5 Influencers to Follow When Getting into Car Camping
In recent years, we have experienced a tremendous loss. A loss of loved ones, of time, of valuable experiences and personal connections. Realizing more and more that life is short and unpredictable, people are looking for ways to finally get out of their house and start traveling. Though you may be unsure of your options, traveling by car provides people with the perfect exploration experience. Often associated with being freeing and adventurous, car camping has become highly popular on social media over the years. You may have heard people refer to this lifestyle as “van-life”, “off-roading” or “overlanding.” When getting into car camping, your vehicle is the primary mode of transportation and living, and all your supplies are carried with you. This is an incredibly convenient, efficient and an inexpensive way to start exploring. You may have some questions such as: how do I get started? Where to go? On a budget? Is there a community I can join? What type of vehicle and gear do I need? In this post we will provide you with 5 influencers to follow when getting into car camping, that will help inspire you and provide valuable insight on this rapidly growing industry.
For some people, overlanding or van life is a weekend escape, and for some, it is a way of life. Regardless, car camping encourages people to travel, appreciate simplicity and allows you to go with the moment. “The combination of everybody wanting to be outdoors and only able to travel by car was essentially a perfect recipe for overlanding,” says Tim Nickles, founder and chief executive of Roofnest, which makes rooftop hard-shell tents for vehicles. That given the current limitations of the pandemic, car camping allows people to freely travel with more ease and accessibility.
1. Linnea & Akela – Solo female van-lifer
Photo by: @linnea.and.akela
Solo van-lifer and adventurist, Linnea travels with her German Shepard, Akela, documenting the life of a solo female van-lifer. Her earlier videos let viewers follow along with step-by-step instructions on how she self-converted her own van. Now, she shares all things van-life and the process of living in a small space, on the road. Not only does Linnea and Akela give insight on van life but are also an inspiration to girls who grow up not being encouraged to enter the outdoor industry.
Not only is Linnea and Akela committed to the van-life full time, but also an outdoor adventure digital content creator and incredible nature photographer.
You can find Linnea and Akela on Instagram @linnea.and.akela and on YouTube @Linnea & Akela
2. The Lovers Passport - The ultimate exploration guide
Photo by @theloverspassport
Now that you are eager to head out on a road trip, outdoor adventure content creators, Giselle and Stephen, also known as The Lovers Passport, helps viewers plan their next road trip and provides valuable tips along the way. With over nine thousand YouTube subscribers and 207,000 Instagram followers, The Lovers Passport’s channel consists of inexpensive adventure itineraries, real gear reviews and discusses digital photography tips and tricks. Some must see spots they have covered include Monterey, Big Sur, Yosemite, Hawaii, Zion National Park and various other locations. The Lovers Passport is also active on Instagram and TikTok, frequently posting mini vlogs, must visit spots and stunning photography.
You can find The Lovers Passport on: Instagram, YouTube and TikTok @Theloverspassport
3. Mav Rikjoos – Solo male truck camper
Mav Rikjoos has gained noticeable popularity recently. With over one million subscribers on YouTube and 119,000 followers on Instagram, Mav is known for truck camping in extreme weather conditions, fishing, and road trip meals. His personal style vlogs and upbeat attitude has bled him to becoming a favorable creator in the community. His solo truck camping series allows viewers to see the challenges and joys of overlanding. He has also become an inspiration for many to start on their own adventures.
You can find Mav on: Instagram @mavrikjoos and on YouTube @Mav
4. Oxfoot – Overland traveling
Photo by @oxfoot
For those interested in getting into off-roading or overlanding, Oxfoot provides viewers with overlanding and camp gear reviews, “how to’s” and “should you buy’s?” Oxfoot is a great source for newcomers to research and gain valuable insight on products and vehicle set up. Because vehicle modifications can become expensive, it would be valuable to learn about other affordable alternatives. As it’s not about the kind of vehicle you drive, how much you spend or where you spend your time, overlanding is an inclusive community, with a market becoming larger.
You can find Instagram @oxfoot and on YouTube @OXFOOT
5. Be Different Media
Now that you are discovering the community, Different Media produces weekly documentaries featuring unique people and their stories. Based in Canada, some of Different media’s type of content includes van-life, tiny houses, converted buses, and car camping. Forest Stevens, the creator of Different Media, provides a space for travelers to share their experiences and viewers to gain valuable insight.
You can find out more about Different Media on Instagram @bedifferentmedia and on YouTube @DifferentMedia.
At its most basic, car camping is just that: sleeping in a car. This idea may not seem comfortable at first, but what attracts so many is that it provides travelers with a unique experience unlike any other. It encourages people to adventure, to embrace uncertainty and challenges, to live presently and ultimately leads to personal growth. Whether car camping is a weekend escape, hobby or lifestyle choice, the purpose is to, “create the most fulfilling life you can for yourself. It’s about not settling for all the “shoulds” that others try to push upon you. It’s about focusing on what’s meaningful in your life and shedding what isn’t…It’s about creating your own path.” Says John Serbell, a van life how to blogger from Gnomad Home.
For more informational tips, visit REI’s expert advice on improving your experience while camping in your car. Tell us about your camping experience below in the comments!
Keywords: Travel, Car Camping, van life, overlanding, adventure
