Smurfette

No adventure can be thoroughly appreciated without a trustworthy steed. I knew I had to have her the second I laid my eyes on her...

Smurfette, with yours truly

 

Specs: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport, 1.6L turbo, 7-speed DCT, 26K on the clock at time of purchase (10/2019), 225/40R18 (not suited for sand), heated seats, and cursed by that marriage made in Hell, Google Assistant/Android Auto.

Now...why on Earth would anyone choose a compact hatch for car-camping? I never was one for making practical choices for transportation to begin with, and really had no intention of using one for an RV of sorts. But it was when I first saw the Elantra Touring around 2004, and I've wanted one ever since. I'd originally set out to look at RVs, and the Carmax in Richmond/Rosenberg happened to be my first stop. The rest is history.

Quite cozy for a small guy

A quick road test from Prairie Switch, Texas to Morro Point, California (4000 miles round trip) proved her to be more than roadworthy, and a real hoot to drive in the mountain twisties. Circumstances would soon arise, though, to put her through the real test when I found myself a "man without a country", so to speak. I was 63, and suddenly homeless. Could be worse.

She's quite at home in the Gila

Low ground clearance and high performance highway tread are not the best combination for off-road use, but Smurfette had no problems getting in & out of most of the sites I stayed at. All the sites in this guide are those that I've actually drove into to make sure I could get in & out. She scraped her chin a bit sometimes, and slipped a bit with those slick tires, but she always got me out. Except in sand.

My gear is pretty limited, but I have most everything I need. Classic two-burner Coleman stove with a Peak One for backup; Allpowers s300 power station, 150w inverter, Onn portable power pack, and two Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panels; 35° sleeping bag, two acrylic blankets, two travel pillows, and a 12v heated blanket. Tool box, two 12v pumps, four-way wrench, jack, and plug kit for flats. Entrenching tool, hatchet, camp knife, and a big stick. Tarp, poles, and guy lines for an awning (being stuck inside on a rainy day sucks).