Camping Thread

Bacon? I always find it on sale...

 

I need to invest in an air mattress!!

 

I love camping! But I have a rule against camping in a campground. I did it once when I lived in Iowa and it was exceptionally stupid and annoying. Why on earth would I pay to live in essentially a trailer park for the weekend? People running loud generators, getting drunk and annoying (only I am allowed to get drunk and annoying, lol), people revving their engines, etc.

I camp to be in nature and to get away from people. Or for hunting.

This was a spot I found last year. I had an old tent trailer I was restoring. No fees, no neighbors, and as peaceful as can be. Had a wolf watch me and my dog for a bit that I didn't know about until I found it's scat a couple of hours later on the trail.



And I will camp when it's cold as heck, just to get some nature time in...



For hunting camp this year, my dad, brother and I are going deep into the Idaho woods on ATVs and setting up a tent camp. My brother has a canvas yurt thing with a wood stove. Should be fun.

 

I'll agree with you to an extent. I live in Oregon and there are plenty of campgrounds within a couple of hours of where I live that are pleasant to stay at. Just have to know where to go. A big problem here is people "camping" where ever they please and actually trespassing on timber companies property. Most big timber companies now have closed their property to the public and if you want to use it you have to pay for a permit or lease. I have a guy I work with who pays 3k a year to access weyerhauser property. To me that's absurd and it stems from people taking advantage of property that isn't theirs ( dumping garbage, squatting etc...). I'm not saying you're in the wrong for camping where you do just saying that for some people there are no longer options to spend time camping without acquiring a permit or using a campground.

 

I get exactly what you're saying.

I grew up here camping on Potlatch Corp. property for decades. My family has been camping in the same area since the 70's. This year, they closed all their lands to public camping and went to the lease system you mentioned. They also require recreational permits to even drive on their land.

A lease for the spot I grew up camping on is now $2600 and oddly enough, it went to employees of the company...

The issue I have with it is that the millions of acres that the timber corporations own was sold to them for pennies on the dollar by the government; basically, the taxpayers subsidized the purchases. So, for decades, the taxpayers were given free access to those lands.

Also, I have a UTV and there is an extensive trail system near me that is maintained by the Forest Service. So my taxes are paying for those trails. But, the trails cross over federal, state, and timber company lands. Now the timber company wants to charge me a fee to ride on a trail system that my tax dollars already paid for.

It's nothing more than corporate greed.

 

Very true. I've deer hunted the same unit since moving to Oregon 20 years ago. I drew a doe tag this year in this unit and ODFW says this unit is now 6% public land. When I first started hunting it it was something like 73% public. It's pretty depressing when you think about it. I'm in my early 30s what's going to be left for my kids?

 

Ok got organized. I had a couple of the Rigid boxes already but got $100 gift card to the depot for Christmas so I picked up the other two I didn't have. Organized everything and now already ready for the season!

 

Anybody know of any good spots to go offroad/camp in NC other than Uwharrie.

 

Background. I've done the motorhome thing and while it's tons of fun, for me, there's nothing like roughing it a bit. Meaning bunking down in the 4R or setting up the Hubba Hubba and a sleeping bag for a good nights rest. Knowing that, and setting aside my age, is what prompted me to purchase the 4R in my quest to get back to the basics of life, and living. Which brings me to ask for some thoughts and advice on selecting a properly sized cooler(ice). I'm thinking 60 quart, but have zero knowledge to base that thought on. My cooler use is limited to a day of boating or keeping a soda or two handy when traveling.

Considerations.
#1 Cooler brand. I'm fairly convinced a Grizzly will do the job. Plus its made in my birth state.
#2 It's for personal use(1 person), and I don't know, lets say 4 to 7 days without any resupply points.
#3 Space. How much realestate will a(60 qt?) consume in the 4R(there's little difference between it and a 75 qt's footprint for example). Since it's just me am I thinking way to big? Perhaps a 40 qt would be adequate? I honestly don't know. Last thought. I'd rather have a little cooler space unused than be short on space.

Thoughts and advice......welcome.

Oh too. To the OP. I can't believe your "Camping Thread" doesn't have hundreds and hundreds of posts.

 

65Q Grizzly is what we use. We had a 40Q Grizzly but unfortunately had a garage fire and it was destroyed; the 65Q was its insurance replacement.

Quality on both is very good. The 65Q is a little nicer in that it has drains on both sides (not just one) and a third latch. Both are heavy and unwieldy. Neither keep ice as long as advertised but IMO no cooler does, unless you are stationary for the whole time and a perfect storm of pre-refrigeration of contents and total filling of the void spaces with ice takes place. Driving around on rough roads with just a bag of ice in the cooler and opening and closing it 10 times a day causes you to need to re-up ice every 2-3 days.

The 40 was barely adequate for 2 people on an extended trip. The 65 is better. Size wise, it doesn't really take up much more room. I see you 'liked' a post I had with images of my (very basic) rear cargo sleeping setup; that post shows the 40Q which I carried oriented long side towards the hatch opening. The 65Q I carry long side oriented towards the middle of the hatch, so it can still be opened inside the truck. I will look for a picture. Edit, I can't find a pic inside the truck.

I would opt for the 65. I think for a solo person 7 day trip even that will be a little tight with everything you want to carry / refrigerate.

 

@MeefZah

While I'm hoping to get others input too, I thought I'd share this morsel. Last night I found what seems like a good price on a 75qt. $340.00 including shipping. Factory direct.

 

Whoops, I just looked and we have the 75Q, not 65Q. There isn't a 65Q. I'm retarded.

Also we got ours at Sportsman's Warehouse, I don't recall the price, but they have several models and brands in stock you can go look at before you buy.

 

NBD - I knew what you meant.

Edit:

Sportsman's Warehouse - it appears they no longer sell them.

 

https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-...grizzly-75-quart-extreme-duty-cooler/p/p35449

 

Thanks. Perhaps it was the store I selected? Anyway, with an application for their C/C the savings would be net $40.00...that always works.

 

You're too far south (I'm almost in Oregon) but I always time "bigger" purchases for when we are in southern Oregon... no sales tax

 

Nice set up. Thanks for the inspiration. Funny thing, I grew up East of you in Pauls Valley. We lived in several towns around the state, but PV was home. Oil drillers son

 

Folks used to say it's a small world(these days - it really is).

How you liking the 4Runner so far?

 

Here's an idea for transporting the tent from point A to B.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo-Carrier/Curt/C18153.html

Sounds like you're well on your way.

I have tons of parts coming and the 4Runner isn't here, yet. lol

 

Nah, '21 TRD Pro thats somewhere between one of the ports and my dealer. Supposed to be here around the 18th.

 

Soon. That's what I keep telling myself. lol

Next time I'm in your area dinners on me.

 

That means its time to go duck hunting.

 

Moon Landing, I have done it a bit different. A few years back I bought an Alpicool 21 qt, 12v fridge, for around $200. When I first got it, I filled it up with .5L water bottles, set the thermostat to 38F and plugged it in the wall until the water was cooled down. I then put it in the back of my 4R in a 95F degree garage. 14 hours later it had only dropped the battery voltage .5 volt. It started right up, no second battery needed. The wife and I have used it on multiple overnight camping trips and it works great. We also use it for Costco runs, set it to 0F and fill it with frozen food, no worries when it is 100F outside.

 

Well, you've certainly identified my concern as to 12v system additions. Your test result is encouraging because I'm dead set against all that adding more electricity entails. Not because of cost but because of the weight and 'potential' for a fresh set of problems.

Thanks for the info.

 

Hmm.....

Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station, 1002Wh Capacity with 3x1000W AC Outlets, Solar Generator for Home Backup, Emergency, Outdoor Camping (Solar Panel Optional)

https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-Port...1000&qid=1612985453&sprefix=ja,aps,228&sr=8-3

$270 Alpicool CF45 Portable Fridge Freezer,12 Volt Car Refrigerator, 42 Quart (40 Liter) Fast Cooling 12V Car Fridge -4℉~68℉, Car Cooler, 12/24V DC and 100-240V AC for Outdoor, Camping, RV, Truck

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3FLBQ4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Maybe?

 

I have been here for almost 2yrs and just found this thread today! Let's make it grow. This is perfect for ideas.
I have wanted an awning and room since we got our 4runner for camping or just shade. For some reason I was under the impression I needed an aftermarket roof rack.
I just found these & will now be looking further into an awning & room (Ironman or ARB are the two I know of).
The rear cargo area is for our 85# GSD so space is @ a premium.
Thanks for reintroducing this thread!
Ryan.

 

We like camping...

 

Same. Your location helps a lot! We are kind of limited. Unless you want to see a different corn field! Lol

 

Those are some neat attachments. Well done!

Oh, and you can come out now