Camping is a craze for many, and the number of campers is rising every year. One of the methods that are rising dramatically in popularity is Subaru outback(And similar SUV) camping.
If you are interested, here’s everything you need to know about Subaru outback camping. The first and most important thing to do is to make plans according to the location and the time of the year when you are planning to go camping.
Your baggage and supplies should change drastically based on the situation. A backside bed is a must for a regular camper, whereas a tent is a far better option for occasional campers.
Camping in SUVs feels tricky to newcomers, mostly because of the lack of experience. They often forget things that are essentials. Some people like to think that an all-around packing will get them by in all seasons only to find out that they burn like coal in summer and freeze like ice cream in winter.
Subaru Outback Camping
To get the most out of your Subaru Outback, you need to be flexible and switch things around as needed. So, here’s what you should be considerate of.
1. Decide On Design
Are you a constant camper who just waits for excuses to go out camping? Or are you an occasional camper only camping once or twice a year? If you are the first type, then you’ll get the most out of it if you convert the back of your outback into a sleeping chamber.
You will skip the hustle of setting tents and moving around small items every time. But if you are the latter type, then converting the SUV will totally be overkill. You’ll barely use it to make it worth the effort. Getting a couple of good-quality tents will be the best solution.
2. Make The Most Of Your Car
When you go camping, there are a few subtle things that usually go under the radar, but when utilized, they can make a significant difference. Rooftop rack, small hooks and crevices, and the doors are a few of such “things.”
You can use the rooftop rack to hold a stand that you can use to hang a few of the wet clothes from, using hangers and such. This setup will hold the clothes while maintaining a safe distance from the body of the car to allow ample airflow.
Some SUVs have a few awkward cutouts and curves on the body, especially near the backside of the car. You can stash a few handy items in them, such as a flashlight, water bottle, lighter, etc., if you are sleeping inside. This way, they will be in reach all the time without being in the way of anything.
You can open the doors of your outback and tie a couple of ropes connecting the two doors and use that to dry your wet or sweaty dresses. It’s a quick and makeshift solution.
3. Always Keep A Backup
When you are camping away from home, and presumably in the wild, you have to have everything ready. Because there’s likely not going to be a convenience store in reach to quickly grab a thing or two.
Having a backup seems counterintuitive because it will increase the size of your stash and weigh up your bags. But trust me, you will be thanking yourself when you find yourself in a pickle, and the backup item came in handy.
But the burden of carrying extra items is undeniably problematic. So, the smart solution would be to carry backups of the things that you cannot make do without—for example, carrying a backup battery of the flashlight instead of carrying a whole flashlight.
4. Pack Multi-Purpose Items
When packing for camping with a Subaru Outback, plan smart. Some supplies can easily be used to serve multiple purposes. Packing smartly will not only save you space but also save you carrying load.
Relieving stress from your car and allowing you to grab a few extra things. Be sure to pack a bucket, a couple of bundles of ropes, a couple of sheets of nylon. The bucket will act as a medium to shower with, an emergency laundry machine, storage for clothes and other smaller materials, water-storage, and a lot more.
Canvas and ropes are all-around versatile elements that will come in handy in countless ways. While you are at it, pack a set of three-season tents unless you are traveling to snow or traveling in the rainy season. Otherwise, pack a set of winter or water-proof tents as needed.
When you are sleeping on the back of your outback a few nights in a row, the tents will come in handy more than you think.
5. Baby Steps
Start small. You don’t have to go nuts on your first outing. Start small, visit somewhere nearby, and camp at a convenient spot that is not so far from home and other facilities, just in case if you need to head back for something.
On the first few trips, you are more than likely to forget some stuff or run into issues you didn’t account for. It happens. If you are far from help on the first few trips, chances are you are never getting back at it. Instead, choose a place relatively nearby.
In a study, the number of people camping within 50 miles radius of their home has more than doubled from 2016 to 2018. And the number doubled again in 2019. So, that shows both the facts that camping, in general, is getting a lot more popular and camping nearby is a viable strategy.
Things To Avoid
When going out camping on a Subaru Outbreak, or in any other campers in general, there are some things you should avoid if possible. For starters, solar shower, or electric shower.
They are cool and useful, sure. But they are more hustle than a luxury in my opinion. The showers actually capable of creating enough pressure are too expensive to fit in most budget campers.
When starting, it is quite common for people to be home-reliant or store-reliant. I know I just suggested going camping nearby so that you can visit the nearby store for the necessities.
But be wary so that you do not become dependent on it. If you are having to drive back once or twice on every trip, you are planning it wrong. It ruins the fun and breaks the feeling, in my opinion.
Conclusion
Camping is amusing and relaxing for the most part and having a camper can never hurt. Subaru Outbreak is one of the greatest SUVs for this purpose. They have pretty much all the facilities an ideal camper need.
It is ideal for starters, and you can always upgrade later on. One of the greatest features of the Subaru Outbreak that the guidebook does not include is that it is highly customizable.
It can be modified slightly as the user chooses to fit in all situations. If you want to carry tents and respective gear for it, there is plenty of space to carry everything.
If you are 6 feet + and want to sleep on the back, there is plenty of space, all you have to do is to slide the front seats forward. If you want to have a company, there’s almost enough space as a double bed.
And that’s all there is to know about Subaru outback camping. All in all, a great multi-purpose car and a grand choice for outdoor camping.
Leave a Reply