An Analogy : Day Hiking To Vehicle Dwelling

Often in vehicle camping/dwelling forums, I'll see "new to this" people posting overly broad questions on converting vehicles to great camping machines. It's obvious they may not have a tight grasp on the big picture. This analogy is put together to put all the essential elements into a single frame of reference.

One way of visualizing these elements, and how they relate to the whole, is through a comparison of Day Hiking Essentials, then expanding on that to Backpacking, then to Vehicle Conversion design.

I like this approach because if a person assembles the basics, then builds on them, they can take away what they need, at the level they need it. This also allows them to have backups to items used that become unserviceable. Going on a day hike while camped? Its easy to pick and pack the minimum needs. Vehicle break down, and spending a night at the repair shop? Your backpacking set up can keep you living comfortably while your car waits for repair. Have an item you use everyday break? No problem, you likely have a backup on hand.

This is why this approach works for me. Rather than focus only on creating the finished plan from the top. The bottom up approach gets you camping sooner, cheaper, and allows you real world experience to beneficially influence your final design goals.

Here's a look at a graphic that gives a list of essentials, and depicts how expanding on them adds to the amount of time/capability in the outdoors, then expands on that to vehicle needs:

The following table hones in on some detail involved in this "expanding from the basics" approach:

I'll add some things to the basics that aren't packable "things", but they are important:

- to conserve smartphone battery, anytime it's use as a phone/data tool isn't needed, place it in "Airplane" mode. Also, in cold weather, keep it in a warm pocket.

- When your away from your vehicle and on a trail, it's good practice to write a brief itinerary and contact info, and place it on your dashboard -or- an online itinerary app might work for you, (which may also be useful for long distance travelers).

- Always try to be aware of advance weather conditions.

I feel these very basic items for Day Hikes are more than worth their cost to have handy. And the cost isn't much. You can even assemble them yourself, though that will likely cost a little more. These work as decent backups to your bigger and better items. They take up little space. (My lightly modified Day Hike basics kit fits easily into a pair of cargo pants pockets). While I've never had to use it myself on a day hike, there have been a few times when having it has helped another hiker in need along a trail. It's proved it's worth.

I hope you've found this quick analogy helpful in some way.

~ Peace