Minivan Offroading 101 | Tips and Tricks for Minivan Off Roading Adventures!
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- If you'd like to see everything I use in my van, click here: www.minivancam...
Are you new to exploring and driving on dirt roads? Or maybe you need to know how to offroad in a minivan camper? I'll show you tricks for driving on rough roads and emergency recovery gear you might consider carrying.
Battery Jump Starter: amzn.to/3qYUyUr
TracGrabbers: amzn.to/3MYrfIH
Shovel: amzn.to/3NjPUJg
Tool Kit: amzn.to/3NmjVYM
Gas Can: amzn.to/3Nmed9v
Snow Socks: amzn.to/3Nmk26E
inReach Satellite Communicator: amzn.to/3P5mOie
Welcome to Minivan Camper Gal! I'm Kelly and I camp and travel in a Chrysler Pacifica Minivan, doing part-time van life. Here you will find van build videos, tips on the digital nomad lifestyle, general travel vlog videos, and more. I'm into minimalism, and I eat a mostly plant-based vegan diet. I'm still learning how to do vegan vanlife well! I have some great vegan camping recipes to share with you, but would love some suggestions, too! Sometimes I stealth camp in the city, but mostly I like to boondock. Join me and my camper van as we embark on all the car camping adventures!
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![Solo VAN CAMPING in the rain. No talking. Diesel heater keeps minivan warm! [ ASMR | relaxing ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/h5J-Jn0WHQo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Solo VAN CAMPING in the rain. No talking. Diesel heater keeps minivan warm! [ ASMR | relaxing ]](/img/tr.png)
First time I have watched someone Air-Down a mini van. 🙂
Haha! I try not to make a habit out of it, lol. Thanks for watching!
You might want to add a tire plug kit and a roll of rebar wire. The plug kits are a pain to use but 2 flat tires are a common occurrence on dirt/gravel roads. Rebar wire is just stiff wire available at Lowes/Home Depot. Good to hold up exhaust pipes and other damaged odds and ends. Both items are small and inexpensive. Happy travels.
Cheers!
Hey Dave! Oh wow, the rebar is a fantastic idea, as well as the tire repair kit. Thank you!
Lots of great ideas and gadgets I never heard of before, thank you! Super impressed with how well prepared you are.
The glove compartment is called a cubbyhole in South Africa.
Great safety tips! I agree, we need to take care of ourselves as solo female travellers.
My VW Beetle is 23 years old but still in perfect condition. Not a vehicle for dirt roads, although I've done quite a few of those over the years. Once drove more than two hours on a 3 kilometre farm road. Very low clearence. 🙈
I always carry a good flashlight, medical emergency kit and extra water for me and my dog. But those are things you have as basics already.
In the next few months I'll be converting an old VW kombi (1970s) into a camper and I love watching your (and other camper) videos to get ideas on travelling light but wisely.
Thanks, and take care!
Hey C! Ooh, a cubbyhole, how interesting! Good luck on your camper conversion, it sounds very interesting!
We call the jockey box/glove box a Dash Compartment, since it is below the dashboard. 😀 This is a very helpful video for a newbie like me. Thanks!
Hey Deb! Ooh, a Dash Compartment, I haven't heard that one before. I like it. I'm glad it was helpful for you!
This is amazing, as I'm taking my mini-van and my dogs in a few days for a many-state road trip and do plan on boondocking some. THANKS VERY MUCH. Great helpful information.
Hey Okie! Ooh, sounds fun! Safe travels to you.
A 3" lift kit is available for my 2005 Caravan and they may have a lift kit for the Pacifica.
I don't plan to go off-road, so I wouldn't bother. But for you, it may be money well spent.
You may also want to check on a skid plate if you keep hitting rocks.
Thanks for the videos!
That's what I just posted. If she's going off road, she needs to get it lifted.
Thanks Steve! Yes, I would love to get a lift kit! And a skid plate... ooh, I'll have to look into that. Thanks!
I didn’t see where to get the battery jumper box. I hate asking people for help. I loved that
Hi Ruth! Here is the jump starter: amzn.to/3qYUyUr
About a month ago I went down this gravel road and it had low water creek crossings. The first 2 were just fine and I asked someone about the next one and they said oh you’ll make it, just go fast. My van has trim at the bottom which makes it about 6 inches off the ground. Was it ever a big mistake! I got stuck and luckily a guy with a big truck was there and he hooked onto the back of my van and pulled me back. I let him drive it across the creek bed. He made it but I had one more so I drove as fast as I could and I MADE IT!!! No more creek running in my Dodge Caravan. I just put new struts, shocks, and tires on it too.
~Elaine
Hey Elaine! Oh man, that sounds crazy! I assume you were able to get out another way and you didn't have to go back?
We’ve always called it a glove box x 🇬🇧
Hey Shantel! Interesting to know that's where we got it from!
Hi Kelly, no sound here again but captions work fine. It is such an amazingly pratical video, full of great advice! In the "glove compartment" we keep our gloves here in jolly olde Englande haha. The "Jockey Box" sounds a bit like you might find your grandpa's truss in there LOL. Loved seeing you again! 😍
Hey Marion! I finally figured out what's going on with my sound - It's not equal on both channels. Thank you for alerting me about this! I really appreciate it!
Very useful tips! Thanks ❤. In Spain we call that a “guantera”, which means glovebox 👍🏻
Ooh, guantera, I like it. Thanks for watching!
great video, thank you, I also carry a tyre repair kit, I won't be able to fix it, but if a man comes along he will...lol...I bought the Mean Mother kinetic snatch ropes and shackles, didn't bring them with me on my trip through Western Australia as I'm on the coast where you can't get away from anyone...lol!
Hey WanderWoman! I love your name! I'll have to check out Mean Mother. Thanks for watching, and enjoy your trip!
Have you considered putting a lift kit on your van? It may be a little bit of an investment, but it could allow you to go further to the places you want to camp.
YES, I'd love to put one on!
I had that same booster. It's a little weak. It works but it's borderline. If the car doesn't start on the first try it'll drain the whole booster. I would go for 1500A
Thank you for sharing the info. It's really helpful.
Thanks Winnie, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
To see everything I use in my van, visit www.minivancampergal.com!
Hola....muy informativo tu video....tienes buenas ideas....ojalá no las necesites.... saludos desde Chihuahua México 😊
Gracias Daniel!
Well done. I call it a glove box. May I suggest a UA-cam channel? Project Farm is an awesome channel that tests/reviews products to help find what's best for you.
You need a tow strap. I also carry rubber boots & a small tarp for rain/muddy conditions. Don't go anywhere without duct tape. And I carry a small gas can.
Smart lady. Love your content. Thx
Thanks Joe! I'll have to check out Project farm. Thanks for the tips!
Honestly , I like your vids a lot but there is some potential for disaster here( long time van dweller, off roader and mechanic). Lowering tire pressure is basically for comfort, it is not at all needed and and it's a big big and- the catastrophic failure that you are trying to, and must avoid here is cracking your oil pan on the ground or a rock...you loose oil and trash your engine and it will cost you huge money
. Therefore drive much slower and leave that tire pressure up, you already have very, very little clearance.
Your choice of tires is great- bring a couple of the large cans of fix o flat with you, it will save you in a bind.
Good idea on the Jumpstarter and tool kit.
The one other thought is, use a lot of forethought before heading off road and turn around very early at the first thought of, am I in trouble. A van like that in mud will get stuck incredibly fast and will be really hard to get out because it can get "high centered" on the bottom as soon as your tires dig down...so even if you can turn your tires you can't go because of the drag.
I love the adventurous spirit! Keep it up!
Thank you for the great tips. It's really made me think twice about those rough roads!
Thank you for the inspiration! I'm soon taking a solo camping trip to Banff. I hike in the mountains often but this time I'm going to hike for 2 days. As I'm going to be in Grizzly country I'm going to stick to a campground (in my outback) and very popular hiking trails. A solo trip feels pretty adventurous to me but that's what makes it memorable
Hey Amy! Oh, I'd love to go to Banff. That sounds like an amazing trip -I hope you have fun!
My family has always called it a jockey box, too. 😊
Hey Tamera! Yay, a point for the jockey box! Wouldn't it be interesting to trace back the origins? Thanks for watching!
A MOST helpful video! Thanks! I took my Pacifica on a road that looked very similar to that and ended up tearing away a part of the skid plate, (that’s what the dealership called it anyway) that protects the underside of the car, on a huge rock. It’s made of a flexible, woven sort of thick material and part of it was hanging down dragging on the road. The mechanic just cut away the part that was hanging down and said it would be fine… 🤷♀️ Disconcerting to say the least! When I had to drive over that same stretch of road again this spring, I was really anxious about it, but I’m learning! Oh! And thanks for reminding me to check to make sure my jump starter is CHARGED! I think I’ll put a reminder in my calendar to check it periodically AND before heading out into the boonies! 😊
Hey Pioneer Grandma! Oh, if that's what the skid plate is, then, I've torn mine up too! Haha. Well, what did we buy them for, if not to adventure, right?! 😂 I'm glad you liked the video!
I think camping in my minivan with you would be fun! ~ Elaine
Hey Elaine! Maybe we'll meet up on the road one of these days!
I over inflate my tires on my Honda minivan for cross country rides, to get up in the 32 mpg range.
Ooh, interesting!
I also have a tire hole repair kit and a key recovery kit. It let's u get ur locked keys out of ur car.
Glovebox - near heard it call anything else.
Ooh good idea!
I have a Jeep Rubicon amd haven't even off roaded Lol..well except for the short road to the lake nearby 😅
Haha, now you have to! You can't be shown up by a minivan, ha!
@@minivancampergal1554 haha true that! 😂
Great editing
Thank you!
I have a ZOLEO satellite contact device and it pretty much does the same thing but it was cheaper. The plan I got with in has unlimited texting, my loved ones can follow me on their cellular device, and I can also text a medical personnel if lets say I sprained my ankle and it’s not an real emergency they will give you advice on what to do. You cannot be under trees of course just like your handheld device. I have a mount where it mounts inside my vehicle window and I can leave it there. It was $199 + accessories $75 and plan I got which I can text as much as I want I think is $55 a month no sure about that number.
Ooh, that sounds really interesting. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
I carry my pup!
The best traveling companion! What breed is your dog?
How are you then putting air back in tires? Do you just wait till you hit a gas station? Will adding larger non factory size tires give more clearance I wonder?
Thx as always for a great video!
Get a lift kit (if there's one available). I'm having a 3 inch lift kit put on my Sienna.
Hey Serenity! Yes, I would love a lift kit! It's definitely on my list. What company are you going with for yours?
@@minivancampergal1554 I have a Sienna so I'm using Journey's Off Road.
Glove Compartment
👍
I’m the 1st like!
😂...i know the feeling. Lol
Woohoo! Thanks Jeanette!
Probably the smartest solution would be to buy a four wheel drive.
Ha! Yes, you’re right about that!
I enjoy your videos but your audio often come through only on one channel or the other (r/l)
Oh no - Thank you so much for letting me know! I just discovered this, and will make sure the audio is fixed on the next one.
U would get more views if u would keep ur big-lib comments out of it