Taking my Camper Van Off-Road Camping & Photography
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- One of the reasons I purchased a Mitsubishi Delica was so that I could have a camper van that was a little more capable than my old camper van. Today, for the first time, I take my van off-road driving. We wild camp and I show you my new kitchen set-up before walking away from camp to enjoy some landscape photography. I hope you enjoy this video.
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You spoke on camera with people around. You certainly went waaaay outside your comfort zone here. This is one reason why I subscribe. Raw, genuine, and unapologetic! Great work man. Now, to lift the van...
Yeah, I'm alright when I get to know people. It's strangers that make me clam up. Glad you enjoyed it 👍
@Zack Darce
Yess i agree with you and Karl👍
Gonna watch it one more time tonight. 😎
That Delica is a freaking BEAST. Bravo.
Hint, take off the sidesteps. And put slide plates over the delicate bits underneath.
And yea, in the US that's driving up many driveways. I've taken my GSXR up worse. LOL
I highly recommend 2 CO meters. And don't run a generator or heater while you sleep.
I think it was absolutely the best thing to watch and relax on a Friday afternoon. Amazing, full of emotions, adventure and great great views, photos... and cars
Fans from China, how I hope that one day you can come to China, Western Sichuan, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Tibet, Inner Mongolia... are all landscape photographers’ paradise.
I came to this channel for the aluminium profile van build and stayed for the great story telling, refreshingly calm pacing and beautiful photography.
That looked like a lot of fun, hanging out with friends, take an image or two, have a nice camp meal, nothing better.
This is so often the case with off-roading. I used to be the chief photographer for Australia's 4X4 Magazine, so I've travelled extensively through Australia's mountain and desert regions. In most situations, the most important factors in scaling gnarly tracks are tyre choice, tyre pressure, line choice, and throttle control. Master those, and you'll skip past plenty of vehicles with lift kits and big muddies. Great video, Thomas, and so glad the Delica survived! I'm now considering one myself! :-)
Some people might not like the lack of photography in this one, but as a guy who loves cars I loved this one, something a little different very refreshing and enjoyable, looks like you had a blast, thanks for sharing.
14:00 One thing to always remember is that every video you make, every photo you create, makes the world a little bit better.
Love it! Wheel that van!
Also, with a lower ground clearance 4x4, a full set of skid plates are worth their weight in gold
I drive a 4runner with all the offroading & camping mods done. I enjoy offroading for the puzzle that it presents. There is so much to offroading in the lines and how you approach it that the same trail can make an amazing vehicle look pathetic and an average vehicle look amazing with only minor differences in line. There have been plenty of time I have taken friends out in their stock vehicles and can get them further than they ever thought possible, while getting myself stuck way more just out of trying to make a trail harder than it has to be.
Course it helps to have ground clearance, or at least skid plates so you know what it being hit. Clearance, tires and a limited slip diff (or locker if possible) will get you up and out of things you never dreamed of.
As a Land Rover enthusiast I am so impressed with your Delica, it handled that terrain like a champ. When I use my fridge I plug it into a power invertor at home before putting it in my truck, that way it uses less power from the vehicle electrics. Another good vlog Thomas.
Never seen a Steak Sarni done like that, what a brill idea. Love how the van is evolving into a working home, very practical, function over form and the form is pretty neat.
I thought this too!! :-)
Even if it is not a photo-centric video, there is always a story, a perspective given to us, and along comes that Heaton authenticity, that brings a smile to our day!
I remember when we had our jeep. We carried tow straps in case someone needed a pull. Clearance is everything. Yes, in the US there are many driveways that look like that.
I live in Ontario, Canada. We have the Canadian shield but we are basically in a giant depression left from retreating glaciers in the ice age. This craggy and hilly ground was just awesome to watch. Thanks for bringing us along Thomas!
1. Nothing to fear but fear itself ! 2. Most “tracks” are formed by Toyota Landcruiser’s and Nissan Patrol’s wheel base, the Delica preformed extremely well, considering . 3. Upgrading my peak design 20L backpack to a F-stop bag from your excellent non review. Excellent entertaining episode Tom. Cheers from down under 👍🏻🍷❤️🇦🇺
I definitively don't like motors in the wild, but I must say this Delica is something. It was fun to watch...Once.
bloody love this! I moved to QLD Australia from Scotland and the first time I went 4WD with my new Navarra I was exactly the same as you! I thought I was destroying my new car! but I still have it 10 years later and the only scratches are superficial. Travelling with 3 Aussies Ive never felt so British!!!!!! Now I've settled in a bit and have some confidence in it (just like the weather sealing on my camera that scared the S**t out of me in a storm!) Thanks Thomas, Loving the new van and hopefully the new opportunities that it brings!
You did awesome! Its way more about picking a good line and learning your vehicle than it is the kit you have on it, I have taken my Mazda hatchback places that had jeeps worried, but with a narrow width and narrow wheel base you are far more maneuverable and if you go slow you can make really concise movements that larger vehicles have to gas and bounce over. You picked a stellar little van, and your conversion is incredible!
Thom You should be fortunate enough to live this life right now,it's very sad condition that we are facing back in our country INDIA may we recover soon and your videos does help in sitting back home and chill.
Best wishes to everyone in India. Hope you recover soon.
can you get Iverm....tin.? as a back up?
I didnt watch your videos before the van build was suggested to me, when this video came up I wasnt going to watch it either. Im so glad I did, never would have thought it was capable of doing what it did....sweaty palms just watching it so god knows how you felt driving. Hopefully an updtae on the diesel heater will come, I also have one and a detector which thankfully has gone off. Keep the varied content coming.
I give Thomas' videos a thumbs up before I even watch them. Quality.
That was fun to watch from Australia. Definitely need some under body rock guards/sliders, especially to protect the oil sump. If you bust the sump cover out on a track it's day over. Half the fun of owning a 4x4 is adding fun things to it.
Learned alot over the yrs on this channel, but that steak,onion and cheese masterpiece, wow 😲. The leading lines, the composition. Perfect. Shall def be trying one!!! 😋
Thomas - you certainly have an adventurous spirit.
You have got a flare for presentation Heaton. Loved your hyperactive approach of not just going 4wd one day but to attempt so many tasks simultaneously.
You have a great personality for the job.
Interesting to see where you go with all this.
Well done.
Watching in silence until the photo is shown and I hear myself exclaiming "wow". Always impressive, and I'm impressed by your Delica as well 😍
Don't forget to go back and collect all the body parts, stick em back on and sell it to Adam Gibbs. Then convert yourself a Landy. Great video Tom Good effort
Looks like a great time!
By the way, I have that same table. Love it! Won't burn, won't melt, sturdy and light.
Glad you made it home safe and sound. Looking forward to new adventures with the Delica!
@Pete P I bought mine from Amazon. I live in the US and it’s a Coleman table. Not sure what exact brand Tom’s is. But I believe in his latest video he has links to everything in his camp collection. You might find it there.
don't ever underestimate the delica, i have a 93 delica with the 4 cyd turbo, she's my lil' goat girl, she's unlifted as well but she gets thru almost everything! good job mr. heaton, good job! i was having fun just watching!
Here from USA, you have balls of steel man! It is always good to be out there with someone. Nice little rig.
Wish we lived closer to you. My husband has the same passion and I’d love to be able to send him on one of your tours. He watches your channel religiously and wishes he could go on a photography adventure.
You were radiating fun and enjoyment in that video! Nice to watch!
Growing up in south eastern Montana Dad had a Federal job working with the ranchers and farmers so he had a couple pickups (2WD only, 4WD was not really a thing then) and save for those really rocky climbing sections he drove on all that stuff. We just called 'em roads then. Even if it was basically two track through the fields with wheat stalks coming in the grill.
For surveying tasks sometimes he had to truly go off road, bush wacking really, no trail, no road, no cow paths. Short distances for the most part though.
So I get a kick out of 4X and adventure riding folks saying they are going off road and all they really are doing is going off the pavement.
One thing back then that made it official truck work, a flax water bag hanging off the front to the pickup. Get one of those for you Delica and folks will think you are true old school! :D
Well done Tom - glad you went with experienced 4WD people - you can learn a lot. The Delica is a very capable off-road vehicle that will look after you (you can spend a fair bit on modifications, mainly a suspension lift and protector plates underneath) but depends how often and where you go. Did you let any air out of your tyres? That’s the secret to off-road - down to about 20 - 24 PSI on that sort of terrain and a bit lower on sand, especially soft sand. Great to see the alterations you’ve made to the kitchen. The heater sounds a bit dodgy - hope you get it fixed. The one thing I’ve found is that you learn something with each trip and make modifications to make life more enjoyable. Off-roading is a confidence thing, both in yourself and the vehicle - the more you do it the better you’ll get and the more you’ll enjoy it. Keep it up mate 👍👏
Living in one of the more rural parts of North America, I can say I've not seen a lot of driveways that way lol. Here in the mountains we keep our driveways well kept, the forest service roads to get to photo locations on the other hands... they can get that bad, and so much worse. I would recommend perhaps a few inch lift kit on your van perhaps, nothing big, and perhaps skid plating that covers more of the underside of that Delica. Your content has really inspired me to get out and do more, work harder for what I love about photography. Keep it up!
good tires makes a huge difference!
Now we are talking! Looks fantastic ! More of this please.
Nothing delicate about your Delica! Well done. I love the way you explain your compositions - thank you.
I was *not* ready for the tension in parts of this video! I've been on roads where I had that feeling, so glad it all worked out and the van did great and no CM poisoning.
The cut tortilla layered ridge monkey toastie thing is a work of culinary genius!
You see - it's like photography.
It's not about the greatest and newest gear or how much you can mod and tune your car.
It's HOW you use it and that your equipment - be it a camera, a offroad-camper or a motorcycle becomes an extension of you - part of you that you can use to have an amazing time and enjoy every bit of it.
Cheers,
Tom great job with the kitchen happy that you can cook out instead of inside, good job just be safe out there...
from Australia. Good effort in the van Thomas. Rock like that is hard work in any vehicle. Remember the lift kit wont lift the axles and diffs any higher but it will get the underside a bit higher but can affect the handling. I was impressed with that little double pan you used. Have not seen one of them in our part of the world and would be grateful for details. Lovely image from an initially photographically challenging looking area. Light is the secret to everything.
Great adventure. Now you know you can go almost everywhere to take photos.
😂😂😂 thanks again Tom! Two videos back your food spillage lightened my mood after sad family pet news and now this video had me in giggles again. I struggled in my company car, Toyota Yaris, last autumn on certain Lake District proper roads 😔 seeing your shenanigans was fantastic entertainment. Lovely shot too 👏👏
That is the best dinner I have seen, and your scenery is just lovely
Well done getting your camper up there it looked very rough going and that dinner was genius I stoped and rewound to watch it again so that's tea sorted for me tomorrow thanks again for another great video 🍔👍
Tom, a lift kit would make all the difference. My photo-van is a mini-van. I had it lifted 3 inches. Made all the difference in the woods and with big mud puddles during hurricanes.
The Delica really turned out well, much better suited for a trip like this one, compared to your 1st camper van. That high interior makes the difference compared to a lot of other SUV's of similar length for chilling in the back during bad weather. Just remember (always Rubber side down)
Never underestimate a Deli! Best vans, 4x4s and people carriers around. I have no idea who came up with it at Mitsi but I thank them!
Brilliant video! Just love your down to earthness, no B.S, you were brilliant and your van is fantastic. Well done!
Like the improvements that you've done to the van and it's great that it is working out. I see you even manged to overcome your hatred of talking to the camera while there are people around. Congrats on both.
When I read the title, I thought, UK... Thomas is driving on dirt roads. I am impressed you did some real 4-wheeling. You may want to put a set of rails under that van, something to roll off the rocks on. :)
The drone work in this video was impressive, BTW.
Love it, Thomas, but like nails on a chalkboard hearing your undercarriage scraping against rocks! haha I very much enjoyed this video, and I'm happy for you that you're able to go off-roading!
The Delica is after all stunning off-road!!
I know I’m getting older when I thought that kitchenroll holder is a fire risk 😆 Seriously kitchen roll, number 1 household commodity.
That's one impressive camper. And probably a good idea to test the limits where there are plenty of ready tow trucks if it fails!
I've been into all sorts of off-roading both in vehicles and styles. You and your little buggy did just fine sir! Well done capturing it all as well.
Oh, and I've had problems with my heater pulling the exhaust back into the heater intake when it's calm.
Hi Tom, make sure that the exhaust pipe has only a shallow/sleight bend as the pipe can get 'sooted up' quite quick, pushing the exhaust fumes back through the body. Great vid and a change to the norm. Love it.
You doing some right proper 4 wheel driving there Thomas, don't know what you worried about your Delica ate it and your lines were fine. You said hopefully many more 4 wheel drive trips to come, be prepared to fork out hand over fist as it not just the Delica but any 4 wheel drive incurs thousands of dollars of damage over the long haul it is an expensive hobby, get a motocross bike and put some lights on it will only cost you a chain and sprockets and rear tyres every year.
OMG I found myself screaming at the monitor...just don't let off the gas, don't let off the gas. Followed by a huge cheer. Scared the dog lol. Then more yelling and cheering for the Delica to give it hell on that last hill....so proud!! Never discount the small guy or van!! Man I miss my Jeep. I see a lift kit and a little bigger tires on that Delica coming lol. Once you go off road its hard to stop. Great images you got on your off road adventure. Oh and I need to learn how you make your tortilla sandwich's cause they look amazing.
Delica held its own,it's a beast.
Hey Thomas I still recommend you pick up an 18W PD battery bank to pack up in your camera bag in the off-chance your ON/OFF switch is accidentally triggered ON while packed up. Saved my ass a couple times when I get on locations since it allows me to simultaneously charge my camera while also shooting video simultaneously (shooting with an X-T3 I know how easy it is to trigger my camera ON when I'm putting it in its bag). Truly can be a lifesaver especially if you have a way to clamp it to your tripod with a magic arm and a phone holder clamp. Great content as always tho! Keep up the great work!
Looks like a casual Sunday drive. Good luck with future expeditions.
You hit the nail on the head. The delica does have its limitations but choosing the absolute best lines will help it considerably. There are off road courses around the UK where you can learn so much in a basic vehicle.
Each week we can't wait until you post your video. This week was a surprise for sure. We live in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada and are photography nerds subscribing to all the F4 photographers. And we drive a Land Rover so we can get out to the wilderness. Keep up the great work Thomas!
Wonderful video, Tom. Love North Yorkshire after my time there with Simon a few years back and great to see you trying new things like overlanding.
I have to tell you that picture you took after your meal is one of the BEST I've seen you do. Very, very nice.
Nice to see you off the road :-), you look happier again too. Just keep your thumbs outside your steering wheel, you might break them when hitting a rock with your front wheels.
Delica good times! They are pretty decent off-road, which is why there aren't really any other vans which compare, even all these years after they stopped making the proper 4x4 versions!
Did great with buying that van, Mitsubishi stuff is very good.
Having an automagic transmission makes off roading much easier and safer, I prefer that myself.
Usually check my hubs and lockers for proper operation if I know I am going to need them, the side of a mountain is not the place to have trouble with that stuff.
A group outing is good, one does get help, like the folks with the problematic Disco.
Omg yes! The Tortilla fold breakdown. My lunches will move forward with higher quality henceforth.
Great video Thomas! As a former professional highland driver from Iceland, I must say you did great in your driving. And remember tha practice makes perfect.
And photography great as always!
Excellent demonstration of what this very overlooked off roader can do without mods. A 3 inch lift will help clearance, I plan to get a newer diesel model in Australia. Who needs to spend 100,000K on a 4WD!
Your van is a champ, credit goes to you Thomas!!
“Don’t have the ground clearance”, grind, crunch scrape, crunch.
“I don’t have to snorkel “ ??? Haven’t got any goggles either Thomas.
Glad you got there safely and of course home also.
Stay safe 😷🇦🇺
By "Snorkel", I assume he was referring to an air intake extension that pulls combustion air from up near eye level, so that, at least in theory, the engine could be covered in water and still run. It's common on 4x4 vehicles that expect to cross shallow streams.
@@nannyg666 guess you have no understanding of sarcasm. You should if you live in Australia. Tom saw the funny side, pity you didn’t.
Great video. How you folded that burrito just blew my mind!
I grew up in the the american countryside ...farmland. I love your knew van and everything you have done to it. You could jack it up maybe ...
Well done, Thomas. Experience is something you have right after you needed it. But you have some now and the more you have the more comfortable you will feel about heading out to places like this. Good job.
Brilliant video Tom, you could see how terrified but also excited you were, all at once, the van certainly passed the test, I would definitely think about raising it a bit, I'd hate to see it damaged after all yr hard work.
Just got my van last week! Vans & photography just go together! Now if that darn Canadian border to BC would just open I'd be in heaven!! Enjoy! I love so much what you are doing! (PS: I'm the lady w/the American Avocet bird photo you critiqued in Menorca Photo Pills 2019).
DUDE !!!!!!!!!! you are driving a Mitsubishi !! There should never been a doubt!! I have the Mitsubishi Pajaro 2.8Td they are goats.. have faith in it, maybe get a bit of a lift kit, 2 inch or if it has torsion bars crank them up and you will get some more ground clearance.. Sooner or later you will towing out one of those Disco's or other lesser 4X4..
Brilliant video, best one yet with the new Delica👍enjoyed the cooking skills too...two very tasty looking meals!!
Got sweaty hands watching it. Awesome trip! Your van climbed so smoothly, incredible!
Fantastic video buddy (as always!!) - very impressed with your Delica... amazing! And got to say that image... simply stunning!!!
I Live in the U.S. Southwest and your quesadilla method is an absolute gamechanger! Bravo and thank you Thomas!
Awesome video great to see the van performing like that after watching all the videos of the build . More of them please BRILL !!!!!!
Oh, such a show! Pure joy to watch! Waiting every new episode impatiently! This house-on-a-wheels is a monster truck in it's soul ))) O.M.G.
Nothing more satisfying then watching a stressed out British man going off road 🤣🤣 love these video's great work
Good motor for off roading clearly. Can’t wait to get mine complete.
Great video! I would say your Delica has a great weight distribution unlike some of the other vehicles on the track. Great choice of vehicle!
I have watched about 6 vids of you now. Building etc.
I am so impressed about your skills. 🙏🏻
And now seeing your little van taking all the offroad almost if like they were flat asphalt i smiling.
The more because the other vehicles were more build to take the offroad paths.
I have an 2008 Chevy Avalanche not lifted like my 2004 Avy, but you van seems to take them so easy.
When he is lifted it would look more extreme haha.
Can’t wait.
Grtz from A Dutchie
Great Vlog! Glad the Delica was up to the job. Looking forward to the next one.
Just above my heater.
It's now really obvious now, why you wanted to switch to the Delica. This opens up a whole new world of opportunities for your photographic adventures. I can't wait to see many more great expeditions in the Delica.
I cringed at the thought of your paper towel flapping over your gas stove. Please find a safer location for the paper towel.
Now you just need to get that lift kit and skid plates installed!
Great Video!
Really enjoyed this video, the van looked like it made easy work of those hills, i would never have the bottle to do that haha. The upgrade to the van is fantastic too, looks very comfortable now
Great to see you having fun
being a photographer and owning a off road edition 4 runner, this video speaks to me
Another awesome video Tom was a privilege to have you join us, the next venture isn't too far away :-D