Are there any appropriate vehicles with diesels other than the big pickups? I've looked at a small RV built on s Sprinter that has a diesel option. But I don't find any medium size vehicles with diesel in the U.S.
I'm mostly use a Ford Expedition for photography. I like sitting up high. But the Ford is getting old and I need a vehicle with better mpg.
My wheels - enough space for everything, and no problem with roads - or lack of them...
Relax folks, I'm driving on propane ! Cheaper than an average towncar and less emissions too !
My wheels - enough space for everything, and no problem with roads - or lack of them...
Relax folks, I'm driving on propane ! Cheaper than an average towncar and less emissions too !
And you can hook up the old grill to the tank and have a BBQ!
There looks to be a good contingent of 4Runners here. I love mine for all sorts of photo work. As previously pointed out, it fits seamless paper as well as my studio gear for those sorts of shoots. However, it's also great for offroad travel when I do a lot of shooting out in the desert during the fall/winter. The 4Runner is just big enough for me to put a twin size air mattress in the back. This allows me to camp in my car out there, so I don't have to waste time breaking down camp if I need to drive a little ways from camp to the shooting location before sunrise.
all nice for sure .. do like trenchmonkey's first pickmeup though ..
I like many shoot from my truck .. 1500 dodge 4 door so enough room for 2 shooters either up front or one in the back rovin' side to side .. and the height is a big factor, as many NWR roadsides and ponds are overgrown, so getting above the weeds is generally not a problem.
I rented a 300 C when I did Yellowstone .. was thinkin' bout buyin' it for a second car for work .. well am glad I rented it .. Beautiful ride / car .. but not for photography .. tunnel vision !! Fortunately at Yellowstone, your not lookin' up much.
When I did Merritt Is. this past Feb., I rented a small SUV .. Liberty I think .. was IDEAL to see and shoot out of !
trenchmonkey wrote:
OK, here's the 'monkey camera wagon. '85 4Runner 212,000+ mi. 2" lift, killer stereo,
top comes off to expose rollbar with Pelican 1660 bolted beneath. 20 mpg and can go
anywhere you dare. Best of all, insurance is $140/yr, air still works, AND it's paid for.
It's lonely at the top (3rd pic) ...just we two.
Edited by trenchmonkey on Aug 17, 2008 at 04:53 AM GMT
Toyota Tundra with a shell works for me. All the photo gear fits in the back seat and I can sleep in the back close to early morning shoots. Saves money on motels and eating out.
owyhee wrote:
Toyota Tundra with a shell works for me. All the photo gear fits in the back seat and I can sleep in the back close to early morning shoots. Saves money on motels and eating out.
Since I like to shoot in the mountains, I've thought about sleeping in the suv. But, the nights can get pretty cold. How do you stay warm at night?
garyroach wrote:
Since I like to shoot in the mountains, I've thought about sleeping in the suv. But, the nights can get pretty cold. How do you stay warm at night?
garyroach wrote:
Since I like to shoot in the mountains, I've thought about sleeping in the suv. But, the nights can get pretty cold. How do you stay warm at night?
Too uncomfortable in the truck. Use thermarest and a 0 (F) degree bag.
Working out of Toyota Tacoma 4x4 or Ford F150. Sometimes just too hard to fit everything on the Goldwing.
As I posted, I use a Jeep Rubicon. In my case I take a tent with me. Its a mixed bag compared to SUVs, but I prefer this route. I've always been more comfortable in a tent than the back of an SUV or truck and I don't need to find as big a flat spot. I carry two thermarests for comfy sleeping and have two sleeping bags, one for cold and one for warm weather. I just choose the appropriate sleeping bag for the trip.
tacoma double cab, 6' bed, 4WD, high top, 2" lift. sleeps two in extreme comfort and warmth with gear in the back seat, minimal rearranging. I'm 6'3" and can't sleep lengthwise in any midsize SUV I'd consider buying (i.e. toyota or nissan). the wheelbase is too long for extreme trails, but my priorities were: 1. sleep comfortably, 2. carry four people long distances in comfort, 3. off-road performance.
Tacoma and Frontier were the only choices. Thought hard about a 4WD conversion to a 3/4 ton diesel van, but have been burned by American vehicles too often. I could tell you about the time a 2001 GM blew out the fuel tank in Death Valley. unbelievably, it didn't catch fire. Used up one of my nine lives that day.
