What camping set up do you use

Holy crap

 

haha barlowrs i used one of your pics on twitter once! had no idea that was yours at the time though.

 

Everything here makes perfect sense . Thanks for the reply. Love your set up.

 

Finally got my setup built...

 

That is cool. You could build and sell that

 

Any more pics of your setup? Maybe a build? That looks so much simpler than what I have in mind. Simpler is better!

 

I'm going with the option you did not provide. I hang, so I camp in a hammock and pitch a tarp

 

what about building a trailer? like M416 or one like it. or something kinda like what colinb17 has. Thats kinda what i want to do, That way i can use it for anything. Could camp in it, use it for moving stuff.

I have learned to like a nice cot, not really the old army style, but the newer ones like Coleman makes. also don’t have to worry about a rock or something (maybe belt, or anything els poking a hole in the air mattress. also keeps you up higher off the ground, so laying down and getting back up are not as hard.

 

Just picked this up today, can't wait to get out and USE it!

 

That's kinda cool. I'd use bungee chords on those loops to secure it a bit.

 

What's the name of that thing? Looks like pretty good. I've been thinking of just closing the topper door on a tarp and leaving the tailgate down to extend my shortbed. But this looks good.

 

Yeah, I've got plenty of straps and everything, just tossed it over the back for a couple photos. When its all cinched down it really huggs the truck, it doesn't seem like I'll get too much draft or anything.

Its a custom piece that I hade made at a local canvas shop. I went this rout over this because I think marine grade canvas will outlast standard tent canvas. I'm also hoping the added thickness will keep me warmer on those cold desert nights.

 

I have decided to put my CVT roof tent over the bed of my Tacoma. I am having Avid build me a rack right now. Agonized over heigth and settled for a rack that is high enough to allow full visibility out the back window of the truck, yet has some of the RTT out of the wind for less wind drag while driving.

I looked at a really nice off-road trailed set-up by BIVOUAC Camping Trailers, but just could not justify the expense. That would be my choice if I had the $8k to $12k to put into camping as the trailer has hot water, a kitchen, as well as storage and the RTT is off the truck. But in the end a simple rack and CVT Mt. Shasta will do the trick for me and cost under $1900 total.

For those who like ground tents; You would love a RTT as being off the ground everything is cleaner and you can see game animals frequently from the tent as you are up in the air. Pricey, yess but they are built very well and should last a good long time.

 

I was in the same boat with trailers. Wanted/needed one since it really was the best option, but couldn't justify the cost of most of them. But there were luxuries that weren't as important like the hot water, full kitchen etc. I really just needed storage and a place for the RTT. This is why I built my own trailer. It's simple and while it doesn't have the luxuries (yet) it does all I need it to do. I'm into my trailer $1500. MUCH easier to swaller than $8K for a cheaper option from a trailer builder or a $25K option for an Adventure Trailer Chaser.

I totally agree with getting the tent off the ground being so much nicer. And I love having the trailer so I can leave the camp set up and go wheeling without all that crap on the truck. Also like having the cargo room of the trailer so that the truck isn't so cramped full of gear especially if I have other people riding with me.

Trailers also have a downside as they can be cumbersome on some trails.

 

As for hot water.......this is my plan.
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/helton.html

Then I've got it whether I have the trailer or not.

 

Pretty neat idea. I have seen the portable water heaters that use a propane canister for heat as well. Would need to carry a tank or two or propane plus the water of course. On the ones that use truck engine heat to warm the water, remember your truck has to be fully up to temp and running. This is fine if you just came back to camp after a drive, but not so quick if you had it parked for several hours. I thought about this a bit and wonder how much fuel the Tacoma would burn to warm up and then wash up, do dishes and then take a shower? Would it be running to 45 minutes? If this uses 1 gallon of gasoline you are using more cost than a $3 can of propane.... I suppose if I pack a couple 2 gallon jugs of gasoline I will still have fuel for the ride back to civilization. Not saying propane OR vehicle heating is better, just weighing them both...

Your home built trailer is very nice. I have to check it out some more...

 

Right now I have a M416 with a RTT on it and right now waiting for a bed rack to carry the RTT.
Depending on the type of trip depends on which set up I'll use.
If it's an event where I'll be camped for a few days in the same spot and taking off each morning to go wheeling I'll bring the M416.
If its a trip were we are camping 1 or 2 days in the same spot them moving on I'll take just the tacoma w/ RTT.

That's the system I used with the FJ I in the process right now of building the Tacoma.

 

I used a Thule rack set up and mounted tracks on the lid of the trailer

 

I will have to look into a small 2 wheel, high clearance trailer that I can build up for camping. The M416 must be a military trailer that can be re-purposed into a camping trailer? If you start from scratch do you get a kit or just but some steel tubing an weld away?