the wandering spot

After initial design and multiple prototypes of our Forester minimalistic camper described in ☞ part 1, and testing on the road we are introducing additional improvements before heading west and north to Canada and Alaska on our longest road trip yet.

• Quick set-up side-awning. Two telescoping poles and two brackets are attached along and at the ends  of cross-bars. Tarp packed in bag travels in roof box. Two webbing straps with grommets were added to off-the-shelf tarp. 1/4 in fiberglass poles are inserted into tarp channels on each side of the straps to keep the tarp stretched. Machine sawing was necessary. Car-side-end (top in the photo) hooks on pins on top of the brackets, side straps with buckles attach short flap to the poles and car roof rail. At the other end, grommets are hooked on metal tips of the poles which are extended to span the tarp. Short side-straps with grommets at this end can be used for additional vertical poles and/or cords to secure awning to the ground. No light-weight awning would work in strong wind.

 

• New removable/washable cases for mattress and pilows. All foam pieces are  enclosed in additional inner cases. Comforter(s) is rolled-up with the mattress and pillows are bagged during travel (sometimes loaded in roof-top-box).
• What goes into the roof-top-box (we could not do without it): folding table, two telescoping poles for awnings, our side-awning tarp, Hasika awning and its “vertical” poles, shovel, tarp and towel (wrapping and silencing), two folding chairs, rakes. We always keep walking poles in the box. Our stove packs in the box as well as recovery traction boards and backpacks with camping gear. Not everything goes on every trip.
• Roll of plastic tablecloth and cutting board (in dedicated bags) travel on the back shelf. The board serves also as a temporary side-table supported by armrest and plastic strip with a pin attached to dashboard, in case we need mealtime shelter from rain or biting insects.
• Two short rails were added on top of the back shelf (both sides) for extra attachment points for “stuff” and corner brackets were added to strenghten the shelf/drawer box.
• Reading lamp is clamped on side-rail above the shelve and hooked-up to power bank. Baskets for small frequently used items are attached to the rails as well – pieces of bungee cord weaved through basket walls hold items down.
• Three straps attach to buckles mounted on the shelf plus a piece of carpet  wrap around and hold rolled-up mattress.

 

• The two plastic containers described in part 1, are now used one for kitchen items and one for food storage. All personal belongings are now packed using multiple organizers in easily accessible large duffel bag  sitting on the platform and on driver’s seat at night.

The improvements eliminate/streamline some packing-unpacking and moving stuff around.

 

 

Addition of the shelf and drawer was the biggest improvement and time-saver. Finally, we had place for all small, frequently used items, work space to prepare quick meal, place to keep many items within reach at night etc. See-through containers work well. They are easy to move around, keep everything dry and clean, and can serve as side-tables. We learned to keep them closed all the time – a mouse boarded our car when we were cooking dinner and travelled with us for a couple of days. It did not get to our food.  We always travel with portable wash station and now added basket for soap, bug sprays, dishwashing detergent, sunscreen etc., everything easily accessible. Roof-top cargo box makes packing a lot easier and faster (backpacks packed and ready for Buckskin/Paria Canyon hike traveled there out of the way). Hasika awning fits Forester very well and can be easily packed in the cargo box. Piotr shortened legs of the Eurmax canopy so folded it fits snugly behind front seats, but it is heavy and bulky, not good for long trips.

This is really quite minimalistic life-style – experience from multi-day hikes made the transition easier (Joanna thinks we take too much of everything). We already have a good routine for everything from what stuff to take with us, how and where to pack it to seting-up camp in different environments, preparing our car for the night and packing in the morning, sourcing and cooking food. Being prepared for mechanical problems and emergencies (lucky so far). Good organization and compartmentalization make huge difference. We have been quite lucky with weather. Extended rainy or very cold weather could make living out of Forester camper more challenging.  But there is always a weather forecast to get ready and wait the bad weather out in a motel or guest house, if necessary (we do it every 5-7 days anyway). Piotr is already on the next wave of improvements with new experience from 2024 ☞ Eastern Canada road trip.

Explanation of  shelf installation (in place of standar cargo area cover).