The Requirements

Just like backpacking, car camping is a lot of fun when done lightly. For one or two people, the cargo room and payload of a stock 100 series Toyota Land Cruiser (or LX470) are decadent. I really admire and appreciate the creativity, ingenuity, and sheer fun of all the so-called “overlanding” setups. In my case, they are unfortunately an order or two of magnitude outside my budget.

At the same time, I don’t think I actually have to make too many compromises just to explore and camp in great places.

In the beginning, I constructed a raised platform for storage beneath and sleeping on top. Inside the vehicle is a great place to be during cold, rainy, or generally foul weather. On the other hand, even with open windows and bug screens, it is too damn hot in the summer. Another compromise is interior height–I cannot sit or stand inside the vehicle once I am on the platform. Changing clothes, relaxing before bed, accessing gear below the platform: these things are not really possible once inside.

Moreover, I need to convert the system over to sleep mode each night, moving gear around, unfolding bedding, moving the front seats all the way forward, so on and so forth. Almost any system requires some setup and breakdown, but I want to get away from the kind that makes the vehicle unable to be driven.

There are a variety of options for shelter with a Land Cruiser:

  • ground tents
  • rooftop tents
  • teardrop style trailers
  • gear trailers with rooftop tents
  • hotels/Airbnb (if available)

I really only have the budget for a ground tent. At the same time, I would not frame this as a negative. Through backpacking, I have learned how to stay comfortable in all sorts of weather. I won’t say that heating/cooling, running water, refrigeration, flush toilets, and showers aren’t terrific amenities. They simply are. However, I typically camp anywhere from one night up to two weeks, and so I can accept fewer amenities for a relatively short duration.

Therefore in my case and experience, the fast and light approach works well. After all, my LX470 is also a daily driver and needs to be ready for “city life”. Pretty much anything I take on an adventure needs to be modular, lightweight, and able to go back into storage until the next outing.

The Gear

When I’m on a trip, a vacation, I want to eat well and sleep comfortably. As a result, the longest portion of my gear list is the kitchen, and the most expensive portion is the shelter. Otherwise, there’s not much more going on compared to a backpacking trip.

I see car camping as an upgrade to backpacking, where I can carry whatever sort of food, tools, or gear that I really want. A cooler, digital camera, tarp awning, things like that. These items make certain things more convenient or fun, but ultimately stay far away from the complication of more advanced rigs.

Prior to owning a 100 series Land Cruiser, I car camped in much the same way as I plan to now. The main difference being that my shelter was some nylon/polyester dome tent. Going forward, I am searching for a highly durable and comfortable four-season tent. The research points towards Springbar.

Although the Springbar tent has a relatively high cost ($700) and weight (80 lbs) penalty compared to a dome tent, I expect to enjoy it much more. Sleeping in a nylon dome is very hot in the summer, and although the structure is low, the lower priced ones are not particularly strong in wind or snow. Companies like Hilleberg do offer amazing options, but I still want to stand up and move around inside. I am looking forward to this evolution in my approach!

The Point

What’s the point? Well, for now, the point is to see amazing places without blowing up cost and complexity. I think one day there will be a place in my garage for some more exciting equipment, like a purpose-built Land Cruiser. Maybe an adventure trailer. But for now, I will keep the focus on getting there, eating well, and sleeping well.