List camping gear that makes your camping/expedition trips better - Page 4

***Corey*** · 05-11-2008, 06:32 AM

Bagger, that is the shower I have my eyes on.
Will any trigger sprayer for a sink work?
I take it you just use hose clamps on the end?

I read over on Expedition Portal someone did the same thing.

For awhile too Cabela's was including free a stand for the shower hose and head that hooks to the side of the tank.

Bagger · 05-11-2008, 08:00 AM

I'm guessing, but I would think any kitchen trigger sprayer would work...?

I bought one with all the fittings and a 4' hose at Wally World for $8. I swapped out the Zodi hose too and I'm keeping it for a spare. That may have been me on ExPo who you read about. I know 3 of us over there have swapped the stock unit for a trigger sprayer.

What's nice about the trigger sprayer vs. the Zodi shower head is the ease of turning it on & off. With the Zodi head, it's a pull open, push to shut off the water, type. Not so easy with soapy hands. The trigger type is much simpler.

I don't get the stand idea. Using it means either you're showering outside with no tent (brrrr...chilly) or you have to have the stand and water tank inside the tent. Even with water available, I don't want a small flammable propane bottle inside a nylon tent. The proper way to set up the shower system is to have the tank and heater outside the tent, with the hose and shower head run through an access sleeve on the tent.

Also these showering kits are not like the shower at home. It's more like a quick controlled rinse due to the limited water supply and minimal to moderate water pressure. A stationary shower head in camp means having to do a quick and contortioned shower dance. I feel you have better control of washing off with a mobile shower head. It's just easier to get your uh..."undercarriage" with the sprayer in hand. You waste less water that way too.

I'm interested in hearing how the new awning works for you. I've been on the fence about a new Fiamma for months but the price tag and the real world usefulness of awnings has me in a holding pattern. For half the price, I might try the CampingLabs solution even though those darn things seldom shade where I'm sitting.

***Corey*** · 05-11-2008, 08:07 AM

Any shower would be a "warm" welcome to what I am use to when camping in the woods and not a state park.

Up where I plan on doing most of my camping, most of the sites are along a river or creek.
I have camped up in that area many a time years ago, and I would sit out in the middle of the creek or river and bathe that way.
This is run off water too from Mt. Rainier, so it is cold, but you get clean

I will have to see if my Pett tent has the opening to slip the shower hose through.

Yes, hopefully this Camping Labs awning will work out.
I had to try it for almost half the price of the Fiamma one.

Team420 · 05-11-2008, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey

You need to set your rig up like Chris's of Overlandjournal.com

http://bajataco.com/
http://bajataco.com/bajataco.html
http://www.bajataco.com/Camper1.html

I once did that with a chevy 1 ton dually... took it cross country.. was real comfortable, and didnt need to find a campsite or haul gear...just pull over and climb out back!! Glad to see other people have done it too!!

***Corey*** · 06-03-2008, 04:57 PM

Bought a shower today from Cabelas.
I received a $20 off coupon last week, and decided to take advantage of it.
The shower will be here Friday.

Zodi Hotman Extreme shower

Info from Zodi's site

You can even use it as a cooker, that is the bottom heater part

The showerhead itself only has an on/off valve on it.
Many replace the head with a kitchen faucet sprayer so they have more control over it.
I will hit up Lowes over the weekend and pick one up.

I will be able to setup the shower too in my Pett crapper tent enclosure.

***Corey*** · 06-06-2008, 04:08 AM

How cool is this?
Saw this over on Expo.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=15608

I will be ordering one today.
It is a royal PITA to fill water jugs from a Pure water filter off of the kitchen faucet.

For dish water, I use water from the bathtub faucet I fill the 5 gallon water jug (same type as a fuel can) and that is good, but I would not drink it.
I have H20 in my ARB fridge to drink, but I really hate throwing away those 12 oz bottles you buy at the store, they are not good for the land fills.

This 12 volt pump will fit a standard water bottle like you can get at the supermarket for a water cooler like you have at work or at home.
My local Safeway has the big bottles to buy with filtered H20 in them.

Set one of these on your picnic table while camping for the weekend, and you have plenty of fresh good water to drink.

Here is a video of the pump hooked up to an Adventure Trailer water tank that they use for the trailers they build.

YouTube Video

Here is the pump mounted to a bottle.

The outfit to order one of these from

I can also envision like Miss R2FJ is thinking of doing by mounting a tank in the rear of the FJ, and using one of these pumps.

***Corey*** · 06-07-2008, 07:28 PM

Here is an elcheapo video I made of the shower in action after I heated the water.
You can easily use the cooker to cook with a big pot of grub on it too.

Using the shower is easy.
Use a match or one of those barbecue matches with the butane ( I own several) and crank open the gas valve and light.
Adjust the flame, and put the tank of water on top.

Make sure the pump handle is out, or you are looking for trouble.
There is a temperature strip on the side of the tank that shows the water temperature.
They say to heat it to about 100 degrees.
I only let it run for about four minutes or so, and I got tap water from the sink up to about 70 degrees.

After it is heated, you take the tank off the heater and set it on the ground.
Insert the hand pump, and pump away.
I charged it up to around thirty pumps or so.

Then you flip the red valve on the tank, and you have water coming out of the shower head.
Pretty cool.
Will be doing a change of the shower head at a future date.

I let the water run for awhile, then I stopped the flow and pumped it up again.
2.5 gallons is not going to go very far, so it would be best to get wet, turn the water off and lather up, then turn the water back on to rinse off.

Looks like it will do the job.

Please excuse the cheesy video, but it gives you an idea of the water spray/pressure the stock head puts out.

I normally work on vids too with my desktop, but this time I tried Windows Movie Maker on my new laptop with Vista.
Movie Maker has a few more options than the one with XP, and it worked out well.

End video was saved to a DVD widescreen format at around 27 MB, then uploaded to the Tube.

And yes, my table on the porch needs cleaning

Same tree that drips pitch onto the FJ is also over the table.

YouTube Video

PS, looking for female models so I can shoot a better video of the shower in action on my next camping trip.

DeathCougar · 06-07-2008, 09:09 PM

dang man, why dont ya just buy one of them high falootin campers!

Campin....yeesh lol

Course, you will be the clean comfortable one on the 22nd/23rd and I'll be the dirty disgruntled young guy wondering why the heck I didn't get one of those things....

89-4run · 06-08-2008, 01:09 PM

Corey,
Have you had a chance to try out that awning? I'm looking for something similar and hadn't seen that. I had bought a Kelty Car Port shelter and that thing was monsterous!! I'm looking for something 1 guy can setup and teardown pretty easily. Also, it didn't jump out to me, but is that awning more shade or does it provide protection from rain?

Can you throw out a ball park how much it was?

Thanks,
Rob

***Corey*** · 06-08-2008, 01:52 PM

Rob, pics are in my buildup thread of the awning.
http://www.yotatech.com/50832002-post251.html

The awning is for both shade and rain.

Paid $200 for it, a smokin' deal.

One person can setup and take it down.
A little awkward at first for me, but it will be easier for me next time.

89-4run · 06-08-2008, 03:19 PM

That is a great deal!

One last question. I'm assuming the front 2 aluminum poles are telescoping? What's the height variations you can go with?

I forgot, you're in Washington! I'm getting my items together for a trip through N. Cali and Oregon

You would know about wet weather, huh

***Corey*** · 06-08-2008, 03:30 PM

Yes, all four poles are adjustable.
Not sure of the variation, as I have only set it up once, but you can vary the height.

Yes, I hate camping in the rain, and if it does rain after I am setup, this should help some.

With my luck it has rained on about 50% or more of my trips.

***Corey*** · 08-15-2008, 03:08 PM

Looking for a new shower tent now, as seen in my gear review in this same section, the PETT tent is to small.
It is OK for pinchin' a loaf, but for showering in, it is a bit to small.

Googled some bigger ones.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007IS656
It has a floor with drainage too, a plus.
The PETT has no floor, and dirt splashes up on you.

The base on the Columbia is 5'x5', while the PETT one is 3'x3' I believe.

Reviews

***Corey*** · 08-15-2008, 09:23 PM

Now this is what I am talking about.
I knew I had seen the HUGE Cabela's one before.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...097&hasJS=true

They have a smaller one too, but if camped for four + days, I like the idea of this big one.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...097&hasJS=true

***Corey*** · 08-24-2008, 09:56 AM

The Cabela's shower arrive Friday instead of tomorrow.
Have not set it up yet though.

Also while I was on my camping trip, I used the picnic table at Mt. Rainier to hold items, while I dined on my Cabela's folding picnic table instead.

I am thinking ahead here now, as I am not always going to be camping in pay campgrounds that have tables.
In the past I use to camp a lot up at Greenwater where I wheel, and it is all rustic pull in type spots, some by a stream or river, which are the best ones to camp in.

I will need a table to set a few things on, and Cabela's (gosh, they have just about anything a camper needs

) has two rollup tables.
Cabela's Deluxe Roll-Top Tables

Large

Small

There are cheaper ones out there, but the nice thing about the Cabela's one is that it has adjustable legs for height variation on uneven terrain.

Here is one that is much cheaper, but no leg adjustment

Anyone using a rolltop table, and how do you like it.

05-11-2008, 06:32 AM	#76 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	Bagger, that is the shower I have my eyes on. Will any trigger sprayer for a sink work? I take it you just use hose clamps on the end? I read over on Expedition Portal someone did the same thing. For awhile too Cabela's was including free a stand for the shower hose and head that hooks to the side of the tank. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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

05-11-2008, 08:00 AM	#77 (permalink)
Bagger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wyoming Posts: 268	I'm guessing, but I would think any kitchen trigger sprayer would work...? I bought one with all the fittings and a 4' hose at Wally World for $8. I swapped out the Zodi hose too and I'm keeping it for a spare. That may have been me on ExPo who you read about. I know 3 of us over there have swapped the stock unit for a trigger sprayer. What's nice about the trigger sprayer vs. the Zodi shower head is the ease of turning it on & off. With the Zodi head, it's a pull open, push to shut off the water, type. Not so easy with soapy hands. The trigger type is much simpler. I don't get the stand idea. Using it means either you're showering outside with no tent (brrrr...chilly) or you have to have the stand and water tank inside the tent. Even with water available, I don't want a small flammable propane bottle inside a nylon tent. The proper way to set up the shower system is to have the tank and heater outside the tent, with the hose and shower head run through an access sleeve on the tent. Also these showering kits are not like the shower at home. It's more like a quick controlled rinse due to the limited water supply and minimal to moderate water pressure. A stationary shower head in camp means having to do a quick and contortioned shower dance. I feel you have better control of washing off with a mobile shower head. It's just easier to get your uh..."undercarriage" with the sprayer in hand. You waste less water that way too. I'm interested in hearing how the new awning works for you. I've been on the fence about a new Fiamma for months but the price tag and the real world usefulness of awnings has me in a holding pattern. For half the price, I might try the CampingLabs solution even though those darn things seldom shade where I'm sitting. __________________ '97 T100 ~ TRD SC ~ ARB ~ FWC '85 FJ6O ~ 4E9 ~ locked ~ 33's '87 Turbo 4Runner ~ sold

05-11-2008, 08:07 AM	#78 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	Any shower would be a "warm" welcome to what I am use to when camping in the woods and not a state park. Up where I plan on doing most of my camping, most of the sites are along a river or creek. I have camped up in that area many a time years ago, and I would sit out in the middle of the creek or river and bathe that way. This is run off water too from Mt. Rainier, so it is cold, but you get clean I will have to see if my Pett tent has the opening to slip the shower hose through. Yes, hopefully this Camping Labs awning will work out. I had to try it for almost half the price of the Fiamma one. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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

06-03-2008, 04:57 PM	#80 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	Bought a shower today from Cabelas. I received a $20 off coupon last week, and decided to take advantage of it. The shower will be here Friday. Zodi Hotman Extreme shower Info from Zodi's site You can even use it as a cooker, that is the bottom heater part The showerhead itself only has an on/off valve on it. Many replace the head with a kitchen faucet sprayer so they have more control over it. I will hit up Lowes over the weekend and pick one up. I will be able to setup the shower too in my Pett crapper tent enclosure. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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

06-08-2008, 01:09 PM	#84 (permalink)
89-4run Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 485	Corey, Have you had a chance to try out that awning? I'm looking for something similar and hadn't seen that. I had bought a Kelty Car Port shelter and that thing was monsterous!! I'm looking for something 1 guy can setup and teardown pretty easily. Also, it didn't jump out to me, but is that awning more shade or does it provide protection from rain? Can you throw out a ball park how much it was? Thanks, Rob __________________ 2002 Sport Edition 4Runner - Goodyear MTR 265/75/16 - ToyTec Coilovers - OME 906/N86C - Ashtray Mod!

06-08-2008, 01:52 PM	#85 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	Rob, pics are in my buildup thread of the awning. http://www.yotatech.com/50832002-post251.html The awning is for both shade and rain. Paid $200 for it, a smokin' deal. One person can setup and take it down. A little awkward at first for me, but it will be easier for me next time. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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

06-08-2008, 03:19 PM	#86 (permalink)
89-4run Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 485	That is a great deal! One last question. I'm assuming the front 2 aluminum poles are telescoping? What's the height variations you can go with? I forgot, you're in Washington! I'm getting my items together for a trip through N. Cali and Oregon You would know about wet weather, huh __________________ 2002 Sport Edition 4Runner - Goodyear MTR 265/75/16 - ToyTec Coilovers - OME 906/N86C - Ashtray Mod!

06-08-2008, 03:30 PM	#87 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	Yes, all four poles are adjustable. Not sure of the variation, as I have only set it up once, but you can vary the height. Yes, I hate camping in the rain, and if it does rain after I am setup, this should help some. With my luck it has rained on about 50% or more of my trips. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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

08-15-2008, 03:08 PM	#88 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	Looking for a new shower tent now, as seen in my gear review in this same section, the PETT tent is to small. It is OK for pinchin' a loaf, but for showering in, it is a bit to small. Googled some bigger ones. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007IS656 It has a floor with drainage too, a plus. The PETT has no floor, and dirt splashes up on you. The base on the Columbia is 5'x5', while the PETT one is 3'x3' I believe. Reviews __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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

08-15-2008, 09:23 PM	#89 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	Now this is what I am talking about. I knew I had seen the HUGE Cabela's one before. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...097&hasJS=true They have a smaller one too, but if camped for four + days, I like the idea of this big one. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...097&hasJS=true __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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

08-24-2008, 09:56 AM	#90 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,769	The Cabela's shower arrive Friday instead of tomorrow. Have not set it up yet though. Also while I was on my camping trip, I used the picnic table at Mt. Rainier to hold items, while I dined on my Cabela's folding picnic table instead. I am thinking ahead here now, as I am not always going to be camping in pay campgrounds that have tables. In the past I use to camp a lot up at Greenwater where I wheel, and it is all rustic pull in type spots, some by a stream or river, which are the best ones to camp in. I will need a table to set a few things on, and Cabela's (gosh, they have just about anything a camper needs ) has two rollup tables. Cabela's Deluxe Roll-Top Tables Large Small There are cheaper ones out there, but the nice thing about the Cabela's one is that it has adjustable legs for height variation on uneven terrain. Here is one that is much cheaper, but no leg adjustment Anyone using a rolltop table, and how do you like it. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread 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