Started my camping adventures about 3 years ago. Acquired all of the fancy overland gear & car camping equipment you could possibly imagine. Well, that changed once I finally got a single person tent. I have now got rid of most of my other gear & have mostly lightweight gear.
Does anyone else go car camping for several nights out of a pack? I mean I just keep it all in a tote for now …
Yes, logistically it's much easier. If I'm going solo I bring my backpacking gear even if it's just car camping, but if I'm talking the family then the bulkier stuff gets used. If you haven't been on any backpacking trips with your gear id recommend you give it a try, it's a huge reason to have the lighter more delicate gear. Check your local state forests for possible multi day hikes or places only accessible by foot
Appreciate the input, been wanting to backpack in the Sierra Nevada.
I made the switch to a backpack couple years ago after getting tired of dragging totes everywhere. Now everything fits in one 65L pack and my tent straps to the bottom, much easier to just grab and go. My setup is not ultralight by any means but it's way better than the three plastic bins I used before. Only thing I miss is having a dedicated spot for my cast iron, that thing does not play nice with a backpack at all. For short trips I just leave the pack packed and throw it in the truck, takes like two minutes to be ready.
I don't use my backpacking backpack except when I'm backpacking. Its like the most important piece of equipment for backpacking and i don't want to risk damaging it (even like closing the car door on a clip would mess everything up). That said I do often use my ultra light backpacking gear when not backpacking (camp stove, tent, sleeping bag).