AZ Tour

What are people’s plans for camp fires? I don’t know what the restrictions typically are for Southern Arizona so I’m considering buying a portable propane fire pit.

 

Im on CB, Cobra DX19IV with the antenna inside my cab and not tuned. Needless to say the range isn't very far hahahaha. I also have a

$18 Baofeng UV-5R VHF/UHF Dual Band Radio 144-148MHz 420-450MHz Transceiver

Baofeng UV-5R two way radio. Sometimes just using 2 ways is much cheaper and easier for larger groups that aren't straying very far from each other.

 

I can tune your antenna if you wanna venture out to Mesa before the trip date

 

Thanks, I will take you up on that if I figure out a mount for it on the outside of the vehicle that works with my camper. I also might sell the camper once I finish the interior, then Id have to come up with a different mount. Hence I haven't tuned the antenna. Doesn't make sense to tune it when its not mounted in its final resting place.

 

Very interested!

 

Sounds good, I may have to pass for this one. I lack good ATs and no recovery equipment. I’ll just have to be more prepared for the next trip!

 

I haven’t checked recently but as of about two weeks ago there were no fire restrictions on State land or NF land in Southern Az. I usually construct a simple rock fire ring and then when done, put it back to natural. That is unless there is already a rock ring made at a previously used camp site.

 

So I’m trying to prepare for the trip. Was looking into CB radio setups. Any suggestions? People seem to like uniden 520xl?


Also know of any Phoenix shops that would be good for install wiring/antenna?

 

As @Speedytech7 posted earlier, the Uniden 520XL is pretty popular on TW. I just ordered one off Amazon along with a Wilson "Lil Wil" magnetic mount antenna.

$69 Uniden PRO520XL Pro Series 40-Channel CB Radio. Compact Design. ANL Switch and PA/CB Switch. 7 Watts of Audio Output and Instant Emergency Channel 9. - Black

Here's the radio

$53 Wilson 305-38 300 Watt Little Wil Magnet Mount Antenna, 36" Whip Base Load Antenna AM|FM Ready, Black

Here's the antenna

And I ordered some

$13 VviViD 3M Clear Paint Protection Vinyl Film 12" Wide Choose Your Size (12" x 12")

clear paint protection vinyl film to hopefully protect the paint on the roof when the antenna is deployed. If I'm not using the antenna, I want to be able to easily remove it and stow it somewhere.

 

Awesome thanks!

 

I know that Firesticks are made here local, but those wilsons are the shit. I dont use my CB very often as I have my HAM, but the firestick is complete garbage. Ill be replacing now that I have a shell and lost my mounting point. That lil wil will be the new item for CB freq

 

I've been to the little firestik shop in Phoenix, nice folks and I bought the couplers and cabling there. But yeah I have to agree their antennas are just no good and require the patience of a saint to put up with tuning. I use a 3' Wilson now that tunes perfect with little effort.

 

Looking for volunteers to be responsible for a few items that I’d think the group would/could need but not necessary for everyone to take. Also open to suggestions.

Chainsaw w/fuel tools etc.
Traction boards
Fire extinguisher (I agree good for many if not all to have, but not all might yet)
Tow strap 20’+

 

I have Traction boards. Towstrap, snatch strap and fire extinguisher! Bam!

 

I have 2 Max Tracks and can hold 2 more max tracks if available

 

I was already planning on bringing this stuff. Most of it is always on my truck.

 

With the help of turbodb I have compiled a load out list for this trip.


Gear

I take the same gear on pretty much all trips, regardless of length (# of days). Part of this is laziness - I store stuff in bins, and just load the bins in the truck, and part is a sense of just wanting to be prepared.


Gear includes

• Firearm with spare ammunition
  
  
• Shelter - tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pad, pillows, blanket, etc. (probably obvious; same every time).
  
  
• Clothes - socks and underwear for each day, 1 short-sleeved and 1 long-sleeved shirt per week, 2 pair shorts, 2 pair pants, 2-3 sweatshirts, sweatpants, raincoat, hat (pretty much the same every time; might tweak shorts based on weather)
  
  
• Spare boots, shoes, flip-flops
  
  
• Personal hygiene items, tooth brush, tooth paste, wet wipes, hand soap etc.
  
  
• Kitchen - paper plates and bowls (less cleaning), propane stove, skillet, aluminum foil, paper towels, dish soap, eating utencils, knife set, cook ware & cutting board
  
  
• Camp chairs
  
  
• Toilet paper/Kleenex
  
  
• First Aid kit

Supplies

Dry food (in a bin)

• Sandwich bread
  
  
• Chips/salsa
  
  
• Granola bars
  
  
• Fruit (apples, packed in towels to protect from bouncing/denting)
  
  
• Cereal
  
  
• Instant oatmeal
  
  
• Mayo/mustard condiment packs
  
  
• S’more fixings…

Chilled food (in a cooler or two)

• Breakfast: milk (for cereal), blueberries or strawberries, pop tarts, bacon & eggs (optional)
  
  
• Lunch: PB&J (peanut butter, jelly) and/or (lunch meat, lettuce, pickles)
  
  
• Dinner: I precook most dinners at home, and then reheat on the trail. My favorites:
  
  
• Tacos - pre-cook meat, bring tortillas, salsa, lettuce
  
  
• Hamburgers (I don't actually pre-cook these) pre-form patties, lettuce, pickles
  
  
• Hobo dinners - pre-make wrapped in foil
  
  
• Hot dogs/sausages - bring buns
  
  
• Steak - buy packaged steak, pre-make mashed potatoes. grill and re-heat

...trips longer than 5 days repeat dinners


Water

• 5 gallons for drinking (second cooler or beverage cooler?)
  
  
• 5 gallons for cleanup and generally expect to use 1 gallon/day. Fill up at gas stations when running low.

Fuel

• 10 gallons extra fuel (truck food, hahahaha)
  
  
• Propane bottle/hose & connections
  
  
• Fire wood/kindling

Tools/Parts - not everyone needs all of this stuff, but it's good to have the following in the group:

• Spare CV Axle
  
  
• Spare lower ball joints with bolts (L&R)
  
  
• Spare alternator
  
  
• Spare fan belts (all 3)
  
  
• Spare u-joints
  
  
• Spare nuts/bolts
  
  
• Spare lug nuts & keyed socket if needed
  
  
• Tools (full set of sockets, wrenches, pry bar, socket for axle nut, breaker bar, screwdrivers, pliers, extensions, etc.)
  
  
• Multimeter
  
  
• Wire & electrical tape
  
  
• Zip ties
  
  
• Ratchet straps
  
  
• Full size spare tire
  
  
• Trailer spare tire (2)
  
  
• Air compressor & hose (for airing up)
  
  
• Duct tape
  
  
• Bunge cords
  
  
• Flashlight/headlamp (extra batteries)
  
  
• Large tarp
  
  
• Rags
  
  
• Oil filter
  
  
• Jumper cables
  
  
• Tire iron (4-way star type)
  
  
• Mechanics work gloves (2 pr.)
  
  
• Nitrile work gloves/box
  
  
• ABC fire extinguisher
  
  
• Matches/weather proof
  
  
• Chainsaw and fuel/oil (optional, based on location/terrain)

POL

• Engine oil (6)
• Gear oil (2)
• Brake fluid
• WD-40
• Brake Kleen
• Thread locker (red)
• Dielectric grease
• Anti-seize
• Gear Oil pump & bottle
• Anti-freeze
• Axle grease

Recovery Gear

• Winch
  
  
• Tree saver
  
  
• Tow strap
  
  
• Shackles/d-rings
  
  
• Soft shackle
  
  
• Snatch block
  
  
• Hi-Lift jack
  
  
• Bottle jack
  
  
• Shovel
  
  
• Axe
  
  
• Leather gloves
  
  
• Battery quick starter
  
  
• Wheel chocks/4 x 6 blocks (2)
  
  
• Bath rug
  
  
• Tire plug kit

Package and label items in totes to keep organized and dry.

 

Outstanding list. Still building all my stuff out so I won't have all this but will work towards it.

 

I have recovery gear, extra camping gear and misc. tools. I will be using my camper as well so it can be more substantial shelter for a few extra people if necessary.

In my experience camping/overlanding, chainsaws take up too much room, time and add too much weight. You can make more firewood, faster with a bow saw and hatchet/axe. Also you wont pollute, make noise, have to carry 2-stroke fuel etc.

 

Ok I'm in but will have to bail on Sunday. Still friday through sunday isn't bad!


My girlfriend is coming w/ and she has orientation for a new job on monday.