Camping Gear Recommendations

Lots of good advice posted on here. Best advice I can give is to have the daily essentials be accessible and not buried inside storage gear where I have to unload the entire truck bed to get to it.

Also, have more water than you think you will ever need in case you get stranded for whatever reason. I usually bring 2 5-gallon water cube jugs that I bought on Amazon. I also bring a 7 gallon one on extended trips to wash dishes or even a quick body rinse.

I often find myself using my gear/supplies helping those who I find on the trails unprepared.

 

We installed a Bed Glide and it’s perfect for us. Keeps everything accessible and no crawling around in the truck bed. Also can recommend the Trail Kitchen:https://trailkitchens.com/products/camp-kitchen-with-stove it’s great and eliminated three other boxes of camp stuff. Everything fits inside of the collapsible box and it’s easy to carry around/set up.

We got it from: https://adventure-motors.com/ourstory/

Favorite camping light: http://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/index/the-siege

Comes in different sizes too.

 

Take as little as possible but as much as you need. Try to... Oh, never mind it's impossible. But do keep the load and volume limits in mind, and perhaps bank account also

 

Definitely second the back yard camping idea. Its a low threat, high payoff way to test both the gear, and your ability to employ it correctly/effectively. Your gear is only as effective as you are. Layers are definitely key for winter camping, as is avoiding condensation and moisture buildup. I never go camping without a poncho liner (woobie). I put it in my sleeping bag to add 5-10 degrees to my bags rating. Its a simple piece of gear that takes up minimal room, but its one of the "do not leave home without" pieces for me.

https://www.amazon.com/Unknown-Mili...8&qid=1510789958&sr=8-7&keywords=poncho+liner

 

So, to add to what’s been said, a few things.

First, for wintertime camping, I always use my double wall tent (a North Face Expedition 36). It’s snow rated and made for cold environments with wind. The advantage of the double wall is no evaporate cooling from the interior structure because of the wind break. When fully zipped, with just the vents slightly open, it’s amazing how comfortable it can be on the inside, even on very cold nights with snow. I used to use a UCO Candle Latern on the inside for light and warmth, which easily keeps the interior comfy all night with no hazard. My 105 degree Australian Shepherd has now replaced the latern. He’s freeze rated, so no worries.

Second, one thing not discussed is a ground pad, especially when it’s cold. A zero rated bag won’t do any good, unless you have insulation between the ground and your body. I use a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, which has always worked well and kept me quite warm (dog, aside). I’d also check out a small bag maker called “Feathered Friends” (link: http://featheredfriends.com/down-sleeping-bags.html) and their “sleeping quilts.” Very light weight, VERY WARM, especially if you call them and ask for “over stuffed.” Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

A few pics. Exterior of the North Face tent, set up with fly:



Just the inner tent, no fly:



Freeze rated dog:

 

A jetboil.. and extra gas and a knife ... bout all you need and some nice socks

 

camp box with pop-up table....
I stopped by lowes the other day and saw this..
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-Mobi...ral-Foam-Lockable-Wheeled-Tool-Box/1000306701
could make a great storage box and the pop-up table feature is real cool.
Just a thought..

 

O yes the Poncho Liner. This thing kept me warm on many a night in the boonies.

 

Shovel for privy ..

 

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the suggestions and information! Waiting on a replacement part for my rack, so my RTT isn't up yet. Been getting my hands on some camping gear (replacing old/lost gear over the years), so I think it is coming together. The one thing I am uncertain about is the Mr Heater - I have always been one to avoid using a heater inside an enclosed space to avoid the whole asphyxiation thing, so how is the outlook on that? The idea of a heated blanket is appealing (glamper, was it? lol), but I am trying to not break my bank (further).

Also I want to get a freeze-rated dog

 

I used one for the first time last camping trip. It was nice! I made sure it was on a stable plywood base, and then had a CO detector in the tent as well as an extra precaution. I also tested the tip over shut off feature before the trip, and it worked great. I was apprehensive at first, but now I'm sold.

 

You know what, everyone camps differently. Start with short trips and eventually you'll figure out your "kit". I've bought things in the past and it was a waste of money because I never really needed it. Implement the KISS theory, keep it simple stupid.

 

I went and bought one of these just cause of your post. It's pretty nice in the deer stand too

 

Awesome! Glad you dig it!

 

It sounds like you (the op)are somewhat new to camping so I’d like to share some knowledge with you and provide a little advice. Without a good plan you are going to be scattered. Here’s an easy way to determine and list what you will need and need to bring. Divide camp into rooms and list what you will need based on the room. I divide my list into Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom, Living room and Misc.
So for example under Kitchen I list things like pots and pans, camp stove, utensils, paper plates, food, spices, and on and on. Under Bedroom I may list mattress, sleeping bag , pillow etc etc. Living room = camp chairs, lantern, flashlight, insect spray, lantern fuel etc.etc. By doing this you will make a comprehensive list and won’t overlook anything. After you make the list then you will know what you have and don’t have and what you need to buy. Deciding on brands of equipment is a whole different thing. People can make all kinds of suggestions of what you should get and what brand but until you have a comprehensive list and know what you need to bring and buy the advice really doesn’t help much.
A detailed comprehensive list is essential to successful camping. If you are out in the boondocks and find you forgot something you may be screwed. I’ve been and outdoorsman, camper, backpacker, hunter, fisherman for over 50 years. I am a knowledgeable and experienced outdoorsman so I know of what I speak. I got the room division idea 40+ years ago from a book by Colin Fletcher called the Complete Walker. Colon Fletcher was considered the master of backpacking and his books are like the Bible of backpacking. If you have other specific questions about camping please ask.

 

What you buy depends on what you like to do. I usually keep the off-roading moderate and stick to fire and skid roads and don’t really put myself in a position where I need recovery or a bunch of techy off road gear. The mostly stock Tacoma pretty much is just fine on its own. So most of my stuff is more camping orientated rather than truck gear or off roading. One thing I’ve found is old white gas lanterns are pretty much shit after being bounced around even on fire roads, mantles fall off, glass may break and in the cold they’re a pain. I recommend a good led light, I’ve fallen in love with the ready light https://www.readylight.com/ it’s got 4 cool little pod lights in addition to the main light that are great for tents, back of trucks etc. But in reality most of your gear will depend on what you find out you need. I recommend just go out, have fun, see a need and get that particular thing.

 

I always prefer a colder bag for multi purpose. Mine is a 10 degree bag and I love it. Easier to unzip if I get hot than to look for blankets if I’m cold.

 

Winter camping can be awesome or it can suck. do some research and get the proper clothing for the climate. A couple essentials for me at least are a heater buddy, a good sleeping matt, and the right sleeping bag.

 

Thanks for the input, everyone! Looking to get out to do some camping at the end of the month now that the holidays are over and the colds have already run through the house. Will be finding out what I'm missing soon enough!