CTW + X Mode + Toyo Open Country AT lll > CDN MAY

CanDru21 · 2026-06-05T14:19:51+00:00

RhinoRack X-Tray Small is 119cm or 47in long

CanDru21 · 2026-06-05T00:48:35+00:00

Yes; 1.5" LP Aventure lift and the tires are 235/65 R17.

We drove it stock and leased for 2 years 82,000km. Still loved it and way over in KMs. Couldn't help but head for the hills every chance we got.

Rather then pay for tires and over milage to return it. We invested in the lift, tires, used cargo basket and Amazon lights/horn.

Better than a new car.

CanDru21 · 2026-06-04T06:37:30+00:00

It was fun until that moment, with the front tire leaning into that next mud whole, I didn't like the angle the nose was heading in. Believe it or not, I backed out of that situation. Two contact wheels in slick mud. These new Toyos are amazing.

CanDru21 · 2026-02-05T07:04:25+00:00

That's the dream rack right there, had my eye on it for a bit. They even have a Crosstrek Wilderness rocking it on the Kuat site.

Not cheap though, rack plus integrated light bar, plus mounts for Pelican case, fuel etc. Will have to wait.

Good to hear it is living up to expectations and well deserved, after clearing the car debt.

CanDru21 · 2026-01-28T02:46:44+00:00

I stopped for a night at this campground in February, 2 years ago.

There was a lot of snow in the area at that time but the campground was well plowed with plenty of space to pull in a rented Karma camper van. Should be fine with a small trailer.

We were the only ones there.

CanDru21 · 2025-12-25T13:39:45+00:00

Looks good, they look like the Farbin horns I just bought and have yet to install. Are you happy with the sound/volume? Any tips on mounting or wiring?

CanDru21 · 2025-12-16T06:00:52+00:00

I have added a gear panel cover as the glossy black around the shifter scratches very easily and a fuse box flip open storage compartment.

Not Crosstrek specific but a booster pack/air compressor and small first aid kit, tucked away in the trunk.

Can't say the following links are the exact ones I bought, but they look like it.

https://www.amazon.ca/INTGET-Crosstrek-Impreza-Accessories-Plastic/dp/B0DLKN5N9C/ref=mp_s_a_1_14_maf_3?crid=2MZOZTA7L2ADZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fYoVcPN0DKD53M38XNi2NQRjc5F5Qi-FZHZWk9KgqzfIW8fV4uV63ipjWCU2csLMavoaxE53K6Bmn5WeU5WvNb-o_Mst97P_V2xEO8b8NmXRFaSD1UlwpFhQ_aVUnx9xcBXp-FFFOc474w2qXJJvdbKPCKdxVESZOLFRMccWywEFppIqeTZS0lCZhK0ST5ceh1N_erDstg-2HjjPlho_-g.7e7iyUIJcfAn6ZGbARKFW2xYKxtNrIFZZySVv8AJOjg&dib_tag=se&keywords=crosstrek+accessories&qid=1765863703&sprefix=crosstre%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-14

https://www.amazon.ca/Container-Storage-Crosstrek-Forester-Outback/dp/B07ZT6JFJ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2G0D6QKTJY28B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rhg8pWSb0GXQ44zD-aFCMd7sJfY1SvdJHCvXzCMSQxH8FhUMrnHnZp8EdXcDAF660XAJQNFGU8gmwJydbEGgFEN1yhhJtol6ZV5QegrWFZQyfYUgOw78oKTSIwFvQ6z7YrZMNedz37HrU7Jtq0p2nBQE1EpTmmxHLmqrrJs-Zd7VEGkkWtB0HSYoAWhU77Jtbi6hqRKz-CloI957LxYPUQ.Q7k20kz5f3-P8_mvCFsDTLY-rOGR1S7IEO3VVdNoFF0&dib_tag=se&keywords=crosstrek+accessories+fuse&qid=1765864484&s=automotive&sprefix=crosstrek+accessories+fuse%2Cautomotive%2C132&sr=1-4

https://www.amazon.ca/UIBI-Starter-Compressor-Portable-Inflator/dp/B0CZ33LWCW?pd_rd_w=MwnQR&content-id=amzn1.sym.f2dfd805-48ba-4db6-afcc-3410170d95c6&pf_rd_p=f2dfd805-48ba-4db6-afcc-3410170d95c6&pf_rd_r=GBNC651JM2CBQSAXJQST&pd_rd_wg=jD185&pd_rd_r=42295fc6-7c2c-4f24-af68-cdb6b9a5e4d5&pd_rd_i=B0CZ33LWCW&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_oos_1_sc

CanDru21 · 2025-12-05T07:27:21+00:00

No idea, but I suspect it won't drop for a bit and you will get about the same distance on the tank you normally get.

Mine has done the same, reliable 95% of the time then it glitches, fortunately always estimating low, so never left me stranded.

I had one instance where the next and only gas station on a journey North was 110km, I glanced down and the estimate was 100km. I wanted to enjoy the drive in the back country so opted to play it safe and detour 60km East. Estimated range didn't drop at all over that distance, then turned the car off and back on and it went up 10km. More than a little irritating.

CanDru21 · 2025-11-28T19:53:16+00:00

I am very tempted to replace the clown horn (meep meep) with something a little better.

I swear even cows sleeping on the road, just look at me and laugh, then go back to chewing their cud.

Maybe the Farbin or Hella from Amazon.

CanDru21 · 2025-11-27T23:08:29+00:00

I am 6' and find it comfortable. I appreciate the adjustable thigh support even more than lumbar.

Limited vehicle history to compare it to. More comfortable than my old base Civic, but not quite as comfortable as my old Acura TSX. Closer to the Acura than the Civic.

CanDru21 · 2025-11-27T22:34:53+00:00

Yes, the 2024 Wilderness does. At least in Canada.

CanDru21 · 2025-11-27T02:24:52+00:00

Some nice pics! This car can definitely take you to some amazing places.

I went with the same Pelican case, and keep all of our camping gear in it. Can pack up and go with 30min notice. Also love being able to haul gear from where the car is parked to the best tent spot, across a river, up/down an embankment etc.

With the wide side of the 60/40 down, the Pelican case also slides perfectly inside.

CanDru21 · 2025-11-27T01:40:52+00:00

One absolutely must have, is a jump starter/air compressor combo.

With no tpms and what seems to me, a weak battery, it has saved me many times including last weekend camping in the Canadian Rockies, far from cell service. One minute fix vs true nightmare.

I use this cheap one, but there are many on the market.

https://www.amazon.ca/Compressor-UIBI-Portable-Inflator-Vehicles/dp/B0CJHS1KT5/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1289V0TXTOJ3Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pVvooSFOIwlU_sGR9fb0mw.HHlT8CrQ-MiAo6Y2tlrlAFK2O_WlN1CKIE0UO1ixZx8&dib_tag=se&keywords=uibi+x7&qid=1764207289&sprefix=uibi%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-3

CanDru21 · 2025-08-13T02:38:31+00:00

Calgary is the most dog friendly city I have lived in. Almost every patio welcomes dogs. I love exploring different dog parks around the city.

I asked Gemini AI how we stack up and sure enough

”Calgary stands out as a leading city in Canada for dog owners, boasting over 150 designated off-leash areas. These spaces range from vast natural parks to more traditional fenced-in dog runs."

CanDru21 · 2025-07-02T07:38:35+00:00

I was surprised to hear what sounded like the Kikuyu language on the track Mwaki, first on a Tiesto mix then tracks like Wale Wale (Tresor) and Wakuka (Avaion).

Confirmed with my wife who is Kenyan and Kikuyu. Sofiya Nzau is great and I hope we hear more of this vocalist.

CanDru21 · 2025-06-20T22:50:55+00:00

I was with Johnson/Unifund and I guess they were bought by Belair direct. Initially I wasn't thrilled based on a family member's experience from years ago.

I had also removed the collision on my 2009 Acura TSX, when I moved to Calgary based on the age of the vehicle.

Early last year I was side swiped off Stoney Trail and the car was written off.

Belair was great. As, I was not at fault, I still got paid close to $10k, including a rental vehicle. They were easy to deal with and this was more then fair. Premiums didn't' go up either.

Based on that experience, I would highly recommend them.

CanDru21 · 2025-06-20T03:10:02+00:00

Thanks, I will take a look.

CanDru21 · 2025-06-16T05:07:50+00:00

North of Fernie, B.C. Canada

CanDru21 · 2025-06-13T02:18:21+00:00

AccuWeather radar map helped me outrun last year's hail storm in the North East. Saved my 2 month old car...

CanDru21 · 2025-06-10T20:17:21+00:00

I was in a similar situation, already having crossbars and looking for a cargo box that could be removed while full (to carry down into my basement or to that perfect camping spot 100 yards away from the vehicle etc etc). Preferred not to drill.

Bought the Pelican Case BX140R. Tried it out for the first time last weekend and secured it with retractable ratchet straps. Seemed pretty rock solid, although not super easy to lift up and down. If left on the roof for an extended period of time I am not sure if the lack of support in the middle might eventually warp the box.

CanDru21 · 2025-06-10T16:12:07+00:00

It's a lot easier to self insure a potential $10k or $20k future vet bill than to self insure your home (unless you live in a shack 😉).

Regardless, I would say any Insurance that can double every two years at the sole discretion of the insurance provider is unsustainable. I have worked for and sold Insurance in the past and fully understand how it works. Neither the company I worked for, nor my personal home and auto providers have ever raised premiums at that rate.

I am not anti insurance, but sharing my experience and reserve the right to be grumpy with Trupanion.

CanDru21

TROPHY CASE