I own a Mitsubishi Delica L400 that is slightly lifted and has good off-road tires, so like you, no rock crawler but plenty off-road capable. (Though I have taken her some pretty crazy places like some of the trails at Browns camp in Oregon). Though recently we have changed gear a bit and have been using a hybrid electric towing a small camper. We still go off-road though not as gnarly as before! It has been a very interesting change of pace, though we will likely go back the other way once a more capable hybrid electric appears on the scene. We love the electric but our ground clearance is miserable and we really miss the Delica when a little ditch in the road put an end to our exploring!
I think you will have a blast on the island. As far as nasty people messing with your rig, I think that is unlikely on the island but don't leave her unattended in the big city like Vancouver. There are a-holes all over the world these days. I think because you may be sleeping in your rig, it is very unlikely you will be messed with. Usually someone dim witted enough to mess with someones car is also a bit spineless and not willing to run the risk of someone suddenly jumping out the back of your rig and walloping them! You also need to do your part and keep away from people so as not to spread covid.
Though there are some places that will be closed to you because of your height, most will be fine.
There are many interesting places you will be able to visit that are out of the way and on dirt roads. Most are fairly wide roads. I sometimes tow my 10' camper into the craziest of places and she is wide and tall ( though not as tall as you) and has crappy ground clearance. It is not often that I have to back back down a road to turn around. Of course some of the roads do get narrow with bush at time but as long as you don't mind a few scratches, you'll be fine, its mostly just brush and small limbs that you will be brushing past. My Delica is one giant scratch from front to back! Most of these roads were used by logging trucks at some stage which are way bigger than your rig.
There are lots of places to just park and camp too. Nobody will bother you so long as you are not an ass and follow the rules and don't go places you obviously shouldn't.
There are a good few really good windsurfing/kiteboarding sites on the island. One in particular is along a narrow (wide enough for you) rough road with limited parking at the end where guys camp. It is amazing. I forget the lakes name right now but could find out if you PM me.
The further north you go, the more rugged and less populated the backcountry.
I too highly recommend buying a backcountry map book. It is worth it's weight in gold to show you interesting places/campgrounds etc.
Island people are friendly but of course you should be acting like a responsible Canadian and keeping out of the remote villages/towns, cleaning hands and wearing a mask when you get gas or perishable supplies. Some of these areas a remote and so medical services are a big issue for locals and you don't want to be the idiot who brought the virus to them!
If you come out this way, I'd love to meet up with you. My wife an I could give you many tips. We just did a return trip to the Bella Coola area. We didn't go all the way to Bella out of respect for the locals who are very remote. Taking Covid there would be very bad. We also drove from Saskatchewan a few months back when we picked up our camper. Alberta can be a pain. They seemed not keen on out of towners so we just drove all the way through their province. Id love to see what you did with your rig.
Hey what gas milage do you get out of that rig when driving at a sedate 80 or 90km/hr?
There is much to see in the rest of BC too as I am sure you know.
Hi Cameron,
Have you left for Vancouver island yet?
I own a Mitsubishi Delica L400 that is slightly lifted and has good off-road tires, so like you, no rock crawler but plenty off-road capable. (Though I have taken her some pretty crazy places like some of the trails at Browns camp in Oregon). Though recently we have changed gear a bit and have been using a hybrid electric towing a small camper. We still go off-road though not as gnarly as before! It has been a very interesting change of pace, though we will likely go back the other way once a more capable hybrid electric appears on the scene. We love the electric but our ground clearance is miserable and we really miss the Delica when a little ditch in the road put an end to our exploring!
I think you will have a blast on the island. As far as nasty people messing with your rig, I think that is unlikely on the island but don't leave her unattended in the big city like Vancouver. There are a-holes all over the world these days. I think because you may be sleeping in your rig, it is very unlikely you will be messed with. Usually someone dim witted enough to mess with someones car is also a bit spineless and not willing to run the risk of someone suddenly jumping out the back of your rig and walloping them! You also need to do your part and keep away from people so as not to spread covid.
Though there are some places that will be closed to you because of your height, most will be fine.
There are many interesting places you will be able to visit that are out of the way and on dirt roads. Most are fairly wide roads. I sometimes tow my 10' camper into the craziest of places and she is wide and tall ( though not as tall as you) and has crappy ground clearance. It is not often that I have to back back down a road to turn around. Of course some of the roads do get narrow with bush at time but as long as you don't mind a few scratches, you'll be fine, its mostly just brush and small limbs that you will be brushing past. My Delica is one giant scratch from front to back! Most of these roads were used by logging trucks at some stage which are way bigger than your rig.
There are lots of places to just park and camp too. Nobody will bother you so long as you are not an ass and follow the rules and don't go places you obviously shouldn't.
There are a good few really good windsurfing/kiteboarding sites on the island. One in particular is along a narrow (wide enough for you) rough road with limited parking at the end where guys camp. It is amazing. I forget the lakes name right now but could find out if you PM me.
The further north you go, the more rugged and less populated the backcountry.
I too highly recommend buying a backcountry map book. It is worth it's weight in gold to show you interesting places/campgrounds etc.
Island people are friendly but of course you should be acting like a responsible Canadian and keeping out of the remote villages/towns, cleaning hands and wearing a mask when you get gas or perishable supplies. Some of these areas a remote and so medical services are a big issue for locals and you don't want to be the idiot who brought the virus to them!
If you come out this way, I'd love to meet up with you. My wife an I could give you many tips. We just did a return trip to the Bella Coola area. We didn't go all the way to Bella out of respect for the locals who are very remote. Taking Covid there would be very bad. We also drove from Saskatchewan a few months back when we picked up our camper. Alberta can be a pain. They seemed not keen on out of towners so we just drove all the way through their province. Id love to see what you did with your rig.
Hey what gas milage do you get out of that rig when driving at a sedate 80 or 90km/hr?
There is much to see in the rest of BC too as I am sure you know.
Have fun.
Dennis