Hi, Bonnie,
I was looking at a Forester as a step up from my previous set-up of a hatchback and a tent. It looks very doable.
With all the food, bedding, and cookware, I wasn't able to fit in the car, so the tent was great. A 3-4 oerson dome that provided enough shelter for a bed, clothing, and my computer. What else does one need, really?
But, alas, nature calls at the most inconvenient times, and I don't like walking around in the dark to find her. So, now, I have a tiny teardrop trailer with enough room to accommodate those issues, and offer me a little more protection from the elements. It gets harder to elevate from the ground in the middle of the night as we age. lol The bucket system I've set up is compact, and odor free, and indoors. Ah, convenience.
I bought a countertop ice-maker to run off my car battery and to chill my 5-day cooler. No fridge needed, nor solar panels to keep it going. It only draws 110 watts, and can make a pound of ice in an hour. Not bad, I'd say, and cheaper than buying it every few days. And, if kept in a container, can be used as fresh water for drinking, or refrozen instead of tossed on the ground as 'dirty.' Bonus is that your food isn't swimming in water. No muss, no fuss.
Pocket-sized brick batteries charge phone, tablet, immersible shower pump, headlamp, radio, headphones, a fan, and fairy lights. Yes, all of them run off usb, and don't take forever to charge, either. Recharging them all, including the bricks, off the car, or in a library or coffee shop is the plan when I''m moving.
The tent is optional, but really, really nice to have in better weather, and on good land to pitch it. I never slept so well, knowing that every day ahead was mine alone. lol
Consider all your options, but don't buy until you try. Keep it to the basics. You can always add on later.
Happy trails!
Oz
