This is huge for all off road disciplines, pack it in, pack it out should be a major thought in the minds of everyone going off road, everytime I go out I bring a cooler with a plastic liner in it designated specifically for trash, my trash and trash that I find on the trail.
@@grunair If you want to have a fire on the trail, pack in some wood and find some rocks to make a pit, then when you are done, put them back where you found them. The ash will be good for any seeds that land there and you didn't screw up anything to get kindling or stuff to burn
Hey now! Those Miatas can for sure hold a tent, cooler with enough beer for a weekend, and get you out to a maintained campground to enjoy the great outdoors! Otherwise I'm sure we can find a way to lift it and stick 33s under there 😂
I've kept an off road toy for most of my life and lived across the country. That being said I was always taught 3 things. 1. Always help if you see someone in need. If it's not you then who will? 2. Pack up for 2x the trip. You never know what may break or how long it may take to get out. 3. Always pick up after yourself. Leave it looking like you'd like to pull up to it. If it's already trashed load out anything extra you can. Otherwise our land bureaus can and will close trails.
Nothing makes me more mad than someone who leaves their trash or broken parts on a trail. I live in Georgia and unless you drive the maintained service roads you can't off-road legally anywhere that is not a private park. When I drive through the park and see trash on the ground it makes my blood boil, there are so few parks within a day's drive of me left and it's like these people are actively trying to get them to close. Especially when you talk to the owners and they're just so fed up with all the trash getting left around that they're considering closing it's infuriating.
@@helvetesfonster900 I was in Cali when they first started closing fire roads due to the same s#!^. Now I'm in Arkansas and they still let you out quite a few places but in the last 3 yrs alot have been closed especially around th orv parks as people off trail and trash it out.
@@SR-tn6gv yeah they're starting to gate everything up down here too. The problem is the people who are causing the problem in the first place don't actually care they'll go around the gates or plow through the trees so it'll just continually make us look worse. Now I don't even register my off-road vehicles because there's nowhere within 2 hours of me so they're all trailer queens now.
Oh yeah your second bulletin actually reminded me of a funny story, I drove I think 5 hours to Tennessee to go to an off-road event that was for a charity and I made a hotel reservation for 3 days and on the first day I broke the yoke on my rear axle on a Saturday and that town is nothing but truck stops and hotels and I couldn't get that part anywhere absolutely ruined my trip I had enough parts to build that vehicle from the ground up except for that one yoke.
As a Scout, I recommend that you follow the “Leave no trace” rule: Leave the place better than you found it, and these beautiful places can last a whole lot longer.
I do worry when people think that picking up a beer can offsets the trail tire dust you left, and the erosion you caused, and the ash you left, and the hole you dug to hide your poo in, and the fuel you burned, and the lizard you unknowingly evicted, and all the plastic gear you bought, and the fungal spores you introduced with your dirty boots, and the seeds you had stuck in the seams of your tent. The environmental impacts just follow people wherever they go. Overlanders will spoil our wild spaces, and you can't do anything significant to undo it. Life will go on. You are fooling yourself if you think you are saving anything when you drive 300 miles then pick up a plastic bag or two.
@@emptyshirt that is why leave no trace principals address all those concerns. That being said, definitely better to not drive through the wilderness if it can be avoided
@@emptyshirt you must have a fun life never leaving your house. Let me guess you are against camping too? Oo all that harsh metal and plastic for my tent or stove, of and god forbid the propane. Ash is a fertilizer, so that’ll actually help plant life grow. Think of all the animals you evicted with your house.
OMG I started overlanding 15 years ago and it was great. Solitude, quiet, peaceful. Now... The trails are packed solid with not only SUVs but ATVs and dirt bikes. And those buggers don't worry too much about being quiet or littering.
Where I live now it's full of those razers buggies wich mainly are local narcos with his music on full volume and leave their thrash in all area. Friggin glass beer bottles plastic bags and sht. The sad thing you can't tell the authorities or they do nothing.
I think you touched on a topic that could be a future episode or series of episodes, how to enjoy our automotive hobbies responsibly without damaging the environment. For example how to properly dispose vehicle fluids, recycling old parts rather than just throwing them in the trash, treading lightly while off the pavement… There are lots of aspects that Donut could touch on and the Hi/Low Plastidip episode proved how much people take you opinions to heart. Donut can be informative, fun, and stewards of the environment, MO PRESERVATION BABEH!
@Ken Norcott facts, I’m no tree-hugging hippie or anything and I don’t get a sense of superiority by picking up after other people, but I just filled a trash bag with garbage thrown out from the side of vehicles at a local so cal trail last weekend. I even saw graffiti on one rock. Mind-boggling and disgusting.
That's part of the issue, but a lot of the issues brought up are from the vehicles tearing up the plant life and soil. Experience level does not negate that damage
@@jerroldshelton9367 , As an Australian, I think i understand Americans have been camping since the 50s. Heading off to Yosemite National Park and other places in their station-wagons. I would like to thank america for the WW2 Jeeps they left behind in Australia, that helped bush camping here.
Haha, it’s not new. The hipsters, city folks and suburban people just started putting it all on the internet and whoring out the cool hidden spots. People (including Americans) have always been doing this forever, just never had the need to provide free advertisements for the quiet hidden spots and ruin them by guiding the crowd in masses To the “secret quiet spots”
The only barrier to entry for overlanding is actually just being ok to poop in creative situations. A great man once said "Shittin in a hole ain't for everybody"
Digging a hole and shitting in it has environmental impact. Also, one time I left a hot one on the ground in the desert and I picked up a rock to put on top of it, but when I picked the rock up there was somebody else's dried up poo under it. That is when I realized that camping is inevitably going to ruin every accessible wild space and I'm a part of it. I always wanted to be part of something big, and that something is trashing the Earth.
In my local area, it’s destroying 4wheeling , dirtbiking and camping. We’ve been getting new gates put up as people kept leaving there garbage, and cutting through locked gates. Ive been in the woods in our area for the last 23 years. As of this year i can only legally use a fraction of the land because of the local forest company closing all the trail areas off behind big fines. We go out and clean the woods frequently but cant keep up with the people who dump broken boats, drywall, old papers, furniture and more. It affects my ability to go out and my film yt vids when everythings a 5000$ fine and gates every where you go
2014 crosstrek owner here: yes they are fun, reliable, and contrary to what people say, can make barely ENOUGH power to haul a lot of cargo up a hill, do I want more power? Sure, but if I wanted power I wouldnt have bought a versatile compact crossover. The newer generations make even more power. Stock height is already a lot of ground clearance to offroad most places. If not tent or roof tent camping, you can sleep inside if you are under 5'10". This thing destroys other cars in the snow, and soon i'm gonna start bringing it to rallycross. I would LOVE to drop by donut HQ to let you guys play around with it in the dirt.
literally entire forum threads about how a heavily load subaru CVT will guarantee fail, since the gear ratio in the CVT is meant for On road MPG. i dont doubt if you Subaru leaves you stranded 100miles away from any Subaru shop with a 5000$ transmission repair. lolz. good luck that .
@@jacoblevy4429 100% of Crostrek with Manual transmissions recalled for PCV failure and excessive oil Consumption LOOOLZ. okay, still have pathetic gear ratio.
I've been overlanding or doing overland adjacent stuff for about 15 years now, and while it's been cool to see a niche hobby become as popular as it is, trails are absolutely gummed up with instagram rigs and such nowadays, Ive stopped going to Amy popular spots and have just been exploring old logging/forestry roads here in Wyoming for awhile now.
Proud owner of a Crosstrek.... One of my favorite vehicles I’ve owned after I lost my XJ back in 2005. Can go nearly anywhere you really want to go, you can sleep in it, and decent on mileage when you’re not out in the woods.
It's more so that people just started calling basic camping "overlanding" but Americans aren't doing it as the original term suggests. Think Sub-Sahara Africa, Central Asia, or Australia. That is where Overlanding happens. And, not that we don't have fun, gorgeous terrain in North America, it's simply that roughin' it for Americans ain't the same as the rest of the world.
@@MasterOfPoridge it’s always been that way plays on words or just straight up perceiving an entirely new definition literally has happened all throughout history not just the new generation
No but in all honesty it's true. I drove through Valley of the Gods a while back and it was GREAT! and as long as you aren't a low-bro then you can totally drive it
I have an Outback and it’s honestly blown my mind with the capabilities it has off-roading with just the stock features.. there’s more room than the crosstrek and more ground clearance as well. All around a great vehicle
@@CanadaBud23 no one said it was a good vehicle but. Having a built in cooler, waterproof seats, front seat cushions that could be used as a flotation device, tail gate pop up camper. Were very much quality traits that any overland would love to have and was way ahead of it's time. An suv I could go to the lake and chill in the water with a seat cushion and a chilled beer from the built in cooler then lower the tail gate pop up the camper and go to bed. That is the definition of an overland vehicle. Only thing vehicles are missing today are the seat cushions as a floatation device.
Talked to a BMW designer many, many years ago and he talked about the "same sausage, different length" philosophy. Don't remember if he said they try to avoid it or go for it but the sausage analogy made me chuckle. And yes, he was German.
My first car was a Citroen 2CV ... turns out it is a really good car for dirt and gravel roads. 😁 It's pretty noisy though, so I upgraded to a Citroen Dyane, and put better mufflers on it.
I own a 2014 crosstrek and I love it so much. With the only addition of BFG K02's, she absolutely destroys in the snow and works surprisingly well going up relatively steep, rocky inclines. She's also really fun to get sideways on a dirt road. Additionally, if you put the back seats down and the front seats all the way forward, you can (barely) fit a full size mattress in the back with about 1-1.5ft of headroom. Pretty cramped, but it works in a pinch. For extended stays in it, I recommend taking the passenger and rear seats out and installing a bed-platform of some type.
In short: Overlanding has become more popular due to social media and the pandemic. It can be a fun adventure. Just drive carefully, and take care of nature.
I think one of the thing we should all start doing to protect nature is to stop geo tagging your instagram post. It's okay for people who see your picture to not know where it was taken
Exactly. On my channel, I almost never disclose the places I go. I may tell the general area, and leave it up to the viewer to grab a map and find it like i did!
If I geotag somewhere that’s not super well known, I’ll generally tag the region itself. Like instead of tagging the trail it’s on, I tag just the state itself
6:53 I have a 2021 Crosstrek Limited and I love this car. I don't see myself letting it go, anytime soon. The smart cruise control is probably one of the best in the business and makes highway driving absolutely casual. If traffic is irritating and you want to get away from them all, the Crosstrek has no issue kicking off from anyone. Get the 2.5L; there is an excellent turbo kit, for it. 12:34 Okanagan: oak-UH-nah-gin (hard g). Great job on Wenatchee! I will say that most dispersed campgrounds that I have seen, in 2020, had semi-permanent residences and were effectively destroyed. You may have to go a little farther to get out, in 2021. #leavenotrace
Wow, appreciate the shoutout at 3:30 and the great video you put together. It's so important with the rapid rise in people getting outside and exploring our public lands that folks educate themselves on Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly principles. We all need to do our part to leave places better than we found them so that everyone can continue to enjoy them.
The outdoors ain’t for the meek and cars don’t belong with you out in nature because it’s not the point, but cars going out and doing this is dope ngl.
As someone who goes real offroading, I agree. Can't go anywhere without idiots in their fancy new 4runners parked right on the trails and leaving their garbage everywhere. Leaving a bad name for us.
Hey, thanks for the plug at 0:35 and 8:41! If anyone wants to see more of the Overland drawers I built, here's the full video: ruclips.net/video/tG-wbmwft28/видео.html
I've had my Crosstrek for 3 years and it's a very capable car for light to medium overlanding as it comes. I have the 6 speed manual so I can't speak to the CVT issues that some people complain about. The stock ground clearance was good enough for me to take on moderately rough forest service roads although I have since added a 2.5" lift and larger tires to help with the rougher roads I have to travel for work. I did build a sleeping platform for the back because I was spending months at a time living out of it with my dog and the backseat does not fold flush with the hatch area. I'm not a tall person (5'7") but I fit perfectly sleeping in the back. I will admit for long periods of time it can be cramped to live out of like this which is why I'm building a small off-road teardrop trailer to tow behind it, but for shorter trips it works great.
I cant wait for theme parks and other amusement outlets to open so that our parks can get a break. Seriously, it's so devastating to see some of the trails and camp grounds just absolutely thrashed by careless people.
nice places are being trashed too by low class people with stimulus money. You wouldn't believe the things I've seen on the Vegas strip this year. People walking around in sweatpants and slides smh
I will admit I already had a love affair with camping. So when trends started allowing me to pack less and have more flexibility with where I camp (communities sharing their tips, tricks, locations) I definetly capitalized and outfitted my truck with a rooftop tent and cargo drawers. I have no regrets!
GF bought a Crosstrek and she loves it. Hell I love it. When we don't want to drag out the truck somewhere but still want to carry the kayaks it's perfect.
2018 Crosstrek owner here. I got it because it was the soft-roadiest daily available with manual transmission. Two can sleep in the back comfortably (but if you're over 6ft then probably go for an Outback), and it can go a surprising amount of places while stock and with some skill. The only way I'm parting with this car is if either me or it ceases to function. As for car camping and overlanding, always pack out what you bring in (including your brass), bring fire extinguishers in case you spot a smouldering patch of brush before it turns into a wildfire, stay on the tracks and trails so you do not worsen erosion, take down any crossing constructions after you've crossed so others can experience the challenge, and be quiet.
@@Advntrwrx The Thule roof has a shield that deflects the air up and over top of the spare at highway speeds. I probably lose 5 mpg with it up there. But it looks cool!
I have an overlanding crosstrek and I love it. I live on top of a mountain, and in the winter we get endless snow. I have passed jeeps and F150s stuck on the road without issue. The symetrical AWD is top notch. the downsides are the V4 and CVT, but its not a rock crawler. Some people try and take it there but itll never compare to a jeep in that regard. For the price and fuel economy, it is an epic upgradable overlanding camping rig for a great value.
I have a 2021 manual crosstrek and it’s awesome! I previously had a 2018 manual crosstrek that I put over 90,000 km on with zero issues in terms of reliability. They’re a great car and fun with a stick
Honestly, if the Crosstrek is for a new series of HiLow or you’re looking at building an overlander, I would try looking at other SUV’s as well and keep in mind that older also means less technology to break or interfere with the experience. Other body-on-frame SUV’s as well, like 4Runners, Jeeps, or Xterras also tend to have a lot more ground and tire clearance for off-roading, which other than 4-wheel drive of course is one of the most important parts of off-roading. Personally I have an 02’ Nissan Xterra, and it might be bare bones and slow on the road, but when I take it off-road and remember how cheap it was to buy, it makes me remember why I love it so much.
Buy some lift shackles and crank your torsion bars. You'll get a couple inches of lift and be able to drive down dirt roads at 40 or 50 no problem without the washboard rattling anymore. I had a Frontier for about 15 years that I did that too. It'll cost you about $30 bucks if you have tools to make your own shackles and maybe $80 if you need to buy some. Idk I haven't looked in forever but they're cheap. It's way cheaper to replace a worn out leaf springs by going to a junkyard after ten years than it is to buy fancy aftermarket suspension parts that don't work as well. I had a friend with a really built offroad Xterra and I would constantly leave him in the dust because his $2000 lift kit suspension sucked balls. Seriously it makes a huge difference. I could literally jump my truck and not spill the drink in the cup holder. If you use your Xterra offroad I would highly recommend it.
My guess is that since he's putting out there that he's looking at a Crosstrek, and I think they're located in L.A. (though correct me if I'm wrong), he's not really seeking a true off-roader, but rather a swiss army kind of vehicle that's mostly for daily driving yet sufficient for the occasional weekend adventure. The size, ride, and MGP of those mid-size truck-like SUVs, which I'm sure are well within his radar, probably disqualified them from consideration.
I like the self-reliance and preparedness aspect of overlanding. I hate the Gucci gear-only gate keeping aspect. I try to keep everything budget friendly and simple on my build. “Run what you brung” is a great principle for getting outdoors in a vehicle for some camping.
If you add a few inches clearance with a decent lift kit, invest in some actual good tires, and get lockers then I wouldn't worry to much. I always think to myself "where the hell they going" when I see a jeep running thin wall 44 mudders and more suspension parts than the vehicles wotth.
@@HAHA.GoodMeme Most can't though, which is why they don't usually run any of those set ups overlanding. He was talking about gatekeeping anyways, which you're trying to do. No ones jealous of your over fluffed ride lol.
@@HAHA.GoodMeme being able to afford something is different than wanting to use money on something. I can buy whatever the overlanding expo has to offer, doesn’t mean I’m going to if I can have just as good of a time with something more reasonably priced or that I make myself. Plus there’s the satisfaction of completing a DIY project. Nice troll attempt tho, best of luck next time
If you haven't bought one yet, I have a sermon on my love for Crosstreks. I leased a 2020 last year and fell in love. Thing got totalled almost 1 year ago (with under 5k miles on it) and I bought a Ram 2500 Cummins. Yesterday I ordered a 2021 Crosstrek because I miss it and love it so much. For those who care it is a glorious and rare 6 speed M/T.
I just started overlanding a few years ago, but i also got my license and car a few years ago. Got a 91 jeep cherokee, been all over cali and nevada with it, and places that used to empty are now jam packed with people, trash, and noise Edit: still love it, just striving for new places
I have a Crosstrrek. I love it, regularly take it all around the Tahoe area. It's even stock with the CVT, but we still manage to have an amazing amount of fun. We go out with other Subie people, find a site in the snow, and camp. No rooftop tent yet, though a few local Subaru owners have them without issue.
I have the outback, crosstrek's big bro, and I love it. Up here in the rocky mountains I would recommend the H6 or turbo model but for the most part it's a great rig and I have taken it many places and if you live in a lower altitude area the base engine is adequate.
so your 1 belt away from being stranded in the bush with big ugly paperweight loooollz ., good luck bucko. CVTs are meant for Forklifts not automobiles.
@@ryanreinhart1834 its more of a chain. There are weak points in all drive-trains, its all about how you drive them. I appreciate you trying to look out though.
@@ryanreinhart1834 Where is that not true, though. If you take your Jeep up into the hills, your "one broken chain from being a paperweight lololo timing chains are for forklifts!" It's a really dumb thing to bet on.
2018 Crosstrek here. Put some Blizzaks on it and it's a great snow car. It's surprisingly capable on mild trails and USFS roads but I can't imagine what a dog it would be once weighted down with all the "overloading" junk - rooftop tent, extra lights, bigger tires, etc. If it had a true low range gear that would be helpful. The biggest surprise for me is just how little cargo space it has so make sure to give that a close look, especially if you plan to travel with a friend or two. Without a cargo box on the roof I think 3 people, a cooler, and a weekend's worth of camping gear is almost non-starter. My "overlanding" rig is a 2WD 1991 VW Vanagon Westfalia with a modded engine, LSD, off-road tires, and air compressor. It gets me *almost* anywhere I would ever care to camp. I can't believe you haven't done an Up To Speed on them yet.
2015 Crosstrek with stick shift owner. Been overlanding here in Canada in two national parks and that car is amazing in every terrain! Also awesome on the snow! People saying there’s not enough power have not tried the stick shifter version. A transmission can change the way a car feels!
Agreed. I have a roof top tent for my RAV4. I mostly just camp off forest roads. There's nothing "extreme" about what I do. I just don't like paying for campsites and sleeping off the ground is nice.
Yep, campers who go out 3 times a year and spent WAAAY too much money on gear they don't need. A $3000 RTT vs. a box store $50 tent would suit just fine, for example.
Nolan, love the video! I too was looking at Crosstreks a few years ago but found them extremely underpowered. They gained some HP with the redesign (2019 model year I think) but that wasn’t in my price range so I ended up getting a Forester and love it. I actually like it so much that when my first one got stolen I bought another one.
As Tom said, Crosstrek and the Forester share the exact same underpinnings and engines. Forester has more space inside, but other than that, basically the same vehicle.
Loved my Crosstrek! However....it is small. I’m 6’5” and that was fine when my kids were 3 and 4 but when they got to 9 and 10, I had to upgrade to the Forester and that is an amazing car too!
Highly recommend a Forester. I've got a 2006 non-turbo (sadly) and its super practical and off-road capable. Not the greatest gas mileage but thats a known fact when it comes to older Subarus.
In terms of outdoor travel I would equate: Offroading = hiking Offroad racing = trail running Rock crawling = rockclimbing and scrambling Overlanding = backpacking
I had a Crosstrek for about 3 years. Put a lift, methods, K02’s. Upgraded to a 2020 Ranger last year, and honestly never looked back. The Crosstrek did pretty well off-road for what it was, but I was always felt far more nervous about taking that thing out in trails than my Ranger. There were a few dusty hills that I could only get up by just using momentum, which obviously puts a lot of wear and tear on the vehicle. Also, the lack of power in the Crosstrek was always glaringly obvious. That being said, it retained its value super well.
I have 2014 Crosstrek. Drove from CA to CO and back, spending the winter in CO. Handles rough trails easily completely stock and is fantastic in the snow. ~28 mpg for long trips. I wish it had a little more power, but it's never really been an issue. Planning to get new wheels/tires/coilover kit soon and maybe Crawford power power blocks for a few more HP, already added Apple Carplay stereo and backup cam for a few hundred bucks. Storage space is plenty for weekend trips, but it can't fit nearly as much as my 3rd gen 4unner. Longer trips with more than 2 people will require roof storage. But it keeps up with my buddy's lifted 4wd 3rd gen on trails. Love the Crosstrek. GET ONE
@@High_Octane This hate on subarus due to their CVT is really annoying. I have family with a 2012 outback 2.5i CVT with 140k miles. No issues and can take it wherever my Ram truck can go. I have borrowed it and liked it so much that I bought a 2017 for my daily.
Love my 2nd gen 4Runner. Picked it up for $1200 and immediately took it camping, has never let me down. The only problem is now I must have all the mods
My buddy has a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee he’s modified with bigger wheels, lift, 1/8 steel skid plates covering the entire under belly, hidden rough country winch inside the front bumper. It’s pretty good!
I appreciate the awareness you guys are bringing to keeping the trails and parks CLEAN. another issue we have in the southeast are people going out wheeling when the trails are wet, leading to horribly destroyed trails and erosion causing an already limited number of trails to be closed by the park service. Leave no trace guys and call out people who are careless
Like it when they tell us about car culture. I love engineering and the culture it brings to society.Sometimes I click onto the ads to skew ad tracking and mess with the marketeer’s click data on click to view vs buy.
I got my crosstrek in November and I have put a couple over landing mods on it, it’s also a 6 speed manual and I absolutely love it. It’s my daily to work and school And hopefully when I find the time I can take it out on some trails. And if you get snow, trust me Subaru is the best car to have, when the Texas snow storm hit I was driving around pretty much all week and didn’t slip a single when I didn’t want to. But when I did want to slip, you can control the drifts perfectly in this car. So yes I highly highly recommend this car if you don’t care about the underpowered issue.
I love my Subaru Crosstrek! I was able to get it with a standard transmission and a great sound system. It's not great for 5 adults to sit in but it's perfect for two or three adults to make a trip in!
2017 Crosstrek checking in. I’ve been looking at getting one for years and picked one up recently to overland after my ST died. They’re great intro crossovers and they hold their value real well. Maintenance is also easy and they’re very reliable which is a big plus for me at least.
You can go alone, not everyone has friends that want to go or friends with off road vehicles, or just have friends in general. But you just have to be extra prepared, self recovery stuff is mandatory.
@@gwot until you over estimate how good you are at wheeling and crawling and flip it, and what if there is a medical emergency? Every HOV park I’ve been to pretty much requires 3 rigs, or 4 people spaced between two.
@@Durplepurpskin22 I'm not saying nothing bad will happen. Obviously best case is never go alone, but some people don't have that choice, so what are they gonna do? just never go? As long as they know the risks, I'd say it's ok to go alone. Also, I'm a little lost at your last statement, you mean the offroad parks you go requires 3 rigs to enter? and what's 4 people spaced between two?
@@gwot most off road parks have trail runs and groups of 3 rigs or 4 people between two rigs, two people in each, just in case. There are so many Facebook groups, clubs, and events out there that you should never have to go alone, and if you do, avoid the harder trails.
The hipsters are evolving. They're trading their skinny jeans and cardigans for tactical cargo pants and button down long sleeve plaid shirts. Beards are still hanging in there.
Makes me sad more then anything when I see Rubbish left all along a trail. Especially here in Australia the beaches get destroyed and eventually closed to visitors because of this
I used to own a 2018 crosstrek m/t, and it was a very fun car a little slow on the highways and when overtaking but you just bang shift it and it’ll get you wherever you need. As far as offroading it will do medium trails and handles snow beautifully. It honestly transforms into a rally car in the dirt, and with the extra ground clearance you don’t have to worry about scraping it as much. And as far as camping, I could fit a twin size air mattress in the back of mine with the seats forward. As well as a kayak on the roof. What more do you need. Anyways I sold it for a beater bmw.
Not a crosstrek owner but currently own an outback and this is my fifth subaru after two wrxs and two outback sports (similar size to a crosstrek) i test drove a couple crosstreks before I decided on the outback cause I wanted more room for trips. They got just enough power for its weight, not fast but zippy or quick. Great gas mileage after driving a v8 4runner. Maintenance can be a lil pricey but if you stay on they last. And if you pick one up and go that route of overlanding, it'd make a great series. Smaller wagons and crossovers can do a lot with a little and it can show those who are interested but don't wanna buy a new 40k car or a 8k 2000s suv. Gives that happy medium of nice daily to cruise around in but also you can take it to the woods and spent some time.
I have a 2020 base Crosstrek CVT. It’s a great daily and is a lot of fun. I’ve taken it off-roading with slight modification. Mostly just oversized off-road tires. We made it no problem down 30 miles of beach at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. Great car worth the buy
The crosstrek is rad. My sister just picked up a sport with the 2.5 and it’s a lot of fun. I think the forester is a better pick though for over landing since it has a much larger feeling interior. Really pays dividends when you need to load it up.
The only drawback with Crosstreks is the limitations to tackling difficult hurdles on the trail due to the CVT limiting power to reduce strain on the trans. The most capable Subarus for off-roading are the 4EAT (2012 or older) or manual transmission models (including manual Crosstreks) or the real old school Subies with low range gearing. I go wheeling with the regional MtnRoo community and the CVT models struggle a lot more than the 4EAT Subies. That said, if you have no intention of tackling difficult trails and want a good "softroader" vehicle, any Subaru is the perfect vehicle regardless of transmission or hp!
You would actually be surprised how much stuff I can fit in my '21 sport. I know people say it's small, but you can fit a ton of stuff in there. Don't let the size fool you!
@@DarkneszFalls I used to have a Mk7 GTI and a Mk6 Sportwagen so I know what you mean. You can fit a lot of stuff in hatchbacks/wagons around that size. Currently have a ‘21 forester sport on order and I know it’s going to feel massive. Biggest reason for the forester over the crosstrek for me was future family friendliness and the ability to toss a bike in the back if I need to. Hope you like your crosstrek though! They are great little cars.
If you're going Subie specifically for the purposes of overlanding/camping, I strongly recommend you consider an Outback or Forester instead. Same ground clearance, same great symmetrical AWD, but waaaay more room for gear. I test drove a few Crosstreks and they're great little cars but small enough that you need cargo racks to extend your storage capacity. And if you want to go for a RTT that eliminates the possibility of extra cargo space on top. I settled on the Forester as a result, threw on a small lift, all terrains and some bash plates, and it is an offroad beast that still gets almost 30mpg and has a short enough wheel base that city driving/parallel parking is a breeze.
We have some National parks in Northern Queensland in Australia that families used to go too. Now there are so many inexperienced Instagramers, ruining these parks. Leaving rubbish, not knowing how to minimise damage and just ruining it for everyone.
I grew up in Alaska, I'm old now but we called it camping back then, and even then we had to deal with garbage in remote locations (even up rivers by boat for days you'd find it), and pick it up. Leave camping spots better than you found it, dig a hole to poop or pee, it only takes a few seconds or we're going to end up like Australia... Australia has gone through these growing pains, and often areas require portable toilets, no digging allowed anymore as per Ronny Dahl. Also, don't be afraid to talk to us with our rigs, I have no problems with people coming up and asking me questions. What is good what hasn't been good for us.
I HAD a cross trek and I loved it. I had a 2019 with the CVT and loved the car but hated the transmission. It cut me back often made me wish I had gotten the 6 speed. I’ve driven other people’s 6 speed manuals and they’re fantastic. If you get a cross trek, get the manual.
As per your question on the Crosstek. I have a 2021 and I get 36 mpg on hwy. Does great with all wheel drive but haven't tested in snow yet. I plan on snowboarding a lot this winter so I will test it for sure. I love my crosstrek. It's great on the road, small on trials, and still has enough clearance for easy trails. I am getting a lift just not sure when. I drive it off road more than my lifted jeep as it gets better mileage and is way more comfortable. I love it.
If you're sticking to trails, you aren't overlanding. There's also not really all that much reason to stick to trails in good overlanding spots, legal or practical. Just don't liter like a douche, rip up everything you're driving over, or leaking fluids.
Crosstrek owner here; simply put, I love it. 8.7" ground clearance stock, 6sp manual transmission and good MPG for under 25k new is really what sold me. I was worried at first though, due to people saying how slow it was and I was coming from a 360hp Focus ST; but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting, so I guess it's good I test drove it with extremely low expectations: it's more than adequate. There's also been a huge increase in aftermarket support which is nice to see. It's a nice small package that can get through some of the smaller trails, and even completely stock I've taken it on some of the rougher trails here in AZ just taking my time and picking proper lines; sure I am taking longer than something more capable but I'm not in a hurry out on the trails. Of course, it does limit you on trails; but to me that is a good thing as it's still my daily driver, and while I am out on longer trips I want to be sure to finish the trip and make my camp points daily, I won't be tempted to try something I am unsure about the vehicle being able to handle like I would be with say a 4Runner or Taco. I'm getting an Ironman4x4 lift, Method 701s and some AT's going on here in a week once everything arrives and will be doing a 900ish mile loop I've made around central AZ here in the fall.
I just got a 2014 crosstrek, its great for a smaller crossover. Decent ground clearance, awd, manual option, comfy enough interior, and plenty of off roading equipment available. Good gas milage, maybe a little light on power depending on what you need, but companies like AVO make great bolt-on turbo kits that claim to be able to double hp and torque numbers. They can get expensive though. I believe the ‘21 is receiving a turbo option from the factory. Overall, 8/10.
A lot of people don't understand the "Dont leave anything but your footprints" part of overlanding
This is huge for all off road disciplines, pack it in, pack it out should be a major thought in the minds of everyone going off road, everytime I go out I bring a cooler with a plastic liner in it designated specifically for trash, my trash and trash that I find on the trail.
That also should go for frivolous bonfires.
So many people tearing up trees and plants so they can have a quick fire even though it’s not needed.
@@grunair If you want to have a fire on the trail, pack in some wood and find some rocks to make a pit, then when you are done, put them back where you found them. The ash will be good for any seeds that land there and you didn't screw up anything to get kindling or stuff to burn
Had that Instilled in me from childhood..take your trash with you. Dont leave anything behind but your footprints..
but also please don't leave your footprints on places like our beloved Racetrack in DV :P
“The best vehicle for over landing is the one you already have” *looks at my 3 na miatas with a combined ground clearance of 1 foot”
Hey now! Those Miatas can for sure hold a tent, cooler with enough beer for a weekend, and get you out to a maintained campground to enjoy the great outdoors!
Otherwise I'm sure we can find a way to lift it and stick 33s under there 😂
I felt that
I saw an uplifted miata kit on pinterest if you're interested in converting it
they make long-travel suspension kits for miatas. convert one to a prerunner miata
Mad max miata
I've kept an off road toy for most of my life and lived across the country.
That being said I was always taught 3 things.
1. Always help if you see someone in need. If it's not you then who will?
2. Pack up for 2x the trip. You never know what may break or how long it may take to get out.
3. Always pick up after yourself. Leave it looking like you'd like to pull up to it. If it's already trashed load out anything extra you can.
Otherwise our land bureaus can and will close trails.
Nothing makes me more mad than someone who leaves their trash or broken parts on a trail. I live in Georgia and unless you drive the maintained service roads you can't off-road legally anywhere that is not a private park. When I drive through the park and see trash on the ground it makes my blood boil, there are so few parks within a day's drive of me left and it's like these people are actively trying to get them to close. Especially when you talk to the owners and they're just so fed up with all the trash getting left around that they're considering closing it's infuriating.
@@helvetesfonster900 I was in Cali when they first started closing fire roads due to the same s#!^. Now I'm in Arkansas and they still let you out quite a few places but in the last 3 yrs alot have been closed especially around th orv parks as people off trail and trash it out.
@@SR-tn6gv yeah they're starting to gate everything up down here too. The problem is the people who are causing the problem in the first place don't actually care they'll go around the gates or plow through the trees so it'll just continually make us look worse. Now I don't even register my off-road vehicles because there's nowhere within 2 hours of me so they're all trailer queens now.
Oh yeah your second bulletin actually reminded me of a funny story, I drove I think 5 hours to Tennessee to go to an off-road event that was for a charity and I made a hotel reservation for 3 days and on the first day I broke the yoke on my rear axle on a Saturday and that town is nothing but truck stops and hotels and I couldn't get that part anywhere absolutely ruined my trip I had enough parts to build that vehicle from the ground up except for that one yoke.
We've already seen parks closed down for a while.
As a Scout, I recommend that you follow the “Leave no trace” rule:
Leave the place better than you found it, and these beautiful places can last a whole lot longer.
I do worry when people think that picking up a beer can offsets the trail tire dust you left, and the erosion you caused, and the ash you left, and the hole you dug to hide your poo in, and the fuel you burned, and the lizard you unknowingly evicted, and all the plastic gear you bought, and the fungal spores you introduced with your dirty boots, and the seeds you had stuck in the seams of your tent. The environmental impacts just follow people wherever they go. Overlanders will spoil our wild spaces, and you can't do anything significant to undo it. Life will go on. You are fooling yourself if you think you are saving anything when you drive 300 miles then pick up a plastic bag or two.
ruclips.net/video/0Q9rH2EHq4Y/видео.html
@@emptyshirt that is why leave no trace principals address all those concerns. That being said, definitely better to not drive through the wilderness if it can be avoided
@@emptyshirt you must have a fun life never leaving your house.
Let me guess you are against camping too? Oo all that harsh metal and plastic for my tent or stove, of and god forbid the propane.
Ash is a fertilizer, so that’ll actually help plant life grow.
Think of all the animals you evicted with your house.
Respect. 100%
That moment when you realize a comedy car channel does better investigative reporting than all of the news agencies combined.
Bad journalism leads others to provide something of merit. Love how donut does it.
That's the difference between passion vs. good ratings.
Comedy? I'd say that's a by-product
OMG I started overlanding 15 years ago and it was great. Solitude, quiet, peaceful. Now... The trails are packed solid with not only SUVs but ATVs and dirt bikes. And those buggers don't worry too much about being quiet or littering.
The side-by-sides seem to attract the worst offenders. I've come to hate all SXS vehicles.
The world is also much more densely populated now. There’s just too many humans
Where I live now it's full of those razers buggies wich mainly are local narcos with his music on full volume and leave their thrash in all area. Friggin glass beer bottles plastic bags and sht. The sad thing you can't tell the authorities or they do nothing.
@@dalton5517 we need a plague ...oh wait
@@daltonn1305 Dalton, turns out it wasn’t very effective lol 😂
I think you touched on a topic that could be a future episode or series of episodes, how to enjoy our automotive hobbies responsibly without damaging the environment. For example how to properly dispose vehicle fluids, recycling old parts rather than just throwing them in the trash, treading lightly while off the pavement… There are lots of aspects that Donut could touch on and the Hi/Low Plastidip episode proved how much people take you opinions to heart. Donut can be informative, fun, and stewards of the environment, MO PRESERVATION BABEH!
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Depends on who is doing the overlanding. Pick up trash and keep the trails clean
@Ken Norcott facts, I’m no tree-hugging hippie or anything and I don’t get a sense of superiority by picking up after other people, but I just filled a trash bag with garbage thrown out from the side of vehicles at a local so cal trail last weekend. I even saw graffiti on one rock. Mind-boggling and disgusting.
Agreed! So easy to do!
That's part of the issue, but a lot of the issues brought up are from the vehicles tearing up the plant life and soil. Experience level does not negate that damage
Pack it in, pack it out, its that simple... and if you are feeling nice you can pick up after others as well.
@@katygreene2363 if people kept on trails the damage would be of a lesser extent
Man Nolan has gotten so much better at hosting, it feels natural now
Our boi Nolan growing up 🥲
I do really enjoy Nolan despite the initial feels years back
Here in Australia we've been overlanding for decades. Surprised it's taken you guys so long to discover it as you have a massive country to explore.
I couldn't believe they didn't mention Australia's 4x4 scene in this video
We have been doing it in the US since cars were invented, it's just gaining massive popularity right now.
It's nothing new in the U.S.A., It just has a trendy new name.
@@jerroldshelton9367 , As an Australian, I think i understand Americans have been camping since the 50s. Heading off to Yosemite National Park and other places in their station-wagons. I would like to thank america for the WW2 Jeeps they left behind in Australia, that helped bush camping here.
Haha, it’s not new. The hipsters, city folks and suburban people just started putting it all on the internet and whoring out the cool hidden spots. People (including Americans) have always been doing this forever, just never had the need to provide free advertisements for the quiet hidden spots and ruin them by guiding the crowd in masses To the “secret quiet spots”
The only barrier to entry for overlanding is actually just being ok to poop in creative situations. A great man once said "Shittin in a hole ain't for everybody"
Big facts. I had to teach my girlfriend how to squat in the woods and go XD
Digging a hole and shitting in it has environmental impact. Also, one time I left a hot one on the ground in the desert and I picked up a rock to put on top of it, but when I picked the rock up there was somebody else's dried up poo under it. That is when I realized that camping is inevitably going to ruin every accessible wild space and I'm a part of it. I always wanted to be part of something big, and that something is trashing the Earth.
@@emptyshirt poop is just pure nature. Poop doesn’t ruin anything.
ruclips.net/video/0Q9rH2EHq4Y/видео.html
@@emptyshirt if you dig the hole properly it is fine.
In my local area, it’s destroying 4wheeling , dirtbiking and camping. We’ve been getting new gates put up as people kept leaving there garbage, and cutting through locked gates. Ive been in the woods in our area for the last 23 years. As of this year i can only legally use a fraction of the land because of the local forest company closing all the trail areas off behind big fines. We go out and clean the woods frequently but cant keep up with the people who dump broken boats, drywall, old papers, furniture and more. It affects my ability to go out and my film yt vids when everythings a 5000$ fine and gates every where you go
This is why we can’t have nice things.
Those aren’t over landers those are just assholes.
I'd like to think that overlanders aren't the problem here. Just trashy people doing trashy things.
so none of the Overlanders are dumping broken boats drywall old papers and furniture, please dont spread your low IQ.
Overlanders dumping drywall?
2014 crosstrek owner here: yes they are fun, reliable, and contrary to what people say, can make barely ENOUGH power to haul a lot of cargo up a hill, do I want more power? Sure, but if I wanted power I wouldnt have bought a versatile compact crossover. The newer generations make even more power. Stock height is already a lot of ground clearance to offroad most places. If not tent or roof tent camping, you can sleep inside if you are under 5'10". This thing destroys other cars in the snow, and soon i'm gonna start bringing it to rallycross. I would LOVE to drop by donut HQ to let you guys play around with it in the dirt.
literally entire forum threads about how a heavily load subaru CVT will guarantee fail, since the gear ratio in the CVT is meant for On road MPG. i dont doubt if you Subaru leaves you stranded 100miles away from any Subaru shop with a 5000$ transmission repair. lolz. good luck that .
@@ryanreinhart1834 they make it with a manual too
i just wish it looked like a V90 CC
@@jacoblevy4429 100% of Crostrek with Manual transmissions recalled for PCV failure and excessive oil Consumption LOOOLZ. okay, still have pathetic gear ratio.
@@ryanreinhart1834 LAWLLL SO FUNNY- nobody cares. Shut up.
I've been overlanding or doing overland adjacent stuff for about 15 years now, and while it's been cool to see a niche hobby become as popular as it is, trails are absolutely gummed up with instagram rigs and such nowadays, Ive stopped going to Amy popular spots and have just been exploring old logging/forestry roads here in Wyoming for awhile now.
So then don't tell people about it 🤔... resist the urge to put it on the internet, or even comment about it.
Proud owner of a Crosstrek.... One of my favorite vehicles I’ve owned after I lost my XJ back in 2005. Can go nearly anywhere you really want to go, you can sleep in it, and decent on mileage when you’re not out in the woods.
“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints”
100%
gotta leave your poop too... can't take that back with you; that's nasty!
Oooh can i get that in a bumper sticker?
Ideally you don't even want to leave footprints, especially in places with fragile ecosystems. Stay on the trail
if you wanna do this at home I recomend Snowrunner
Love that game
I have over 1k hours in the game. Easiestly one of my favorites made
i loved the game but my 1st gen ps4 goes full jet engine mode when playing 😿
Yes
Lol
WTF, Ive been overlanding for years on fishing trips without giving it a hipster name, We just called it camping
Same
It's more so that people just started calling basic camping "overlanding" but Americans aren't doing it as the original term suggests. Think Sub-Sahara Africa, Central Asia, or Australia. That is where Overlanding happens. And, not that we don't have fun, gorgeous terrain in North America, it's simply that roughin' it for Americans ain't the same as the rest of the world.
nowadays every process has a more popular hipster name
@@MasterOfPoridge it’s always been that way plays on words or just straight up perceiving an entirely new definition literally has happened all throughout history not just the new generation
@@guy253 nEw GeN is BaD
"The best vehicle for over landing is the one you already have" *2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible stares with anxiety and concern*
My bicycle offroads better than a lamborghini aventador
They made a convertible 200? I had a FWD 2015 and took it on all kinds of mountain backroads. Just have to know your limits.
@@ozarkmartin1174 yep! 2011 touring, I dunno about other models, but they made a hard and soft top version
oof those aren't really good for anything except maybe a rental car if you have low budget.
No but in all honesty it's true. I drove through Valley of the Gods a while back and it was GREAT! and as long as you aren't a low-bro then you can totally drive it
I have an Outback and it’s honestly blown my mind with the capabilities it has off-roading with just the stock features.. there’s more room than the crosstrek and more ground clearance as well. All around a great vehicle
If the Aztek came out today with it's tailgate tent and built in cooler it would fit right in
Aztek was ahead of it's time.
@@FXIIBeaver I'd say more along the lines of lived in a different time.
@@CanadaBud23 that is still ahead of it's time.
@@FXIIBeaver Why you making it sound like a good thing? They were still garbage problematic vehicles. It's kind of the opposite for overlanding.
@@CanadaBud23 no one said it was a good vehicle but. Having a built in cooler, waterproof seats, front seat cushions that could be used as a flotation device, tail gate pop up camper. Were very much quality traits that any overland would love to have and was way ahead of it's time.
An suv I could go to the lake and chill in the water with a seat cushion and a chilled beer from the built in cooler then lower the tail gate pop up the camper and go to bed.
That is the definition of an overland vehicle. Only thing vehicles are missing today are the seat cushions as a floatation device.
“BMW has 7 SUV’s” that look exactly like one another.😂
ruclips.net/video/0Q9rH2EHq4Y/видео.html
In my opinion pretty much every single SUV looks the same, its just so boring
No
Talked to a BMW designer many, many years ago and he talked about the "same sausage, different length" philosophy. Don't remember if he said they try to avoid it or go for it but the sausage analogy made me chuckle.
And yes, he was German.
@@ZACKARDO yes
You’ve inadvertently just doubled the amount of people trying to overland with their first car
Me in my $500 dodge neon; "Yeah I can get through that mud hole"
@@tittytrav55 yeah do it, it'll go amazing
My first car was a Citroen 2CV ... turns out it is a really good car for dirt and gravel roads. 😁
It's pretty noisy though, so I upgraded to a Citroen Dyane, and put better mufflers on it.
I own a 2014 crosstrek and I love it so much. With the only addition of BFG K02's, she absolutely destroys in the snow and works surprisingly well going up relatively steep, rocky inclines. She's also really fun to get sideways on a dirt road. Additionally, if you put the back seats down and the front seats all the way forward, you can (barely) fit a full size mattress in the back with about 1-1.5ft of headroom. Pretty cramped, but it works in a pinch. For extended stays in it, I recommend taking the passenger and rear seats out and installing a bed-platform of some type.
In short: Overlanding has become more popular due to social media and the pandemic. It can be a fun adventure. Just drive carefully, and take care of nature.
Overlanding is pretty popular here in South Africa. Its the reason why the Toyota Hilux and fortuner is so famous here
Don't forget the pickup landcruiser
Overlanding, in most of Africa, is just normal traveling from one area to another lol.
Oh you from sa☺
the hilux was very popular in SA way before overlanding became common. that's why it's built there.
True true
I think one of the thing we should all start doing to protect nature is to stop geo tagging your instagram post. It's okay for people who see your picture to not know where it was taken
I never geo tag my ig posts. Never felt the need to. Plus in my area where i go camping everyone rides dirt bikes and quads anyways.
Exactly. On my channel, I almost never disclose the places I go. I may tell the general area, and leave it up to the viewer to grab a map and find it like i did!
Honestly, I remeber back in the day it was everyones goal to find a secret camping/hiking spot!
If I geotag somewhere that’s not super well known, I’ll generally tag the region itself. Like instead of tagging the trail it’s on, I tag just the state itself
You use social media?
The people disliking this video are the same ones trashing the parks and beautiful vistas they're trying to appreciate.
6:53 I have a 2021 Crosstrek Limited and I love this car. I don't see myself letting it go, anytime soon. The smart cruise control is probably one of the best in the business and makes highway driving absolutely casual. If traffic is irritating and you want to get away from them all, the Crosstrek has no issue kicking off from anyone. Get the 2.5L; there is an excellent turbo kit, for it. 12:34 Okanagan: oak-UH-nah-gin (hard g). Great job on Wenatchee! I will say that most dispersed campgrounds that I have seen, in 2020, had semi-permanent residences and were effectively destroyed. You may have to go a little farther to get out, in 2021. #leavenotrace
As an overlanding RUclipsr I appreciate this video! I’m always the only overlander at car meets.
Wow, appreciate the shoutout at 3:30 and the great video you put together. It's so important with the rapid rise in people getting outside and exploring our public lands that folks educate themselves on Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly principles. We all need to do our part to leave places better than we found them so that everyone can continue to enjoy them.
Off topic, but as a hunter who’s been doing this for years a bunch of people in the woods pisses me off 😂
The outdoors ain’t for the meek and cars don’t belong with you out in nature because it’s not the point, but cars going out and doing this is dope ngl.
as dirt biker who’s been doing it for even more years, bunch of gun nuts shooting in the woods pisses me off
@@jesseflores9087 hunters existed before dirt bikes lol
As someone who goes real offroading, I agree. Can't go anywhere without idiots in their fancy new 4runners parked right on the trails and leaving their garbage everywhere. Leaving a bad name for us.
@@tice1185 heck, if it wasn't for hunting, the human race wouldn't even exist
Hey, thanks for the plug at 0:35 and 8:41! If anyone wants to see more of the Overland drawers I built, here's the full video: ruclips.net/video/tG-wbmwft28/видео.html
Checked out your channel you got some pretty cool stuff
Nice
Lol
what a small world
I've had my Crosstrek for 3 years and it's a very capable car for light to medium overlanding as it comes. I have the 6 speed manual so I can't speak to the CVT issues that some people complain about. The stock ground clearance was good enough for me to take on moderately rough forest service roads although I have since added a 2.5" lift and larger tires to help with the rougher roads I have to travel for work. I did build a sleeping platform for the back because I was spending months at a time living out of it with my dog and the backseat does not fold flush with the hatch area. I'm not a tall person (5'7") but I fit perfectly sleeping in the back. I will admit for long periods of time it can be cramped to live out of like this which is why I'm building a small off-road teardrop trailer to tow behind it, but for shorter trips it works great.
I cant wait for theme parks and other amusement outlets to open so that our parks can get a break. Seriously, it's so devastating to see some of the trails and camp grounds just absolutely thrashed by careless people.
nice places are being trashed too by low class people with stimulus money. You wouldn't believe the things I've seen on the Vegas strip this year. People walking around in sweatpants and slides smh
@@derrick7648 that’s what happens when trump supporters find it trendy to spend their Biden buxs
@@AA-vr8ez rent free
Don't forget about the Pontiac Aztek....came with a camper option. Well ahead of its time. lol
I say that all the time. that car was definitely ahead of its time haha
I love my '13 Crosstrek, I would suggest one in a heartbeat! Even with the Goodyear Eagles on it this car is a billy goat!
I will admit I already had a love affair with camping. So when trends started allowing me to pack less and have more flexibility with where I camp (communities sharing their tips, tricks, locations) I definetly capitalized and outfitted my truck with a rooftop tent and cargo drawers. I have no regrets!
GF bought a Crosstrek and she loves it. Hell I love it. When we don't want to drag out the truck somewhere but still want to carry the kayaks it's perfect.
2018 Crosstrek owner here. I got it because it was the soft-roadiest daily available with manual transmission. Two can sleep in the back comfortably (but if you're over 6ft then probably go for an Outback), and it can go a surprising amount of places while stock and with some skill. The only way I'm parting with this car is if either me or it ceases to function.
As for car camping and overlanding, always pack out what you bring in (including your brass), bring fire extinguishers in case you spot a smouldering patch of brush before it turns into a wildfire, stay on the tracks and trails so you do not worsen erosion, take down any crossing constructions after you've crossed so others can experience the challenge, and be quiet.
I remember when it was just called "camping" But I still love it. Take my 4runner all over.
Parents have a crosstrek, they're loving it. its small and fun, but has good utility
2019 Crosstrek, 2inch leveling lift, Method wheels w/ KO2’s...I dig it. Roof rack with matching spare on top. 28mpg avg.
What you do to get 28 mpg!!?!?!?!?!?! I have toyos which are lighter than the bfgs and average 24.5
Are you still getting 28mpg even with a lift, tires, and roof rack on top?
@@Advntrwrx The Thule roof has a shield that deflects the air up and over top of the spare at highway speeds. I probably lose 5 mpg with it up there. But it looks cool!
My Renegade Trailhawk will smash on your weak af crosstrek
@@theonly_ElonMusk your trail hawk has no chance up against a stock crosstrek,
I have an overlanding crosstrek and I love it. I live on top of a mountain, and in the winter we get endless snow. I have passed jeeps and F150s stuck on the road without issue. The symetrical AWD is top notch. the downsides are the V4 and CVT, but its not a rock crawler. Some people try and take it there but itll never compare to a jeep in that regard. For the price and fuel economy, it is an epic upgradable overlanding camping rig for a great value.
I have a 2021 manual crosstrek and it’s awesome! I previously had a 2018 manual crosstrek that I put over 90,000 km on with zero issues in terms of reliability. They’re a great car and fun with a stick
Honestly, if the Crosstrek is for a new series of HiLow or you’re looking at building an overlander, I would try looking at other SUV’s as well and keep in mind that older also means less technology to break or interfere with the experience. Other body-on-frame SUV’s as well, like 4Runners, Jeeps, or Xterras also tend to have a lot more ground and tire clearance for off-roading, which other than 4-wheel drive of course is one of the most important parts of off-roading. Personally I have an 02’ Nissan Xterra, and it might be bare bones and slow on the road, but when I take it off-road and remember how cheap it was to buy, it makes me remember why I love it so much.
A Hi-Low for overlanding would be so fitting right now
Buy some lift shackles and crank your torsion bars. You'll get a couple inches of lift and be able to drive down dirt roads at 40 or 50 no problem without the washboard rattling anymore. I had a Frontier for about 15 years that I did that too. It'll cost you about $30 bucks if you have tools to make your own shackles and maybe $80 if you need to buy some. Idk I haven't looked in forever but they're cheap. It's way cheaper to replace a worn out leaf springs by going to a junkyard after ten years than it is to buy fancy aftermarket suspension parts that don't work as well. I had a friend with a really built offroad Xterra and I would constantly leave him in the dust because his $2000 lift kit suspension sucked balls. Seriously it makes a huge difference. I could literally jump my truck and not spill the drink in the cup holder. If you use your Xterra offroad I would highly recommend it.
My guess is that since he's putting out there that he's looking at a Crosstrek, and I think they're located in L.A. (though correct me if I'm wrong), he's not really seeking a true off-roader, but rather a swiss army kind of vehicle that's mostly for daily driving yet sufficient for the occasional weekend adventure. The size, ride, and MGP of those mid-size truck-like SUVs, which I'm sure are well within his radar, probably disqualified them from consideration.
Jeep Cherokee
I want it
I own a manual lifted subaru crosstrek and I love it. With the lift and bigger tires I get around 11inches of ground clearance.
I like the self-reliance and preparedness aspect of overlanding. I hate the Gucci gear-only gate keeping aspect. I try to keep everything budget friendly and simple on my build.
“Run what you brung” is a great principle for getting outdoors in a vehicle for some camping.
If you add a few inches clearance with a decent lift kit, invest in some actual good tires, and get lockers then I wouldn't worry to much. I always think to myself "where the hell they going" when I see a jeep running thin wall 44 mudders and more suspension parts than the vehicles wotth.
No one is requiring you to use gucci gear, dont be jealous of those that can afford it.
@@HAHA.GoodMeme Most can't though, which is why they don't usually run any of those set ups overlanding. He was talking about gatekeeping anyways, which you're trying to do. No ones jealous of your over fluffed ride lol.
@@HAHA.GoodMeme being able to afford something is different than wanting to use money on something. I can buy whatever the overlanding expo has to offer, doesn’t mean I’m going to if I can have just as good of a time with something more reasonably priced or that I make myself. Plus there’s the satisfaction of completing a DIY project. Nice troll attempt tho, best of luck next time
If you haven't bought one yet, I have a sermon on my love for Crosstreks. I leased a 2020 last year and fell in love. Thing got totalled almost 1 year ago (with under 5k miles on it) and I bought a Ram 2500 Cummins. Yesterday I ordered a 2021 Crosstrek because I miss it and love it so much. For those who care it is a glorious and rare 6 speed M/T.
I just started overlanding a few years ago, but i also got my license and car a few years ago. Got a 91 jeep cherokee, been all over cali and nevada with it, and places that used to empty are now jam packed with people, trash, and noise
Edit: still love it, just striving for new places
We just got a crosstrek and it is sick! Low ground clearance from factory, but a small list and new tires solves the problem pretty quick
I have a Crosstrrek. I love it, regularly take it all around the Tahoe area. It's even stock with the CVT, but we still manage to have an amazing amount of fun. We go out with other Subie people, find a site in the snow, and camp. No rooftop tent yet, though a few local Subaru owners have them without issue.
I have the outback, crosstrek's big bro, and I love it. Up here in the rocky mountains I would recommend the H6 or turbo model but for the most part it's a great rig and I have taken it many places and if you live in a lower altitude area the base engine is adequate.
There's a lot of folks proving those cvts are pretty decent! I'm still a little scared of them but those crosstreks are impressive 👌
so your 1 belt away from being stranded in the bush with big ugly paperweight loooollz ., good luck bucko. CVTs are meant for Forklifts not automobiles.
@@ryanreinhart1834 its more of a chain. There are weak points in all drive-trains, its all about how you drive them. I appreciate you trying to look out though.
@@ryanreinhart1834 Where is that not true, though. If you take your Jeep up into the hills, your "one broken chain from being a paperweight lololo timing chains are for forklifts!" It's a really dumb thing to bet on.
Got triggered the advertising line wasn't yellow today
2018 Crosstrek here. Put some Blizzaks on it and it's a great snow car.
It's surprisingly capable on mild trails and USFS roads but I can't imagine what a dog it would be once weighted down with all the "overloading" junk - rooftop tent, extra lights, bigger tires, etc. If it had a true low range gear that would be helpful. The biggest surprise for me is just how little cargo space it has so make sure to give that a close look, especially if you plan to travel with a friend or two. Without a cargo box on the roof I think 3 people, a cooler, and a weekend's worth of camping gear is almost non-starter.
My "overlanding" rig is a 2WD 1991 VW Vanagon Westfalia with a modded engine, LSD, off-road tires, and air compressor. It gets me *almost* anywhere I would ever care to camp. I can't believe you haven't done an Up To Speed on them yet.
2015 Crosstrek with stick shift owner. Been overlanding here in Canada in two national parks and that car is amazing in every terrain! Also awesome on the snow! People saying there’s not enough power have not tried the stick shifter version. A transmission can change the way a car feels!
Love my crosstrek! The slowest car I’ve owned, but great mpg and ground clearance. Get the manual though.
I think most “overlanders” really just are normal campers
Agreed. I have a roof top tent for my RAV4. I mostly just camp off forest roads. There's nothing "extreme" about what I do. I just don't like paying for campsites and sleeping off the ground is nice.
I've called it camping since I was a kid. The last few years I found out I've been overlanding all this time.
Yeah Its just camping
Yep, campers who go out 3 times a year and spent WAAAY too much money on gear they don't need. A $3000 RTT vs. a box store $50 tent would suit just fine, for example.
@@michaelaguilar9751 it’s because America is stupid we still call it camping here or we just call it 4wding
Crosstrek is the only car that I have regretted selling! Loved mine, looking to buy another soon.
Nolan, love the video! I too was looking at Crosstreks a few years ago but found them extremely underpowered. They gained some HP with the redesign (2019 model year I think) but that wasn’t in my price range so I ended up getting a Forester and love it. I actually like it so much that when my first one got stolen I bought another one.
Aren't they on the same platform? Our extended fam have older models of both and I'd go Forrester as well, for more cargo space and flatter roof.
As Tom said, Crosstrek and the Forester share the exact same underpinnings and engines. Forester has more space inside, but other than that, basically the same vehicle.
Loved my Crosstrek! However....it is small. I’m 6’5” and that was fine when my kids were 3 and 4 but when they got to 9 and 10, I had to upgrade to the Forester and that is an amazing car too!
Highly recommend a Forester. I've got a 2006 non-turbo (sadly) and its super practical and off-road capable. Not the greatest gas mileage but thats a known fact when it comes to older Subarus.
Overlanding is simply a light hybrid between campervan camping and rock crawling.
In terms of outdoor travel I would equate:
Offroading = hiking
Offroad racing = trail running
Rock crawling = rockclimbing and scrambling
Overlanding = backpacking
Do you guys only have rocks like why is it always about rock crawling there
@@ctjfd that's a fair comparison
Me when overlanding: Look ma, I can drive over this smol rock!
I had a Crosstrek for about 3 years. Put a lift, methods, K02’s. Upgraded to a 2020 Ranger last year, and honestly never looked back. The Crosstrek did pretty well off-road for what it was, but I was always felt far more nervous about taking that thing out in trails than my Ranger. There were a few dusty hills that I could only get up by just using momentum, which obviously puts a lot of wear and tear on the vehicle. Also, the lack of power in the Crosstrek was always glaringly obvious. That being said, it retained its value super well.
I have 2014 Crosstrek. Drove from CA to CO and back, spending the winter in CO. Handles rough trails easily completely stock and is fantastic in the snow. ~28 mpg for long trips. I wish it had a little more power, but it's never really been an issue. Planning to get new wheels/tires/coilover kit soon and maybe Crawford power power blocks for a few more HP, already added Apple Carplay stereo and backup cam for a few hundred bucks. Storage space is plenty for weekend trips, but it can't fit nearly as much as my 3rd gen 4unner. Longer trips with more than 2 people will require roof storage. But it keeps up with my buddy's lifted 4wd 3rd gen on trails. Love the Crosstrek. GET ONE
because of donut media, I joined the car community.
aww
epic
same
👍👍@@notorious_hectorius
@@PLK123 OHMAGAWD PLK YOU’re hereee
The cvt in the crosstrek is the Achilles heal. It's fine for mild offloading but shuts down pretty quick with moderate slipping
All you really need is a cvt cooler and its pretty much fine
@@Advntrwrx for a 100k kilometers. then it takes a shit.
@@High_Octane bruh 62k miles 😂😂 youre funny , I know CVT treks with no coolers that have over 75k miles
@@High_Octane
This hate on subarus due to their CVT is really annoying. I have family with a 2012 outback 2.5i CVT with 140k miles. No issues and can take it wherever my Ram truck can go. I have borrowed it and liked it so much that I bought a 2017 for my daily.
@@Advntrwrx " Bro! 5 miles!!! are you kidding me. This will do at least 6!!!!!
Anyone else from Australia looking at these rigs and thinking that’s nothing compared to what we do for camping haha
Lol, Australia camping is on a different level
Yeah in Australia we do it so much different
Love my 2nd gen 4Runner. Picked it up for $1200 and immediately took it camping, has never let me down. The only problem is now I must have all the mods
i have a 91 i want to take camping in some national parks, its behind on some preventive maintenance though.
My buddy has a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee he’s modified with bigger wheels, lift, 1/8 steel skid plates covering the entire under belly, hidden rough country winch inside the front bumper. It’s pretty good!
I appreciate the awareness you guys are bringing to keeping the trails and parks CLEAN. another issue we have in the southeast are people going out wheeling when the trails are wet, leading to horribly destroyed trails and erosion causing an already limited number of trails to be closed by the park service. Leave no trace guys and call out people who are careless
9:08 that’s me! Super cool seeing my content featured on one of my favorite channels 🙌🏻🙌🏻 thanks guys
Awesome vids
@@odellmoreno6242 thanks man!!
Dude! That's awesome
Just bought my dream rig in hopes of exploration, a 1978 Fj40 💕
Like it when they tell us about car culture. I love engineering and the culture it brings to society.Sometimes I click onto the ads to skew ad tracking and mess with the marketeer’s click data on click to view vs buy.
I got my crosstrek in November and I have put a couple over landing mods on it, it’s also a 6 speed manual and I absolutely love it. It’s my daily to work and school
And hopefully when I find the time I can take it out on some trails.
And if you get snow, trust me Subaru is the best car to have, when the Texas snow storm hit I was driving around pretty much all week and didn’t slip a single when I didn’t want to. But when I did want to slip, you can control the drifts perfectly in this car.
So yes I highly highly recommend this car if you don’t care about the underpowered issue.
I love my 2018 crosstrek! I put Falken wildpeaks on it and they’re amazing! It goes a lot of crazy places and it’s completely stock.
I love my Subaru Crosstrek! I was able to get it with a standard transmission and a great sound system. It's not great for 5 adults to sit in but it's perfect for two or three adults to make a trip in!
You can do the same with mountain bikes too!
this should be more popular. i know it is already but super mainstream.
Like you have to pedal out into the wilderness? With all your gear? That sounds awful
@@covertprepper5957 awfully good bro.
@@covertprepper5957 yeah with tents and all its called bike packing. And it is really fun
@@High_Octane haha you guys are in better shape than me
2017 Crosstrek checking in. I’ve been looking at getting one for years and picked one up recently to overland after my ST died. They’re great intro crossovers and they hold their value real well. Maintenance is also easy and they’re very reliable which is a big plus for me at least.
My roomie has a 2019 Crosstrek and she LOVES IT. It's got plenty of get up and go but plenty of clearance too.
4 major rules for off road
1. Never go alone
2. STAY ON THE TRAIL!
3. Always bring extra parts and tool
4. Leave nothing but your tire tracks
Drink more water
You can go alone, not everyone has friends that want to go or friends with off road vehicles, or just have friends in general. But you just have to be extra prepared, self recovery stuff is mandatory.
@@gwot until you over estimate how good you are at wheeling and crawling and flip it, and what if there is a medical emergency? Every HOV park I’ve been to pretty much requires 3 rigs, or 4 people spaced between two.
@@Durplepurpskin22 I'm not saying nothing bad will happen. Obviously best case is never go alone, but some people don't have that choice, so what are they gonna do? just never go? As long as they know the risks, I'd say it's ok to go alone.
Also, I'm a little lost at your last statement, you mean the offroad parks you go requires 3 rigs to enter? and what's 4 people spaced between two?
@@gwot most off road parks have trail runs and groups of 3 rigs or 4 people between two rigs, two people in each, just in case. There are so many Facebook groups, clubs, and events out there that you should never have to go alone, and if you do, avoid the harder trails.
Thank you guys for pointing out the environmental impact that these hipsters are doing! 🙌
The hipsters are evolving. They're trading their skinny jeans and cardigans for tactical cargo pants and button down long sleeve plaid shirts. Beards are still hanging in there.
@@johnm243 and trading in their VW vans for bigger, cooler cars
Makes me sad more then anything when I see Rubbish left all along a trail. Especially here in Australia the beaches get destroyed and eventually closed to visitors because of this
I used to own a 2018 crosstrek m/t, and it was a very fun car a little slow on the highways and when overtaking but you just bang shift it and it’ll get you wherever you need. As far as offroading it will do medium trails and handles snow beautifully. It honestly transforms into a rally car in the dirt, and with the extra ground clearance you don’t have to worry about scraping it as much. And as far as camping, I could fit a twin size air mattress in the back of mine with the seats forward. As well as a kayak on the roof. What more do you need. Anyways I sold it for a beater bmw.
Not a crosstrek owner but currently own an outback and this is my fifth subaru after two wrxs and two outback sports (similar size to a crosstrek) i test drove a couple crosstreks before I decided on the outback cause I wanted more room for trips. They got just enough power for its weight, not fast but zippy or quick. Great gas mileage after driving a v8 4runner. Maintenance can be a lil pricey but if you stay on they last. And if you pick one up and go that route of overlanding, it'd make a great series. Smaller wagons and crossovers can do a lot with a little and it can show those who are interested but don't wanna buy a new 40k car or a 8k 2000s suv. Gives that happy medium of nice daily to cruise around in but also you can take it to the woods and spent some time.
I have a 2020 base Crosstrek CVT. It’s a great daily and is a lot of fun. I’ve taken it off-roading with slight modification. Mostly just oversized off-road tires. We made it no problem down 30 miles of beach at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. Great car worth the buy
The crosstrek is rad. My sister just picked up a sport with the 2.5 and it’s a lot of fun. I think the forester is a better pick though for over landing since it has a much larger feeling interior. Really pays dividends when you need to load it up.
Crosstrek uhglee, but has a shorter wheelbase.
I have an outback and I love it.
The only drawback with Crosstreks is the limitations to tackling difficult hurdles on the trail due to the CVT limiting power to reduce strain on the trans. The most capable Subarus for off-roading are the 4EAT (2012 or older) or manual transmission models (including manual Crosstreks) or the real old school Subies with low range gearing. I go wheeling with the regional MtnRoo community and the CVT models struggle a lot more than the 4EAT Subies. That said, if you have no intention of tackling difficult trails and want a good "softroader" vehicle, any Subaru is the perfect vehicle regardless of transmission or hp!
You would actually be surprised how much stuff I can fit in my '21 sport. I know people say it's small, but you can fit a ton of stuff in there. Don't let the size fool you!
@@DarkneszFalls I used to have a Mk7 GTI and a Mk6 Sportwagen so I know what you mean. You can fit a lot of stuff in hatchbacks/wagons around that size. Currently have a ‘21 forester sport on order and I know it’s going to feel massive. Biggest reason for the forester over the crosstrek for me was future family friendliness and the ability to toss a bike in the back if I need to.
Hope you like your crosstrek though! They are great little cars.
I bought a 21 crosstrek in October and it has been the single greatest purchase I’ve ever made. Highly recommend
If you're going Subie specifically for the purposes of overlanding/camping, I strongly recommend you consider an Outback or Forester instead. Same ground clearance, same great symmetrical AWD, but waaaay more room for gear. I test drove a few Crosstreks and they're great little cars but small enough that you need cargo racks to extend your storage capacity. And if you want to go for a RTT that eliminates the possibility of extra cargo space on top. I settled on the Forester as a result, threw on a small lift, all terrains and some bash plates, and it is an offroad beast that still gets almost 30mpg and has a short enough wheel base that city driving/parallel parking is a breeze.
My father love's his 6 speed manual crosstrek and that thing has a very similar ground clearance to my Cherokee xj
We have some National parks in Northern Queensland in Australia that families used to go too. Now there are so many inexperienced Instagramers, ruining these parks. Leaving rubbish, not knowing how to minimise damage and just ruining it for everyone.
I grew up in Alaska, I'm old now but we called it camping back then, and even then we had to deal with garbage in remote locations (even up rivers by boat for days you'd find it), and pick it up. Leave camping spots better than you found it, dig a hole to poop or pee, it only takes a few seconds or we're going to end up like Australia... Australia has gone through these growing pains, and often areas require portable toilets, no digging allowed anymore as per Ronny Dahl.
Also, don't be afraid to talk to us with our rigs, I have no problems with people coming up and asking me questions. What is good what hasn't been good for us.
I HAD a cross trek and I loved it. I had a 2019 with the CVT and loved the car but hated the transmission. It cut me back often made me wish I had gotten the 6 speed. I’ve driven other people’s 6 speed manuals and they’re fantastic. If you get a cross trek, get the manual.
As per your question on the Crosstek. I have a 2021 and I get 36 mpg on hwy. Does great with all wheel drive but haven't tested in snow yet. I plan on snowboarding a lot this winter so I will test it for sure. I love my crosstrek. It's great on the road, small on trials, and still has enough clearance for easy trails. I am getting a lift just not sure when. I drive it off road more than my lifted jeep as it gets better mileage and is way more comfortable. I love it.
Crosstreks are awesome Nolan, love my ‘16. Obviously not perfect but a great jack-of-all-trades vehicle and mega practical
Stay on the trail and leave no trace. It’s hard for some to understand that.
They must be the same folks who fight their speeding tickets. Some people just don't care.
If you're sticking to trails, you aren't overlanding. There's also not really all that much reason to stick to trails in good overlanding spots, legal or practical. Just don't liter like a douche, rip up everything you're driving over, or leaking fluids.
Noland your "overlanding fitness level" looks good bro 100. Keep it up!
Crosstrek owner here; simply put, I love it. 8.7" ground clearance stock, 6sp manual transmission and good MPG for under 25k new is really what sold me. I was worried at first though, due to people saying how slow it was and I was coming from a 360hp Focus ST; but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting, so I guess it's good I test drove it with extremely low expectations: it's more than adequate. There's also been a huge increase in aftermarket support which is nice to see. It's a nice small package that can get through some of the smaller trails, and even completely stock I've taken it on some of the rougher trails here in AZ just taking my time and picking proper lines; sure I am taking longer than something more capable but I'm not in a hurry out on the trails. Of course, it does limit you on trails; but to me that is a good thing as it's still my daily driver, and while I am out on longer trips I want to be sure to finish the trip and make my camp points daily, I won't be tempted to try something I am unsure about the vehicle being able to handle like I would be with say a 4Runner or Taco. I'm getting an Ironman4x4 lift, Method 701s and some AT's going on here in a week once everything arrives and will be doing a 900ish mile loop I've made around central AZ here in the fall.
I just got a 2014 crosstrek, its great for a smaller crossover. Decent ground clearance, awd, manual option, comfy enough interior, and plenty of off roading equipment available. Good gas milage, maybe a little light on power depending on what you need, but companies like AVO make great bolt-on turbo kits that claim to be able to double hp and torque numbers. They can get expensive though. I believe the ‘21 is receiving a turbo option from the factory. Overall, 8/10.
Matt’s off road recovery is a great Channel for this!
not at all close. as his channel name suggests he recovers off road. Overlanding is about the road trip, which he doesn't do, at all.