CSG
Explorer
I've brought this up before but we always have new members so I'd like to discuss this some more.
I bought my rig primarily so I could get back into country that my other vehicles might have some trouble dealing with. While I love the *idea* of an RTT and the elaborate campsites some of you are willing to deal with my trips with my LX tend to be shorter (a week or so) and resupplying isn't much of an issue. I eat simple, carry enough water, and essentially think like a backpacker when traveling in the LX. A duffel bag for clothes, a box for kitchen items and dry food, a small cooler (still thinking of a small Waeco fridge), a sleeping bag and pad, and a chair. And a few other odds and ends usually kept in my SAR duffel bag.
As it's just me on these trips, I sleep in the rig which is a bit tight (I'm 6') but doable. I've thought of a cot and an awning for occasional outside sleeping in milder, non-buggy weather but still haven't found an awning I want mounted all the time.
I travel minimalist because it's easier than having to set up a camp each night as I rarely stay in a place more than an evening. I want to explore, eat, read, and go to bed and see something new the next day.
The RTT's like the Maggiolina are great for that sort of travel unless you need to be stealthy and don't mind the ladder thing but they are awfully expensive, reduce MPG, and make covered parking more of a challenge. A tent outside is fine (I do carry a tent but never use it) until you get rained on or are in bear country. I like the security of being in the rig at night where the wind, rain, and bugs are at bay.
But it seems I'm a bit unusual here. Maybe it's because I travel solo in this rig or it's the way I travel (touring).
I do have a camper van that's a bit more civilized and has all the onboard stuff a person would want but it's not 4x4 so it tends to stay home in the winter. I've looked into converting it but as I'd have to have it done, it's just not an affordable option.
So do any of you use your Cruiser as nothing more than a tent on wheels with minimal backpacking oriented camping and campsites (meaning you stop, pull out a chair, open the tailgate to use as a kitchen/bathroom platform) and call it good?
If you've got photos, please post them up!
Typical campsite for an overnight stop. South Hills, Idaho
I bought my rig primarily so I could get back into country that my other vehicles might have some trouble dealing with. While I love the *idea* of an RTT and the elaborate campsites some of you are willing to deal with my trips with my LX tend to be shorter (a week or so) and resupplying isn't much of an issue. I eat simple, carry enough water, and essentially think like a backpacker when traveling in the LX. A duffel bag for clothes, a box for kitchen items and dry food, a small cooler (still thinking of a small Waeco fridge), a sleeping bag and pad, and a chair. And a few other odds and ends usually kept in my SAR duffel bag.
As it's just me on these trips, I sleep in the rig which is a bit tight (I'm 6') but doable. I've thought of a cot and an awning for occasional outside sleeping in milder, non-buggy weather but still haven't found an awning I want mounted all the time.
I travel minimalist because it's easier than having to set up a camp each night as I rarely stay in a place more than an evening. I want to explore, eat, read, and go to bed and see something new the next day.
The RTT's like the Maggiolina are great for that sort of travel unless you need to be stealthy and don't mind the ladder thing but they are awfully expensive, reduce MPG, and make covered parking more of a challenge. A tent outside is fine (I do carry a tent but never use it) until you get rained on or are in bear country. I like the security of being in the rig at night where the wind, rain, and bugs are at bay.
But it seems I'm a bit unusual here. Maybe it's because I travel solo in this rig or it's the way I travel (touring).
I do have a camper van that's a bit more civilized and has all the onboard stuff a person would want but it's not 4x4 so it tends to stay home in the winter. I've looked into converting it but as I'd have to have it done, it's just not an affordable option.
So do any of you use your Cruiser as nothing more than a tent on wheels with minimal backpacking oriented camping and campsites (meaning you stop, pull out a chair, open the tailgate to use as a kitchen/bathroom platform) and call it good?
If you've got photos, please post them up!
Typical campsite for an overnight stop. South Hills, Idaho
Last edited:
