Question and video idea for Steve...

[DavidT]

I’ve been holding off asking this until your forum was up and running.

I’ve noticed in past videos it looks like maybe you use a Land Cruiser when venturing out in the wild. I also noticed in your D6 video you might have a micro mini for a camper.

I’ve been considering taking my pursuits up a notch and spend more time traveling for weeks at a time to photograph wildlife and nature. I have a work from home job and a ton of vacation time (10 weeks) but hotels are expensive and don’t really get me close to areas I’d like to travel.

So my question is what do you do? In the D6 video you mentioned being on the road for weeks or even a month or more. What vehicle and camper do you use? How do you like them? Would you do anything different? Do you mostly use camp grounds with or without hook ups or are you more off grid? Do you stay connected while traveling? If so any recommendations?

I think this could make a cool video a little behind the scenes kind of a what’s in my bag type video.

Thanks Steve!

 

[Steve]

We actually talked about that a bit on the last trip. It's not a bad idea! We have a short trip for another project next week, I may try to do it if I find the time. For now:

Yes, it's a land cruiser and we pull a Winnebago 2500FL behind it (about 28 total feet, 5800 ~ 6000lbs loaded). We use a Hensley hitch to help with the short wheelbase (the LC is a V8 with a 8500lb tow capacity). We like that combo instead of a pickup truck because the LC is nicer to have when you need to get into tighter areas and it's far more off-rad capable than most unmodded pickups.

The camper has worked out well. We camp in mostly private campgrounds / RV parks. It's been awhile since it's seen a state or national park - many of the spots are too tight / small and it's limiting sometimes. We've modded the camper - took out the couch and replaced it with recliners, added a flip desk for Rose, and a few other minor modes.

We try to stay connected when we travel but it's really hard sometimes. We generally don't have good internet - either through the campground or with our cell phones. That's what you get for getting away from it all! You learn to live with lousy or non-existent internet. I was amazed I got the 5GB D6 review up from a campground! We tried in the place we were the night before but it wasn't even close. Next campground was better

Anyhow, hope that helps. If you (or anyone) has any other travel questions, post 'em. If we do a video, I'll try to cover them all. Maybe even as a Q&A.

 

[DavidT]

We actually talked about that a bit on the last trip. It's not a bad idea! We have a short trip for another project next week, I may try to do it if I find the time. For now:

Yes, it's a land cruiser and we pull a Winnebago 2500FL behind it (about 28 total feet, 5800 ~ 6000lbs loaded). We use a Hensley hitch to help with the short wheelbase (the LC is a V8 with a 8500lb tow capacity). We like that combo instead of a pickup truck because the LC is nicer to have when you need to get into tighter areas and it's far more off-rad capable than most unmodded pickups.

The camper has worked out well. We camp in mostly private campgrounds / RV parks. It's been awhile since it's seen a state or national park - many of the spots are too tight / small and it's limiting sometimes. We've modded the camper - took out the couch and replaced it with recliners, added a flip desk for Rose, and a few other minor modes.

We try to stay connected when we travel but it's really hard sometimes. We generally don't have good internet - either through the campground or with our cell phones. That's what you get for getting away from it all! You learn to live with lousy or non-existent internet. I was amazed I got the 5GB D6 review up from a campground! We tried in the place we were the night before but it wasn't even close. Next campground was better

Anyhow, hope that helps. If you (or anyone) has any other travel questions, post 'em. If we do a video, I'll try to cover them all. Maybe even as a Q&A.

Do you have favorite places to visit for wildlife and camp grounds you prefer to stay at? Any tips would be great! Hope to make that investment next year after I purchase a 600mm

 

[Tree2tree]

Plus one, as a good vid' topic, Steve.

My set-up is a small 16' Dunesport toy-hauler. As can be seen from my avatar (which the forum nabbed from GMail. Update: I've changed the avatar!) another of my pass-times is flying RC aircraft. The toy-hauler concept works well for that. And with no RC airplanes in it, it's great for getting out to photograph in the wilds. It's about 3500 lbs dry and I tow with a 1/2 ton GMC Sierra - max trailering spec is 12 000 lbs!

Dunesport only builds custom trailers and I found them to be competitively priced. Worth a putting them on a "consideration list" when shopping. You can get a trailer built just the way you want it. And I found them great to work with.

A couple of content thoughts for your (potential) video Steve:

• You already mentioned camper length. The 16' toy-hauler can get into many National and State Park campgrounds. A caution on trailer lengths: They are "nominal". Gross length of this 16 footer is 20 feet including hitch.
• If one is going "non hook-up", make sure to have large enough holding tanks and battery/charging capacity. Mine has 40/40/40 gallon tanks, twin batteries, 100Watt portable solar panel and 2000 Watt generator. Good for about 5 nights off grid. Here in the Desert Southwest, I like to shower each evening ;-)

Regards, NJ

Enjoying Homolovi State Park in Arizona:

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