Steve,  keep in mind that a very high percentage of Jeepers have more invested in their wheels and tires than most rover fanatics do in their whole rig. Something to keep in mind before labeling them a snoot w/ their fridges and titanium coffee mugs I've owned both now so I feel fairly neutral in making the comment.

I've always been of the opinion that you don't need big tires, Dana 60's, fancy suspension lifts, and 100:1 lo-range to go out and do some fairly intense off-roading. Obviously there is a large contingent of folks that wouldn't hit a gravel road without riding on 35's. There's nothing wrong with that, either, even though I think it's pretty silly. And I'm not saying that's you - but I want to drive home a point that there are plenty of groups that have similar spending habits and share like interests.

People use discretionary income according to how they perceive value in making purchases. The group here is more oriented around the comforts of getting away from the city for as long as they can afford to leave work and/or use vacation time to do it. That involves those nice tents up on the roofs, maybe a trailer, and the pièce de résistance - a good low-draw, high capacity fridge.

I think the norm for most off-road groups is to focus spending around the drivetrain and suspension of their rigs, whereas with "overland" types are more interested in the extras that make for an enjoyable, extended stay out their vehicles. Kitchen setups for real cooking, a comfortable bed and shelter that can be setup and torn down very quickly, and ancillaries like real flatware, knives, and other spendy extra items all apply.

I think this is just a different mindset than what you're probably used to seeing in a vehicular interest group. Get some campfire time with these folks and it'll start to make more sense.


cheers
-ike

Grubs are also very nutritious -- and if you bring them live there's no need for refrigeration at all. Cooking them is optional too.

Not sure what wine goes with grubs though.

This must me a valid discussion as my wife and I find ourselves having it all the time. One of the big ones was the roof top tent over one on the ground. We have the large Overland tent. It was just over $2000. Just before we ordered it I told her let's just get a really nice ground tent and save the $1800-$1500. She really liked the idea of the roof top tent so we went with it. Is the 5 minutes we save on setup worth it? Is it really THAT much more comfortable? It is very nice having all of the bedding up there and the mattress but is it worth the money?

I am liking Stevens side of the discussion and haven't felt like it was attacking in any way. I do get his point. We have been discussing  the fridge thing as well. We did the Igloo 12  volt thing and that didn't work. I am totally willing to eat Peanut Butter and Jelly for a week just to keep things simple, but my wife really likes putting together meals when we are out. Things like the fridge and the tent seem to get us out more often and that is worth a lot to me. Is it bad that it takes "stuff" or "gadgets" to get us out on trips more? maybe, but if it works I'll play along.

We did a 3 1/2 week long camping, exploring road trip from WA to southern CA across Nevada twice to Zion and the Grand Canyon and back home through Yosemetie and Tahoe. We did that all with a family of four in a new Beetle TDI with camping gear and my girls were 8 and 12 so not small. It was a blast. Sometimes the stuff is worth it but it is nice to remind yourself how little stuff you can get by on and still have a great time.

I am pretty new here but liking the way most opinions get expressed and that the mod let's things run their course.

the other Craig

This thread has some good points.  I wonder how many people who say they 'don't like camping' would change their mind if they knew about some of these more modern conveniences that are out there.  

Can the fridges make ice?  If so they could help save a cooler guys food!

I look at it as if I were building an RV with 4wheel drive. If I had a camper, you're darn right it's having a fridge and a stove.....

Oh yeah....South Dakota State baby!......Go Jackrabbits..

mmmmmmm! Fish Tacos!

the other Craig

By the way. I dont trust truckers to much. Not since they tried to bugger me at that last rest area :0

On my last five day outing, just last week, I spent about $15 on ice to keep my food and drinks cold.  That doesn't include the cost of gas driving out to civilization to buy it.  That was probably about another $10.  An Engel is on my list of things to buy before the year is out.  If I had bought one even five years ago, it would probably have paid for itself by now.

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