THE JOURNAL
The Cricket Camper, Big Bend National Park, Texas. Photograph by Filmlab, courtesy of TAXA Outdoors
And three suitably rugged SUVs to hitch them up to.
In my Boy Scout days, camping meant assembling damp, complicated tents while it rained. Never did the word “camping” correlate in my mind to an experience of a comfortable night under the stars in some epic remote location. But, boy, times have changed. These days, camping doesn’t have to even involve a tent. The wise and stylish eschew the canvas for a camper van. Here are the best in the park.
The Cricket
Just hitched
Photograph by Filmlab, courtesy of TAXA Outdoors
With a design inspired by Nasa, the Cricket is lightweight (just 1,500lbs), yet rugged with a laser-cut aluminium structure on a steel frame. It easily sleeps two adults and two kids and comes complete with a wooden interior kitchen and outdoor shower. The Cricket also has an integrated plumbing and electrical system (solar powered) that can keep you off the grid for days. Great for those deep dives into the wilderness experience.
The Droplet
Photograph courtesy of Droplet
The Droplet calls itself the “new-age compact camper”. Ergonomically designed using recyclable materials, it fits a queen-size bed and sleeps two adults in its sleek, minimal interior. There are big windows to bring in daylight and allow for optimum stargazing. This little guy is an all-season camper with an exterior kitchen that cleverly pops out of the back storage. Droplet also puts 10 per cent of its profits back into maintaining and creating free campsites.
Airstream
Photograph by Mr Richard Broadwell/Alamy
A classic in many ways. Not much has changed with this aluminium-skinned silver bullet since it was conceived some 80 years ago. It is still the gold standard of travel campers (and great looking, too). I lived in a 1971 Airstream Safari for a couple of years when I first bought my farm in Upstate NY. It was like living on the most perfect little boat. Very well designed, efficient and comfy. I guess that’s why they called them land yachts.
Jeep Wagoneer
What to tow them with
Photograph courtesy of Jeep
The Wagoneer is an easy choice for the vintage car enthusiast who wants something to latch their camper to. Produced by Jeep from 1962 to 1991, this was the world’s first luxury 4x4 sports utility vehicle (SUV). Its iconic “wood-panelled” sides nod to the family station wagons of a bygone era. The secondary market on these is thriving and these beauties are in high demand, but you can easily find ground-up restored ones out there for a price.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Photograph courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Yes! Rolls-Royce. If you really want to glam up your camping experience, maybe the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the right choice for you. This 563-horsepowered beast is no joke when it comes to its off-road capabilities and finding your secluded camping spot. So latch your camper to this luxurious ride and find your inner Mr Henry David Thoreau (complete with transcendental standard interior champagne chiller).
Land Rover Discovery
Photograph courtesy of Land Rover
Land Rover has long been associated with adventure and discovery. These cars have transported everyone from army officers to the current British monarch. The Discovery series was first introduced in the late 1980s and this recent design is the fifth generation of the model. It has mounds of road clearance (11.1in) for back woods excursions and seats seven. There is not much the Disco can’t do and the transition from the highway to the obscure dirt road is a comfortable and easy one.