The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Love fictional character, Ron Swanson. One of my favorite episodes, was where he had the circular desk, and when an idiot member of the public came to him to complain, he would swivel in his chair away from them. lol

lol found it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyc1aMtnHJo

Scott, I have one of it closed, won't have an open one until weeks end. Will get one then.

Indeed!

 

Thank you!

 

Doubling down on tent camping.

I love our Kodiak Tent. Our whole family does. I love everything about it, except for the weight. In four years of ownership, the one thing I sometimes thought about upgrading or augmenting was the tent stakes.

I have finally done that. I bought some Monk Industries forged tent stakes, $93 delivered.

• Twelve (12) x 12" stakes, in red
• Six (6) x 18" in orange.
• 5/8″ diameter,
• forged head, with a machined point.
• Made with American steel, in Greeneville, TN, U.S.A
• A super-heavy-duty-stake that will last more than a lifetime!

These are about as close as you can get to indestructible and still stay portable, haha.









I had made up my mind to invest in better stakes after our wind storm camp, back in March of this year. My kids still refer to that night, as windy camp!

 

Anything Swanson I approve of as well. I really think he is just an extension of Nick Offerman. The role just comes too easy for him.

 

Thanks for this.

I have been looking to upgrade my Kodiak tent stakes, but it has been a lower priority since we have the teardrop.

I assume the 18" orange ones will be used for the corners, the 12" ones everywhere else? Maybe 18" for the awning, too.

 

Welcome. Yes that would work, I got the longer ones for situations where the 12's couldn't get purchase, because soft sand, high winds. I'm going back to my 4lb sledge for driving them too. I have a stubby 2.5, but it just doesn't work as well.

Re tire carrier angle, it's just a preference, for looks only.

 

The bumper turned out great. The BFF design is by far my favorite for the 2nd gens. I am curious, how aggravating is having to operate the swingout in addition to the shell hatch and tailgate for bed access? I think I would be putting those windoors to use.

 

I asked CBI about the angled tire position when I was buying my bumper and they told me that it actually does serve a purpose. It helps balance the tire / distribute the weight of the tire a little better over the mount and the swing arm. When the tire is straight up and down it predominantly " pulls " backward and down.

 

Yeah windoors are great. I use them when tossing in something light and small, like a pair of boots, or whatever.

The gate is still very new to me. I'm still evaluating it. My opinion remains that I wouldn't want a gate on my daily driver. It is not a burden to open if there is space. And I measured it with a tape, I need 5' of space in the rear to open and lock it.

I also finished the table and attached it this weekend. I used a spray can of dupli-color bed armor on the table surface for texture. It was $12 for the rattle can, terrible reviews online, but the texture looks and feels rad. The can said it was a water based polyurethane coating with a rubberized texture. I hope it holds up, time will tell.

The real test is how my wife likes it after our next trip. Her initial comment was that the bumper/gate looks good.

Makes sense.

Anything to pull the load in closer to the truck is going to help. Over the weekend, I lowered the tire mount 4" on the gate to help lower the center of mass.

 

dude, you can use those to kill a bear.

 

lol

It's hard to describe in words just how stout they are. I will weigh all the stakes together, I think it's over 25 lbs!

 

That's right! I forgot about your new commuter. Here's to DD's, of both the designated and daily variety.

 

I'll be back in a few days... Time for more field testing...

 

Have a great time and be safe out there!!!!

 

What's your plan for the backup camera @Crom?

 

Have you considered using lag screws. I switched to those on my Kodiak and haven't looked back. Just have to remember to bring the cordless drill.

 

A good idea for the spray can bedliner is to top coat it with clear coat. It seriously doubles the durability. Lots of guys tht spray their fender flares figured out that trick. oh and with clear cost the glossier the stronger.

 

Just did this this weekend. Used 6" lag bolts and a cordless impact wrench. I wish I had longer bolts in some spots though. I easily went through some soft dirt before hitting firmer ground. Tent didn't move one bit in heavy wind gusts.

 

Good to know the tire mount is adjustable. I can't wait to get my BFF bumpers!