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Have you switched from a Ford E-Series van (like Sportsmobile's 4x4 conversion) to a cabover/FC platform (like Earthcruiser's Fuso 4x4 setup)? If so, I'd be very curious to hear about your experience with these two platforms! I'm especially interested in ride quality on rocky, and (especially)...

Yeah, as much as I'd love a powered backup, gasoline inside the vehicle won't cut it. Electric would be cool maybe, but if I'm honest with myself I know I need something basic and foolproof. I also know I don't want something with full-sized wheels, like that folding mountain bike. The Strida...

When I'm far from help, I like to have my mountain bike packed inside my camper van to use as emergency transport should I get stuck somewhere. Unfortunately, it still takes up a lot of space, even with the handlebars rotated, seat & wheels removed, etc. Here is my full-suspension mountain bike...

I blacked out my ex-cop-car with a roller and some flat-black paint from the hardware store, back when I was in college. I thought it looked pretty cool at the time. I was going more for "mad max" than "ghetto". Not sure if I succeeded. --Geoff

You might want to check out http://sportsmobileforum.com/ Though the site is officially about the Sportsmobile brand of camper, there is quite a bit of generic van discussion, such as your gas vs diesel question. Geoff

Inmarsat is significantly cheaper http://www.amazon.com/Inmarsat-IsatPhone-Pro-Satellite-Phone/dp/B0045VKPFU This is what I use. The phone hardware itself is clunky and old fashioned. One major difference is that unlike Iridium, Inmarsat satellites are geostationary. So, once you get...

There are some options for connecting a remote camera to an iPhone via Bluetooth or WiFi. The GoPro will do this, for instance. Or this "waterproof wifi backup camera for iphone, ipad, android phone, car rearview wifi camera" on alibaba.com. I'm guessing these things are no end of...

Hey T.Low -- So inspiring to see all that adventuring! I've crossed paths with both Railvan Brian Rutherford, and Craig Miller. It'd be fun to meet you someday, too. I feel like I'm still getting to know good places to explore within a day's drive of Seattle. Here's a pic of my van with...

Hi trailsurfer -- Having driven both the Sportsmosile and an EarthRoamer, how would you say the ride compares -- especially on rough roads? -- Geoff

I saw that truck back in 2002. Hasn't changed much! I hadn't heard the Charles Manson story. Here's another take on that... -- Geoff

Thanks, haven, for that summary! I don't tend to see a touchscreen as a feature listed in these netbooks, but I guess it's not part of the minimal-cost netbook recipe. But for in-car use a touchscreen seems essential to me. I personally don't mind having the keyboard there too -- so I don't...

Not to get too far off topic here, but the closest I've come to using Google Satellite image data in field is to download imagery from Google Maps with Google Maps for OziExplorer (http://www.zubak.sk/GoogleOzi/) and then use them with my GPS (with OziExplorer, of course). I've used this for...

How would that work out in the field? Google Earth needs an internet connection for its map (satellite) image data. A cellphone modem isn't going to help you when you're in the outback.

I'm impressed by the glass bottles of pasta sauce still sitting there on the counter during the whole process. (Or are they glued in place?) -- Geoff

Sorry about taking so long to get back to you here -- I'm not in the habit yet of checking my "messages" section. Do you mean (removing) the turquoise mine map? I'm with you on being torn on just how much information to share. -- Geoff

I don't have a LC, but I had a similar situation with my van. I went with a Softride trailer hitch bike rack that scissors out so I can open my rear doors, and used a hitch extension to get past the rear-mounted spare tire. The setup works OK. (Details...) There are also exist...

Here are some details on the Fujitsu touchscreen computer I have mounted in my Sportsmobile: http://octopup.org/sportsmobile/computer-gps.htm My mount is something I put together with a swivel mount I found at a surplus store, and some custom-bent steel & cloth: So far I haven't had any...

4cruzer, when you get back I'd love to hear about your experiences with the ferry. People always ask me about my experience (back in 2005), but my wife and I just bumbled through the process so we don't have any real info to share. The Punta Las Pilitas area is where we once camped -- pretty...

Those smooth boulders do look familiar! The "road" split just before I camped for the night, and I went a few hundred yards along the right fork to camp because it looked a bit less used. I had assumed that left fork would continue, and be the road marked by the dotted line on my map.

With the 47 gallon (Transfer Flow aftermarket) tank, and estimating something like 10 MPG on trails, that's theoretically 470 miles. It's enough that I don't bother bringing extra gas cans anymore.