Unnecessary indecisiveness with Dr. Z: volume #627

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 09/03/2018 at 14:09 • Filed to: I think he just wants to buy stuff.

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My goal is to hit the camping lyfe hard for 2019, having largely abandoned it for the last two years. But I need to make a sensible decision, considering that camping even twice in one calendar year would be a smashing success. As always, t he problem is that I don’t really know how to go about it.

Ultimately, 1 ) I still need a truck that does dump runs and hauls furniture, and/but 2) I want a vehicle that can handle slightly adverse conditions for camping.

* Option 1: 4x4 extended cab pickup only *

Still does truck stuff and will be a good camping rig. Doubles as a successor to the longbed. Will require a canopy which a pain to store/remove/etc., which is an inconvenience I’ve been dealing with for almost a decade with various pickups so meh not the end of the world.

* Option 2: 4x4 SUV a nd trailer *

I’m more open to this idea that I thought I would be. The trade-off is instead of fussing around with a canopy, I’m fussing around with a trailer. T he trailer would be the longbed replacement. The SUV would just be another passenger vehicle 98% of the time, so having three passenger vehicles in the fleet seems rather silly and expensive... Do I dare think of getting rid of the Sportcross? Hummm NO

* Option 3: new car for the Mrs. *

She wants a crossover as her next car, and has considered a small SUV. I suppose an AWD crossover would be good enough for the occasional gravel road in Skykomish. And she gets a shiny car. This could be a good solution while I sort out what to do with the truck situation. And since this is happening sooner or later, why the heck not? Although I did want to wait longer and increase that budget. BUT But but but BUT!!!! The primary flaw with this idea is that her current car already has 50-something cubic of cargo which was not at all sufficient for our last camping trip. So a crossover won’t be much more help. I guess we could get a roof rack.

Well anyway. I'll be going in circles for the remainder of my dubious existence.

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 14:27

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Roof rack for the occasional camping trip sounds most reasonable. 

InFierority Complex > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 14:30

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I guess the cargo capacity of the RX300 is 75 ft³ which doesn’t seem too bad. Would that be enough?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 14:31

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Get a tear drop and tow it with the  Lexus.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 14:37

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Toyota Venza.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > InFierority Complex 09/03/2018 at 14:40

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That’d be excellent. I don’t know why I thought the  RX350 had only 60-something...

Oh, I’m a big dummy

LastFirstMI is my name > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 14:41

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Several good options.

Maybe a VW camper van, then you too could be an Instagram celebrity!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/03/2018 at 14:41

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If you mean the Paseo, it's way too low to the ground for Skykomish...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/03/2018 at 14:45

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Well, here's one grille that's slightly better than the OEM one I guess.

InFierority Complex > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 14:45

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I think I saw that 50-60ft³ listing too and thought it was for all the 350s, maybe it’s just for the newest generation that got smaller.

Goggles Pizzano > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 14:48

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2 camping trips? You c an’t do without one of these:

#crossover

#seatsoutfordumptruck

I’ve been thinking about the camping thing too. Have all the g ear, but for some reason it’s been 6 years .

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > InFierority Complex 09/03/2018 at 14:51

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Yeah makes sense, I had a l oaner 2017 and I was stunned how small the cargo area was.

Under_Score > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/03/2018 at 14:52

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These are cheap now!

Cash Rewards > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 15:15

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So it's an Outback wagon, then?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 15:19

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When my Impreza got too small we bought a 15 cf Thule roof box for camping and long trips. I still have it and use it about 4-6 times a year on our outback or my mazda3.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Cash Rewards 09/03/2018 at 15:21

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She said they’re too big.

Crossover shopping has the usual replies:

“Too big”

“Too small”

“That’s ugly”

“That’s not too big enough"

?!?!!

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 15:26

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Take up minimalist backpacking

Kiltedpadre > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 15:28

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Is her current car too low for some of the rough roads camping would take you down?

If so best bet is probably a crossover for her and a rooftop box for when you need more cargo room.

Then your wife is happy with her car  when you’re looking at 40 year old trucks to replace the current long boi.

blacktruck18 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 15:37

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Option 3: 4wd Van

Replaces long bed and had similar cargo space, just not height. Rhino line the inside and don’t have to worry about it getting scratched up.

Added bonus: #vanlyfe

https://ebay.com/itm/1999-Ford-E-Series-Van-/132762546941?_mwBanner=1&_rdt=1

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 15:48

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Call old man Emu I’m sure they’ll make you a lift kit. Rally Sportback! 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Kiltedpadre 09/03/2018 at 15:52

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Our Pontiac Vibe is a good car for car things, but is not very comfortable for long trips and certainly not enough space. 

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 16:16

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We’re good for three trips a year. The CX5 does pretty good. Won’t tow though. The Mrs. has us looking for a 16 ft trailer for next season. I say go with a Tundra for sure.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two 09/03/2018 at 16:20

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She did mention he wanted to tow in the future (regarding my future truck). Kind of eliminates the T100 or a V6 4Runner, which is fine as the 4.7 Tundra seems to be a much better value.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 16:23

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For sure. My neighbor pulls a 19 ft, has three kids and a dog and he says he’s got power to spare. Plus he’s got a canopy so he’s maximizing space all around.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two 09/03/2018 at 16:27

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I have to draw the line at the pre-facelift access cab. The crew cab (basically an even bigger Sequoia with exposed cargo) is way too freaking bigly.

f86sabre > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 16:59

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You are forgetting the most Jalop answer...

Plus...

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 17:05

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Yeah his is grey like the one above. It’s really nice and makes my F150 look like a crap can.

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 17:20

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How are you camping? T enting it? Or do you plan to have a small rv trailer in the future?

We keep the canopy on the taco all the time; yard stuff goes in, dog goes in, luggage goes in, furniture goes in... I like the 4Runner idea but would be scared of trashing the cargo area.

Utility trailer is a pain to store and use.. and if you decide on an rv later your looking at two trailers (you have HOW many?)

You can sleep in the back of a long bed with a canopy better than building a platform in an suv as well..

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > f86sabre 09/03/2018 at 17:38

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How are you even supposed to get into that hammock tent?

sony1492 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 18:43

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Sounds like you need a Se quoia.

If you want something smaller I’ve seen an 07 v6 rav4 tow my 3300lb sc400 up a steep r utted dirt road on all seasons and not blow up, so there's that too.

Nom De Plume > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/03/2018 at 19:54

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You are buying a beater truck. Great that will work to get you to somewhere you can pull up a piece of dirt for the evening.

Discussion over. No glamping, no outdoors gear, no internet or power supply.

Stars + sleeping bag

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Nom De Plume 09/03/2018 at 20:13

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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > vicali 09/03/2018 at 20:44

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You make good points. To answer the last part, my does not enjoy using the longbed for camping (RWD and long wheel base did rear it’s ugly head on some roads...) and doggo needs a place to be. I need more seats. Or at worst, a larger single cab with a bench and longbed . Which would be a dream...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/04/2018 at 01:06

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How in the hell is 50cuft not enough!? I can camp for a week with a duffle bag on the back of my street bike! Are you bringing a TV? Or spare Toyota parts?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 09/04/2018 at 01:08

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[looks over at wife]

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/04/2018 at 01:19

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In the early 90's my step father loaded two adults, two kids, one doggo, a 17 foot canoe, tents, food, gear and even a huge  telescope all into a 1987 corolla sedan for a week on an island in a provincial park. Still inspires me today to just get out. I like backpacking, so I prefer leaving a sub $6k vehicle at the trailhead parking that’s dependable enough to start and get me home after a week. 

The last stock SC 5speed > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/04/2018 at 02:06

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I can say after trying the suv/utility trailer combo from 2003 to 2008 with a very avid camping/hunting/ fishing lifestyle and for general chores that the pickup is hands down the better option of the two.

I ran a 2 door Tahoe then a 5.9l grand cherokee with an offroadable utility trailer during that time before going back to pickups, A Tacoma double cab in my case. I was successful, I hauled kayaks, brought home elk, antelope and deer from 600 miles away and remodeled my house with those suvs and a trailer. But I’ll never go back because that tiny 5.5 foot bed with a soft cover is way more convenient vs a trailer or a cargo compartment that must be kept clean and dry. It far outweighs all the advantages the suvs have. If there is a dump and a lumberyard and camping in your life then I think you need the pickup.

Now, if I didn’t own a home and my camping trips consisted of two people with one cooler and some basic gear just tee-heeing around in the woods i’d be looking at a Subaru or maybe, maybe a 4Runner. honestly if you’re camping someplace a crosstek or an outback on upsized tires can’t go you should be backpacking in my opinion  and I suspect the 600 miles to get to the mountains would be way more pleasant than it would be in my Tacoma on mud tires.