Subaru Forester Wilderness Camping Build Update

Update on my Subaru Forster Camping Build, with the addition of the tent to the rear hatch, for extending the living space. Camping at Aguiree Spring Recreation Area located between Las Cruces and White Sands, New Mexico. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, these 55 first come, first-served campsites offer great views of the Organ Mountains and cost $5 for park entrance and $7/night for camping. Vault toilets, fire rings, and covered picnic tables are available. The narrow, curvy roads and smaller sized camp sites accommodate passenger vehicles, and smaller trailers and RVs. #visitlascruces #newmexicotrue

[@VintageHikerLife]

Welcome to our tribe and thanks again for subscribing!

[@broinsocali]

That Black is popping. Outback Wilderness here.

[@VintageHikerLife]

Thanks! What color is your Outback Wilderness?

[@broinsocali]

@@VintageHikerLife Black. Love it. Took it to Utah and hit the Mighty 5 last year.

[@jpshipwash6240]

Liked & subscribed. Get yourself mic’d up. You have tons of info to share. We start losing what you’re saying when you face away from the camera. Low cost, big improvement.

[@VintageHikerLife]

Thanks for the tip

[@allensebastian1918]

Thank you for sharing.

[@VintageHikerLife]

@@allensebastian1918 Thank you for watching!

[@theinfinitepassportTV]

Thanks for the vid. What's your method to keep the battery from draining with the hatch up? I use a carabiner to fake it being shut. Enjoy NM, don't miss the Gila Wilderness!

[@VintageHikerLife]

@@theinfinitepassportTV I use a small screwdriver that I have in the car, to push the metal lock from the open, unlocked position to the closed, locked position. I did a separate video on that as well. Yes, love exploring NM and the Gila! Thanks for the comment and welcome to the tribe!

[@indira06]

Great. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@VintageHikerLife]

Thank you!

[@tinabeane]

I've camped there, what a beautiful place.

[@VintageHikerLife]

It really is!

[@abufarhaz2306]

Liked and subscribed. Thanks for making videos for us.

[@VintageHikerLife]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Jaypher]

Great video and breakdown of the setup!

[@VintageHikerLife]

Glad you liked it!

[@sharonnewberne3881]

I love this! Awesome! Great views!

[@VintageHikerLife]

Thank you!

[@leilal8053]

I would still lower the height of the platform by about 4" at least. I have to be able to sit up in bed, or I go crazy....

[@VintageHikerLife]

@@leilal8053 thanks for the feedback, and thanks for watching!

[@mariab8711]

New subscriber 😊

[@VintageHikerLife]

Thanks 😊

[@cstacey9163]

Thank you, nice video and great campsite. Question: can you keep your rear hatch open for long periods without draining your battery ?

[@VintageHikerLife]

Excellent question! I use a small screwdriver to push the rear latch up, to 'fool' the car thinking that the rear hatch is locked. Then, when we get ready to leave the campsite, I manually push the rear hatch down gently, close to the latch, and hit my power lift gate button inside the vehicle to move the hatch up and down a couple of times and then the rear hatch mechanism unlocks and hooks back up to the latch, and the rear hatch returns to its closed position. Does this answer your question? If not, I may add a video to show what I do instead of explaining in words...if you do not 'fool' the vehicle into thinking the rear hatch is closed and locked, when in fact, it remains open the entire time camping, then, yes, it will drain the battery...I know of others who had that problem, and now do what I do.. I didn't want power rear hatch but it comes with the Wilderness edition...

[@cstacey9163]

@@VintageHikerLife I just took purchase of a 2022 Outback and want to camp in it and I love the tent idea. I need to look at the latch on the hatch and see if I can figure out how you did that with the screwdriver.

[@VintageHikerLife]

@@cstacey9163 Let me know if you have any more questions...just use the screwdriver, or for that matter, anything that is strong enough to just 'flip ' or move the locking mechanism from the unlocked to locked position...I do not use my finger for fear of pinching my finger into this lock😉

[@VintageHikerLife]

Able to keep hatch open for @4-5 days, with this set up, and car starts just fine

[@hermannvalsson4237]

Thank you for a good video. What type of tent are you using, is it from Amazone, is it easy to use?

[@VintageHikerLife]

@hermannvalsson4237 The tent is sold on Amazon, and it is the Napier Sports/SUV tent, bought for under $300. Let me know if you have any other questions, and thanks for watching and your question/feedback!

[@VintageHikerLife]

Also, the full name of the tent is Napier Sportz Dome to Go tent....

[@markreynolds3850]

👍👍

[@JSBowling2011]

You need more lighting. The video was very dark. Can’t see details of the car inside.

[@VintageHikerLife]

@@JSBowling2011 thanks for the feedback! Will keep that in mind next time.

[@overlandsubaruinternationa2378]

check mon build love your

[@crankshaft007]

I dislike people putting lipstick on a pig. Has anyone of your viewers tried to get out of a confined space like that ? So high up and step on the ground ?? I built something like this and it’s dumb. How do you climb in and remove shoes or put them on? Absolutely no room

[@VintageHikerLife]

@crankshaft007 Thanks for the comment. We take our shoes or boots off inside the tent, and place them on the rear bumper, then step up onto the bumper while lifting up onto the platform. Yes, it's a space where you then shimmy, or crawl until reaching the 'head of your bed-, by the front driver and passenger seats. Weather permitting, opening the large moonroof will provide a more open feeling, around the head, and as I said in the video, I am 5'3" and my partner is 6' tall, and we both have had wonderful sleep when camping. I am unaware of how many viewers have such a similar set up, but would love to hear how they like or dislike this set up.