4x4 not required
There have been a lot of restrictions with travel lately, but these have only helped to boost the popularity of car camping. After all, in this activity, you’re isolated from other vacation-goers and each campsite is practically its own bubble.
In the past, getting to campsites have typically required 4x4 vehicles. Yet with the surging popularity of camping, more and more accessible locations are popping up.
These days, your stock 4×2 mid-sized SUV, pickup, or even MPV can get you off the beaten path to some nice sites that allow camping in the dry season. As such, we’ll go over some of the vehicles you can use as well as their pros and cons.
Small crossovers
Easily one of the most popular new car segments is the small crossover. They offer the high ground clearance to clear potholed roads but have the compact size for city use. These traits also make them perfect for camping. Small crossovers, like the Kia Stonic, typically combine the best traits of cars and SUVS: compact size and fuel efficiency, but with high ground clearance and roof rails. This combination is perfect as some sites can be quite some distance from where you live. They may also involve driving through some narrow and rough roads. The roof rails also make it easy to attach crossbars for a luggage rack or awning, making it camping-ready. This kind of car is best used for couples of small groups of friends.
MPVs
This class of car is best for families or larger groups of friends. Though they may not look like they can take on the rough stuff, most Asian-market MPVs actually have some considerable ground clearance. You’d be surprised just how easily a Toyota Innova can clear the rough roads leading to a camp site. Best of all, they have flexible seating systems allowing you to stow bulky items like tents while still providing seating for everyone.
SUVs
These are some of the best vehicles to take to campsites with their high ground clearance, cargo capacity, and (sometimes) more rugged design. In many of these locations, you’ll find that these SUVs (whether 4x2 or 4x4) are more than enough to make it to the campsite. Best of all, many camping related accessories, like awnings, rooftop tents, and many other attachments are specifically designed for this segment of vehicle. If you plan on camping regularly, this will easily serve your needs.
4x4 SUVs and pickups
Naturally, true-blue 4x4s are still king. While there are many sites that are easily accessible, veterans of camping say the best and most isolated sites still require a bit of off-roading. These trucks or rigs are best for those far-off campsites. But remember, it’s also wise to take off-road classes to learn how to really make use of all that these vehicles can do.
Only the most hard-core, adventurous, and dedicated ought to look into this segment as some of the most isolated sites will require considerable equipment and modification to get to. These will require quite a lot of finances, but if you really love nature, the investment, training, and waking up to a sea of clouds is worth it.