... I also drive a dodge diesel pu a lot. I love that truck but you can't get it within half a mile of any wildlife
That's a great Bald Eagle photo. Subaru is going to have an XV Crosstrek hybrid vehicle in September. I am not sure how I feel about hybrid and all-wheel drive.
... Hybrids will be much better for photographers in this regard.
The Mercedes Sprinter is still Landscape Photography Suppor Vehicle King, IMHO. Here I am on the Burr Trail last month, browsing the web at 4G on my iPad mini. For landscape photographers, you just can't beat these accommodations. : )My month-long, 10,000 km photoadventure took me to six western states. My hotel bill was zero. My fuel bill, however, was non-zero. : ) Even at nearly 30 mpg, I burned a lot of diesel.
All DIY. Probably less than $1K invested in the interior.100 litres of water, propane stove, icebox, major sound insulation, good stereo, LED lighting, single bunk. Visitors sleep on the floor. : )
This thread on Sprinter-Forum outlines the first steps I took from the bare van.http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14166&highlight=Frito%27s+BulkheadIt was a noxious environment at first - like driving a circus drum. Now, Frito is Merc quiet. An absolute delight to drive on the open road.