outdoorfever

so whats the concensus? you're a hippie if you want to, or do live out of your vehicle? never though of myself as a hippie before..

Sounds like a great time dude, enjoy yourself.

MNBOY

I've done similar trips in several of my trucks. Spent about 9 months touring the West's best of climbing areas one summer. Hit the truck stops for a shower if you need one. My advice for the cap is to do two things. First, hit up a couple hardware stores and find some real insulation instead of carpet. We used this stuff that looks like glorified bubblewrap with tinfoil glued to both sides, did the top and sides and it made a big difference. You could cut pieces to fit the windows that were removable and it would take care of insulation and privacy. The rest of it just use heavy duty doubleface tape or carpet glue. The other thing is go to a camper (not camping) supply store and buy a pop-up roof vent. They look kind of dorky but without it you will be icing up the inside while sleeping and swimming everytime it warms up or the sun shines. Be sure to leave the windows and doors open anytime it is safe to air it out, not just for smells but to get rid of condensation and slow down the mold. If you get out here to WA let me know, I'll sharpen the ice tools and meet up with you somewhere.

surf4runner

great setups. obviously none of you are over 6'. even sleeping diagonally (when alone), i found it to be a bit short in the back w/o the lid open. good think i dont camp in the snow.
"never trust a hippie" johnny rotten

INsr5runner

If you sleep in your 4runner, you should do this mod to make it more comfy.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/writeup-seat-knob-mod-64182/

ed

Done similar a couple of times too. Living outta the truck isn't that hard, until it rains ... after a couple days of rain or wet snow - despite how much I like the truck, a VW van is appealing.

When I had a pickup, I split the back horizontally: All my gear on one side in stacked bins, sleeping pad & bag on the other side. Obviously this only works for one person (and a dog). For me, the main thing was to have enough room to (almost) sit in the back on those long cold dark rainy nights. The bins made for a bit of tablespace.

"tinfoil bubblewrap" is used for insultating hot water tanks. Rather warm but expensive. I used a layer on the floor, bed sides, & the tailgate. For the canopy I found some flexible 1/2" white closed cell foam sheet. Carpet is ok for short trips, but it traps water / condensation and is harder to clean. IMHO, I wouldn't spend too much effort beyond the basics trying to insulate the back - the best for sleeping is simply a nice sythetic winter sleeping bag.

A tarp/ quasi vestibule off the back is great for a bit of shelter while cooking, gearing up, etc.

In the winter, keeping clean isn't so much merely smellies, but it's easier to stay warm if you're clean & dry, and your clothing also works better when clean. I've heard hostels sometimes have showers available?

Surf4runner: yeah the truck bed is a bit short (4runner is even worse) - but ya know even curled in ackward spaces I still generally sleep better than when at home in my comfy bed ...

If living outta your vehicle while enjoying the "great outdoors" means yer a hippie - I wish I could be a hippie more often nowadays.


ed

rngrchad

Nope, I'm not a hippie. Just an avid "outdoorsman". If I was a hippie, I wouldn't cut trees for firewood, have a lifted 76 highboy that get's 7mpg, or shoot hundreds of bunnies and groundhogs for food and enjoyment. My "hippy-type" climbing buddies all talk trash about me, but it's more of a joke than anything....I personally can't wait to slaughter my friends hog next week.....can you say tasty?

Well ˟˟˟˟˟ man. I wish I was going that far! I don't think I'll make it much past Bozeman. Most of my time will be spent near the Beartooths, Jackson Hole,
and then on down to Zion for some big-wall aid climbing(will be seconding not "lead aiding". Damn!

Anyhow fella yotatecher's, your help is awesome. I'm getting some stellar ideas from you all. I appreciate all the informative posts! I'm going to do the final insulation of the cap this weekend and am brainstorming for the best way.....

Epic Ed

HAHAAA!! Dirtbaggin' it!! Right on, bro. Sounds like fun. I have a buddy who roadtripped in his Ford F150 for about six months and they (he and his wife) live out of it for all but a few days. One of the secrets to maintaining a good living environment was the platformk construction. He built in four "trap doors". Each quater of the platform had a hinged door so he could access any area of storage at any time. Beats the hell out of unpacking/re-packing every time you need something at the front of the truck bed.

Tint those windows, dude. You never know when stealth camping is going to be your only option, so make it as private as possible.

When are you heading to Zion? Route plans? Need beta? I get up there a few times a year and have soloed a few of the trade routes. Shoot me a message if you'd like. It's easiest to get in touch with me here:

http://www.rockclimbing.com/users/li...UserID=epic_ed

Hope you have a blast!

Ed

rngrchad

EpicEd, I'm heading to Zion in late January. I have no idea what the weather will bring, but a friend of mine( who is an extremely talented climber) is saying we HAVE to make it to ZION. I've trad climbed The New River Gorge,
and Red River Gorge, but have little multi-pitch under my belt. I guess, ZION will be the answer for getting a little air under my arse huh?
Any how Epic Ed, when I learn more about the whole Zion trip, I'll pm ya on rockclimbing.com...I'm over there everynow and again looking for rote beta...same handle as on yotatech.

bktaco

i'll share the absolute key to staying warm at night. i learned this while sleeping in a tent in antarctica for six months, on top of a mile thick ice sheet - no ˟˟˟˟˟.

fill a nalgene bottle with boiling water, seal it tight, and throw it between your legs or at your feet. you will be sweating bullets all night long, and the water will still be very warm in the morning. i did this every night on the ice, except for the first completely sleepless night. priceless. upgrade: cut up an old bedroll insulation mat, and make a tight fitted holder (sleeve) for your nalgene. that way you dont burn your skin on the bare bottle. works just as well, maybe better.

happy camping- bk