Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

I'm not impressed.. Funny, the guy I was out in Central WA with this weekend and I were discussing the whole "Overland" thing. I'd definitely consider myself more towards that type of off road travel, but it seems as though it's so easy to get fixated on gear, gear and more gear. My rig is perfectly capable as it is, and has gotten me out of a lot of tricky situations... But shit, those guys make it seem like you need every piece of farkin' gear that exists in order to enjoy the back country. From the few episodes that I've gleaned it seems to be a huge ploy to market products and a certain "image". Good for them, glad they've found a niche to exploit.

I shut it off when they went out "looking" for the bear. I'm sorry, but that's just fucking retarded. Shit like that is part of the reason why there is such animosity against the off road user group and people that enjoy off road travel.. I mean, come on.. They're essentially looking to shoot the bear. Looks like someone called them out on it - was pretty funny to read the explanation from the crew.. something like "Well we didn't pan out fully, if you did you'd see that we were only 10 feet away from our rigs."

I'm sorry, I've driven the Alaska Highway twice - both times in the throes of Winter. It isn't that hardcore. Shoot, 80 year old grandmas are driving Ford Taurus's to bingo in the Yukon in -30 below!

I dunno.. I guess it's just so easy to get hyper-fixated on the gear. Is there a few things that I would like? Sure. Do I absolutely NEED them to enjoy being out in the wild. No. I try and keep my setup to a minimum. More stuff is more weight.

I will say for anyone considering RTTs in the winter.. get a Mr. Buddy.. Awesome contraption.

Kept the tent at 75 degrees out in Yellowstone with 10 degree outside temps. Got too hot out in central WA last weekend, had to turn it off! Which reminds me, have to air out my tent. Shit.



Yellowstone.















Excuse the random photos.. Figured they'd be appreciated here..

 

Yes, when they went "chasing" the bear is when they lost me. I'm all for hunting, etc but when you're not hunting and it's not bothering you, leave it be.

 

Exactly what is a Mr. Buddy and where can one purchase said product?

 

http://www.mrheater.com/ProductFamily.aspx?catid=41


NorthernTool sells them and a few other places.

 

Why thank you kind sir!

 

I'll second this! I sleep in my truck bed under a shell and i have to crack the windows it gets so warm!

 

Funny you ask. I just got a KDL 250 as a winter project. It has sat for 3 years, and does not run, pretty sure it is just the carb. So I'm planning to rebuid / clean carb purchase a new battery and this spring ride some trails.

 

I have to agree with this..

A winch is like tire chains. When you need it/them, there's no substitute. I'd definitely look at winches before lights/bling... Especially if you venture out alone. I think it's really easy to forget that the only person responsible for getting your ass unstuck is yourself!

Snatch Strap - I've got the ARB 22k. Honestly - I've used it 2 or 3 times. I really don't like the stress that a snatch strap puts on both rigs; and would much rather winch if possible.

The one thing I will say is make sure that you've got adequate extensions, depending on the terrain in your area. I've got about 300 feet of Amsteel and Samson Double Braid, and I've used every single inch on a few occasions..

Snatch block. Sure, that ARB one is trick, if you're after a shiny bling bling one. But, for a few more ounces you can get a steel block for 1/2 the price. Scored a Delrin roller/cartridge bearing one from Masterpull for $58. Sucks, because it looks like they don't make it anymore.

Master Pull Red Snatch Block 30000 lbs for Synthetic Winch Line

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Snatch-Block-Synthetic-Winch/dp/B008F9HPYM

Shackles are another thing.When you need them, there is no substitute. Depending on how complex your rigging gets, I'd say carry at least three 3/4" pin shackles. Crosby/Campbells..

That recovery dampener is pretty slick in that you can wear it as a vest and fill it up with shackles/straps.. works really well when you have to walk a 1/4 mile to your friends stuck rig. Although, I don't own one. I've seen synthetic winch line part a few times (5/8", 1 1/4").. sure that bag looks pretty, but it's not going to do much of anything.

Tree Savers/Tow Straps - I've found I use a piece of 1/2" Amsteel more than anything for this. Can be had for about the same price as a Tree Saver.

I dunno, just my observations from what I've experienced - I am by no means an authority on the subject at all! Everyone is different, and has different requirements. On top of them all, learn how to use your winch and equipment safely. Things can go really, really wrong when you've got thousands of pounds of force thrown into the equation..

I also have to agree about the auxiliary lighting.

Again. Everyone is different, and this is what works for me..

I've got a set of the cheap Kragen HIDs. They were incredible for driving the Alaska Highway, and have held up fine ever since. Honestly, I'm rarely in a position when I'm using them - think I may have used them for an hour or so when I was out in Yellowstone, but had to shut them off because the heavy snow fall was reflecting too much light.

Like I said, everyone is different - but, for my application I just can't justify spending the thousands of dollars on LED light bars - that will get used (maybe?) once a month.. Sure, they look trick - but other than lighting up that empty stretch of highway for a minute, only to shut them off when a car is approaching in the other lane - how much do you really need them?

Just my input. Hope it helps.

 

This. It's a marketing machine; plain and simple. A quick inspection of their list of product sponsors on their website says it all! I've never wasted any time watching anything they've produced.

Instead I much rather enjoy reading real-world trip reports and pictures on this forum and others. And thanks for the photos, always appreciated.

Also +1 on the buddy heater. We use a Kodiak VX tent and we run the heater all night on low. I've got a 3 and 1 year old plus wife. The heater makes camping in all weather possible.



Here is a picture of the Mr. Heater running. I put it inside of a portable/packable wire rack which protects the heater from accidental impacts from people or gear. We hook the heater up to a 20 lb. tank with a Mr. Heater "green" hose (free of plasticizers). Works wonderful and makes our trips a real pleasure.

 

I have to agree on the lighting, yeah the LEDs are nice, nice for crawling/off-road applications. But at least one good pair of something bright in the front is essential for long-distance night driving. It's the best chance I have of seeing animal eyes and avoiding a serious accident. I have seen a lot of LED's but for my money, nothing beats good ol 7-8 inch reflectors blasting down the road. I don't have HID's but it's 560 watts total and anything brighter makes road signs glare like crazy. Mine are all running to a switch in the side of the center vault that sits right where my fingers fall if i'm resting my arm on the vault. I can click them off as quick as I can click off the normal brights on the truck. I have floods and spots on the back as well, don't use them very often but when I do I am sure glad to have them.
Other than that, how you been Jake?

 

That extension would be one thing that I may consider.. Have the tank mounted in the bed, and snake the pressure hose up into the RTT. But, for now - it's hard to beat the portability of the 1 pound cylinders.

I've had a couple issues with it kicking off at high altitudes (~7000 feet) - but, usually it only stays on for 5 minutes or so before climbing into my 10 degree bag.

I'm good - been staying busy getting my shop better outfitted for some fab work.. tough to draw the line between being able to build things with adequate tools, or going all out and getting a bender/plasma cutter, etc..



Getting the kickout bent up today..

 

Why not just stick with your high beams?

 

lolz @ camping with heaters

 

I do on smaller roads and higher traffic areas, but the bigger desert roads, 95, 50, or the mountain roads, the 395, 101 from the bay area to the OR border, gotta have the big lights, high beams just aren't enough light for me

 

Okay. Fair warning though that it's illegal to have more than (4) white lights on the front of the truck on any street/highway in CA.

Also, not trying to be a dick, but if you drive slower, you can stop faster and that's really the best chance you have of avoiding a serious accident. On a personal note, back in 2009 I had an encounter with an adult Elk and it changed everything about driving at night in rural areas for me.

 

I use it mainly for when I'm getting up.. Definitely farkin' sweet to put your socks right next to it..

Agreed. My 14 degree bag does great, that and a fleece beanie and fleece heavyweight thermal underwear. It's a Marmot Trestles. Definitely too heavy for any backpacking, but at $109 from REI, it's hard to beat...

 

I know Crom, I'm not taking it like you're being a dick, it's cool, and yes I do know it's illegal to run the big four on the highway and I don't usually exceed 70mph in the truck anyways. Like I said, it's only for the really, really dark deserted mountain roads and the big wide open desert roads where you can see oncoming cars from miles away. I don't even touch them in any other situations, the truck's brights are fine for that. I want to be safe and not put other people at risk. I have done thousands of miles at night and found that a good set of big beams is a huge help over the high beams.

 

happy wife = happy life. the more she likes camping, the more we go camping!

 

lol - caliproblems.

You'd be surprised how fast you come up on a black cow. Our trucks @ 50mph is going to have trouble stopping in time.

 

Alpine climber here....

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/ghost-long-OT8515.html?colorID=010

my -40 gets it done... but i have many bags for a purpose. -20, -15, 0, 20, 32, and my 45 -> in bags alone, tink i have almost 5k worth. some doubles and off brands


If it ices over while i sleep, when i wake, i pull my MSR Reactor stove for 2 min and we are at a HOT temp in the tent.

Really, most of the time, I use a Bivy over my bags