How should I setup my rig for camping?

No shit man! I just finished a major merger about a month ago and they knew better than to assign me anything of substance given my April 1st departure date. I am getting paid to sit here and strum classic rock tunes on my Taylor acoustic.

 

So far the rtt and beck rack has worked out for me. Althpugh I have considered a small trailer as a base camp and keeping the rtt for overnights on a trail. The area I normally camp at is about 6 to 9 hours away and we branch off and explore from there.

 

Same thing I do. But more beer than coffee. Fiddling is in my blood…I can’t sit still even after a long hike.

 

Back when the kids were under 5yrs old we did a lot of ATV trips to the dunes with several neighboring families. They would be chomping at the bit to ride as soon as we got there after a 5 hour drive. Then they would ride damn near all day until everything they brought was broken in the first 3 days of a week long stay.

Me in the other hand didn't ride until the next morning, and then I only rode for an hour or two the whole day. Mostly avoided riding mid day due to lack of shadows in the sand, and hottest part of the day. Instead, I took my ATVs apart and fixed or tuned small issues, walked around the campground and helped strangers fix their buggies, ATVs, dirt bikes and RVs. I was happy to just be outside with minimal expectations each day. Those were primarily just entertain the kids and make dinner.

 

Holy hell man, I was looking at this thinking I'd be in the ballpark of a trailer. Didn't expect the 30K price tag. They do look amazing though.

 

Big boy toys are not usually inexpensive. Once we accept this fact, money gets spent and smiles to mile begin to happen.

Just be sure it quality and will stand the test of time and abuse.

 

Where does the pup sleep?

 

She usually jumps in the bed or under the truck. Until i get a doggie ramp for the tent

 

True, but in looking at various gear trailers Taxa is actually on the cheap side for the Wolly Bear. Some of the other ones are $20k - $30k or more. It's insane. I think the wolly bear starts at like $13k. For a ready to go option I can't find anything cheaper. While I probably could build something, I'm not sure it would really come out like I want and all the possible mistakes and revisions might end up negating any cost savings.

 

The AT Habitat cost us a little over $11,000. It's a tent on a metal box, albeit a nice tent on a nice metal box.

The Scout Yoho cost us about $23,000. It's an insulated box... wow... i'm trying to come up with why this thing is worth more... having trouble... only option we really went for was the fireplace (which we love btw). The fridge/stove we bought separately lol. O well, the insulated box is what we wanted

 

Depends how you camp!

I built a teardrop trailer because I like the ability to drop it, set up camp, and drive away and come back to a fully set up camp. This also let's me use all of the bed of the truck for storage.

 

Oh if I had the money, I wouldn't mind spending on one of those things! I would go for the fireplace and extendable jacks. Seems like the best of all worlds, insulated box with plenty of space and good design, doesn't hinder mobility too much, and you can set up and explore. I'm new to the truck game and also to having expendable income so we'll see where I end up in a few years.

 

Fits really nice. I tried looking up specs on how the tent locks. Does it have locks? Or is just Velcro..?

 

They use three cam locks. I'm going to fab up a more secure system as the nylon straps are already starting to fray.

 

Could you possibly send a picture of the cam locks?

 

They look like that.

 

Yeah looks pretty cheap.. hmm hopefully you can get a better way to lock it. When you do please post a picture.

 

Great thread. Many great ideas and ways to camp. Is there a bad way to camp? Over the years I’ve back packed, bike packed, and motorcycle packed. Hell, I lived in a semi for five years.

These days I’m running a sweet teardrop that off-roads pretty damn well, gets the wife and I way away from everyone, and provides some nice comfort in the boon docks. Kudos to anyone with the time and resources to build their own. I get paid well enough for what I do, so I let a small outfit in Utah do the building for me.

Will be retired in eight months, so the plan is to hit the western US and Alaska in 2023, Lord willing.

Here are some shots from last weekend on the eastern Sky Islands loop in the Coronado National Forest. It was developed for mountain bicycles but it wheels so, so fine. Very remote. All we saw were two Border Patrol vehicles and one ranch truck all weekend. Coming down Red Hill was no joke and all fun. Good times.

https://bikepacking.com/routes/sky-islands-odyssey-east-loop/

 

Here is an actual picture. I’m thinking a simple latch should suffice.

 

Do you have a stock suspension or has it been modified? If stock, how much sag do you get from the trailer and any gear you have in the back?

Also, what trailer is that? Bean? Thanks.