Truck Camping Photo Thread

I have two of them, and find them to be almost as tough as a plastic fuel jerry can

 

Perfect. They should hold up to a weekend of camping no problem.

 

My buddy uses those blue ones and they have kept up pretty well over numerous trips to Death Valley and he doesn't drive slow and nice.

 

I used Aqua-Tainers for a number of years. The main issue I had was the caps and spigots sucked-nuts. Very poor sealing, plastic would become brittle in a few years. The vent caps would also have their retaining clip separate from the cap itself after a few years. Because of poor manufacturing control the thread and seal depths varied meaning it was functionally impossible to get the spigot oriented down without prodigious leaking. Basically I knew they would leak no matter what both standing up in a stored configuration when driving and when tipped over with the spigot pointed down. I just kind of learned put up with it. Fortunately you can get replacement caps and spigots but they cost nearly as much as the original product does. Also the reversible spigot design while clever has one flaw - now the inside of your spigot will be coated in trail dust and needs to be flushed before each use unless you come up with a good way to keep it covered in transit.

Those new rectangular ones look nice, but I notice they are made by the same people that make the Aqua-Tainers and the Amazon reviews seem to suggest the caps and spigots have the same deficiencies as the ATs.

Now don't get me wrong - these things all hold water just fine with mostly nuisance leaks. I used them for more than a decade. But in the end I've finally paid up for Sceptres and a nice spigot and have been so much happier.

 

Yes, I have used the blue square ones for years... I am just letting you know that if it is allowed to bounce or ride on the edge (bouncing road moves it), it will form a crack at the wrinkle.

The spout can drip so either add teflon tape or just flip it so the spout is on top when you don't need to get water out of it.

I only brought up this complaint because I am doing a lot of driving this year in Baja, off road, and I have purchased three of these square blue containers because each trip has bounced the hell out of them and 'my bad' for using bungees to hold them in place next to my ice chest, gasoline can (plastic), and camping boxes (plastic)! As I said, they are on top of folded tarps for a 'soft floor', but in bouncing, they shift sideways a bit and the edges are not strong, will wrinkle, and create a small crack and you get water in the bed of your truck!

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'm gonna purchase a spare spigot and keep it in my camp kitchen tote. They go for 5$ on Amazon it seems. For 18$ shipped, I'm gonna give them a go. Can't be any worse then the collapsible jug I currently use. I'm sure for what I need it'll be good. I don't plan on bombing arouNo through the desert and shit, just state and national forest roads in and out of camping and fishing spots.

 

Sounds like the bungees are allowing too much play. Switch over to cam straps and that should secure them a lot better.

http://www.nrs.com/product/1440/nrs-1-hd-tie-down-straps

 

Looks like the Mojave Trail just east of the Cattle pin?

 

Yes, you are quite correct!

 

pic from the recent trek to Moab area. first time with the trailer and using ice hut as a tent.
**disclaimer: the ice hut is NOT waterproof as we found out. gotta do some scotch-guarding or something to the seams**

 

Progress.







I still need to find an axe and shovel that I like and build 2 more mounts.

Fiberglass vs wood handle shovels. Discuss? I like the idea of wood as I can cut it much easier to a specific length to fit the bed.

 

Took the wife and doggies out to Ocotillo Wells for a quick night trip. First time using the tent. Was awesome!

 

I'm really thinking about getting a roof top tent kinda like the one you have in this picture. You said "first time using the tent." Do you think this would work well for beach camping where you have gusts of high wind? I want one I just don't know how well it would work in that environment.

 

Fiberglass degrades in sunlight faster than wood handles and, in an emergency situation, you can make a replacement handle. Many of the fiberglass tools have molded in fittings.

 

No doubt it would hold up in beach gusts and then some

 

I've had my Tepui take a beating in the desert and beach while camping. No structure or canvas damage. Can be pretty loud, just like any tent camping. I've always got earplugs if needed!

 

This is a good note to draw on! I could imagine that during a storm these tents (RTT) could be loud AF. They're up high with nothing blocking them. But on the flip side having a nice breeze in the desert morning was nice. I'm used to being cooked out of my tent only an hour after the sun comes out with a ground tent.

 

Yes! I really enjoy the airflow/ventilation of the tent.
My RTT (Autana) has more material overhanging the ladder for he large annex. This creates more areas for wind noise. I bet the tents with no overhang fair bettter in wind. Worth looking into.

 

A quick overnight trip in on the Central Coast. Tested out some new gear, enjoyed some beautiful scenery and overall great time!
I think the dogs enjoyed it too