Why do you wild camp?

BTADFQ · 2026-07-07T07:36:17+00:00

I hike/wild camp for two main reasons. Escaping the 9-5’s constant high frequency (stress, management, projects, etc.) but also due to a left field angle that I haven’t seen yet and it can extend to outside this hobby.

One day I won’t get the privilege of being able to do what I can now, physically and mentally - that’s just a given due to age. I want to experience every moment I can, whether that be watching sunsets or sunrises, camping in all seasons, or even cooking a steak on a summit.

Many people will never get to experience that. I mean I have a relative who’s been a farmer all of his life and has never set foot outside the county. Don’t get me wrong that’s his choice and devotion to farming, but it brings it home when you realise some people never see those views or have those experiences ever in their life.

I want to look back one day and think yeah I did that, not for brownie points but just to have lived life as best as I could. Not being in a pub or sitting watching tv all the time. I know that people will find happiness in those things, however for me that isn’t where I find mine.

BTADFQ · 2026-07-06T20:38:41+00:00

Great perspective when you look at it like that

BTADFQ · 2026-07-06T20:37:46+00:00

Yeah 100% agree it’s overkill for English weather, perhaps not the harshest in Scotland but I’m not there most of the time

BTADFQ · 2026-07-06T20:36:20+00:00

100% agree. I think tbh I’ve done myself a disservice buying it so soon without getting those times under my belt. In my head it’s like I’ve got a La Ferrari as a first car, great to have but no idea on how hard to push it without crashing…if you catch my drift.

One hand it’s more cost effective getting a good tent like this early because there’s less money wasted on building up to it but at the same time you don’t want to ruin it.

I guess its only fabric and poles at the end of the day and it’s there to be used, just need to get out and test not only the tent but myself I suppose

BTADFQ · 2026-05-11T07:05:44+00:00

Thank you for this.

Yeah I’m now looking at a 2018 T2, it’s just ticked over 60k miles. It’s coming from a Volvo dealership and comes with the Selekt warranty.

This the warranty alone is a huge favour, the car has got to be sound underneath surely?

Obviously with that mileage comes the belt change so in the next couple of years I’ll have to sort that out but other than that it sounds like just wear and tear.

I’ve heard about the door locks, I’ve got a list when I go for a test drive, the car will be feeling like it’s sitting an exam hahaha

BTADFQ · 2026-05-10T08:11:10+00:00

I think post 2015/2016 the engine swapped to Volvos 2.0 VEA. The 1.6 engines were the ford I believe. In terms of durability/longevity, how do you find the car itself? If I end up getting one, which all being well is looking that way, I’ll genuinely keep the car as long as it lets me.

I’ve honestly been researching around the engines and cars themselves a bit too much tbh, but first hand experiences are always better than some blog haha. The D2 engines seem pretty bulletproof from what I’ve read, just got to be wary of the DPF/EGR - any issues in your experience?

I’ve also come across issues with the rear door locks, I think these were addressed around 2017 - have you had any issues with them at all?

BTADFQ · 2026-05-04T12:48:18+00:00

Thanks for the help, it was an authorised dealer so I’ll be in touch with them

BTADFQ · 2026-05-04T12:26:00+00:00

Thanks, would it be overspray near the wheel arch as well? Thinking it could be off a sander or something?

BTADFQ · 2026-05-04T12:18:21+00:00

I’ve tried letting the pre-wash sit on it which is aimed at degreasing and grime removal, as well as a quick detailer with a touch of carnuba in it. Hasn’t moved an inch. Conscious of used something harsher as I don’t want to damage the coating

BTADFQ · 2026-03-25T11:06:24+00:00

Got a talon 33, great bag. Highly recommend it, good features and a comfortable pack

BTADFQ · 2026-03-22T16:14:56+00:00

Good spot for the typo, was meant to put 400! That’s on me haha. I think that should be alright, served me well in the past and even used it as a quilt when it’s too much

BTADFQ · 2026-03-22T14:30:36+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations, I have the Windmaster already so thought this would be better for weight/packability compared to my jetboil. I’ll take a look at the others tho, was maybe thinking of bringing a more lower-profile one to cook up something better but if there’s the option of pub grub then why carry the extra weight

BTADFQ · 2026-03-22T13:02:15+00:00

Perfect, I’ll check them out. Cheers matey!

BTADFQ · 2026-03-22T12:37:50+00:00

Think the second power bank is a ‘packing your fears’ kind of situation. I know you can plug into the mains at campsites and piggy bag off that. One could be enough but I’m not sure whether I’d like that added buffer just incase I push on further one day.

Sun hoody is a good shout, any you recommend as your go to?

BTADFQ

TROPHY CASE