Imagine a nimble and easy to drive AWD SUV with respectable MPG - specifically a Honda Element with it's unique camping friendly design and well earned cult following-that morphs into a comfy base camp by day and a solid walled lockable one person "tent" by night.
The Element Review - thanks to Kenna who took the rig on a test camp
"Driving:
It's such a pleasant car to drive, it feels so big inside because of all the windows! I felt wayyy more comfortable driving this than I event would a van or truck. Great gas mileage too. I ended up not using the cushion on the driver seat on the way there, but did on the way back and was very glad I had it.
The magnetic window covers were SO easy! They all worked great and the way they were stored in the car made it so easy to figure out which go where.
Setting up camp:
Easiest camp set up ever. I used the following:
- Rug
- Hammock
- Double mat for under the hammock
- Shade cover for the awning - when both doors are open, and the shade cover on, I felt like I had full privacy to change.
- Water storage and water pump - I didn't think I would use the pump, but it was so nice to have and made things so easy!
- Fire supplies
- Kindling & long neck lighter - I ended up making my own fires in a firepit but having the kindling and the long neck lighter was so so nice and made it easy even when I didn't use the solo stove. If I didn't have access to a fire pit I would've definitely used the solo stove!
- Roasting Stick was SO great to have! Made s'mores every night :)
- Fridge - amazing. I had it set to 36 degrees. I also packed a big hydroflask of ice I kept in it that kept the ice the whole time!
- Battery pack(s)
- Battery pack in the back lasted about 1.5 days charging the fridge and running the electric kettle, but the fridge stayed cool enough for the perishable foods for the 3 days I was there.
- If I was to do it again, I probably would've charged the battery with the fridge plugged in on the drive instead of just the fridge. I wasn't driving very much so it wasn't getting recharged and I forgot about the solar panel until the end of the second day.
- Camp stove:
- I've never used a camp stove and used this one no problem once I figured out the safety guard!
- Used for boiling water, making eggs and toast, pasta.
- The storage for the cookware below it was amazing
- 3 neighboring campers asked me about it!
- Coffee set up:
- User error with the Chemex (the coffee I had was too finely ground ) but otherwise, so many great options for coffee and having both the chemex and the pour over options was great.
- Plastic "wet" trash/compost container: so handy to have. I used this, dumped it, and rinsed and wiped it down.
Sleeping:
- The rechargeable fan was very needed on the first night when it was quite warm. Not needed the second night when it was cooler, but still nice to have!
- The net on the interior roof was great for hanging the fan and a lantern I brought. Made it easy to have a light source, even when I wasn't in the car having the lantern up and not having the window covers on was like I had a perfect light for my campsite.
- Mattress was SO comfortable. I had plenty of space without pushing the front seat fully forward, but if someone was like 5'6+ I'd probably recommend pushing the seat forward.
- Second night I left the rear window cover off because I felt so safe in the car. Also cracked the two middle windows which helped with airflow.
- Slept with head on both ends and it was equally as comfortable either way!
Rain cover:
- It did end up raining briefly the second day, and having the trunk open as a place to sit beneath a cover, and the awning with the doors open as an option was so nice. Plus I was able to store my fire wood and the hammock quickly in the car so they didn't get wet.
Miscellaneous:
- Ample space to store clothes, food, firewood, other supplies in the car and sleep without it feel cramped or claustrophobic.
Overall thoughts:
I would absolutely take this on another trip! I'd probably move to multiple locations if I was to take it again because it would be so easy. Setting up camp took about 20 minutes, taking down camp about 30 minutes. I spent a decent amount of time reorganizing things throughout my trip, but I think that was more because I overpacked and that's also just part of camping. I did store the camp stove after I was done using it, and found taking it out and putting it on a table the easier to use it.
I told multiple girlfriends about the trip and the set up and they all said they would do the same if they had that kind of setup!
A big thing that kept coming to mind for me was using for a longer road trip, like the one I did last summer. It allows you to be able to camp so easily, feel safe and secure, while it's also being so convenient to stay in a hotel if needed or drive longer ways without worrying so much about gas like if I was driving a bigger car. And parking it in a parking lot or at a trailhead was so easy compared to another bigger car.
Also could see people using it for longer fishing trips, hunting trips, etc. "
Rig setup includes:
Large easy to operate Kammock vehicle mounted awning for shade/rain protection
Lockable XL Thule storage pod on the roof with plenty of room for all of your gear and toys
Comfy 30 in Hest "foamy wide" mattress with lux cotton linens, pillows, blankets.
Custom 'Vanmade ' blackout and bug mesh screens for vehicle windows
Optional : add ons
Pump tank 'surfer's shower' (can accommodate warmed water)
Jackery Explorer 600 plus battery with DC/AC/solar input options
Solar panel ( 100) for charging Jackery battery
Dometic 25 L fridge/freezer (runs on DC while driving or Jackery)
Dometic water jug set up with electric pump faucet- 2 jugs (total 6 G/22 L capacity)
Electric water kettle
Electric Joulle Kettle Pot ( boils, cooks soup /keeps warm, makes pop corn)
Custom outdoor cookbox set up with butane stove top/pots/pans/dishes/ utensils/cutting board/spices ( includes 2 canisters fuel) ( $20)
Coffee your way! Aeropress and pour-over set ups ( Chemex style ( Miir Carafe ) and single serve drip cone set up ) ( pick one, two or all three)
REI Soft sided coolers ( 2)
Yeti hot water thermos
Camp rug
Low camp table
Walking pole
Rain poncho
Table top Solo Stove for campground use/s'more making, including a starter supply of kindling, wood, and a marshmallow toasting stick ( $25)
Kammock Swiftlet frame/double Roo Hammock/ Perch Chair ( super easy to assemble and very light weight - can be moved around by one person when fully assembled )
Bucket potty with disposable bags
Loona - female urinal ( $36)
