Baja 2018 Fotografía

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Mogwai said:
Speaking of, let's talk about the stuff we brought, but didn't use. For me it was two things, and one of them I blame Tony, he just didn't catch a big enough fish. Grabbed one of these when they were at $30 (it's bigger than you think, which is great, but overkill if you just need to cut veggies). Cabela's Tailgate Fillet Table : Cabela's

The other thing for me was my portable shower pump thing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IFHFJXI/?tag=ihco-20

To Tony's point he made before the trip, the thought of an ambient temperature shower never sounded better than just being dirty. There were a few spots where we had access to hot showers (even of only at a trickle) and just often enough I never needed mine.

And there were certainly some gear experts in the group (not me!) and it was great to see what everyone was using. Curious to hear others' reflections on their camping setups?
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Yes to skipping extra stuff. I left in a sleepless frenzy, and when you pack that way...the tendency is to throw way more crap into the truck than necessary.

Skip next time:
1. Needed about 1/4th the clothes I brought.
2. Second Row Seat. I removed the 40% side. Should have removed BOTH.
3. Too many beverages. Came home with way more than half what I brought, and that's in addition to emergency/shower water I barely scratched.
4. Too many flashlights (haha! I love flashlights, and the military ended up with one of them :))
5. Bed mat only next time. -No cot or mattress, etc. not really necessary if you have other places to sit like boxes, etc. Sleeping at ground level is fine.
6. If solo again next time, I'll likely skip the tent and just take the shower/changing room. With far less gear, added aluboxes and fully-removed 2nd row seats, sleeping in the truck will be a breeze. Comfortable, quiet, secure and quick.

Add next time:
-Cole's fuel-based hot water device. Pricey, but superior and far less clunky than the Big Kahuna I tried.
-2nd fuel tank (there was debate about this in camp, but not only does it REMOVE fuel concerns, and open up exploration options, but it also frees up jerry-can space so that water cans can go external...which in turn majorly adds internal space.
-Alu-boxes. Already ordered three of these for internal use. Two will replace the wasted space of my 60% side of second row, saving weight, space, and dramatically improving organization.
-Cole's foldable fire pit and Home Depot cardboard/wax logs. Both a KILLER and efficient for both space, and long-burning fires.
-Cole's list of OEM bolts!! I didn't need them, but man it was seriously helpful for others who truly needed them after bolts came loose.
(Cole, if you have a parts list on those bags of bolts, etc., I'd love to order all of them. Really worth taking on EVERY trip!)
-Windy App! Already added. This saved our trip because it allowed us to find the ONLY low-wind spot in Baja for nights 2 and 3. Thanks, @Mogwai! (Also helped that we actually had a cell/wi-fi connection at that point).
-Finally get around to my HAM license certification. Just no comparison as a communications tool in caravan.

Keeping/happy with:
-Small microwave for heating leftovers in fridge/freezer via my large inverter. But...will come up with a much smaller mounting option.
-National Luna 60L Twin (Fridge and Freezer combo) was fantastic. Ice cream stayed frozen, and temperatures stayed targeted where I set them. No over-night battery drain, and unbelievably quiet--even sleeping directly next to it in the truck.

Essential Keepers:
-Garmin Inreach+ device. This thing sent my family my location via satellite & web page every 2 minutes during the entire trip, including the ability to send and receive texts far from cellular coverage. Truly a stress-reducer to worried family at home. Highly recommended!
-@TonyP Yup! Even though I didn't personally access his mechanical skills, it was highly reassuring to know that we had his mechanical abilities. That, in conjunction with the team's tools, spares, bolts, etc. meant amazing peace of mind.

Considered future splurges:
-Sat Phone. Garmin device exceeded my expectations, but in a pinch, a low-level sat phone plan would be the ultimate emergency back-up.
-As mentioned... Cole's water heating device & externally-carried water cans.
-Maybe: Roof-top tent if not traveling alone. So quick...so easy/secure.
-Maybe: Tony's Oz Tent though slightly larger for 2 people. Thing was pretty sweet, and of course vehicle independent vs. rooftop.
-Drone! Wow. These things were killer. I noticed that the team even used one to check up on me when I sort of "disappeared" fishing out of sight on one crazy day. Not only amazing footage, but also the potential of search/rescue, recon. Just sweet.
-Brad's All-Cab 90 degree awning. Wow. Just awesome. Can be used with or without support posts for unimpeded space, and more than tall enough to keep the heat away from head-height area.
-Solar panel for back-up battery considerations.
-Zac's Skottle was pretty cool. Will consider.
-Mark Maholic's 50 gallon sub tank was incredibly TUCKED! Well above the resonator's level, and high above the rear diff. I was amazed, considering it's capacity. This may push me up to the 40+ size from Ward Harris & Co. It' not like you have to keep it full, after all.
-Console-based, 50 watt HAM. I had a hand-held, but it would have been great to have a full power front (Cole's) and a full power tail gunner.
 
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Didn't offer me any ice cream!!! But the cookies were good. Funny Tony wouldn't eat them because he didn't trust those "California cookies" lmao.
 
Mogwai said:
Didn't offer me any ice cream!!! But the cookies were good. Funny Tony wouldn't eat them because he didn't trust those "California cookies" lmao.
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Ya, I didn't add ice cream til late in the trip...after I'd eaten a lot of frozen leftovers. :)
 
Markuson said:
Yes to skipping extra stuff. I left in a sleepless frenzy, and when you pack that way...the tendency is to throw way more crap into the truck than necessary.

Skip next time:
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Thanks for your input. This was what i was looking to see. I'd like to know about a good assortment myself for the bag-o-bolt. There was a report on Expo a while back, where the guy had a major suspension bolt come out, and he found that a bolt from his sliders work perfectly, so he borrowed it from there.
 
I’ll post my spare part numbers soon. Generally, I was happy with the spare parts, hardware, and fluids we had along on the trip. I carried a full change of engine oil and diff oil as well as coolant, but we could have made due with a trip to a gas station in a worst case scenario. You really need fewer spares when you’re in a group where someone can always go on a run if needed. I basically brought my full solo kit aside from some bushwhacking/tree-chopping gear.

Stuff I didn’t use or had too much of:
  • I brought 10x the amount of propane and isobutane that I needed
  • I brought too many jackets
  • I didn’t use my full cooking setup as I didn’t have enough food to warrant getting it out
  • Too much freeze dried food
  • Turns out I had like 5 tarps
  • Too much paper goods (paper towel / toilet paper)
  • Impact wrench and torque wrench... we just used Tony’s
Stuff I missed or needed more of:
  • Beer / drinks other than water... seems like I needed to do more beverage runs than most
  • Some pantry goods and food staples to cook with local ingredients
It would have been helpful if everyone was on ham radios, but I always say this :)
 
Do you have a ham license? Just checking how law abiding the folks are here. The Tundra group I wheel with don’t have them but still use ham radios. They just stay off repeater channels and have a backup if they end up on a channel someone is using.
 
Roy Park said:
Do you have a ham license? Just checking how law abiding the folks are here. The Tundra group I wheel with don’t have them but still use ham radios. They just stay off repeater channels and have a backup if they end up on a channel someone is using.
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Cole has a license, but even his legit license means nothing in Mexico.
 
indycole said:
I’ll post my spare part numbers soon. Generally, I was happy with the spare parts, hardware, and fluids we had along on the trip. I carried a full change of engine oil and diff oil as well as coolant, but we could have made due with a trip to a gas station in a worst case scenario. You really need fewer spares when you’re in a group where someone can always go on a run if needed. I basically brought my full solo kit aside from some bushwhacking/tree-chopping gear.

Stuff I didn’t use or had too much of:
  • I brought 10x the amount of propane and isobutane that I needed
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I just got an adapter and the flame thrower (like yours) works identically well with propane as it does isobutane.
I think your water heater does as well...so one space saver might be consolidating on propane...?

Kovea Brass Isobutane to LPG Propane Adapter
 
For me:

Stuff I'm happy with:
  • Oztent and Oztent cot. Easy up, easy down. Super comfortable cot.
  • Big ass zero gravity chair, insanely comfortable but takes up a ton of space, ended up on the roof. Still worth it.
  • Cooper ST Maxx, quiet(ish) and rock solid. Went down to mid 20 psi on the road to Cocos and was hauling ass, no issues.
  • Fridge, this is a must have. If you don't have one, buy one.
  • Lithium, Redarc, Inverter, ect... All worked flawlessly.
  • Tools and having the FSM on my tablet.
  • These things

Stuff I didn’t use or had too much of:
  • A couple smaller propane cans instead of my giant one, not a huge deal though.
  • The WeberQ was great but takes up a ton of space.
  • A little too much food
  • One too many 5 Gals of water (brought 2)
  • Brought 2 spare tires, could have been fine with one. The Coopers are unstoppable.
Stuff I missed or needed more of:
  • Booze
  • Coffee stuff (stole Mark's)
  • Non-water drinks (Diet Coke, juice, ect...)
  • Cold weather clothes
  • Spare bolts
  • Larger sockets for suspension components
  • Something to clean my guts out. Had bubble guts and a headache prior to and for most of the trip.
Stuff I'm changing/adding:
  • Paper towl holder
  • Shower/privacy tent is too small for my fat ass. Ordering a larger one.
  • Rework wiring (in progress)
  • Wire in the Anderson plug for solar to the Redarc (in progress)
  • Rework the shower (larger heat exchanger)
  • Add a tap to a water jerry can to pour out for cleaning hands and dishes.
  • A small vaccum or brush
  • Fix the Trasheroo (done)
  • Get the lockers/gears installed
  • Eventually rework the entire storage area
 
From what i've read everyone was well prepared if not over prepared. That being said the load out will vary by destination but certain items cross over like propane, paper products, first aid kits, spares etc.. For a group that had not traveled together before going to new destinations I think you guys rocked it. Wish I could've went along.
 
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RET2 said:
From what i've read everyone was well prepared if not over prepared. That being said the load out will vary by destination but certain items cross over like propane, paper products, first aid kits, spares etc.. For a group that had not raveled together before going to new destinations I think you guys rocked it. Wish I could've went along.
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I agree that we had a great assortment of preparations among the group, and if one of us lacked something, others had it covered.

Honestly our only goof was not staying tightly together upon entry. Beyond that...we figured it out...and now that there's no doubt about the system, it will be easy next time.

We now know there are no real worries over non-Mexico radio use...we'll skip that hesitation next time as well.

Also... Exactly NONE of us were asked for our FMM paperwork at any point after going through that whole hassle to obtain it.
I may just skip that next time. On the other hand, it will be an easy get next go round.
 
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I must have missed this in my post-trip checkup but I found a couple loose items in the engine bay. Nothing major, but all the clips came out of the plastic cover on top of the front of the engine bay. Oddly enough, a couple of them were scattered about but most were just gone.

Also, the battery hold down was loose on the front side... like the bolt was on it's last couple threads. I happened to have some extra clips so it was all a quick fix but figured I'd mention this for the rest of the group.
 
TonyP said:
I'd add "music" to the list. We all had semi-similar musical taste, 90s rock was big, (Pearl Jam still sucks though). But having more music hard-stored for playing outside of wifi or cellular service would have been great. I'll load up my external next time.
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Part of my download routine before trips is maps to the iPad and playlists to the iPhone.
 
TonyP said:
I'd add "music" to the list. We all had semi-similar musical taste, 90s rock was big, (Pearl Jam still sucks though). But having more music hard-stored for playing outside of wifi or cellular service would have been great. I'll load up my external next time.
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Ya, I forgot how little was actually copied to my phone.

My musical tendencies are pretty mild... Older stuff.
Gotta say though... Certain loud songs are good too-
--I started blasting AC/DC Back in Black at one point...
-Half-way through the song... I look down & I'm doing 96mph on the crappy Baja "highway!" :steer::hillbilly: Music can wreak havoc if you're not careful...
Wooo!
 
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