My Build Thread and Retirement Plans

i read today that exterior paint shouldn’t be used in confined spaces. Is that just paranoia?

 

I don’t know anything about them, but if you think they’ll hold up to off reading, I’m in!

 

Moving along. I have been slowed down horribly because it's been so cold that the polyurethane coatings haven't been drying.

 

Even more progress.

I am at another standstill while I wait on polyurethane to dry in this cold weather, but if I'm lucky, I might be able to get it all done by Tuesday.

 

Look at this beauty. I'm super happy with it. I hope it all works out and doesn't fall apart in Utah in a few weeks!

 

Looks really clean Keith. Nice work bro

I am jealous of your window!

 

Looks great dude!!

If you don’t mind and have the time could you do a gear layout/list of what you are bringing on your adventure!?

 

Oh, I've got a spreadsheet! On Monday I'll be organizing all of the gear to see how it fits, so I'll post the list after I confirm everything makes it in. I honestly feel like I'll either have plenty of room, or not nearly enough. I can't decide which way it will go.

 

I think I'm pretty dang ready to hit the road.

 

Couple questions for you:

1. what Jackery do you have and what are you charging with it and what are your thoughts on it?

2. How do you like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack? I torn between one of those and the Osprey Exos 58L. I look Osprey and have a couple bags from them already.

 

I'm excited to follow your build/adventure. If your road trip takes you through Wyoming and you have questions on hikes in the Wind River's hit me up!

 

It's the Jackery 1000. I am mostly planning to charge it through the 110 plug in the bed of the truck when I'm driving, and in hotels. But I have one of the Jackery 100W solar panels, so I'll use that when I stay in one place for awhile.

I absolutely love the HMG backpack. I was worried about it before I bought it because it just didn't seem to have a lot of the suspension bells and whistles that I am used to from Osprey packs, but it is surprisingly comfortable, and it can handle a pretty heavy load. I took both the Osprey and the HMG on a trip to Colorado last year, because I just wanted to try the HMG, and I figured I would hate it...I haven't carried anything else since then!

 

I will definitely be in Wyoming a lot! I was in Salt Lake for 9 years, so I fell in love with Wyoming. One place I haven't been to, though, is the Cloud Peak Wilderness, and I'm really itching to check it out.

 

I swore that I would only do practical mods to the truck, and I wouldn't do any cosmetic mods. But I just couldn't resist.




I was afraid that the black wouldn't stand out much on the magnetic gray, but I think it looks good.

 

Looks good Keith, dialing it in

I on the other hand am in the middle of the Nat’l Forest trying to track down a hunters dog that has been missing for a couple days.
It was spotted twice today in the mtn I am on, my dog Huck picked up its scent and we were rolling but we lost it.
Wish us luck!

The camper is looking slick! I saw you bungee cording a lot of your stuff down.
This may come in handy on the interior:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...MI9ru_4eKK9gIVUIFaBR37qgIwEAQYJCABEgJW_fD_BwE

I have it in strategic places on the inside of my camper on top of my drawer system.

 

I actually removed all mine, it was the first ‘mod’ I did to the Tundra.

Forgot to ask is the Jackery the only solar setup you have?

 

Yeah, that Jackery 100 panel is the only thing I have. Well, I have a small Anker panel, but that's for long backpacking trips.

 

I’m to hear how that works out for you. I’m getting a lithium aux battery installed in the bed and have the 120 panel on the roof and thinking of getting a 100w foldable panel. My goal is to be self sustained for a week at a time. And rarely every moving camps.

It may be overkill if you aren’t planning on staying at one location for very long as you can charge your battery while you drive.

 

Nice work inside the truck bed. I do also like the blackout overlays against the magnetic gray.

Ed

****

 

Yeah, I really debated having a battery system installed. The Southern Overland guys pushed that option with the RedArc system, but I just didn't want to spend that kind of money. Plus, I wanted to be able to easily recharge the battery in a hotel room. I won't be a bit surprised if this is one of the things I realize I should have done differently!