
- Coleman 2 burner white gas stove from 1967 or 1968. I also have their camp oven for going on top of the stove.
- MSR backpacking stove from 1976. Sounds like a jet engine, but boils water fast, and can properly heat a wok. Will run on white gas or gasoline. Don't use gasoline because of the additives.
- A bunch of packing cubes of various sizes for storing and organizing my clothes. A few leather grocery sacks for organizing miscellaneous things.
- ICECO JP30 12-24 VDC cooler.
- 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery with internal heater with a 2-4-8 Amp DC to DC charger for it.
- Set of window blinds.

I make the bed on the driver's side with the back seat folded down. The rest of my gear goes on the passenger side, or in the back seat foot well. The cooler goes in the passenger side back seat with the compressor vents to the back. That way it opens to the front so I can reach into it's top when driving. I have a foam block that attaches to the handle that holds it away from the back of the seat for airflow. A beach towel or 2 folded into a wedge shape sits on the seat and levels it. The back of the front seat keeps it from tipping forward. I cal also place it on the folded down passenger side back seat, but it is harder to reach into.

For winter time camping:
- 5 day cooler with a sheet of 1/8" aluminum plate covering the whole bottom with a silicone pad heater attached. It also has a thermostat to turn it on when the temperature goes below 38F, and off when it goes above 40F. That was powered with it's own Group 31 lead acid battery in the past. I now use a LiFePO4 battery. It only draws around 2 amps when it is on, and it doesn't run often. In the winter I put stuff I don't want to freeze in it. In the summer the 5 day cooler was my ice chest before getting the ICECO JP30 cooler. I forget how large of 120VAC silicon heater I used. With

The air mattress, sleeping bags, sheets, blankets, and comforter are a set I came up with during my Aurora watching days. I'd use them in various combinations based on the temperature. A space blanket would go near the bottom of the stack of sleeping bags under me to reflect heat back up. I'd use one a few blanket layers above my feet and legs, but not body. I'd lay out in the open bed of my pickup and do the Aurora data gathering over night. Even on -20F nights. From sunrise to noon I'd sleep. Then I'd place the MSR stove on high under the engine, and lay a tarp and a few blankets over the hood, and let the stove run as I cooked lunch on the Coleman stove. For some reason the truck always started up nicely.

When I get the Cybertruck, I think I'll add a microwave oven, induction hot plate, and a toaster/convection oven. I'd thought about adding them and one of those solar battery things to the MY. I can put the bedding nest in the back on one side, and the supplies on the other. I'll have to use some waterproof totes. I have been looking into some sort of topper for the back. Either buy one, or design and make my own.

wow! your setup sounds really thought out. Got any pics?

 

[Eka]

wow! your setup sounds really thought out. Got any pics?

Unfortunately no recent pics. It's come from decades of camping out of my car or truck. For a period there in the mid 1990s I had to streamline my kit because I had to carry some computers, instruments, and my camping gear all to and from my truck quickly. That bed kit all got rolled up and put into a monster duffel bag. Back then I lived less than a mile from the police station that was burned down during the George Floyd riots. I couldn't leave anything in the truck or it would get stolen. I now have to keep my kit streamlined because I don't have the energy to cart it to and from the car. Having ME/CFS sucks.

My most recent change was to switch from duffel bags to packing cubes. Some of them are for X type of clothing, while others pack a complete base, middle, or outer layer outfit. The packing cubes tuck into small spots around my former Prius and current MY better than the duffel bags did. The duffel bags worked in the previous pickups and 4Runner.

Oh, with the CT I expect I'll add back my camp chairs, and possibly add a Starlink Mini. I might even have room for an ebike. I suspect I need to get a tadpole etrike so I'm sitting more reclined on it than upright. It likely would be too big. I bet I could design a folding one, but making it would be a problem. The local maker space died after the university setup one. I'm not associated with the university, so I can't use the university one.

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