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bajajoaquin
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A succession of Baja Camping Setups
The discussions about roads and capabilities of my current camper got me thinking about the different camp setups I've taken to Baja over the years.
My first trip was 1986 with my friend's parents in their Mercedes 300E for Thanksgiving. First "exploration" was with another friend in his Tacoma
with a Callen shell going to Abreojos in 1993. He had a recalcitrant girlfriend so we didn't make it past Cuatros. I have no pictures of either of
those.
In 1999, I had a Ford Ranger 2wd, and I was going to take it on a quick trip to Cuatros for a three day weekend. My brother was flying in from San
Francisco to go with me. The Monday before, it broke down with a blown head gasket. After some searching, I found a new F-150 Work model with 4x4 and
a V-6. It was delivered on a Friday night and was across the border at 6 the next morning. That rounded body style was still pretty new, so all the
guys at the checkpoints were admiring my new truck.
I camped in an REI dome tent then. I haven't found any pictures yet, so the earliest I have is from 2001 or 2002. By then, I'd started my expansion of
camp setups with a trailer I bought for $100 at the motorcycle races at Laguna Seca that summer. I set up my kitchen in there and slept in the dome
tent.
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by bajajoaquin]
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bajajoaquin
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After that, I bought an F-350 to help haul around the race car we were campaigning at the time. The tent trailer was gone, a victim of the North road
into Scorp, so I traveled "light" for a while with just the REI tent. There were some other interim setups that I can't find, but the next big
innovation was a big Callen shell. It had 6'6" of headroom and was awesome. I could sleep in it without being blown around like a tent. I did start
wanting more kitchen space, though.
Attachment: phpoqDoPo (78kB)
This file has been downloaded 169 times
Not sure why that one is acting as a link.
The desire for more kitche space left me flirting with an EZ-up type awning, but that really didn't work well. I got a 12x12 awning (hooray for the
1-ton truck) and had multiple ice chests, a big stove, and astroturf to keep me out of the sand. It made camping for weeks at a time very comfortable.
I'm on the right, and my girlfreind (now wife) is next to me.
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by bajajoaquin]
That worked pretty well, but I wasn't at all mobile. Also, we had two daughters, and the pressure for a bathroom was getting pretty strong, so I
ditched the Callen and bought a Lance camper with a toilet. It hung off the back a bit, so limited me a bit, but I could get around a lot more than
setting up and breaking down the other camp.
This worked really well for several years, but the kids started to grow and were uncomfortable in the extra cab. Also there were only two beds and it
meant the three girls slept in the cabover and I slept in the (too short) dinette. When a factory 4x4 Class C came along, we decided to go for it.
I kinda hesitate to include a pic of it since it's not really part of the Baja camping evolution until it goes. But it's going on the 3rd, so I'll
risk the bad mojo.
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by bajajoaquin]
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David K
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Good story on how one progresses with camping comfort or vehicles, over the years!
I haven't changed much, other than to get a tent for my kids or wife's comfort (sleeping on the ground doesn't excite her, with unknown creepy
crawlies)!
Here is my progress beginning when I began driving to Baja when I was 16:
1) Foam mattress on the ground or in a vehicle or cot under the stars. 1974-2000. Myers Manx dune buggy, Jeep Cherokee Chief, Subaru 4x4 wagons (3).
2) Dome tents with air mattress, Tacoma 4x4 xtra cab (camping with my kids). 2001-2004
3) Dome tents first, to stand-up-inside Coleman Instant Tent, air mattress, Tacoma 4x4 double cabs (2). 2005-2018
Now in our mid-60s, setting up and talking down the camp, air mattress, tent, loading ice chests and gear in the truck... well, it isn't as easy and
my wife may not enjoy that part (even though I do most of the work)... What's next for us? Motels or rental homes? They don't exist on Shell Island!
However, they are a short drive away... but I will miss waking up to see the sun rise above the sea or the stars and satellites at night. It has been
a blast camping in Baja all my life. I hate to think it will come to an end.
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by David K]
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edm1
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OK, good thread; I'll share mine.
For me, in 2004, it was that 24ft gray badass Class B Jimmy Van Coach that went up and down the Widowmaker and onto the Mision Santa Maria (MSM). I
swapped a 1998 GM Vortec 454 engine and Ford 4x4 axles in it. So at first for me, it was a sizable camper with a robust powertrain. I loved the
acceleration of that beast.
Then in 2010, I got bit by the Cummins/diesel bandwagon and converted to 4x4 a 25ft vintage (1977) Class A Dodge Xplorer motorhome. I put a 2nd gen
12V Cummins in it. So, it was still a powertrain thing and size. I soon decided I wouldn't drive it to MSM, too big and too heavy, and I wasn't
successful in deadening that damned diesel rattle :-) to carry a conversation while driving.
In 2015(maybe 2016?) I fell in love with a 19ft (small!) 1990 Ford E250 Class B Born Free motorhome. I spent a lot of money and time converting it to
4x4, installing the 4x4 Quigley kit from a 2000 E350 donor van and also converting it to duallies. Although it was relatively very small and I loved
the well-appointed interior with oak cabinetry, the 5.8L speed density (not mass air) intake power output was not to my liking. I couldn't even tow a
small trailer without the 5.8L engine screaming on top of its lungs. I hesitated to do an engine swap. So here, it was a powertrain issue for me.
In 2017, I found what I thought my ideal camper, bugout, etc. vehicle - my current 22ft 1990 Class A Rexhall Vision motorhome with a molded fiberglass
body. I lifted it 7.5 inches and installed F550 4x4 axles. This one has the 7.5L gas engine and drinks gas like tequila shots on a Friday night (can
you say 7mpg?). I added all the equipment to make it offroad capable and self-contained - solar panels that power the 3000W inverter connected to 3
banks/pairs) of golf cart batteries, a 250A high-output alternator, on-board 120V air compressor with 20gal tank. The current 2800W generator is too
small for me so I plan to replace it with a 7000W inverter open-frame generator with the components mounted in separate places under the motorhome
frame (it's gonna be a next project).
So there it is, and 2021 is almost over, living in a pandemic and in retirement:-)
[Edited on 10-28-2021 by edm1]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18375
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Quote: Originally posted by David K  |
Now in our mid-60s, setting up and talking down the camp, air mattress, tent, loading ice chests and gear in the truck... well, it isn't as easy and
my wife may not enjoy that part (even though I do most of the work)... What's next for us? Motels or rental homes? They don't exist on Shell Island!
However, they are a short drive away... but I will miss waking up to see the sun rise above the sea or the stars and satellites at night. It has been
a blast camping in Baja all my life. I hate to think it will come to an end.
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Get fit, drop some weight, do regular exercise,… you can be fit into your 80s.
Use it or lose it!
Here is a challenge for you, do 50 burpees a day, walk 5 miles per day. You can start slow, a few burpees per day, and work up. Or if feeling
poorly, do burpees every other day.
As we age, exercise becomes more important. If you stop exercising, the body deteriorates.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Goat, can you share? This is a photo & story thread of camper upgrades, not an attack DK moment. Where are you photos of your camp vehicles?
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I do agree that it was a bit off-topic and Goat often gives you a hard time but he did respond to something you commented on. Nor was his post
attacking you or mean spirited. He gave you what I believe to be a kindly worded bit of advice that is actually quite valid for all of us getting up
in years if we really do want to keep active with activities like hiking, swimming, kayaking and yes - camping as we continue to age.
This year I made it a personal challenge and I have shed 30 pounds so far. Would still like to lose at least 20 more and believe that will help me be
physically able to continue doing all the activities I love for many more years to come, God willing.
As far as my Baja camping setups, my old photos are on a PC at the shop getting a new power supply but I can share that they have evolved from
sleeping in open air between two blankets on the beach north of Erendira as a young kid in the 60's and 70's, to tent camping allover in the late
80's, sleeping in the back of my Bronco with the tailgate open in the 90's to RVing around 2000.
Have lived down here full time ever since and it's been a mixture of hotels, vacation rentals and yes - still tent camp from time to time and hope to
do more of that.
And losing weight / getting fit will make the experience even more enjoyable.
Peace amigo...
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by BajaGringo]
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Goat, can you share? This is a photo & story thread of camper upgrades, not an attack DK moment. Where are you photos of your camp vehicles?
|
I do agree that it was a bit off-topic and Goat often gives you a hard time but he did respond to something you commented on. Nor was his post
attacking you or mean spirited. He gave you what I believe to be a kindly worded bit of advice that is actually quite valid for all of us getting up
in years if we really do want to keep active with activities like hiking, swimming, kayaking and yes - camping as we continue to age.
This year I made it a personal challenge and I have shed 30 pounds so far. Would still like to lose at least 20 more and believe that will help me be
physically able to continue doing all the activities I love for many more years to come, God willing.
As far as my Baja camping setups, my old photos are on a PC at the shop getting a new power supply but I can share that they have evolved from
sleeping in open air between two blankets on the beach north of Erendira as a young kid in the 60's and 70's, to tent camping allover in the late
80's, sleeping in the back of my Bronco with the tailgate open in the 90's to RVing around 2000.
Have lived down here full time ever since and it's been a mixture of hotels, vacation rentals and yes - still tent camp from time to time and hope to
do more of that.
And losing weight / getting fit will make the experience even more enjoyable.
Peace amigo...
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by BajaGringo] |
We met some new friends this week and took them on a hike near our place. One of the guys is 75 yrs old. He held his own pulling in yellowtails as
well as on our hike. Definitely a positive inspiration for me to get out each day and exercise and put healthy, non-processed food in my body.
https://www.facebook.com/zjohnston/posts/10217189642287352?n...
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3074
Registered: 5-21-2013
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Different activities require different camping setups
We went through the pickup camper back in the day which worked good for getaway with 3 small children, then a 5Th wheel pulled by a 1 ton pickup for
fun cross country travels, It was setup for dry camping but usually was mostly used in campgrounds. Then we down sized.
Now days we discovered Jeeping and for the last 18 years here is how we are setup.
1) We still have our vintage REI from before the camper days - tent designed for 4 persons in a pinch and it does work for two persons. We use it
exclusively just like David here in Baja. This setup allows getting into all those more difficult trips such as Pioneer mine tracks, Pole line track,
shell island, and Turquesa grade.
2) We like more comfort when doing a more relaxed trip with our small travel trailer. It is pulled by the same Jeep rig and most of the time we stay
in campgrounds like Moab where we still can do the hard core wheeling we love. I have it setup with a portable generator etc. for dry camping in the
Colorado mountains where really nice places can be found away from the public or in forest campgrounds. We started out with a Casita and have moved up
to the smallest Jayco. So far travel trailer is not for Baja.
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by PaulW]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18375
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Goat, can you share? This is a photo & story thread of camper upgrades, not an attack DK moment. Where are you photos of your camp vehicles?
|
Dk,
For car camping, I do it like I have for decades (since dawn of time): tent, pad, sleeping bag, propane stove, food, whiskey and wine (generally no
beer).
If no wussies on trip and no rain/wind, just pad and sleeping bag on the ground.
Vehicle is whatever is I have,… has been Toyota Corolla wagon, vanagon, Dodge Dart, gmc travelall, series iii Land Rover, saab 95 wagon, Isuzu
trooper, Saab 900, jeep cherokee xj, 4runner, f150, Subaru Outback, Honda odyssey.
But Vehicle really does not matter, limited camping gear kit fits in any car.
Focus on vehicle or kit is ridiculous. It all works. If you need a 3/4 ton pickup and trailer, it is not camping, it is you being controlled by
gadgets and stuff.
Focus should really be on quality food and alcohol.
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by mtgoat666]
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4289
Registered: 4-24-2009
Location: La Paz, BCS
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Mood: happy - always
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I started in 1985 with a Chevy Nova and a dome tent
replaced the Nova with a 300GD
kept the dome for a couple of years
for me, less is more - so i ditched the tent around 1990
since then I have my bed on the ground
replaced the 300GD with a G500
same truck for 35 years - now with a nicer engine
never liked the big fishes either
less is more
Harald Pietschmann
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K |
Now in our mid-60s, setting up and talking down the camp, air mattress, tent, loading ice chests and gear in the truck... well, it isn't as easy and
my wife may not enjoy that part (even though I do most of the work)... What's next for us? Motels or rental homes? They don't exist on Shell Island!
However, they are a short drive away... but I will miss waking up to see the sun rise above the sea or the stars and satellites at night. It has been
a blast camping in Baja all my life. I hate to think it will come to an end.
|
Get fit, drop some weight, do regular exercise,… you can be fit into your 80s.
Use it or lose it!
Here is a challenge for you, do 50 burpees a day, walk 5 miles per day. You can start slow, a few burpees per day, and work up. Or if feeling
poorly, do burpees every other day.
As we age, exercise becomes more important. If you stop exercising, the body deteriorates. |
My physical therapist tells me that you get out of shape much faster than you get back into shape. The muscles you loose by not being active for just
2 weeks it takes 2-3 months to build back up and recover. I agree it's best to just stay in shape.
Harald has certainly demonstrated that less is more ....
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by Skipjack Joe]
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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Forgot my photos
| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Goat, can you share? This is a photo & story thread of camper upgrades, not an attack DK moment. Where are you photos of your camp vehicles?
|
Dk,
For car camping, I do it like I have for decades (since dawn of time): tent, pad, sleeping bag, propane stove, food, whiskey and wine (generally no
beer).
If no wussies on trip and no rain/wind, just pad and sleeping bag on the ground.
Vehicle is whatever is I have,… has been Toyota Corolla wagon, vanagon, Dodge Dart, gmc travelall, series iii Land Rover, saab 95 wagon, Isuzu
trooper, Saab 900, jeep cherokee xj, 4runner, f150, Subaru Outback, Honda odyssey.
But Vehicle really does not matter, limited camping gear kit fits in any car.
Focus on vehicle or kit is ridiculous. It all works. If you need a 3/4 ton pickup and trailer, it is not camping, it is you being controlled by
gadgets and stuff.
Focus should really be on quality food and alcohol.
[Edited on 10-27-2021 by mtgoat666] |
2004
2010
2016
2017
[Edited on 10-28-2021 by edm1]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wow, four 4WD motorhomes!
The top photo was taken in May 2010 as you were coming down the Widowmaker, a mile before reaching Mission Santa María.
It amazed all of us... When we all met you at Rancho Santa Ynez, before the start of the run, we agreed you would not make it... and not only did you
make it, but you pulled Neal Johns' broken camper truck UP the Widowmaker as it blew his custom differential the following day as we were leaving.
That was a LONG night!
In July 2011, we met your wife at Shell Island when you arrived in the #2, giant 4x4 motorhome...
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BajaTed
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Posts: 859
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Location: Bajamar
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I use the back seat area of my 2016 F-150 as a bed space.
I found a way to disconnect the rear door opening limiter.
I created a plywood extender that sticks out the side door about 18".
with seats up, full size single mattress now fits.
I put a big cargo net and tarps held in place with bungee cords over the whole truck cab.
Leaves me a nice soft interior space completely out of the weather, wind and noise.
AC power from the onboard inverter runs my laptop for night movies and a fan. I got a small gen set for my space heaters too.
Truck bed is now my kitchen.
It all goes inside a truck bed dome tent with heater when weather is an issue.
Suggest a wide mouth bottle too, I'm not young anymore 
Es Todo Bueno
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Great set up, Ted. Photos of the 'net over the truck cab' camper?
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bajajoaquin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 6-28-2011
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You guys are tougher than me. While I do think I've gone overboard with "stuff," I do admit that I really like being able to just get up and pee and
wash my hands in the middle of the night.
The second time I took my Lance down to the Sisters area, I was with a friend and by brother drove his truck as well as a few guys in another truck
with tents. My brother has aTacoma double cab with the short bed. He can sleep in it if he is diagonal. Anyway, we were at the Wall, and it was
blowing. Blowing! We had the jacks down on my camper and barely noticed it. Nobody outside slept that night.
I also took the wife and kids down there for Thanksgiving 2019. That was the year it was really stormy. Again, with the jacks down, the kids slept
through the night just fine. I was up worried about how wet it was getting, but they were oblivious.
Maybe in another 15 years when the kids are out of the house I'll go to a FWC or something, but I guarantee it will have a toilet!
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bajajoaquin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 6-28-2011
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That's the one I remember being for sale on my local Craigslist. I considered it, but we wanted three separate bed areas that a Class C has.
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Trunkrack
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I love this thread. So many good photos of camping evolution! My wife and I often talk about what our perfect Baja settup would be, although we
haven't made many changes over the past 10 years of going. Have seen some fancy overlanding rigs on the highway, but usually a lot more grassroots
style rigs/settups the further we go from town. We first started with a '99 Prerunner, 2WD, but diff lock, which taught us a lot about what you could
get away with not having 4wd. Also had classic 2 person REI tent, and a Cabella's camp kitchen. First trip down we were bouncing off the rear bump
stops the whole way.
[img] [/img]
More than a couple times we crawled into that tent at the end of a windy day to lay down in sleeping bags completely covered with sand. Then on a
trip down with our friends, we realized we needed a new tent. The morning this photo below was taken, we didn't even make breakfast because we
couldn't keep the sand out of our coffee.
[img] [/img]
Our friends next to us had a Kodiak Canvas tent, and they were inside making their kids French toast. It was at that point we realized we needed to
change our tent game up, and got one of those for the following year:
[img] [/img]
We also started cutting back on some of the bigger things, like ditching the camp kitchen, and not packing the Dutch oven anymore, as well as a few
other items we felt we could do without (ditched the bikes also). Then a couple years ago my neighbor was getting rid of his first gen Tundra with
4wd, and made me a great deal on it. Spent some extra cash on some suspension, put solar panels on top, ditched the back seat and installed a fridge
(ditched the two ice chests), and running more lean these days:
[img] [/img]
We still actually take both tents and use the REI one for quick one nighters like in San Ignacio on our way south, but that Kodiak has paid dividends
in wind and storms in the past 5 years. Worth it if you're camping in one spot for more than a few days. Seems like we have a fairly luxurious (for
our standard anyway) settup for spending 3 weeks in Baja at a time. Having 4wd has come in handy, even though we need it for only a small fraction of
the time, and not having to leave camp to buy ice spoils us.
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bajajoaquin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 6-28-2011
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One of the tensions I have is that I really like to cook. So I have a hard time paring down. When I used the 12x12 awning, I basically had a full
kitchen and at least two Dutch ovens.
It got to be too much of course but it was nice while it lasted.
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
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Location: La Paz, BCS
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Mood: happy - always
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I love to cook as well
always carry lotsa pots and pans
use whatever "kitchen" I find
I cook on the ground on coals
done that for groups up to ten for 30 years
KISS
Harald Pietschmann
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