Off grid and off the beaten path
An updated test and review of the mini-camper build
As many readers recall, I designed and built the mini-camper trailer for towing behind my VW Golf. It performs beautifully as such, proven by a 4300-mile cross-country trip late last summer. We traveled the US, hitting several national parks and many scenic routes along the way. But I always imagined taking the camper off pavement and off grid, given my idea of camping means getting as far from civilization - and others - as possible.
To do so, my Golf will not do. But I have an old all-wheel drive Honda Pilot I use as my second vehicle, principally as a materials hauler for my work and occasionally as my get-out-of-town camping ride. I'd never towed the camper with the Honda yet, so I was excited to see how the two paired.
My desert destination of choice is the Mojave. It's about a five-hour drive from home, so, given a late start, I stopped the first night in my second favorite place to go, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, a short hour and a half away. The trip goes up and over some twisty mountain roads, including an impressive descent into the desert valley below. The new shocks on the camper greatly improved the ride; no more swaying and bouncing over rough spots.
The Honda Pilot, an old but sturdy SUV, had little problem towing the mini-camper. It had enough power and - most importantly - plenty of brakes, making the ride mostly easy and enjoyable. But the power-to-weight ratio is much less in the Pilot than in the Golf. The thousand-pound camper slowed both vehicles down, a bit. But the mildly sluggish Honda was even more so with the trailer attached, and steep climbs had the engine revving at high RPMs to make a modest pace up the hills. Not so for the Golf.
The sporty VW Golf has plenty of oomph, so climbs were no problem with the camper. The car already had an excellent stopping distance and still braked respectably with the added weight. The Pilot's stopping was affected far less than its acceleration, but it already took more to get it slowed down owing to the vehicle's larger size. Throw in the much better fuel economy of the VW Golf, and we have a clear winner for towing the camper.
On the road, that is.
Granted, I love my VW Golf, so I'm a bit biased. But the strength of that little car is undeniable. There is one major drawback: the tiny vehicle has virtually no ground clearance. It's a car, not a truck. And not even an SUV (which is really just an oversized car). So, despite my somewhat lofty expectations to make it do everything, my Golf cannot go off-road. And that's where the trusty Pilot steps in.
Now, this story is not some odd-ball vehicle comparison. It's about the mini-camper. Suffice it to say that, in tow behind the Honda, I had a chance to test the build off the paved road. And go to a favorite destination in the mountains of the Mojave.
To get there, one has to go down an extended length of now "closed" historic Route 66. I write "closed" in quotes because the road is still passable, but numerous bridges over washes are out.
The few locals in the region use make-shift trails that go down into and through the washes to get around the closed bridges. These trails are in varying states of passability, however. And with the recent tropical storm that rolled through in August, more bridges are out, and numerous bypass trails are questionable alternatives.
If - a big if - one makes it through these obstacles, there's another three miles on a partially maintained unpaved road. Then, upon taking a right towards the mountains, a slow climb up a thoroughly washed-out trail leads to an old mining operation not far from where I love to camp.
As I said, I love to get away from it all.
Here, I've rarely seen anyone else. It's one of those lonely places that makes a particular type of soul feel at home. On moonless nights, the sky is aglow with stars; the brilliant swath of the Milky Way is almost bright enough to see by. And the silence! Only the wind and an occasional passing train far off in the distance can be heard.
To my satisfaction, the camper handled the rocky and uneven terrain well. Some of the trail was severely washboarded, and I expected a few loose bolts and screws from all the vibration. But everything stayed tight. The tires and suspension held up well, too, and the rig had plenty of ground clearance. Granted, this isn't severe off-roading, not by far. But for what I like to do and where I want to go, the camper is ready. I imagine behind a capable off-road vehicle, the mini-camper could handle more.
Living and sleeping in the mini-camper alone (or with my son) in the desert is what I've imagined all along. Sure, in campgrounds, where I had only taken it up until now, it works fine, too. I particularly love Palm Canyon Campground in Anza Borrego, where I stayed the first night. But staying in the mini-camper requires being in and out often to do things. With all the watchful eyes of other campers, it feels a bit intrusive. People are understandably curious - it's not the everyday setup. I do enjoy the questions and appreciate people's interest. But out in the wilderness, surrounded only by nature, I truly relax and enjoy the design. So, I am thankful the rig was up to the challenge.
On this trip, I got a better test of several features.
I found the kitchen to be easy and functional. The bunk down without the cushion makes a perfect meal prep spot. And despite using very little propane, the stove is quite hot, boils water quickly, and makes short work of sauteing.
I made a vegetable beef soup from scratch one evening, and it was almost as easy in the camper as at home. Sure, I have to sit crosslegged in the tiny back corner by the stove and sink, but that's fine for now. (But it makes me want to commit to a yoga routine to ensure my joints can handle it for years to come!)
The water system works fine. The sink is undeniably small, and it's hard to wash dishes. But it is passable and easier than without. Doing things like readying for bed is no problem. I even used the shower attachment. With the back hatch open, turn a valve under the sink to switch water to the shower head. Given the low-flow wand I installed, I effortlessly washed up and used very little water. The shower was invigorating but not something I’d recommend at much cooler temps.
One other "challenge" to address when camping in the wilderness is how and where to go number two.
The camper, as well-appointed as it is, does not have a toilet. Now, I could do what I've always done and dig a hole. But going in a pit is never easy, even when one's had enough fiber. So I decided to get one of those collapsable toilets for the camper.
(No pictures, but I’m sure you’re okay with that.)
These things are convenient. They weigh just a couple of pounds and unfold in an instant. Merely line it with a compostable bag, toss in a scoop of biodegradable odor powder, do your thing, wrap it up, and refold the toilet. Done. No mess. No odor. And no hole to dig and fill. I was quite "relieved" how easy it all went. I even got one of those pop-up changing tents that will make a nice outhouse when others are around.
In all, I remain entirely pleased with the camper. It is small but works beautifully as a solo rig. And the tiny size makes both on-road and off-road towing a snap. The kitchen was another perk, and I was happy to have all the conveniences of home well within arm's reach. Yeah, it's cramped. But in it, camping out with nothing but the sagebrush and the wind, one can stretch the legs whenever and as often as needed.
I can't wait to go out again.
Thanks for following along. I appreciate your interest in this, and all the other stories I share here at J Robert Clark Makes.
Until next time.
JRC
Very interesting read, John. I like the visuals of sleeping in the desert (I haven't done that in ages).
My only question would be the comparison between a car-mounted tent (not just the ones that sit on the roof, but the ones that extend to the side of the vehicle, providing an extra "lobby" to the sleeping quarters on the roof). As you explain, towing a trailer can stress the vehicle capabilities, while hauling a tent on the roof (and perhaps a portable Primus stove plus utensils in the back of the SUV or car trunk) may be all one needs to camp without the complications of towing a trailer.
I think this is the first review of a vehicle I’ve read that recommends a yoga routine as a way to simplify operation. Whatever it takes John. You’re on a roll!