THIRD Annual AZBDR

So for my rooftop tent, I sleep head away from the entrance. I put the heater at the entrance. I slept on one side of the tent and put the heater on the other side with a window cracked open for ventilation.

I put the heater on an aluminum baking tray. I also got a bungee cord and wrapped it around the handle and hooked it around a loop on the roof of my tent; this was an extra layer of protection from it tipping over. I put a CO monitor near it. I also had a small fire extinguisher in the tent just in case.

 

This. I have a 2 man sleeping bag, that Tepui one. And then I have an old king size comforter that I throw over that. Worked great down to 13 degrees that first year so I'll be doing it again. Only difference this time is I won't have my furry little heater buddy to snuggle up with me this time.

 

All excellent ideas gents.

I personally use a mummy sleeping bag, an Exped MegaMat air mattress (~3 times as insulating as a foam mattress), down comforter, and fleece blankets to stay warm while sleeping. I'll keep a beanie and scarf nearby just in case, though I rarely need them.

I use a Mr. Buddy like @Phessor does to warm the tent up just before I climb in to go to bed and to warm it up when I wake up. I don't like getting into freezing cold clothes or putting my body on top of ice cold blankets. Running the Buddy for ~10 minutes makes the tent incredibly comfortable, easily into the 60's or even 70 degrees. My Exped is smaller than the floor of my CVT rtt, so I simply set it on the 'floor'. Since I don't sleep with it on I don't secure it like @Sapnjack does, though that is a really smart idea. As is the detector if you plan on running it some of the night. They do advertise that it can be used in enclosed spaces, but that is up to you.

 

A nice, warm sleeping pad is #1. Most people forget that sleeping bag loft is what keeps you warm and because you're laying on it, the underside has near zero loft which can let in a lot of cold. I have a -15 bag and damn near froze my ass off when we hit the teens unexpectedly on my backpacking pad. I only slept 30 minutes at a time and was constantly rotating through the night to keep from going numb.

If you like comfort, the Exped Megamat series is the best I've found for truck camping with a 9+ R-value. Insanely warm and very comfortable.

 

Cool! Yea I’ve been looking into a sleeping pad...

 

Installed a 7 blade trailer plug, waiting on the bracket to the multi socket for the truck.

The plan is to take my overland trailer on this trip.

 

Someone's flexing !!
Sweet setup!

 

take one of the campfire ring rocks to bed with you wrapped in a shirt,,,, works great.

 

I hear that also works with boiling water in a nalgene bottle

 

absolutely

 

@Sapnjack the fuel point you mention on the first post is usually closed from OCT/NOV to APRIL, just a heads up.

 

thanks! Was planning on giving them a call to see but this helps. Might need to stop by young then I’m thinking. Will probably have to take the route going west into Young.

 

that fuel stop is putting in a new pump or something, no fuel right now, i'll keep an eye on it and update with info.

doing the 202/54 still puts you out south of the fuel pump in Young, so you wont even have to backtrack for that. i'd fuel up there if you need it,, if nothing else fuel is always available at clints well, which is only about 8 mile sidetrack from the BDR at hwy 87.

 

@Sapnjack, think I forgot to mention my buddy Erich will be on the trip again this year. He has the silver 3rd gen 4Runner. He's not on the forums that I know of.

 

Yes!! I was hoping you would say that!

 

Couple items checked off the list. Installed and wired up the multi plug outlet on the truck. Also installed a power box with breaker, in the bed for the refrigerator.
Now to start meal planning...

 

Please put me down as a maybe. Thanks in advance

 

Havent been on TW for a bit. With the recent closures along 260, changes to plans? https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/camping-closure-along-hwy-260-and-salt-mine-road/

 

Those restrictions will have no impact on this trip. Our travels will be nowhere near that area.

 

You can move me to the "confirmed" pile...will probably meet up at camp on Friday late afternoon/evening.