How I've Set up my Ford Ranger for Camping and Photography Adventures

[@paulus0109]

That's..... a pretty impressive boys toy Andrew. Are you shure you are not forgetting something? One thing is for sure: you are not beïng unprepared. Take care.

[@Andrew_marr]

Haha, yeah there's plenty there, much of it is around safety or being prepared. Plus getting everything organised as well.

[@amalieemmynoether992]

Thanks for taking us through your set up. Now all you need is a spa that folds out from under the ute and you'll have the perfect "glamping" photo adventure vehicle 😁

[@Macman608]

Very impressive setup. Thanks for sharing a behind the scenes look at your home away from home which make your videos possible.

[@Andrew_marr]

Cheers Greg, glad you enjoyed it mate! There's plenty more detail to share, but I thought sharing an overview would help people understand what goes into a set up like this.

[@grosema]

WoW what a Great setup, Only one thing missing, a metal detector for all that Gold Laying on the Ground .... wish I could get over there to see it all , I am in Ontario Canada

[@scottsuan]

Your review on the rooftop tent is what influenced my decision to buy that one over others I looked at.

[@Andrew_marr]

Cheers Scott, I hope you are as happy as I am with your RTT. It's one of my favourite parts of the build and has significantly contributed to the comfort of my camping experience.

[@chchen4896]

Thanks for sharing Andrew. Very good storage. Very happy to see your intentional introduction. 🤩🤩🤩

[@PaulthomsonphotographyUk]

Fantastic setup Andrew mate love it 😀👍

[@AndrewDawes]

Nice video mate. I’ll have to come over when WA decides not to dig a permanent ditch and we can play little/big spoon in the roof top

[@Andrew_marr]

Haha, I think you’ll need your passport to get in! 🤣

[@petersuvara]

Great work! Really interested in setting up a rig for the two Z9s we have. Have great lenses, but need a rig to be able to get out beyond the normal ranges of local photography.

[@GaryTischer]

Great set up Andrew :)

[@BrianHorsey]

Interesting to see how it's evolved with your using it since that first look round two years ago. Hope it won't be another two years until I see it again. Nice set of drone interludes too! Cheers.

[@Andrew_marr]

Thanks Brian, it's been a really enjoyable project, adding things, changing things, but most of all trying it all out! Hopefully you get back over here in Feb 2023, to check it all out.

[@TwoBearStudios]

Great video, great walk around. I am in the process of new ute and canopy for my photography business on the east coast, so this has defiantly helped. BTW your Grab Me Gear link is broken?

[@henrygentles1894]

Spray penetrol onto your rust, its the only thing that works 100%!! It's like a clear fine oil that dries, it's the only thing that will stop it dead, 100%! You can buy cans at dulux or bunnings etc.

[@Andrew_marr]

Cheers Henry, I'll check it out, thanks for the info! 👍

[@paynescaping8957]

Awesome setup Andrew, I have a PX Ranger setup in a similar way but with a tub. Have a great Xmas, I have thoroughly enjoyed your photography tips, videos and results from your hard work this year. Well done indeed 👏

[@TheMiniD3]

I just have to ask, how long does it take to charge the drone batteries, and, do you have to carry a generator?

[@peterfritzphoto]

Enjoyed geeking out on this, Andrew. I’ve been through so many setups over the years - always trying to make things as efficient and comfortable (and rugged) as possible. I’m installing heavy duty suspension (with a 50mm lift) on my Nissan Elgrand this week, which I’m converting to a light duty off-road camper for me and my son. At 53, I’ve had enough of rooftop tents, so looking forward to the luxury of a van bed! Take care, mate. 👍

[@Andrew_marr]

Cheers Peter, yeah it's good to geek out on this kind of stuff for a bit. Let's face it, it's going to support our photography, plus it the main reason why we enjoy this...getting into the outdoors. I'll be interested to see how the build with your Nissan Elgrand goes. That should give you and your son a great base for plenty of adventures.

[@peterfritzphoto]

@@Andrew_marr I’m genuinely giddy with anticipation. My dad gave me the best childhood - camping, bushwalking, dirt bike riding, and so on. I want to create those same experiences for my boy. Thankfully, he’s equally excited to get out there, too. I have a Pajero for more serious stuff, and for my photography day trips, but I think the Elgrand will do just fine in 95% of situations, providing I take it easy.

[@colinstalker]

Amazing set up Andrew. Comfortable, convenient and well thought out. WA is a big place and you certainly have the right set up for exploring it😉

[@Andrew_marr]

Cheers Colin, yeah WA is full of diverse landscapes but plenty of distance in-between 🚙

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

How large is your 'house' battery, do you have foldable solar panels, a 2nd alternator? I'm also interested on the induction hob which I suppose runs on your inverter, hoe much does it deplete the battery?

[@Andrew_marr]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I have 2 x 100Ah lithium batteries, which is ample for a 2 person set up. I don't have permanet solar panels mounted to the car, instead I have a solar panel blanket that I can set up quickly with a 10m cable, so I can be in the shade, with the blanket is in the sun. No second alternator. The induction top is just a cheap on from Kmart, I am mindful of how much power it can go through. It usually goes through around 10% of the battery power, so I don't cook on it for hours. It a very quick and convenient way to cook, boil or heat something up over gas or setting up a fire. That 10% is recharged back into the batteries after around 15-20 mins of driving, so it's great while I'm on the go. I'd be more conservative if I was camping in the one spot for a few days with no driving in-between.

[@priscilla7397]

Enjoyed the video. Can you tell me the name of your coffee maker?

[@Andrew_marr]

Thanks Priscilla, I love this little coffee maker, so convenient for camping and even hikes. It called the Nanopresso from Wacaco. I’m about to get their new model the Picopresso for Christmas

[@priscilla7397]

Thank you Andrew.

[@photografiaaustralis2131]

Version 2.0 looks great Andrew but once again you have left no space for the cricket bat mate. Hope you and yours are doing well. Greg

[@Andrew_marr]

Cheers Greg, Yeah I'm happy how to set up has evolved over time. If I was to cover how this integrates with my cricket gear and set up, it would have to be a 2 part series mate. Rest assured this could suitably the gear for an Australian test player, I'm just waiting for my call up! :)

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

Does your Ford ranger come with a central locker, front, and rear selectable? Does it have hi/low gears? Any descent/ascent or other programs? Do you use any of these accessories/features for your photography travels?

[@Andrew_marr]

The Ford has a rear locker which I've used a few times. I was using it while crawling through those wombat holes that I showed on the video. It has auto downhill assist which has been handy on multiple occasions. It's a 4 wheel drive with both Hi and Low gears. I'd say I'd use at least one of these features in around 75% of my trips.

[@scotty4418]

Fair to say, i think this is the best rig I've seen Andrew as every aspect has been designed and installed for a purpose and the footage of you driving over the uneven terrain demonstrates your vehicles capabilities. Was surprised to see and hear you discussing the rust issue at the front end. Have you came up with a solution to counter it yet?

[@Andrew_marr]

Thanks mate, It's been 3 years in the making. An evolving process, but always with improving comfort and increasing photography opportunities as a main focus. I haven't come up with a solution for the rust yet, however, I see there are a few suggestions in these comments, which I'll investigate.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

I don't see a snorkel :-) No use for it?

[@Andrew_marr]

I've considered a snorkel but I'd have to really go out of my way to find a excuse for using one. If I found there were locations that I wasn't able to get into, I'm re-assess that.