This year has been interesting. At the end of 2019, we bought an EV plug-in hybrid, the biggest plug-in sedan we could tow behind our RV. It was affordable, and a bargain due to discounting (at the time, the dealership had many of them, and they were not selling) and then the government rebate after. It was my island commuting car; I could nearly always drive on electric rather than the tiny gas motor.
Then, we ran into a huge issue about 1½ years ago. The car company issued a recall that they had no fix for. Suddenly, I was told not to plug it in anymore, not to keep the batteries fully charged, and not to park it in or near buildings. Considering it was usually parked next to a propane tank, that was unsettling.There was a fire risk in the batteries. Good times.
The company cut owners a measly check of a couple hundred for gas to keep them quiet. Eventually, they finally admitted they had no real solution, and it “sucked to be you” kind of thing. Kirk had been researching it by then, and some owners had done buybacks. He contacted the company, and eventually, it was hammered out. In late spring, we sold our car back to them for full price. One of those “we don’t admit there is an issue, but here’s a check” deals.
Saying goodbye that day. You can figure out the car company on your own…..
I had no car. Then, I had the arm injury in June, and I couldn’t drive for nearly eight weeks.
So it wasn’t a huge issue being car-free. If I needed to get somewhere, we just took the transit system or Kirk drove me after work. It was a sucky summer for hiking, to say the least.
But with school starting back up by late August, I knew I needed a car again, as our children now go to an out-of-district school. I didn’t want to go into debt, and we had to find a vehicle to fit all the boys with their long legs (2 of them have 34″ inseams so far). So, I bought a used land yacht. It’s a gas hog V8, but whatever. I would have preferred something I could camp indirectly (like the Ford Explorer years long ago when it was my metal tent). But I wouldn’t be too picky for the price paid, and because it could fit the whole crew. The trunk is massive and great for holding gear. I decided I would work with it and make it work. If it was just me at a trailhead or at a campsite, being shorter, I could sleep in it with a few pieces of gear added in.
Eventually, I will get it fully outfitted, but it’s not a huge issue right now. For now, I am more likely to sleep in our RV. But it’s there as an option to do what I used to do long ago. With the boys being teens, I am actually going hiking without them, once again. I have my freedom back.
Backseat Sleeping Platform:
I was trying to convert the back seat into a platform. There are many options for this, and there is no lack of choices on Amazon. Initially, I tried a hard one that was folded out instead of the inflatable types. We have two dogs, one of which is a large Golden Retriever, so I thought he’d enjoy a flat surface to lay down on while I drove. Well…that went south quickly.
I had picked it up on Amazon for $119.99 with a $25 coupon off that. It showed up promptly, with it boxed in a Prime box, but the inner box was heavily taped up, with multiple shipping labels on it. It felt to me that they had been drop shipped directly from the factory in China to the address on the labels, in Califonia, then sent to Amazon for fulfillment. I opened up the box, and the platform was in a stuff sack with pockets and under pillows. The quality was very low, but I kept on.
(The fantasy photo on Amazon)
After spreading it out across the back seat, there was a couple of things I noted:
It was very thin. It looked nothing like the photos. It was a Temu ripoff of what the photos showed, but I was paying the full price. The under pillows were lumpy and didn’t do anything to support the platform.
Then I decided I’d try it out and see how bad it could be. I put my knee down and scooted in. And I heard a loud crack.
I had broken the first section, the thin “board” in the center.
This platform promised a 700-pound weight limit. My knee busted it.
I laughed because I knew it was junk but had hoped it would prove me wrong. I packed it up and requested a refund, which Amazon gave me. I then reviewed it on Amazon and got an email later requesting I remove the review, and they’d pay me. Yeah, no. I don’t work that way! I’d rather warn people off of bad gear.
I have ordered an inflatable one; we shall see how that fares. No dogs on it, though! Their claws would destroy it.
Privacy Curtains:
I didn’t buy this set of curtains for the door windows (though I strung them up to see how they’d work). I wanted the middle divider curtains to separate the back from the front. And for the price, it was worth it.
I got the set for $13.99. I couldn’t have made it for that price.
It showed up bagged and labeled.
With a reusable stuff sack. And yes, it packs back into the sack easily. No struggle with that.
It’s not light-blocking, but it works fine. The fabric isn’t heavy, which is a good thing. I liked I could see through it from the inside; that gave me security that I could look out for, but not from the outside.
I am looking back from the front seat.
Hanging out in the back seat. The pieces have metal clips that slide in, and then you tighten it up easily with plastic cord spring locks. The center is held in place with a beefy piece of Velcro. The fabric doesn’t stick to the velcro, so it’s a huge bonus. Even though it isn’t cotton, it feels like cotton. No shiny polyester that sticks to your hands.
Yes, I could have made it far tighter, but I wasn’t overly concerned since it was just a trial run.
Looking in from outside, you can’t see in. Sure, I didn’t have it super tight up high, but it worked for me. It blocked the sun and lowered the temperature in the car quickly. If I were napping in the back, it would provide privacy and shade.
Looking forward from the back seat.
Here is a quick video of it:
Overall, I was quite happy with the curtains. They did what I wanted at a price I was willing to pay. Eventually, I plan on picking up fitted silver wrap ones for the windows (and the back window). But having a divider that gives me privacy is huge.
~Sarah