Truck Camping Photo Thread

Red Canyon, near Bryce. This was the maiden voyage of my M101 with the CVT Mt Hood (which they recently renamed the Ranier standard.)

 

I know this was an old post but they get into everything. My family owned a pack station up in the sierras and we had bears bite into ice chests that were metal. Clients would ask us why we shot the ice chests with 22's lol well if they took precautions as instructed our ice chests would look shot up!

 

Yep. All the coolest expedition/overland and camping builds seem have refrigerators, chuck boxes, and stoves on slides built right into the offroad trailer or vehicle. Many of them are very creative, look freaking awesome, and cost a small fortune. But its really kind of foolish to use them in a whole lot of the USA. A refrig, cooler, stove, and groceries right under your rooftop tent? Maybe even a snack and some sweet smelling toiletries in the tent with you? Eventually thats all going to result in a very uncomfortable night. I'm looking for the first thinking man's modular overland bear country trailer build. A stove, sink, etc pullout can be relocated away from the hangout and sleeping area like a wheelbarrow. Same with a chuckbox module. How about a refrig, high capacity lithium cell, and solar panel module? A bear will still completely tear that stuff up but it won't be doing it next to or under the tent. One of these days I'll try and build one.

 

On the topic off solo off roading, discretion is the better part of valor. Don't be afraid to turn around if the trail gets too hairy. Stuff I wouldn't think twice about when out with a buddy, I'd turnaround instead if I'm solo. Be smart. That's the best advice.

 

Same here, better to be safe than sorry!

 

I would also add that when solo if the worst happens and you do get stuck be extremely careful and conservative about any sort of self recovery. As I said before when prepared getting stuck solo just means camping where you didn't plan to and waiting for help to arrive. Many serious injuries occur during recovery and in such cases you usually need other people around you to render aid or transport you. Particularly if you end up unconscious. Attempting self recovery with a hi-lift, a questionable anchor, or anything that could injure you in a way that would just be an injury with other people along can easily become fatal when solo.

But of course the best course when solo is to be plenty conservative *before* you get stuck.

 

Yes be conservative before you get stuck means gun it and don't let up. Got me through this ice hole and it was broken up for the way out on a serious note be safe.

 

You were lucky this time. hope there is emergency gear in the back.

 

Who me? Yep had everything I needed and planned recovery options in the event of getting stuck. Took the license plate off bent it back and put it back on after snapping the bumper back on. I was actually sad it was such an easy fix because I couldn't justify a new bumper

 

Have seen oil drain plugs sheered off by ice chunks smaller than that. Glad you made it out relatively unharmed.

 

In my younger days I went solo off roading on a back country road and got seriously stuck in the snow, all I had with me was a pair of skis, they didn't make a good shovel, so after about 4hrs decided to use flares to melt the snow around and under the truck (I was careful using them under the truck) after several flares and another hour I was able to free the truck and head out the way I came in. Looked like a UFO had landed where I was stuck! VERY valuable lesson learned that day!

 

Luckily that stuff is covered up with a skid plate's. The bumper literally snaps back on and it didn't move going through it the second time. There was one bigger piece that pulled up on the bumper as the truck went into the ice. That day there was no other option to get to where I needed to go. I did cheat on the way back I got out and pulled most of the big chunks out before driving through. In my mind you gotta break it to replace it

 

PA Memorial Day weekend. Air mattress in the Tacoma was nice and comfy.

 

Couple questions...

1. Im looking for an axe to carry in my truck. Any suggestion?

2. Water storage? What do you guys do? I have a 5 gallon collapsible bladder that ive been using, it works, but its bulky. I was looking for some kind of solid mounted tank with spigot I can attach a hose to.

Maybe like this -



3. Showers? What do you guys do? Now that its hot out, some sort of shower is a necessity - or at least a way to scrub my balls and wash my hair after a long day of hiking/fishing. I was thinking some sort of solar shower, but I cant see that being 100% reliable on a cloudy day.

 

Well the solar shower is 100% reliable even on a cloudy day... it just may be a bit cold

 

1) I picked up ones from lowes that were on sale. I carry a hatchet and a full size axe. The axe has worked well and has chopped a few trees off trails so far. A folding saw is also nice to have for the smaller stuff.

2) I use two 5 gallon scepter water cans. Somewhat bulky but not that bad IMO. There are also waterbricks which are a nice size too. Both you can get valves for.

3) Ive used a solar shower. If its warm outside it will be close to ambient temperature so even the cloudy days arent to bad. Plus if it is cloudy/cooler just do more of a towel wipe down over a shower. The one i have holds three gallons of water and works well as both a shower and just washing hands/dishes.

I do want to do something like the pvc water tanks but you have to be careful with them if you want them drinking water safe.

 

I learned a good trick for taking warm showers on cold days when I worked for an elk hunting outfitter years ago. You can put a little water in the solar shower then fill the rest of the way with boiling water. When it's really cold out (below zero) you're putting in 3/4 or more hot water. I lived in the back country for 2 months with those guys. Learned some neat tricks.

 

Thanks for the info. I dont need hot water, just warm enough to be bearable for a quick rinse before turning in for the night. I pulled the trigger on a solar shower, well see how that works.

 

Been wanting a solar shower myself.. Hmmm