Your Ultimate Landscape Photography Vehicle

Driving down to the White Pocket and Coyote Buttes areas last month got me thinking more about "ideal" vehicles for landscape photography. My main vehicle is an '02 Highlander, purchased because it was in great shape, low miles, and just too good a deal to pass up, but it can't handle some of the more rugged/remote environs (I borrowed an F-150 for the White Pocket trip, which worked out fine). I kinda wish my Highlander was a 4Runner, even though my gas mileage is better.

My three primary criteria for an ideal landscape photography vehicle: 1) rugged/capable enough to get to the great majority of cool photography locations one would want to visit in the RMNP states, 2) fairly decent gas milage, and 3) room to sleep in the back. Does such a vehicle exist (under 30K)? Are 1 and 2 mutually exclusive? What other important factors have weighed into your vehicle choice?

If you don't mind sharing: 1) What is your current landscape photography vehicle? and 2) What do you wish you had (if you don't already own it)?

Main veh is a Dodge 3/4 ton truck diesel. 23mpg hwy and with the shell I have plenty of room in the back. And it goes anywhere that I have business going.

My vehicle is a '03 4-Runner and I like it a lot. I have screening attached to the back windows and combined with a window "fairing?" or "rain shield?" it makes for very enjoyable camping in mosquito infested areas or when its raining or snowing I just crawl into the back from the front seat without having to get out and re-entering the vehicle. I put on tires that are one size larger than OEM so I have 9.5 inches of clearance for those 4WD roads. There's enough room in back for me to sleep fully stretched out, I'm 5'8" but if you take out the back seat portion (which folds forward in order to lay the seat back down) you will get an additional 6 inches of length. MIne has a V8 so I only get 16-19 mpg. The best thing about a 4-runner is they are ultra reliable. This is my second one (146,000miles), my first one, a v6- '89, is now owned by my daughter and it has 256,000miles.

I drive a Honda Element that works great for me as a photography vehicle. Roomy with plenty of storage. Rear seats can be removed or make a bed by laying front and rear seats flat. I am 6'4" and do this quite a bit with plenty of room. Actually I usually take out one rear seat for gear and use the passenger side as a bed. Has the moon roof in the back to stare at the stars while you sleep. 4WD (OK really AWD) but gets me to all the places I would want to drive to. Forest service roads, snow, etc. Clearance is the big issue but again, it gets me most places. I did the 55 mile rough river road in Big Bend. Did that great. Use it out on BLM roads all the time.

Honda reliability and I get 25mpg on highway. When not photographing it is also a great around town vehicle too. Plus they are fairly cheap.

I consider it an ideal photography vehicle. Much like your Highlander there might be some places too rocky for it but I think I would rather rent for those times anyway.

Good luck.

I drive a '13 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door) Sahara hard top. I get about 23 mpg highway, fold the rear seats down for sleeping, and have a rack on the roof with a lift jack and shovel attached to get me out of trouble when I've been feeling a little too adventurous. I absolutely love it! The ground clearance was the deciding factor for me with this one. I live just outside Yellowstone and spend a LOT of time there. Pulling off of the Grand Loop road in a vehicle without a lot of ground clearance can get you hung up quickly. I passed a park ranger this summer who had done just that, talk about embarrassing! I've also had it through 2 ft. + snow drifts and lots of mud and, in 4-wheel drive, it was amazing! Got it this March and have 18K miles on it already

I have a '10 Toyota FJ Cruiser with a drawer system and sleeping platform in the back. The sleeping platform pulls out (being storage for my 2-burner stove & miscellany when closed) to be a table. The other half of the drawer system is cushioned with an old yoga mat underneath & has the dividers from a photo bag in it for my camera gear & some guide books. The camera gear side locks. Through that year, the back storage area is about 4" lower than the folder flat seat backs, but they fixed that & allowed the front seats to slide forward farther, as many people complained about not being able to sleep in the back without having to lie diagonal or curl up. I"m only 5'4", so I fit just fine. I just replaced the OEM rack with a low-profile Baja rack, but have yet to do a road trip to see if it changes the gas mileage. I have ARB rock rails/sliders and front & rear bumpers mandating upgrades to the suspension (OME w/2 1/2" lift). The OME suspension makes it hold a line on washboards much better. I got the option that includes a lockable rear differential.

The FJ is very nimble & sure-footed. And fits into a regular-sized parking space, to boot! Mileage is about 23 on the highway if I'm going about 65mph (even better with a tailwind!), 17-18 in town. With my MaxTrax, the only places I've backed out of are tracks that become apparent are for ORVs, not full-sized vehicles. I needed the clearance just for getting home reliably in the winter (live on a private road with a neighbor who owns a Highlander and prefers to not pay for plowing), the gas mileage is decent and the ride is comfortable (much more than my '93 Subaru Impreza). To get one under $30K, you'd have to go used, which may get you better mileage as the new ones boast significantly lower gas mileage.

You could also consider a roof top tent, like a Maggiolina. I think Bret Edge has one & had started a blog on his ultimate vehicle last year.

I've got an 07 Toyota FJ and have added aftermarket front and rear steel bumpers, 3" lift, rock rails, and 33" tires. I use a Warn PowerPlant winch that is a combination 9500lb winch and air compressor. Compressor is nice to re-inflate tires if you air down to go off trail, fill air mattresses, inflatable kayaks, etc. I added a second battery that provides backup to the main battery but also is directly wired to 2 12v outlets I had installed in the front console which enables me to charge batteries, phones, GPS, etc. while the FJ is off. Works really well, especially for batteries as you can charge batteries while out on a hike/shoot or overnight. I moved the regular 3-prong outlet that was in the back to the front console on the passenger side. This way I have 4 "outlets" to plug things into, great if you are traveling with other people. I put a 12v outlet in place of the regular outlet in the back to plug a refrigerator into. In the cargo area I have a locking drawer system. It has two drawers, both with locks, and is bolted to the FJ from inside the drawers so it is almost impossible to remove. In one drawer I have a bunch of recovery gear and in the other I custom made a foam insert from a Pelican case to hold camera bodies and lenses. This way I can take only the equipment I want on a specific hike and leave the rest secure in the vehicle. I have an All-Pro roof rack that has a rail system on both sides of the rack that provides movable tie-down points depending on the load. I can also stand on the rack to take photos from the top of the vehicle without damaging the roof. I am going to build a platform to place in the backseat area that is level with the drawers in back that will provide a platform for an air mattress with concealed storage below. I also have a mesh screen that velcros to the rear window so I can open the window and still have the inside bug-free to sleep in. My last purchase was a cell phone signal booster that seems to add a good degree of extra range when out in the boonies.

It can handle anything off-road that I've wanted to try. It's a comfortable ride, stays relatively cool in the summer due to the white roof and relatively small windows. In 7 years I've put about 220,000 miles on it and it has been extremely reliable which is important to me since I go to some fairly remote places often by myself or with one other person and no secondary vehicle. Gas mileage was decent stock but with all the weight I've added it isn't great anymore, but it's all a tradeoff on off-road capability vs. mileage and I made the decision to have more capability off-road as it would really suck to have to hike out 40 miles if my vehicle broke down (although I make sure I have the supplies to do so). I had a 97 Wrangler before the FJ and while capable off-road it is small and not really comfortable on long trips and the gas mileage wasn't as good even though the FJ has a much bigger engine and more power. The FJ is just as good or better off-road and can carry more gear and you can sleep in it. So far I haven't seen anything for a reasonable price that would replace my FJ.

".. but it's all a tradeoff on off-road capability vs. mileage and I made the decision to have more capability off-road..."

Exactly. An AWD won't cut it for the types of locations you really want to visit. I have a '99 4Runner that is perfect for busting through sand as well as managing the 4WD roads of the San Juans, but it gets 20 MPG on the highway. I can live with that as the vehicle is only used for photo expeditions. Using it as a 'rolling motel' also factors in on mitigating fuel costs.

Since my wife usually joins me on trips, I needed something that would 1) sleep both of us; 2) go off-road with confidence; 3) have sufficient storage for food/gear for 2-3 weeks. So I went with a 4WD 2005 Tundra double cab, modified for sleeping and storage. You can check it out here.

What I gave up was gas mileage, but without any regrets. The Tundra is easily the best investment I made in photography-related gear. I can go where I want with confidence; take what I need; sleep comfortably. It has about 100,000 miles, over half of which are from photography trips. I'd estimate that we've spent ~150-200 nights in the field. Only thing I wish I had was more time to get out!

While it obviously depends on individual finances, I'd say that gas mileage is the least important factor. Given the cost of a vehicle, compromises on functionality for the sake of saving 20% on gas costs isn't worth it. That equation is harder to balance if your photography vehicle is also your daily driver.

For anyone interested, there are detailed instruction on how to do something like this at the link above. Sometime early next year I'll be selling the "hotel Tundra". Life is taking me in a different direction; I just need time to say goodbye....

Well, my photo van is an '82 VW Vanagon. It's pretty rugged, if not 4WD-tough. But, it comes with a pop-top and full kitchen with stove, sink and a bunch of cabinets, all in a very tidy package. I don't have to mess with tents and grubby pots. It is easy to arrive in the dark, and set up for bed in 2 minutes. Fresh brewed coffee on the road, is a necessity for me, not a luxury, and I can brew a pot while waiting for the light to change.

The cab roof is a platform about 3x6 feet. I can climb way up high to set up a tripod, which gets me above hedge-rows, scrub oaks and fences.

Downsides. Well, it is very slow going over high mountain passes, and there is no air-conditioning and the heat is marginal. Best on two-lanes and dirt roads.

Jared,

There is no magic tradeoff (that I've found) between criteria #1 and #2. Everything that I've looked at has tradeoffs between one and the other. For me, gas mileage trumps off-road capability, so I drive a Subaru wagon. I get 30mpg highway and have driven it deeper into bad dirt roads than I care to think about. Most places that I want to go I'm happy to trade off walking an extra half-hour or hour rather than drop down into true SUV mileage. I haven't been to White Pocket, yet, though, so your priorities might be different.

Tom Sternmitz might be on to something, though. My "ideal" vehicle, that I don't own, would be a VW Synchro Van with an aftermarket Subaru engine. That's pretty obscure, though...

Rick Dunn and John Mumaw also allude to the other possibility: two vehicles. If you're not worried about parking space at home, it makes a lot of sense to have two cars. One for highway mileage, one for dirt roads. My wife and I have two Subaru wagons, and I often think it would be better to split into one smaller vehicle and one larger vehicle. But we have a wonderful "problem" in that our commute is so short, it's not really worth the mpg savings to switch from her Forester to something like a Golf or Prius...

John Mumaw talked me into my 02 4runner. (After seeing how he had it set up, he didn't have to talk very hard) A good durable off road vehicle. 20 mpg. Plenty of length to comfortably sleep my 6' frame. I've slept in it a bunch and enjoy doing so. To have the rig set up so I can pull over anywhere and be in the bed in less than 5 min is Big for me. Very comfortable to drive. Reliable.
In my opinion...the photographers rig!!

Mark, Unfortunately, the VW Synchro with Subaru engine will set you back rather more than $30k!

You can put a Subaru engine in a Vanagon, but that is only practical with water-cooled models (newer than my '82), so I'm stuck with low power. There is a diesel Vanagon as well.

I have a Nissan XTerra that works very well. It's designed for off road, and with the rear seats down I can sleep comfortably and carry enough stuff to keep me happy. Add in the roof rack and I have plenty of room. Gas mileage is not great, but it's good on the highway. The newer models get better mileage (mine's a 2006)

I was in the exact same situation. My 2001 Highlander took me to some great locations with mid clearance, but got into an accident. I had been craving a 4Runner for years, but the new models are tanks. If you go for one you want an older model.

That said gas mpg was poor. I went with a 2014 Subaru Forester and am very happy. Drives well, incredible turning curve and higher clearance than the Highlander. I get about 28mpg highway instead of 21 from the Highlander. I bought off road tires a size up, so have even more clearance. Imogene car photo:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=619037648139824&set=pb.109065622470365.-2207520000.1384274284.&type=3&theater

So far the vehicle has taken me up Imogene Pass (up until the deep snow on a narrow stretch that I did not want to risk as the road was closed!) and has been out on numerous storm chases including the 2.6 mile wide El Reno tornado. Before buying I saw a YouTube GoPro video of someone taking theirs over Black Bear pass. Here is another video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsVDBXUd8xc

I've got an '06 Jeep Liberty with about 78K miles. Pretty reliable and tough enough, but the adding some skid plates a couple of years ago was a wise investment, as proven by my drive to the Crystal Mill last month. Gas mileage is not great with 15-16 in town and 21mpg on a very good day on the highway. Because of that, I've got an '05 Malibu with about 151K for commuting to work (90 miles RT).
The Jeep can use a little more ground clearance, and my shop says I can get a couple more inches with larger tires and only have to go down one size in width. I like that it's a shorter vehicle, since it decreases the chances of getting hi-centered.
I built a hard platform to replace the retractable cargo cover, so I've increased the amount of storage space, but also gave up the idea of sleeping in the back (which was tight anyway, even for me at all of 5'5"). For longer trips or when I have someone accompanying me, I have a cargo carrier that I can drop onto the Yakima rack on the roof. Without the cargo carrier, I carry all my photo gear, blankets, sleeping bag, hydration packs, hiking (and now, snowshoeing) gear, etc, etc. I squeeze a lot into it.
The Jeep was a trade-off...what I could afford, what I could fit into the garage, and capable enough to do what I need. I wouldn't mind slightly bigger with better gas mileage, etc, but I don't think its all possible in one vehicle.

@Tom,

That's why I don't own one (and likely won't ever...)!

Having moved out of the area, I'm no longer in this particular game of thinking about off-road vehicles. Nice to hear about the new Foresters, though. Now living in the wet PNW, I'm looking at minivans that I can convert into a high-mpg poor man's RV. Give me a year or two...

Thanks for the great responses - lots of good ideas to consider. I was stuck for a while on the gas mileage issue, thinking that with the cost savings of a good gas mileage vehicle I could just rent a more rugged setup 2-3 times/year as needed (still a reasonable option). But it's hard to put a price on the convenience of having your own personalized rig that can go wherever you need it to whenever you want. We pay a lot for "convenience" in other domains. Now I'm dreaming of a tricked-out FJ like Scott's or Monika's. ;) But how to convince my wife?

Jared,
Looks like the rumors of the discontinuation of the FJ are true (similar rumors were around in '08) http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2013+sema+2014+toyota+fj+final.htm
A lot of women think the FJ's design is cute.....

A bit late to the thread - but my vehicle was neither under 30k nor a fuel-mizer. Its a 2009 VW Touareg with full-time 4WD, Locker, Factory 3.5" on-demand air-lift, and 32" BFG AT KO offroader tires. Not a rock crawler, but a damn stable platform, a Porsche design (Cayenne) that can handle monster trails in Moab and the San Juans - and still hit the highways when the day is done. But it is Independent Suspension (not a Jeep), only about 19 MPG on a good day for the V6 Gasser (the V6 TDI is better), and if there was a service issue, good luck finding help - it would need a tow back to a dealer trained to handle - yes - this Porsche. Its also about 6000 lb, not so nimble, but it turns like a Panzer. Still debating my next but thinking 4 Door Jeep with a lift kit and proper tires.

On the FJ's - there was much to like about it - especially the wide TRD support. But the FJ frame does twist when on three wheels causing notable wheel well and windshield stresses.

My rig is a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (4dr). It's pretty beastly out of the box and gets me about 20 MPG highway with a steel front bumper and a 10k winch already on. I have designs on lift, tires, etc plus some interior things like a 12v fridge/freezer. I sleep in the back, but I'd love to add a J30 pop up top to it.

My last 3 vehicles have been 4wd pickups, lwb, regular cab, with the 8' bed and shell. I have a bunk rigged in the back for sleeping. I am not fond of the Chevy perch-belly frame that seems to hang too low. I think a Tacoma off-road with the 7' bed would be a good choice, at least for me traveling single and wanting gear and sleeping space.

I'll chime in with another option that's far less than $30k - a Jeep Cherokee. I've been slowly building mine to be a wilderness rig for my photo trips, but some things come from my four-wheeling hobby, too. A stock Cherokee is very capable to tackle most trails in the area and you can get a decent one for ~$4k. I've slept in it a few times and once with my dog so there is plenty of cargo room (albeit I am 5'10"). Mine gets 18-20mpg highway.

http://www.jonlabass.com/jeep