For freedom, open pickup trucks, and wander through the centuries-old camping history of mankind

Produced by | Auto Bookstore

The author | Yang Feng

If you want to know why people love camping, you'll get a lot of different answers. But all answers definitely contain the same word: freedom.

The Spanish writer Cervantes said: "Freedom is one of the greatest happiness that God has given to mankind." “

The pursuit of freedom by human beings has never stopped, as can be seen from the history of camping.

The origins of camping can be traced back to ancient times, when human ancestors survived in the wilderness and created Indian tepee tents made of animal fur and wooden poles, known in English as teepee or tipi tents.

The wild habitat of the Evenk people, an ancient hunting people in northern China: "Plucked Luozi" is also the same structure and function.

During the great development of the American West, pioneers built single-slope sheds with branches to live, or even simply lived on horse-drawn carriages. Later, these residences were covered with canvas and became more high-end and comfortable residences. After the end of the pioneering era, all the professional skills required for camping were retained.

With the evolution of human civilization, camping activities have gradually become family-oriented and leisure-oriented behaviors, which have a history of more than a hundred years. It was in 1853, and an American named Thomas Hiram Holder took a train across the Western Prairies, and the desolate and arduous journey of 1900 kilometers filled him with a yearning for a free camping life. After years of precipitation, he published the book "The Camper's Handbook" in 1908, Chinese called "Camper's Handbook", and the American brother also became the founder of modern leisure camping.

Today, we drive Chinese American pickup trucks to experience the 21st century camping life.

Thomas Hiram Holder's transformation from a green boy to a camping god in the decades is the fastest growing decades of human camping activities from extensive to refined. Gradually, after the 1870s, many institutions began to provide professional services to campers.

And what's even more interesting is that the war makes many people passively accept camping! In 1914, the outbreak of World War I caused many people to flee to remote areas to live under canvas tents. After the war, some people were used to this kind of life. They find it possible to enjoy the idyllic scenery and freedom and comfort at a very low cost. After that, commercial campsites and clubs were established, and the boom in camping vacations began.

In the 1930s, the Great Depression made more Europeans and Americans further appreciate the joy of camping, so it was regarded as a great way to vacation. Campground tours and leisure programs are on the rise, and deep outdoor experiences are becoming popular among the middle class.

Just as the founders and birthplaces of modern camping are from the United States, classic pickup products are also emerging in North America. This kind of car is the best car for camping in the long years!

For this trip, I was driving an American pickup truck made in China, the Jiangling Yuhu 9. Interestingly, the evolution process of Domain Tiger pickup products is very similar to the development of human camping history, from survival needs and tool attributes, it has become the pursuit of comfort and luxury, and there is a very high-tech equipment blessing.

1. Engine: Ford EcoBoost 2.0 GTDi gasoline engine, maximum power 162 kW (220Ps), maximum torque 350 N·m, equipped with ZF 8-speed manual transmission;

2. iFLYTEK Intelligent Voice System, Jiangling Zhixing Vehicle Networking, Vehicle Management, Vehicle Maintenance and Travel Assistant;

3. ADAS high-end intelligent driving, L2 level driver assistance system, with full speed domain adaptive cruise, front collision warning & automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning & lane keeping, traffic sign recognition & intelligent high beam;

4. The latest Bosch 9.3 version ESP: ABS+EBD+ESP is the highest version in China, and the safety of wet and slippery roads is higher;

5. Interior: racing steering wheel, fighter gear lever, suspension operation table, large 10-inch multimedia screen, hand-grade stitching design, seat ventilation and heating, 12-inch LCD display instrument;

6. BorgWarner TOD two-speed intelligent four-wheel drive, equipped with "low four" mode, torque amplification coefficient up to 2.48 times;

7. Timely four-wheel drive + intelligent all-terrain management system of automatic models, providing 8 different modes such as mud, sand, snow, rock, 4L, 4H, sport mode, and economy mode;

8. Excellent off-road performance: minimum turning radius: 6.3 meters; wading depth 600mm;

9. The front suspension adopts double wishbone independent suspension, and the rear suspension adopts integral bridge variable section steel plate suspension;

10. Length, width and height: 5305/1905/1835mm wheelbase: 3085mm;

11. Cargo box size: 1475/1475/500mm; optional loading box back cover.

By the 1950s, both world wars were over, camping was booming with the economy, european-made colorful tents began to appear on the market, and various camping tools and accessories were also available.