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#1 (permalink) | ||||||||
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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Camping Gear Reviews, A Ton
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#2 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Da Gorge, Oregon
Posts: 5,396
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I had friends over for dinner last night and showed them your setup. They're backpackers, but got all giddy after seeing your rig and gear. They're going FJ and equipment shopping today.
Several calendar worthy pics there for sure, and I think you're about to lighten my wallet after seeing several pieces of kit that are now at the top of my "must have" list. You da (FJ) Man!
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'07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T All Black |
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#3 (permalink) | |
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Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Graham, Wa.
Posts: 882
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Quote:
Great write up Corey!!!
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Todd '91 4runner SR5. OME 901 coils, Bilstein shocks, 31" Wildcountry TXR Tires. Lightforce Lance 140 offroad lights. |
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#4 (permalink) | ||
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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Quote:
We will have a thread up hopefully this month. So they may get an FJ, cool. I use to really be into backpacking back in the early 80s. I packed all over Rainier into their back country camps. Afraid I am not in good enough shape for that now, and I enjoy just hanging out at camp and the fresh air. That is what it is all about, getting outside and seeing nature. Quote:
He he he, you gotta take her up to that campground Todd, beautiful place.
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#5 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Graham, Wa.
Posts: 882
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Someday i will have a rig like yours.
This is our way of camping right now
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Todd '91 4runner SR5. OME 901 coils, Bilstein shocks, 31" Wildcountry TXR Tires. Lightforce Lance 140 offroad lights. |
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#6 (permalink) | |
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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Cabela's Deluxe Roll-top Table
Quote:
OK, this is a non field test since I am not camping at the moment. My table came on Thursday of this week. Cabela's Deluxe Roll-Top Tables I just set this up in my home, and it was pretty straight forward. I would rather be out camping, but I have other commitments this holiday weekend. Picture one below shows the nice carrying bag it comes in. The inside has two compartments. One for the leg and pole system, the other for the table top. ![]() Picture two below shows the contents. Not shown is the two piece poles that slide into each other. These are the braces that go along the length of the table to brace it, and they also snap into the top of the leg system to make the top rigid. The poles are inside the mess of the leg system. ![]() Picture three below shows the bottom side of the table top with the support bracing poles in place. Notice the hole in the upper right of the picture on the pole. This hole snaps into the top of the leg system to prevent the table top from shifting back and forth. ![]() Picture four below shows the leg system. It is not to stable until you put the table top onto it. ![]() Picture five below shows the end result. The legs extend around 6" give or take allowing you to either raise it up higher if needed, or to level it out on uneven ground. ![]() I would say you could set this up in a matter of a few minutes with practice. There are no instructions included, so it took me a few extra moments to conclude what the holes in the support braces were for, as I had not noticed the nubs on top of the leg support system until I was ready to set the table on top. I will be using this table mostly for camping at "unimproved sites" that are not in a normal campground. Places such as Greenwater where I go 4wheeling and also have camped there since the mid 80s is a prime example. Tons of beautiful spots up there by creeks and rivers to camp in, just no picnic tables to set your gear on. I will still dine with the Cabela's picnic table, but this rolltop table would be used to hold my five gallon water bottle and other stuff. It seems to be very stable though, and I picked it up and carried it off to the spare bedroom with no problems of it wanting to fall apart. I think this is going to work out very well for me for self contained camping. If I get time, I will try and setup my Cabelas' shower tent this weekend and shoot some pictures of it. This coming Tuesday my Kelty Shadehouse 12 will arrive. Not sure when I will get a chance to set it up.
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#7 (permalink) |
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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Kelty Shadehouse 12
Another non field test.
I have had a picnic table shelter for years that I bought back around '82 or so. It consists of a large green tarp with five holes in it via grommets. You use a pole at each end, and a center pole to go on top of the picnic table. Each pole then must have two guylines on it and staked out at each corner. Needless to say, it was a royal PITA to setup. I did it myself for years, then the kids helped me when they were older. I did not want to use it again after getting back into camping this season, as it takes maybe thirty minutes or so for one person to setup. Hence my quest to find an easier shelter to setup, and I saw this one online on the Cabela's site. Kelty Shadehouse 12 This item comes in two sizes. Shadehouse 10 center height 80" floor size 10-ft. x 10-ft. Weight 8 lbs. 3 oz. Shadehouse 12 center height 85" floor size 12-ft. x 12-ft. weight 8 lbs. 14 oz. I went with the bigger model, the 12' one for additional space. It comes packed in a nice nylon bag that is not much bigger than some backpacking tents. This will store very nicely in my rig right behind my drivers seat on top of the Hi-Lift Handle-All unit I have stored there. Here are some pictures I took today on setting it up. Here is the bag after you take it out of the shipping box the way Cabela's ships it out. ![]() Contents of bag: Inner nylon bag for the two aluminum DAC poles. A word on the poles, DAC poles are much stronger and lighter than fiberglass poles. This is the first product I have own that uses these type of poles, and I like them much better over the fiberglass style. The shelter itself. Small nylon bag for the tent stakes and the tie down guylines. Instruction sheet (which I scanned in) ![]() A few pictures showing it setup. Setup was very easy. 1. Unfold the poles, they are all shock corded, and after assembling one, I laid it on the ground and repeated for the other pole. 2. Spread open the shelter, and start inserting a pole in. After it is all the way through, use the end pins and lock the poles in in that way so the pole will not move, and also use the plastic clips at each end (one clip per end) to secure the end of the fabric to the pole. 3. Repeat with the other pole. Inserting the second pole takes a little more time, as the structure starts to raise up in the air, and you have to fight a little resistance in getting the second pole all the way to the end of its sleeve. 4. Once the second pole is all locked in, you can then go to the center of the structure and raise it up manually. Once positioned, it will stay that way. After it is where you want it, then you can stake down the four corners and also use the included guylines to keep it stable in the wind. ![]() ![]() ![]() My neighbors Jeep could probably drive right in underneath the unit and fit. I am about 5'10", and there was about 6" or so to spare above my head when walking underneath of it. This should cover the average picnic table encountered in most campgrounds, which is the main reason I bought this for. Here are the instructions from Kelty that I scanned in. ![]() I would say it took me about 10 minutes or so this first time in setting it up. I am sure it will go much faster the second time, it normally does once you acquaint yourself with setting it up prior to a trip. Yeah, I know, I still have to setup the Cabela's shower enclosure too. Maybe this week...
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#8 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 298
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Thanks for writing these up. I will be outfitting our camping expeditions soon and these are neat finds. I have a wife and 3 boys and we will likely be buying a large multi room tent. Thanks Again!
Kris
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Kristopher Erik "KD5EJO" Transplanted Alaskan in Foster OK 88 X-Cab now with 22RTE/CT-20, 87 T4Runner stock 22RTE/CT-20, 93 FZJ80 Landcruiser w/e-lockers FOR TOP NOTCH CARBURATOR OVERHAULS CLICK HERE http://www.yotatech.com/f37/ekhi-cus...turing-162085/ Like Fishing, hunting, Ham radio, flying, canoeing, kayaking, traveling, all the better with friends. Dedicated Christian. Excellent Wife. 3 Very Good Sons. Any other questions? |
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#9 (permalink) |
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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You are welcome Kris.
A guy on another forum thought that I had bought this for shade, and he thought it was to big for campgrounds. All the places I have camped at including spots just off of forest service roads, this should fit just fine. But I did not buy it for shade, it is to keep the picnic table, kitchen/stove setup, and other gear dry in case it rains. Here in WA. state even when the forecasters say sunny and clear, we take it with a grain of salt. More than likely it will rain. Good luck on your search for a nice big tent. With tents, you get what you pay for. I have read many a horror story where people have tired to save money when it comes to buying a tent, and they end up with something that has a river running through it in the first rain storm.
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#10 (permalink) |
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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An update to the battery powered pump for a 5 gallon water cooler bottle.
As seen above in the review and the same picture below, you can see that the pump is not secured to the bottle in the first picture. It never did tighten, and I found out why earlier in the week. We have a water delivery guy at work and I was talking to him about it, and he asked me if my bottle had the screw on cap for when you want to secure the contents when transporting it. I said it did, and he said the bottles they use with his company use a press on cap, not a screw on cap. I asked where I might obtain a water bottle like he has on his truck, and he smiled and he gave me one ![]() Took it home and sure enough, the battery water pump works perfect with it. You insert it all the way on the bottle, then tighten up the collar that presses onto the bottle. Now I will have no more loose water pump going back and forth om me. You can see in the first picture how the pump is at an angle because it is not secured to the bottle. Although it worked perfectly well that way, it is nice to now have the pump secure and not move around. Guess I will have to see if I have another big ARB sticker handy to put on the new bottle, or I will just drop by ARB after work and pick up some more stickers ![]() Old bottle with the pump leaning to the side. ![]() New bottle with the pump secured, and the old bottle next to it on the right showing the threads on the neck. This is not the type of bottle that works with the pump.
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#11 (permalink) |
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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Best American Duffel bag #4
Best American Duffel
Best American Duffel bag #4 First off let me say if you do not have a subscription to Overland Journal, you should if you are into exploring the great outdoors. The OJ is written by a staff that camps, overlands, and goes on expeditions, so they test a wide variety of gear. The 2009 Gear issue came out a short time back, and I saw an article in it by executive editor Jonathan Hanson. The article was on duffel bags. There were quite a few tested, but one I really liked was made by BadBags, or Best American Duffel. Turns out they are made in American in Seattle, WA. a short distance from me. Jonathan Hanson mentioned in Overland Journal that owner Malcolm Vetterlein would more than likely answer the phone if you call, and sure enough he did. By telling him what duffel I currently owned and how long I might stay out, he recommended the #4 duffel. I ordered up the #4 size which is 25”x16”x13”, and equates out to 4200 cu in. A little smaller than a Cabelas Ripcord duffel I bought last year, but this one is way more durable. It has a carry strap on the side, two full zip external pockets on each side, two internal zipped pockets that float away free from the bag inside, and a horseshoe shaped zipper on top to load/unload your contents. It also has two compression straps that use the Fastex buckles, and you can cinch the bag tight to make it smaller after you stuff it. While this is a little smaller than my Ripcord duffel, it is still plenty big, big enough for this packrat to take along a weeks worth of clothing and other gear such as flashlights, bathroom kit, and much more as you will see in the pictures below of all the stuff unloaded. As you can see the duffel can hold a lot of clothing for an extended stay somewhere. Mine will be used exclusively for camping/overlanding. Long long ago I use to use the soft sided suitcases to take car/tent trailer camping, but then I found a duffel that is around fifty years old or so that was my parents. I used that a lot when my kids were growing up on camping trips, but it is a little too small to hold a good weeks worth of clothing and gear. This new BadBags #4 duffel will fit the need quite nicely. Here is a picture from Best American Duffels website. ![]() Here are a few pictures of my bag loaded and and the last one showing all what was stuffed into it. The socks were put into one of the internal zipped side bags, and the undies where put into the other internal pocket. I did not have to use the compression straps in the second picture, but I did just to show how they work. There was still plenty of room left over for more clothing inside. I did not even use one of the external pockets, so there was plenty of room left for more gear. ![]() ![]() Here is what I stuffed into the bag minus my undies which I put back into my drawer ![]() Top row left to right six pairs of socks nylon pullover Boeing sweatshirt five shirts extra pair of shoes (they include a stuff sack for shoes or whatever you want to place in it) Bottom row left to right Jansport toiletries case hooded FJ Cruiser pullover two pairs of pants Rest of the items in the bottom row were in an outside pocket eyeglass case Black Diamond LED headlamp Gerber Covert FAST tactical knife (to defend against killer chipmunks) Gerber mulititool (Recoil model, discontinued, best one they ever made IMO) earplugs Garmin GPS What I forgot to pack for this test was a few pairs of shorts. But there was still plenty of room left over inside to pack them in on top of the pants below the shoes or the toiletries case. ![]() The bag is very high quality and also comes with a shoulder strap to carry the bag that way. I am looking forward to many years of service from this duffel, and I can not wait to test it out on my next camping trip.
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#12 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
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I've been looking for a hand-pump for one of the five gallon bottles, now I may have to go with the battery operated version instead. What size batteries does it take and how long do they last?
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Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway - John Wayne. |
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#13 (permalink) |
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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They take D cells I think.
I would think they would last a real long time.
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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#14 (permalink) |
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Staff
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 25,301
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Maggiolina bone dry inside after a very wet winter
I am happy to report the Maggiolina AirLand roof top tent was perfectly bone dry when I opened it up awhile ago to take out the down comforter and shake it out, and to wash the flannel sheets.
Today was the first time it has been opened up since last August. We had a lot of snow, ice, and rain since winter, and I mean a lot. With all of that up there it drips over the shell halves where the gaskets are in place, but not one drop got inside. I was more concerned with winds driving rain up in there while on the freeway, but the gasket/seal did their thing with perfection. The only thing I had were some small spiders living on the stainless steel ridge where the canvas connects to the lower half. That was to be expected as there is slight room for them to crawl there. But they were not up on the bedding at all. I will be installing a 12v heating bunk pad later this morning, but I am not sure if I have enough cord or not to make it to the 12v outlets in the rear of my rig. That will come in useful for some future winter camping or summer camping if the temps drop incredibly low.
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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent |
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