The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Great idea with the tool box. I know digging through a large Rubbermaid bin can be a pain. To solve that problem I use a large picnic set tote that came with plates, bowls, cups and cutterly for 4. It keeps everything very organized and mobile and has zippered pouches for all my cooking utensils, spices, towels, garbage bags, etc. The large "cooler" section of the bag has enough room for my camping cookware and cutting boards.

 

Eastern Sierra's, Primitive camp, 10,000' alpine lake, family of four, 4 days, 3 nights.

 

I'm fine tuning some of my camp gear...

Short story is I had to store two of my tent poles in the bed of my truck because they would not fit inside the ABS pipe on the roof rack. I have a system for it, but it was getting old and I wanted to remedy it to save time. So my solution was to mod two of the four Kodiak poles so they would fit in the ABS pipe.

Inside the Kodiak tent t-bar pole. How to modify your tent T-poles

I placed a call to Kodiak Canvas prior to modding my poles, they assured me I would succeed with common sense procedures. The poles are constructed out galvanized steel. The "T" part where the spring rods are inserted into is a cast part. At Kodiak's factory, during final assembly the T-part is inserted into the pole and a punch is used on both sides of pole to lock in the t-part. The T-part has a 3/8" hole drilled through the part. I used 5/6" drill bit to drill the dimple out and a little common sense and 15 minutes later I was done. Below is a write up on how to do it.

Here is how to safely remove the dimple. I will now use quick release pins when I need to assemble my tent.

1. Drill out each dimple with 5/16" drill bit. (two dimples per pole)
2. Use screw driver or mini pry bar to pry up around the lip of old dimple.
3. Use hands to twist, wiggle and a dead blow hammer to tap out T-part.
4. Use punch to straighten bent edges.
5. Clean up 5/16" hole with file.
6. Chase new hole with 5/16" bit.
7. Test fit T-Part into pole.
8. Insert quick release pins to test t-part in pole.
9. Done.

 

I really enjoyed all your posted especially the one at 10000' alpine lake. Is this some where up in Bishop? Like to take the family soon. If possible, can you tell me the location to your campsite? Thanks

 

Glag you liked them.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

After developing some neck issues, I bent the stanchions on the head rests. I should have done this within the first week of taking delivery of the truck.

Bench vice, 1/2" box wrench, steel pipe from floor jack, already all owned, so free mod for me.



The angle is soooooo much better on the head rests! I hope my neck heals up!

Not my picture, but from another member, shows the before and after.



You can see the drivers side was fixed, and the passenger side still has the stock-f**ked up factory angle.

 

I will definetly look into this. I always thought they put my back in a "question mark" shape.

 

It does! My wife said she was looking at my posture while driving and said it was a question mark shape, so F'd up, especially on long 7-10 hour drives, the pain was killer.

 

Well, I won't see the truck for 10 days due to a trip (actually waiting to board the plane now), but I will look into it when I get back. I can't believe I didn't think of this myself.

 

I hope you have a pleasant trip!

 

Since you're willing to modify you seat, I recomend readings this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2014-tacoma-sport-seat-issue.342946/
I did this mod, and it made the seat soooooo much better.

 

My daughter was doing a tire inspection and noticed this new damage on the sidewall of the Duratrac.




She probably saved our lives.

 

No surprise! Duracraps strike again!

 

If that thing let go on the interstate at interstate speeds, I'm certain that we'd become a statistic, and a footnote in some tire failure study. F-that. I'm ordering new tires today and will be swapping that tire out today with an extra duratrac in the garage.

 

No doubt, that's some scary stuff. Deep and big chunk there.

 

Seeing that on the sidewall seems to lend to the general consensus that Duratracs have really thin Sidewalls that cut easily

 

Her dad should give her an extra big hug for finding that...glad you caught it in time. I am looking at the ST Maxx myself, they seem like one of the toughest tires out there. I have to say this is a great thread that you have put together. It has given me some inspiration for upcoming mods that I am doing to my truck thanks.

 

Absolutely. Of the five duratracs I've run on the truck, two are defective IMO.

One has some pretty heavy torsional cracking around the sidewall lugs, I showed it to Discount tire and they said it's bad and they would give credit for the tire, and then this one with the chunk missing from sidewall.

 

Thanks. Glad you find it useful. I put a lot of time in taking pics and what not, I keep adding as I go, and still have a number of things to document from the past that haven't been posted yet...

I did! I gave her a big hug and made a big deal out of it. I love my kids so much. They are involved in almost every task or project I do. I teach them everything I want them to know. When working with power tools or hi lift, they stay at a safe distance but other than that they are right there with me every step of the way , or they are in the driveway playing with expo gear, especially with water sprayers, solar showers, tarps, tents, playing water wars. lol. The almost 5 year old climbs up and down to the roof rack all on her own. There are always hilarious moments with them. My neighbors always tell me how great it is that we spend so much time together and I'm sure they laugh their asses off at the kids too, especially hilarious when they are covered in mud. lol

On the tires, yep, I'm going ST MAXX 255/85/R16. Can't wait! It's going to be great having new tires again and will be a huge relief!