Unlocking Potential: Toyota Sienna Overland Camping

Рет қаралды 9,201

6 ай бұрын

Exploring the forest to find the perfect off-road overland camping site in my Toyota Sienna No-Build Minivan Camper. The minivan is an excellent camper van, but not well suited for overland camping. This trip has me pondering whether a 4x4 might be a better option for my upcoming adventures.
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NOT the Perfect Off-Road Camper IT'S MUCH BETTER!
The Toyota Sienna is NOT the Perfect Off-Road Camper

Пікірлер: 89

@lukekao8136 Ай бұрын

Btw, Sienna does have 4 wheel drive too. Good ole' Swagger Wagon. lol. :)

@Michelle-bw1xg 6 ай бұрын

Newbie here. Spent 1 yr considering different vehicles on a budget. Just got minivan, use will be weekends to start and later full time. Perfect for now in life as it is also a commuter car. Eager to see if you eventually evolve your adventures with another vehicle.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I think about changing often, but new cars are just too expensive nowadays. Good luck with your new journeys.

@BusStopProductions. 6 ай бұрын

I, Watched This While Zipped Up Inside A Sleeping Bag.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Stay comfy and cozy!

@lpklpk447 2 ай бұрын

Nice set up! Enjoy!

@RVRebelGirl 6 ай бұрын

great video! I do so enjoy your adventures in the forest situational awareness is so important so glad you emphasized that in all your videos, reminding people.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

It’s something that’s always on my mind.

@velozidigital 6 ай бұрын

I've converted two Odysseys and one Caravan and couple weeks ago started converting the unicorn Sienna AWD with leveling kit. About 5 years ago settled on my final interior setup and looks very similar to yours. So yes, keeping that single third row seat was a game changer. I do plenty downtown city stealth and forest roads but if I'm tired, the Barrel it is.

@airstreamer 6 ай бұрын

Looks like you have the perfect set up for boon docking!

@wyrdadventures 6 ай бұрын

Looks like a prime camping spot! Love the drone footage!

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Thank you. I found a few more out there, but I remembered that one was wide open. It was a perfect spot.

@elsathal7359 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your journey ✌️💞🤟

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for stopping in and checking it out!

@MichaelEllis1 6 ай бұрын

I keep watching your videos and enjoying them. I'm shopping for a Sienna now but casually. Need to recover from the house renovation b4 I can spend more for the camper. You're inspiring me though.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. Good luck picking a camping vehicle.

@RVRebelGirl 6 ай бұрын

I love the wilderness 😊

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

It’s definitely peaceful.

@crazynice32 6 ай бұрын

love ur mini van camping vids def needed this today

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Your comment made my day! Thank you!

@CallMeVie 6 ай бұрын

This just means you are ready to head north to Canada during October. Glad you are still out and about enjoying the wilderness ~Vie 💚💚💚

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Hi Vie! Thanks for stopping in.

@khalessi1762 6 ай бұрын

That's a beautiful camping spot.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

It is. I’d love to go back soon.

@mickymazda1 6 ай бұрын

Hi, looks like I found your channel in the nick of time. I live in Western Australia and love gettting out for a few days kayaking. Im just in the process of making myself a budget camper. The question you raise of FWD van vs 4WD off roader is one Im struggling with at the moment. I love the idea of stealth camping too and a Toyota or Kia people mover seems more in tune with that kind of thing - plus day to day driving too. However, Here in Aussie we've really just got Bush or Beach and one day I know I'm going to regret not getting a 4 wheel drive. Still, I'm sure theres plenty of fun to be had whatever I choose. Subbing to your channel and looking forward to learning a lot from you. Cheers!

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience. This isn’t the first time I’ve been close to the limits of the Sienna, but still never been stuck. If you plan to stay close to routes FWD will be fine, but don’t stray too far.

@vinnyandrocky 6 ай бұрын

Agree, I have been enjoying my Sienna for several years cross country camping trips. If you do cross country trip, I prefer Walmart more than Cracker Barrel because you are the only car there sometimes.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

It sounds like you know what you like!

@goneoutside1011 6 ай бұрын

My second post lol…. Yes I have the field jacket liner and it is warm. The places I want to stealth camp is Walmart and a rest stop…. I sleep on top of my electric blanket and it works for me, the heat rises…. I have an Outback that I have slept in and it’s pretty comfortable.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

That’s a good idea to sleep on top of it. It’s too small to cover me up comfortably.

@madogblue 4 ай бұрын

AWD Sienna is a great low cost camping vehicle. Adding a lift kit will really allow more off road capabilities. The stock sienna sits really low, especially in the rear

@Louiepr60 2 ай бұрын

The woodland edition comes already lifted

@bonniecreevy2642 6 ай бұрын

This was such a helpful video. Thank you very much! What kind of extension cord is that that you have running off of your Delta?

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Hi, it’s an outdoor rated plug I picked up at Home Depot. I think it was this one: www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2-ft-12-3-Heavy-Duty-Indoor-Outdoor-Extension-Cord-with-Multiple-Outlet-Triple-Tap-Lighted-End-Orange-Grey-HD-461-442/202530012

@bonniecreevy2642 6 ай бұрын

TY! Bought it :) @@OffGridAdventure

@WisconsinForesters 6 ай бұрын

A better alternative to the toaster oven is a Hot Logic mini cooker. Does a great job and only uses about 35 watts. I just pull a frozen meal out of my freezer in the back of the van an hour before I get to camp and by the time I get to camp dinner is very hot and ready.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I’ll check it out. I’m always trying something new.

@Bora_H 6 ай бұрын

Price / Value / Reliablity / Capability. The AWD Sienna is pretty hard to beat. My 2015 has very similar specs to my 06 4Runner. Maybe some airbags to lift it up when needed? Thanks for the good vids!

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I have the rear airbags and they can lift it some. The trailer hitch drags the most because it is so low. A 4Runner would be the best compromise with the minivan, because it has a good amount of internal volume.

@goneoutside1011 6 ай бұрын

I actually just got the 4 mini today and it has sensors on top to avoid obstacles. Which is what I needed for the forest. When I camp in the forest I wear orange or lime green and I have lights attached to my vehicle. Unless I don’t want to be seen.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

This is the mini 4 pro as well. I might have been going too fast for the drone to keep up. It recovered from one branch, and tumbled on the second branch. No damage to the drone. Need the ND filter set to fox the exposure on some shots.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

7:19 i just did a video today talking my cook station outside the vehicle to cook so weird that was before the snow hit now it snowing cats 🐱 and dogs up here in Michigan

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I saw your recent video. Excellent camping setup.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

@@OffGridAdventure I been working on other car camping project videos but for some reason am overly focused on food 😂

@KARW37 6 ай бұрын

I thought to stay at a Cracker Barrel, once, in TN, but it looked deserted after the place closed. I wasn’t sure about it, so I didn’t stay.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I’m from TN, and would be careful there due to more strict laws about car camping. It’s been a long time since I lived there, so things may have changed since then.

@dianneharris2870 5 ай бұрын

If you guys would just make a hybrid van a person could stand up in, you would sell out!

@RicG. 6 ай бұрын

I've tried 3 different camping electric blankets and none of them were worth a darn. They get lukewarm at best. Sent 'em all back.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Did you try any with AC power?

@vladtepish 6 ай бұрын

Do you take the Sienna through the automatic car wash with the solar panel on top?

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I have several times. It’s water tight as is.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

8:35 the seasoning that was on those other vegetables that you made that one time was delicious. I think you’re missing the seasoning.was it delicious?? I think 🤔 they had some kinda of maybe Parmesan cheese I can’t remember old people

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I looked for that kit, but could not find it anywhere.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

@@OffGridAdventure I told my wife how awesome that vegetable kit was that you prepared and we went looking for one ☝️ and never found one either was It something seasonal?? Anyway you know how to cook something special in a toaster oven now I can learn and practice so far on one ☝️ charge on the Ecoflow Delta 2 I have made two different meals and boil some water for tea ☕️ today before the snow ❄️ hit am glad you referred me I love ❤️ it

@StephenYang 6 ай бұрын

If I were getting a new vehicle, you can get a clear wrap to protect the paint.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

It might be neat to make a custom wrap.

@ApastronRetro 6 ай бұрын

What do you think of getting a lift kit for your sienna? I mean with the fenders the size they are you can put a lift kit on but you can't upgrade the tire size. Besides with gas mileage I would just rather have a two-wheel drive, with bigger tires for added ground clearance since I won't be going over many off-road obstacles. But I would like some kind of a nice front brush guard with a winch.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I have had the Journey’s kit in my shopping cart several times, but never made the leap.

@ApastronRetro 2 ай бұрын

@@OffGridAdventure I just picked up a 2012 AWD sienna (I will buy a full size spare tire) I like the fact of AWD as I live in WNY so we get a lot of winter conditions. It is also going to be my daily driver. It will keep the resale up also if I decide to sell it. I have an idea about how to set up my van. Thanks for all of your information!

@melrichardson2392 Ай бұрын

Bigfoot lol alot of people use heard mattress pad

@PartyUpLive 6 ай бұрын

If I'm camping in the forest, I'd rather spend all my time there and enjoy the experience. I did do Cracker Barrel on a couple of rest trips and it wasn't bad at all. At one, the police came to check up on everyone in the morning. My ofter plan/option is LOVE's. Neighborhood stealth camping would be my last resort, if Walmart, or other places that let you park overnight, weren't an option.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

That makes sense. It sounds like you have found some decent spots to setup for the night.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

13:01 I know all about jackets getting a little tighter

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

Exactly! Lol.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

15:30 ps i love ❤️ video like this cheers my friend

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

13:56 I might have but bears in the back of your mind am sorry your right the likelihood that you run across a bear is kind of on the slim side but there’s always at risk I think I’m rubbing off on you 😂

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I looked them up after camping with you. They are out here, but not common.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

@@OffGridAdventure it’s best to always be on the safe side it doesn’t hurt to plan for the worst that way if something happens you don’t panic 😱 that is the last thing you want to do in a encounter with a bear 🐻 stay safe from your Michigan friends

@Marleydia 5 ай бұрын

Just got my Toyota sienna 2020, and new to the channel removed middle row seats and dealing with the carriages. Trying to put in a subfloor for leveling out the floor and build from there. Bed will be the trunk bunk. We will leave the back seats in. Anyone have suggestions? Looking for a local carpenter, but I could use any suggestions at all. Our intention is to have space for a cooler/ fridge behind the front seat for access on road trips. Thanks all.

@OffGridAdventure 5 ай бұрын

My van is mostly stock, so I’m not much help with flooring. But, it sounds like you have a lot of great ideas for how to build yours. Good luck!

@girlplaymm Ай бұрын

They make a lift kit for those

@bigrollinghome2091 6 ай бұрын

sounds like you're in Sasquatch country!

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

It’s out there somewhere.

@lowermichiganadventures 6 ай бұрын

17:00 McDonald’s coffee ☕️???

@sleepnclass Ай бұрын

get the new sienna hybrid with AWD

@stevieb8766 6 ай бұрын

A nice used cargo van would be stealth and much bigger than your current set up.

@OffGridAdventure 6 ай бұрын

I’d love to find an affordable full size 4x4 van. Those can go just about anywhere.

@tybrady4598 6 ай бұрын

It’s a trade off. The new Sienna hybrid minivans get 36 mpg, the large cargo vans are probably around 15 mpg. A cargo van is stealth, but a minivan is even more stealth. So if one doesn’t mind paying for the gas, a cargo van is better since there’s so much more space.