TRAVELS & MORE

Part 1

10/23/25

The answer is NO!!!!!

We have traveled for months at a time in our loved Bronco camper named “TJ Shack”. During those months we would see people with various types of campers. Campers from mere vehicles converted to huge toy haulers as big as a 3 bedroom house. But, we love our small Shack. We continuously receive compliments on the uniqueness and can get into places that most huge campers cannot.

We have travelled to the all directions north, south, east and west in our ‘96 Ford Bronco with a ‘96 Lite Craft popup camper on it. We have converted various things on it to make it more energy efficient (solar) and comfortable for us.

The only “down fall” (if you call it that) is the camper is fully attached to the bronco itself. Which is the unique part about it. Not to mention its age and great condition. But, when we want to go exploring we have to break down the inside of the camper to go anywhere in it.

Now we have gotten good and fast at breaking things down and heading out to the desired destination. But, another thing is the camper is seasonal especially with having canvas. We do not have a/c for those blistering summer days. So, spring and fall are the main seasons we can use it. Those are the most beautiful season in my opinion. We have camped in it during the winter since it has heat. We have also camped in the summer but went to places that are not so blistering hot. Most times high in the mountains. But we also do not have a means of showering. And YES, we have ways of bathing but sometimes we just want/need a nice shower. That is always a reason for those ‘desired destinations’. We do not want to mess with or mess up the integrity of the inside structure.

Now, you are probably thinking “ just stay at a campground with showers!” That is not the camping we like to do. We are definitely not KOA or commercial campground campers. Though, at times we have for unforeseen circumstances and just location of places we want to see. Not to mention most camp grounds these days are full of “extended stay” people. They typically are living there for work purposes. Which in that case takes the idea of camping out of the picture. We like to stay in remote places and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) locations. We will stay in those places for weeks at a time.

We also take our trust side kicks Jaxon and Dean with us. We do not like leaving them in the Bronco Camper to long while wanting to explore. That issue hinders our time spent touring places especially in the summer and winter travels. Not every place we want to go allows dogs. We do have ways of making sure they are comfortable with air and water access. They love being in the Shack. But, ready to go when they see it in the driveway. But, still we worry. Who wouldn’t?

So, what’s the issue right? There really isn’t one. We will continue to use TJ Shack. But, now will be building out a trailer to pull with our Dodge dull-cab 5.9 diesel.

Stay tuned…