In my humble opinion, less is more! Anyone else agree?

[Dan Grec]

Grecy

Out of interest how much of that list did you finish the trip with, and did you need anything along the way.

Because I took so little I used pretty much everything. Obviously not all the spares or tools, but you gotta have 'em.
The guitar was a waste as I hardly used it, then it got stolen in Mexico.
The tripod broke, so I threw it out in Peru. I will take one again, it's worth it for my photography hobby.
My hiking boots wore out, but I bought another pair.
My tent wore out, but I got another one.

I didn't buy anything "major", nor did I leave anything behind.

-Dan

 

[haven]

More people = more stuff
children = 10x more stuff
longer trip = more stuff (sleeping on the ground gets old after a couple of weeks)
cold and/or rain = more stuff
you get older= more stuff

 

[Dan Grec]

longer trip = more stuff (sleeping on the ground gets old after a couple of weeks)

I was good for the first year, then it started getting old.

-Dan

 

[olly hondro]

Contrary opinion here. While "camping" at the 8500 ft altitude in Arizona, I rolled out of my comfy queen bed, donned my bathrobe and slippers, wandered up to the drivers seat to look out the window. I see a fellow camper crouched at the campground water spigot, in the cold, filling a pot with water so get can heat it up over one of those stove-screwed- to- a- propane canister things and then prepare some instant coffee. I stretch and yawn while reaching over to press the button on the Mr Coffee maker and think " It sucks to be you ." Yeah, like others here, I started that way : sleeping on the ground, then in the bed of a pick up truck, then same pickup with a topper.....naah, I'll not go back to simple again.

 

[Eric06Rubi]

Contrary opinion here. While "camping" at the 8500 ft altitude in Arizona, I rolled out of my comfy queen bed, donned my bathrobe and slippers, wandered up to the drivers seat to look out the window. I see a fellow camper crouched at the campground water spigot, in the cold, filling a pot with water so get can heat it up over one of those stove-screwed- to- a- propane canister things and then prepare some instant coffee. I stretch and yawn while reaching over to press the button on the Mr Coffee maker and think " It sucks to be you ." Yeah, like others here, I started that way : sleeping on the ground, then in the bed of a pick up truck, then same pickup with a topper.....naah, I'll not go back to simple again.

WELL SAID..... AGREE 100%

edit----Alas, I might even offer the guy in the tent a hot fresh cup-o-joe
while he waits for his water to heat up

 

[The Wanderer]

More people = more stuff
children = 10x more stuff
longer trip = more stuff (sleeping on the ground gets old after a couple of weeks)
cold and/or rain = more stuff
you get older= more stuff

I would only disagree with the last one. The older I get (well over 60), the less I want to carry, protect, clean, move, tie down and store.

I find that it gives me more time to do what I want to do.

Just me though.

 

[robert]

Depends on what kind of mood I'm in, where I'm going, etc. I've done everything from living out of my backpack for a month, living off of various motorcycles for up to a month, living out of my Tacomas for a month (I'm on my second one), living out of my VW Westy for several months, etc. If I had the money I'd probably upgrade to either a bigger truck with more bed space and a slide in camper or a full sized van converted to a camper.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

no ones happy, till mama's happy

 

[Abitibi]

no ones happy, till mama's happy

Best answer so far! Hahaha!

 

[Clutch]

no ones happy, till mama's happy

good thing it doesn't take much to make [my] mama happy.

 

[xjaugie]

A motto, I 've come to use over the years - "It ain't the one with the most toys that wins, it's the one who plays the most."

For example, I have never had any taxerdermy work done on any of the deer or waterfowl I've taken over the years, I see the money going to better use going on another trip and not hanging on the wall. I do take lots of photos to preserve the memories. My 0.02

 

[NothingClever]

Me: Touring bicycle + tent
Me: Motorcycle + tent
Me: Backpack + tent
Me, Mom, Daughter & Dog: Truck Camper

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said your solution is great for a single man's "contract bum" lifestyle.

For me, I have ambitions about opportunities for my family. My wife picked out a great solution to provide us the comforts of home after, say, a long hike in the Rocky Mountains, a day at the Wooden Boat Festival or "winter" camping in Florida.

To go back to an uninsulated box van after an eventful day and poop in a bucket under the romantic glow of an LED headlamp or even a Primus lantern would sorta, well, stink. Add some rain drumming down on the roof to create a deafening din and it would be pure folly for my extended family vacation.

Nonetheless, I'm sincerely glad your solution works for you.

 

[NothingClever]

Kermit, my moto brother....luvin' the new Duc avatar :bike_rider: !

 

[Clutch]

Kermit, my moto brother....luvin' the new Duc avatar :bike_rider: !

Thanks!

 

[Hilldweller]

....
cold and/or rain = more stuff
you get older= more stuff

I would only disagree with the last one. The older I get (well over 60), the less I want to carry, protect, clean, move, tie down and store.

I find that it gives me more time to do what I want to do.

Just me though.

That is largely depentent upon health.

My first cross-country trip was solo by motorcycle. A couple of spare clothing items, a jacket, a cheap rainsuit, and a pair of military surplus bags --- $600 in my pocket and no credit cards.
I slept in a few motels, on a few picnic tables, at a few relatives' houses. Came home with over $200 in my pocket still.

My last roadtrip was different. A glampy 6'X10' teardrop pulled by a newish Power Wagon, wife, dog, stainless steel cookware, ARB fridge, memory foam mattress...
I'm just glad to be alive to be able to still do this. Had a few heart attacks and cancer. I'm fine with a little relative luxury and don't apologize for it.
And I'm fine with people who like to roll around on the ground and sleep in the dirt. I have a couple of friends that cook most of their meals in the fire in foil and eat with their fingers.
To each their own...