Wedge Life

That looks like some nice work you have done.

 

Did someone say wedge life?

 

We went from this 30 y/o 289k mile 2WD 1985 Vanagon wedgie that lacked reliability



To this reliable, 4WD much newer wedgie. It's super nice when shit works, especially if you are as low on the handy scale as we are. The VW definitely had it charms and has a place in our hearts but we definitely won't go back to one (unless in 10 years they reintroduce the VW California - the updated VW camper van currently only available in Europe).

 

Closing mine up on a beach in North Carolina while literally being ate alive by bugs and covered in sea scum in like 101% humidity at 7am was the last straw for me. UGH!

 

A good wedgie life must have 'good' music. Here's one opinion. I am no mixer and may date myself here, but our '80s vanagon tuned us into some "70s" music that resonates with getting away. America, Eagles and Van Morrison may be over represented. So be it. Take, steal, discard, ignore, etc. as you see fit. Pandora's mix for Fleetwood Mac also isn't bad.

https://open.spotify.com/user/huruta22/playlist/256jaGGXL1jG4OLpphwksj

 

The Kitchen! We have a campmate kitchen, very similar to the below chuckbox but only from the 1980s and with swing out sides that we scored via ebay. I spent a lot of hours looking at chuck boxes and just ran across this one, which appears to be new to market. It looks like a very reasonable option ($) for those of you who really want an organized camp kitchen. I have no affiliation with the company - just appreciate good thoughtful design.

https://thechuckboxcampkitchen.com/products/chuck-box-camp-kitchen-with-sink

 

That’s cool! Price is super reasonable too.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InI050kzWVk

 

couple #wedgelife pictures from this past weekend. 4 days, 3 nights in the Pine Barrens of NJ. Wheeling was actually pretty darn good for east coast stuff. LOTS of water (which I actually hate).

Rained Friday as hard as I’ve ever seen, and there were Tornado warnings for the area. My little GFC stayed 100% high and dry and I was super thankful for the wedge design. The regular RTT that were with us were getting rocked in the wind but everyone had a good time.


Group shot of the OB east region meetup before we hit the trails.


Couple of 2nd Gens from LI, my buddy Hank’s FJ and my 3rd Gen.


Riding the “Fire Break” note the FJ60, which went everywhere we did.


This was Thursday nights campsite, the guys at OK4WD in Somerset let us stay on their property, even left us a service entrance with access to bathrooms open! Now those are some good guys!!!

That’s it for now. Didn't really get many pictures from the trails. We were all too focused on driving. Side note we did manage to pick up about 600lbs of trash from the trails we were on.

 

Couple of screen shots from some video, not my trucks though... this puddle I had just went through.


And this one I was next in line. Good stuff. Beautiful weather on Saturday.

 

I hate wheeling the pine barrens. Glad you had a good time though.

 

Yeah it was fun. Like anything it’s the people you’re with the make it fun. The wheeling wasn’t anything crazy and the TICKS were out of control!!!

 

We didn't have much water, but snow was in abundance up near Salmon La Sac, WA and most forest roads were closed.



Here's some Wedgie Life fodder. This is our first stab at organization for our maiden voyage in our Drifter. We have, stacked to the left, the Campermate Kitchen (which kicked ass), the MountainSmith 3-bag holder, an Engel 23qt cooler, and 2 Front Runner 5 gallon water holders and a Mr. Buddy tucked behind. Next to the water are the two Front Runner wolf packs (one with a high lid for essentials, e.g. wine). Upstairs in our Yakima box we had two chairs, table, Smokey Joe, briquettes and mad mat rug. Worked pretty well. Main PITA was the Front Runner water spigots - the stock plastic ones suck A**. The upgrade to the brass is essential if you are in snow.



Rocky Mt. Elk. Not a hunter, but a mammal watching fan. This sighting was awesome.

 

That’s a lot of weight on the same side as the fuel tank and driver. Just something to consider.

 

Good point, esp. since our box on top is also on the driver's side and so is our aux battery in the engine bay. The alucab awning is mounted to the passenger's side, but I still don't think it evens out weight wise. Good idea to try flipping it so the weight is on the passenger side.

 

Cooking - Right now, we cook at the tailgate. We also climb in and out of it with our feet. We don't want food bits on our feet or foot germs in our food. Enter, the PVC table cloth. Much cheaper than a big cutting board, can place on cushioned tailgate and can easily wipe down with a disinfectant wipe. So far working out well.

LEEVAN Heavy Weight Vinyl Rectangle Table Cover Wipe Clean PVC Tablecloth Oil-Proof/Waterproof Stain-Resistant-54X72" - 137X185 cm(Small Bird)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077F884FT/ref=twister_B077FB3JG5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Less girly options are available.....

Weight Distribution - We moved our water (10 gal, ~80lbs) to the right side of the truck where our Alucab awning is also located. Left / driver side has double battery in engine bay, roof top box and 'kitchen'/bags, front runner boxes, all of which are less heavy but add up. About even.....we think.

 

I dig it! Thanks for sharing

 

I don't have my Wedgie yet, but just wanted to chime in on the balance of weight all around the truck.
Since this last pick I've moved the fridge to the backseat area on a built platform