AdventureTaco - turbodb's build and adventures

Yikes!

 

In 2017 I was at Overland Expo in Flagstaff and ordered a CBI Moab 1.0 in Aluminum. Had to wait about 3 months for it to be ready and thought I'd make a trip of it, go to Idaho Falls, have them install it and the winch at the same time and be in the perfect part of the country to see the Total Solar Eclipse. Eclipse was awe inspiring. Dealing with CBI... not so much. When we arrived at the agreed upon time of 9am I went in, introduced myself and what I was there for and was then ignored for an hour. Taking a look at the bumper and it looked like whoever welded it up was either drunk, incompetent, or learning how to weld. Think drunken monkey with epilepsy using a toothpaste tube. But, what am I going to do? Refuse delivery after driving over 700 miles and demand a new one. Waiting another 3 months. Decided that it was ugly but probably structurally sound and so allowed them to proceed. Had wanted the latest Warn Zeon winch but they said they hadn't put one of those on this bumper yet and so I had to choose one of the winches on their "approved" list. Even so they then decided/figured out that they would have to cut a section out of my grill for it to fit. Once it was done I said thank you and drove away. First intersection I come to I turn on the blinkers and get the hyper-flash. WTF. Head back to find they are closed for lunch and I have to wait. Finally they open again and proceed to sell me 4 resisters at $30 each and then charge me an hour to install one at each corner. This is before I (and apparently they) knew about the LED-compatible blinker controller which would have been way faster and cheaper. I've made that change since then. Decided to not deal with CBI again and instead got an Aluminess rear bumper and the welds are artistic compared to the CBIs.

More details and pictures can be found on my website if you are interested: The Trials And Tribulations Of Our New Front Bumper

 

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Whats the part number if you don't mind me asking. Mine cracked on the baseplate, and having a spare is not a bad idea. Did destaco replace it for free? Curious if they did I would like to get in communicado with whoever you spoke with.

 

Yeah, it's a bummer b/c I do like the bumper in a lot of ways. And the frame reinforcement plates have been no problem at all. +1 on the ARB comment - as I mentioned in a previous rig review, they were really good to me as well with the fridge.

Yeah, I thought about welding, but didn't have the stuff available to do it on the trail. I guess I could have used the batteries, but I'm already just a hobby welder so...who knows how that would've turned out, hahahahaha.

It's such a bummer too IMO, because I do like their bumper - seems well built (welded, etc.) and has done what I need it to do. Dunno really, since some others have good experience with them. Perhaps it's luck of the draw, who you end up working with/emailing.

Nice. I've got a lead on a short antenna that doesn't have those antenna's at the base. I just need to actually buy it. It's been one of my longest rig review "not fixed yet" items for sure!

Wow, never knew that story. Sounds like a pain, bummer to hear. How do you like the Aluminess? Never even really considered them when I as bumper shopping.

Part number for the ubolt is 344215, and the latch itself (that I have) is 344-R. As far as who I spoke with there, I have to say that I don't know. I literally just filled out the contact us form on their web site, and a couple days later got a reply from "customer service" that they'd sent a couple ubolts my direction. It was super cool.

 

Just read your latest Rig Review. Read the bits about CBI, came here...and seeing all these other issues with CBI.
The only reason I think they are so popular is because of their marketing and the oh so famous no XOverland 30min commercials per episode. Again, more marketing.
From all the horror stories I've read about them, I wouldnt go near them.
Personally, I ordered my C4 Hybrid on the pre release sale. Did it take close to 12 weeks to get to me. Ya, but the contact and updates were awesome. Even if I was a bit, impatient. My rear is an SOS, which is awesome.
Granted, SOS is only 2nd and 3rd gens right now. No 1st gen love; sadly..

Turbodb,

I love reading about your adventures. Love you attention to detail. Keep it up and maybe one day when I make it back out west I can buy you a beer.

 

@turbodb SafeLite for windshield replacement - in WY (at least the part I live in) windshields need to be replaced every 2-3 years. I've never had any leaks (yes we do have heavy rains) and they will do the work at your location.

 

@m3bassman I don't know because I have comprehensive coverage on my vehicles and only pay my $100 deductible. A call to Safe Lite and maybe your insurance agent should get you the info.

 

I recently paid $220.00 for a replacement in my Tacoma.

 

They didn't say anything about it.

 

Exped Megamat Review - 1 Year Later

So after having my Exped MegaMat 10 Duo LXW for a little over a year - during which time I've spent about 90 nights on it - I figured it was time to share my long-term impressions as well as a few things I've learned. "Pro tips" as it were... or at least, "tips." I should also note here that I'm not sponsored by Exped in any way, and I paid full price for my mattress. I'm just a fanboi, and want to help others get a great night sleep.

TL;DR - I really like the Exped. Of everything I've done to make camping more enjoyable - including all the truck mods - it is my #2 mod of them all. Only the ARB Fridge is more valuable in my mind. So yeah, I recommend picking one up as soon as you can.

A Refresher on the Exped for New Folks

If you're curious what the Exped is, I'd recommend reading the Rig Review where I first got it. Essentially, it's a combination foam/air mattress that comes in three sizes, where you can almost always find a size (or combination) that will fit nicely in an RTT.

• for a 56" wide tent, get the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 LXW (Long & Wide) at 78" x 52"
• for a 48" wide tent, get the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 (Medium) at 72" x 41"
• for a single sleeper, get the Exped MegaMat 10 LXW at 77" x 30"

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Get to the Actual Review Already

A year ago, I wrestled for several months about whether or not I wanted to purchase the Exped MegaMat 10 Duo LXW. For the last two years, @mrs.turbodb and I had been sleeping on the mattress that came with the CVT Mt. Shasta (Standard Pioneer) tent, and while it was "OK," it had some issues:

1. We'd both sometimes wake up with our hips hurting.
2. On very cold nights (low 30s), it was a battle to keep warm - heat seemed to escape below us, through the mattress.
3. On all but the warmest of nights, we'd have condensation on the bottom inside of the tent, from our body heat/moisture - that was escaping through the mattress - condensing on the floor of the tent. Note: Originally this got the bottom of the mattress wet, but I quickly purchased an anticondensation matt, which kept the mattress above the condensation.

Eventually, I decided to bite the bullet on the ~$350 (when I bought it) MegaMat. This cost is the largest negative aspect of the mattress in my opinion. It's expensive!

That said, sleeping on the MegaMat is amazing. The combination of foam and air means several things:

1. It's comfortable. It's both as firm and as soft as you want it to be. I've found in the past that air-only mattresses are either very firm or feel under-inflated and your hips, shoulders, etc. end up on the ground. The Exped allows for firmness adjustment by adding air, but the 3.9-inch thick foam gives a constant softness and cushioning that is like sleeping on a real mattress. Even sleeping on our sides, hips and shoulders are never on the floor of the tent.
2. The MegaMat is warm. Both the foam and air contribute to this as well. The foam (understandably) provides insulation, but it's the air that I believe is the real magic. By trapping a layer of air in the mattress, your body heat can heat up the air in the mattress, and that air can't escape - unlike the OEM RTT mattress. That trapped warm air in turn warms the insulating foam, keeping you toasty even on the coldest of nights.
3. It's dry. The great insulation also means there is no condensation. At all. This continues to surprise me, but every morning I check under the Exped and anticondensation mat to see if I need to wipe up any condensation on the bottom of the tent, and I never do. That's how well the Exped keeps heat on the top of the mattress near your body, and away from the bottom of the mattress where it could condense on the cold tent floor.
4. The mattress is sized well for most RTTs. When I put it into the CVT Mt. Shasta (a 2+ tent), it was exactly the right width - as though it was made specifically for the purpose. That means you aren't rolling off the side of the mattress onto the cold floor during the night.
5. The mattress compresses significantly more/better than the original mattress. I would say that it compresses to no more than 1/2" thick when folded up with the tent, making more room for pillows and sleeping bags, and resulting in a tent that is much easier to close.
6. Weight. It's light(er than the original air mattress).
7. Last, but far from least - @mrs.turbodb loves it as well. This is a valuable attribute in my book, as her happiness on trips correlates directly to the number of trips she goes on! ::

So that's all the best stuff, what are the drawbacks?

1. Cost. Just get over it. I'm sure you've done a worse job spending the same amount of money on something in the past!
2. The hand pump. Like any air mattress, if you want to get a little extra loft/firmness, you have to pressurize it a little bit. The hand pump that is supplied to do this works, but is a bit of a pain since it's slow.
3. Size. The Exped is ~80" long which is about 16" shorter than the length of a fold-out RTT (which is 96" long). This is minor, because it turns out you can't really use the 8" closest to either of the tent doors anyway - the angled sides of the tent mean that area isn't tall enough to fit your head. We put our clothes, books, etc. in that space, since they don't need a comfy mattress to sleep on. Note: if you take your dog into your tent, and want your dog to sleep at your feet and on the mattress, this may be an issue for you; otherwise, width is what matters, and that's perfect.
4. Holes. Like any air mattress, it can get a hole in it, and then it won't work all that well. The solution is the same as any air mattress - carry a patch kit and solve any hole in 5 minutes.

All of these drawbacks - in my opinion - are solved simply, and are easily outweighed by the drawbacks of any other mattress solution, so none of them bother me at all. Well, the cost still does, but I just try not to think about it.

Pro Tips for Using the Exped

Here are 9 little things you can do to make your Exped experience even better. In no particular order.

1. If you open your tent at least 30 min before you are going to bed, your Exped will self-inflate part of the way. That means less pumping with the little hand pump before you lay on it.
   
   
2. When you are pumping up the Exped, do it from the outside of your tent, not when you're inside and laying on the mattress. No need to be pushing air into something you are laying on.
   
   
3. Be careful when opening and closing your tent, so you don't catch the Exped in the hinge (and possibly make a hole). A few points worth noting as part of this process:
   • The problem point is a very small one - it's right at the "joint" between the two halves of the tent - where the hinge pivots/scissors together as it opens and closes.
   • The solution requires either 2 people or a bit of coordination and strength, as it entails moving the mattress during the fold/unfold process.
     
     OK, so those things said, let's talk about closing first, since that will be the first operation you do with an Exped, and because it's easier.
     
     As you push up half the tent using the ladder, slow down (but continue to support the ladder with one hand) when you're between 90 and 75 degrees to the other half. At this point, you have plenty of access to the center fold of the mattress. Take advantage of the fact that the mattress is 18" shorter than the tent, and push/slide it "forward" (away from the hinge) with your other hand so that you can see the entire hinge, and the ends of the mattress (and your bedding) will be pushed away from the middle and into the corners of the tent. At this point, you'll have plenty of room to store your tent poles on the hinge side, and the hinges won't be pinching the Exped.
     
     
     
     ...and opening...
     
     Essentially the reverse of closing, as you open the tent, support the half that's folding out using the ladder in one hand. Then, with the other, as the seam/hinge is starting to close, push the mattress up from the bottom so that it is "above" (or at least next to) the hinge. The way the hinge works, it scissors closed as the tent opens, and so ensuring that the matress is out of that scissoring area is your goal here.
     
     
4. After you fold your tent closed, climb up the side of your truck and sit on the tent to compress the Exped. You'll hear air rushing out as you do this, and pretty soon, it'll be super easy to snap together the straps that keep the two halves of the tent closed. You won't have to cinch down or anything.
   
   
   
   
5. Never try to inflate the Exped by blowing air into it. You don't want to get your humid breath inside the mattress where it might condense and eventually mildew. If you just can't stand the hand pump that comes with it, get a small 12v mattress inflator. They all have multiple nozzles and one will be just the right size.
   
   
6. Be careful when you're in the tent and on the mattress. Jumping up and down - as well as other active "activities" - on your mattress will just lead to premature wear and possible even a hole. Move carefully, with purpose. Everything is better that way.
   
   
7. Stop bringing your pet into the tent. Those claws/toenails are a sure way to get a hole in your new Exped. And yes, you'll still end up with a hole even if you're careful and have a designated bed for your furry friend.
   
   
8. Make or purchase a fitted sheet for your Exped to keep it clean(er). It's a simple thing, and might seem overkill, but your future self will thank you. You paid a bunch of money for this mattress, so take good care of it.
   
   
9. Let out just a little bit of air once you're laying on it, to get it "just right." You can do this by opening the Fill valve (not the Release valve) and then depress the silicone check valve a little bit in order to let some air out. When the mattress is perfectly inflated, re-secure the rubber plug.

So, that's my review and a few tips after a little more than a year of use. If you've got your own feedback, or tips you think might help others, please share below!

 

Nice write up. I looked at them from your previous mentions of it and was tempted. This one reason is why I havent and wont spend the money on one. My pups come camping with me and sleep in the tent. I've thought of other places I could have them sleep but with my current setup I'm not willing to try any of those options.

 

Definitely one my favorite "mods" I've done fore camping so far as well. Glad you recommended it

 

Dude..I told you how to fix this like...2 years ago haha

$75 buck from Orielys. With shipping was like 110 maybe. That's what I put in Frank.

 

Wait, YOU are telling ME about not fixing something for two years?

I even said above that I've had a lead on the right one (that you mentioned) and just haven't ever gotten around to it.

How was it doing it yourself? Easy to get the old out? No leaks getting the new in?

 

I carry a $50 deductible on comprehensive that mainly comes into play for windshield damage. Our trip to Colorado last year included some sketchy areas, and still the only truck damage was a tiny chip in the windshield from a passing gravel truck on the highway. It's not deep enough to worry about, but I've used Safelite for repairs in the past and they do a decent job.

EDIT: Holy cow, just for grins I checked what Safelite would charge for my truck. $500 for replacement, and an additional $350 for optional OEM glass!

Sorry to hear all this stuff about CBI. I had good luck with them on my bed rack and sliders, both arrived ahead of schedule and in good condition so never had to deal with customer service.

 

Thanks to all of you!

RE CBI - glad to hear you had better experiences with them. I mean, in the end, my happy place is that most of their customers get great service, even if I don't .

For the glass - the catch for me is that I'd rather save the premium on comprehensive insurance. I don't carry it at all. I take the approach that insurance is for catastrophic events that would be a hardship to cover myself, and losing a 20 year old truck is far from catastrophic for me. Same with the glass. Saves me about $175/yr in premiums, but does mean that any glass costs are out of pocket for me. ...and that's part of the reason I'm still running my original windshield, hahahahaha!

I should mention - my approach above for insurance is essentially me "being my own insurance." I'm making the same bet that the insurance company is making - that at the end of the day, my premiums (and any invested gains) will add up to more than any necessary payouts.

I must admit, I don't have any personal experience with this, but I'm just projecting based on what I see in general from dogs on trips/in tents. A better person to talk to about it might be @TenBeers, (see comment below), because his experience below is more "paws on."

Awesome to hear this is working for you. My guess is that it'd work for a lot of people, as long as they are careful and diligent.

 

I could probably get away with it for a while as I would cover it with a thick blanket/sleeping bag but with a 70lb and 50lb dogs I feel it's an inevitable outcome. They destroy enough without even trying. I feel it would become another victim to them. For now I use a low cost sleeping pad on top of the RTT mattress and am quite comfortable. The extra pad makes all the difference for me.

 

I don't read that shit haha

It's not bad. But it isn't fun. But with the right tool it's a Saturday afternoon job. Well...need to let the urethane set for like 24 hours so yeah.

But takes time cutting the old one out more than anything. And then you need two people to set the new one in right. Just make sure you have enough sealant everywhere. Frank's doesn't leave normally but if you go through a big puddle and splash a lot of water over the top a few drips will come in hahaha

 

MORE at Post #403 on Page 21 of this thread
SEE ATTACHED PDF excerpt from 2000 Tacoma Factory Service Manual for Instrument Panel Components INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF FASTENERS

 

My first question would be how in the heck do you get a 70lb dog up into the tent! Actually getting back down is a bit more sketchy.

While the double-wide sleeping bag seems to make a good mattress cover, I like the idea of covering with a mattress pad/sheet set both to protect it and keep it clean. Wondering if ones made for campers/RV's might work . . .