Subaru Outback Living

coldfinger wrote: Don't really get why so many "dirtbags" would rather sleep in a cramped and expensive car than out in the dirt, where dirtbag climbers belong!

So when did sleeping INSIDE a tent become sleeping outside/on the dirt. My "cramped" van is much more spacious than my tent. It is pretty damn convenient to take the shelter you live in and then go live in it in an area you want to visit. In the NW it is a super convenient way to go as many of the climbing areas are not located near camping. It is also really nice when you are going to places that have super busy camp grounds....think Josh over christmas or new years.

We are talking about a Subaru Outback, NOT a van or a truck!!

Problem with a Soobie is there isn't a lot of room before one builds a bed etc. besides the OP stated it was for a matter of months not years, so maybe camping might be better depending on where he is going.

As for the "dirtbag" comment that was partially directed at all the folks who bling out their Mercedes van. And partially stating that yes camping is a lot more fun, especially out of a car.

In regards to subbies:
Even if the OP's trip is only going to be a few months, I don't see why not to sleep in the car if it works out well. It can be very useful if you need to move or want to travel. I get your point on having fun by sleeping in a tent "outside" but I am not the one that chimed in being negative.

In regards to Vans:
I live in my "blinged" MB. I never claimed to be a dirtbag and I can't remember speaking with anyone else on this site that has a van and called themselves a "dirtbag". My van has made it a lot easier to be outside and to travel. Why do you care?

coldfinger wrote:Don't really get why so many "dirtbags" would rather sleep in a cramped and expensive car than out in the dirt, where dirtbag climbers belong!

I can understand at least some of the appeal. Driving cross country, it's incredibly nice to be able to turn the lights out with only 5-10 minutes prep, and you can't always pitch a tent at rest stops & empty parking lots. Even makes me safer on the road, because I'm more likely to pull off for a quick nap when I'm getting tired, if it's easy.

Not related to Subarus specifically, but on the general topic, i've noticed more and more functional, collapsible open containers (bowls, buckets, tubs, colanders, etc) made of silicone are being offered in the marketplace. Shop around and see what might help you build your functional, on-the-road kit

I lived in a Passat for about a year. I had a shelf built on one side of the hatch, and could fit a thermarest on the other side.

I think you absolutely want to set yourself up to easily sleep in your car. If you limit yourself to campgrounds you will end up spending a lot more money on camping/lodging. I didn't see where you gave a region of travel, but I think in any area stealth camping is a huge advantage for a long-term trip.

I don't have a Subaru, but I road tripped out of a '03 Chevy Blazer for 4 months. In that time, I paid for 5-6 nights of camping, 2 nights in a hotel room, and 8-10 days staying with friends. I think the Blazer has a comparable amount of interior room to the Outback. For reference, I was doing a kayaking & climbing trip in UT, CA & ID. I only made a few mods to the inside for organization and sleeping:
-Fanny packs. no really. I hung two fanny packs from the back of my front seats. They're perfect for the small stuff (toothbrush, batteries, chapstick, etc)
-Mesh/net storage. I used some bungee cords and cut up a mesh laundry bag to make some airy storage for wet clothes & such. I put one "triangle" in the ceiling between the 'trunk' coat-hangers and a rear roof handle. I put another 'triangle' of mesh in the rear, driver-side window. Great storage that also allows stuff to air-out.
-I took apart a wooden pallet and used some thin carpet to create a shelving system that took up the right half of my 'trunk' space. Food & cooking plastic totes on the first 2 layers, and clothing duffels sat on top. I slept on the left side, and could sit up comfortably. If you're only sleeping one person, this is a more versatile system than building a floor/shelf over the whole back.

Other thoughts:
-Get your windows tinted. It will help you sleep in, stealth camp, and may even make your car less of a target for looters.
-Don't cover your car in stickers and such. It's just chumming the water for rural cops.
-Depending on the length of your trip, you may want to keep your back seats intact. On my trip I absolutely had to have all 5 seats at some point, and this proved useful time and time again. Carpooling is awesome.
-Get a roof box. It's an excellent way to add extra space and organize.
-Get a hide-a-key. I carried 2 spare keys, one in a magnet box under the car. Losing a key in the backcountry could cost you hundreds of dollars in towing. Carry spares for your roof box as well.
-Have a system for solid human waste. It makes dispersed car camping much better and lower impact. You don't want to be digging holes everyday. There are fancier options out there, but I just used a 5gal bucket, a bungee cord, and trash compactor bags and that worked fine. REI even sells seats for a bucket.
-Plan out your food well to save money. Don't skimp when you go to the grocery store. Fancy food at the grocery store is still cheaper than gas station snacks or fast food. Keep your kitchen stocked with variety and goodness and you will save in the long run.
-*Be organized. Whether it's shelves, plastic totes or something else, make sure your stuff is organized in your vehicle. It's really aggravating if you're constantly digging through a pile. Bring less stuff. If you trip is multi-season, leave pre-packed boxes (ex: Fall clothes) with friends or family to ship to you if necessary.

I could probably dig up some pictures or details on request. Good luck on your trip.

I wrote a book and have a YouTube channel called SUV RVing. It's basically all about exactly what you're attempting to do. Here's the website with the videos, etc. Let me know if you have more specific questions, and I'll be happy to answer them.

Not about outbacks in particular, but my Subaru Forester (2004) perfectly fits an organic full pad + halfpad when the front seats are pushed forward and the back seats are folded down. Perfect sleeping surface for all 6' 4'' of me :)

I have gotten away great with a triple folded memory foam as a twin-sized bed on the 1/3 fold down seat, with the passenger front seat pulled up a bit. The space between folded seat and front seat can be filled with climbing gear. I am 5' 10" roughly and can stretch out this way. The remaining space in the vehicle (behind still-up back seat in trunk, on still up back seat, etc.) fits almost perfectly one person's needs with regards to food, gear, entertainment, etc as long as you are good at packing. I use a tupperware, boxes, camp stove, etc. and it all stacks into the space quite nicely for travel/sleep.

Best point is that with the memory foam mattress, I can actually generally fold up my back seat, folding the memory foam mattress with it, if need be for passenger/ travel-cargo space.

Most of the time I have the trunk wide open, but in inclement/ cold weather, I keep it shut but not completely, so that a simple hard kick will open the trunk.

The 2011 should have a rear outlet perfect for charging phone/laptop etc. under this setup.

Foot wells in back seats are 100% perfect for storing daily gear (rack, rope, backpack, etc.)

Would post pictures but it's winter and I'm not in climb mode :)

Consider investing in a roof box? It kills mpg just a slight amount, and helps with night-to-night shifting of gear.

Real setups with home-built gear boxes etc. are sweet, but I actually think you can get away with not doing any of that and maximizing your sleeping/comfort space while leaving plenty of room, albeit maybe a little less organized, for your gear.

cheers!

Hope this helps and hope everything works out for you!

Ben

Robert Scrivner wrote:  Congrats on joining the Subaru club! You made the right choice. My subie has almost 300,000mi, and is still running like new. I have done a few extended trips with the set-up shown above, and it has worked out really well for me. Since these photos were taken, I actually stained the entire platform (I cook out of the back, and it is way easier to clean up now). I also bought some cheap tubs from walmart that slide in and out of the back. This is honestly a great weekend warrior build, because I still have a fully functional backseat so all my friends can pile in -- but this may not be the best set up for full time living. I have 32" of headroom, so I'm still able to sit up a little bit, and changing clothes isn't a big issue. Also, definitely look into reflectix insulation for all of the windows. I don't have any photos, but I bought one roll of reflectix and cut it to fit each window. Keeps the heat in really well -- I sleep in the car at ski resorts all winter.

Awesome setup, just got an old subie and want to make something like this.  What is the front wood platform piece resting on near the seats? Whats the height of the platform? Is there a gap between the platform and the folded down back seats?

Terry E wrote:

Not very stealth, but Subaru + rooftop tent = easy setup, luxurious space and comfort.

The RTT works well with the Outback rack. Easy to popup the tent in 5 minutes, without moving anything inside the car. We used to move everything into the front seats to sleep in the back, but the tent eliminates this and makes camping much easier. We do have to fold up the tent to drive, but this takes about 7 minutes after some practice.

Definitely not dirtbagging. I am not sure what that is. Are you nervous about snakes? Or dirt. 

I don’t live outta my sube but I often camp out of it on national forest roads. For colder weather spots, I’d definitely recommend cutting custom reflectix panels for the windows. I fit some to cardboard spray painted black and it adds a lot of privacy and heat retention. 

Only commenting because SueBee had already been written 5 different ways, now 6. Not bad, not bad. I do like my Outback. 

ClimbHunter makes some good points. 

A lot depends on where you are headed. 

Off grid: Have a quality 20' set of jumper cables, good car jack/s, lithium car battery jumper - also good for charging phones, solar charger if really off grid, more water than you think you'll need. InReach, whatever.

And bring work boots and gloves. You never know when you'll run out of money because the car broke down or the dentist called. Day labor, temp work is easy to pick up in bigger towns. Sign up for Obamacare if you can afford it.

As far as money goes, gas/food eat it up. Make good choices.

If money is tight, sign up with a temp agency nearby and do some work before playing or between climbing gigs. Many of the bigger temp agencies (think Manpower) have offices in many cities so they can help as you move around. Some won't hire vanlifers & sun chasers. The ones that will hire 'dirtbags' usually throw construction work your way. More interesting work if you don't look like a loser.

Also, working part-time with the same temp agency keeps you in the workforce. Some employers see a big gap in your work history, or too many employers, and they won't hire you (seen as unstable or losing skills). All sorts of algorithms make choices for employers these days. AI does the hiring. It is just something to keep in mind if you don't have that in-demand skill set after you finish your trip. Or, if you plan to do this on a regular basis.

cartlon flores wrote:

What’s shade things?