Camping Equipment for Our Trucks

[slceso]

These are like $10 at walmart. You can't afford to not have this for fire building... or whatever. I was able to refill an empty 1lb cylinder and blaze up some damp wood without running the cylinder dry. Beats fire logs and all that jazz.
Amazon.com: Worthington 336737 WT2301 Trigger Start Propane Torch: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

 

[lumbee1]

For those that bought the Chinese fauxwing awning, be prepared to disassemble and reinforce the joint.

The hinge on the awning is very poorly designed and it doesn't take much force to bend and twist the frame. The bolt for the hinge only went through the top rib (right side) and the middle rib. There is ONE rivet near the hinge that holds the front side frame to the rear frame. My front side frame was twisted badly after trying to setup the awning by myself once.

I straightened and added a 8 inch piece of 1/8" aluminum angle and secured it with stainless screws and nylocs.

The frame on the back of the awning was also too small to support the loads. I cut off 1 inch to add some square tube.

Square tube secured with two #10 countersunk screws from the front side. This picture is a test fit. The awning cover has to go between the square tube and front frame.

I had to shave off some 1/16" tall ribs on the back and straighten the frame.

Back side with the square tube added. The holes are for access to the nylocs.

Front side. I shaved off the front of the channels and used a 90mm bolt to go from the top to the bottom. A PVC spacer for additional reinforcement.

To take this a bit further, I added #6 screws to the top and bottom to tie the front frame into the full length of the square tube. I also added two more #10 screws to for additional support. This is final view of everything assembled. This is significantly stronger but a strong wind would tear this apart. I only have approximately $10 and a few hours invested in this.

 

[slceso]

I wonder how others are faring with this design.
Products - Highland Expedition Outfitters

 

[jamesurq]

Swivel trailer... Basically a shopping cart style drag behind trailer... for your trailer...Never heard of such a thing.

Saw some folks at the nascar race that had pulled a flatbed trailer behind their pull behind trailer... like an Austrailian Road train. Scary stuff.

Cool - but not $2200 cool IMO

Swival wheel trailer for motorhome or fifth wheel camper

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Swivel trailer... Basically a shopping cart style drag behind trailer... for your trailer...Never heard of such a thing.

Saw some folks at the nascar race that had pulled a flatbed trailer behind their pull behind trailer... like an Austrailian Road train. Scary stuff.

Cool - but not $2200 cool IMO

Swival wheel trailer for motorhome or fifth wheel camper

That type of trailer was an interesting topic of conversation on NC4x4 or Pirate a while ago. I believe that would be considered a "tandem" trailer by the DOT, meaning you'd have to make sure you adhere to those rules.

Two trailers behind one truck? NC law on this?

 

[lt1fire]

For those that bought the Chinese fauxwing awning, be prepared to disassemble and reinforce the joint.

The hinge on the awning is very poorly designed and it doesn't take much force to bend and twist the frame. The bolt for the hinge only went through the top rib (right side) and the middle rib. There is ONE rivet near the hinge that holds the front side frame to the rear frame. My front side frame was twisted badly after trying to setup the awning by myself once.

I straightened and added a 8 inch piece of 1/8" aluminum angle and secured it with stainless screws and nylocs.

The frame on the back of the awning was also too small to support the loads. I cut off 1 inch to add some square tube.

Square tube secured with two #10 countersunk screws from the front side. This picture is a test fit. The awning cover has to go between the square tube and front frame.

I had to shave off some 1/16" tall ribs on the back and straighten the frame.

Back side with the square tube added. The holes are for access to the nylocs.

Front side. I shaved off the front of the channels and used a 90mm bolt to go from the top to the bottom. A PVC spacer for additional reinforcement.

To take this a bit further, I added #6 screws to the top and bottom to tie the front frame into the full length of the square tube. I also added two more #10 screws to for additional support. This is final view of everything assembled. This is significantly stronger but a strong wind would tear this apart. I only have approximately $10 and a few hours invested in this.

Thanks for posting this... following for when I may have to do it to mine. Although mine is still in the same shipping box it came in....

 

[NCFJ]

These are like $10 at walmart. You can't afford to not have this for fire building... or whatever. I was able to refill an empty 1lb cylinder and blaze up some damp wood without running the cylinder dry. Beats fire logs and all that jazz.
Amazon.com: Worthington 336737 WT2301 Trigger Start Propane Torch: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

I use a standard MAP torch with a propane cylinder to lite the wood stove in my shop all winter. Did not even burn one tank of propane.

 

[pawwright]

finally opened up the tent yesterday that @sleepycruiser enabled me to buy . Washed the rainfly once so far, will wash again - exactly as sleepycruiser described before - sticky and waxy - the waxlike covering is flaking off pretty well. Nice size for 2 people, super easy to setup. Pooch seemed ok with it.

 

[slceso]

finally opened up the tent yesterday that @sleepycruiser enabled me to buy . Washed the rainfly once so far, will wash again - exactly as sleepycruiser described before - sticky and waxy - the waxlike covering is flaking off pretty well. Nice size for 2 people, super easy to setup. Pooch seemed ok with it.

View attachment 1460168

We used one at the tide ride in all of that rain. The boys said it wetted out on them, but could have been from underneath. Mine are doing the same thing as yours. Did it junk up your washer bad? I do that want another reason for my wife to want to choke me out, lol.

I'm really impressed with how it goes together and the DAC hardware. We're probably using them at scouts this weekend. Gonna redo the rainflys with nikwax or some MSR stuff

 

[pawwright]

We used one at the tide ride in all of that rain. The boys said it wetted out on them, but could have been from underneath. Mine are doing the same thing as yours. Did it junk up your washer bad? I do that want another reason for my wife to want to choke me out, lol.

I'm really impressed with how it goes together and the DAC hardware. We're probably using them at scouts this weekend. Gonna redo the rainflys with nikwax or some MSR stuff

I remembered from the description on the ordering site that the rainfly wouldn't be any good unless you re-waterproofed it as they had been sitting in a warehouse for a couple of years? I think. I was actually worried about the washer but it turned out very well - I used the 'no spin' wash cycle and it didn't screw up the washer at all. I bought Nikwax, also - hoping to put on this week to test. I agree, for the $58? that it costs, it's worth it and more.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I dig the tent. I would also like to figure out the rainfly. I don't even know where to start with that. The tent, poles, and even the stakes seem super nice though.

 

[NCFJ]

The instructions for our tent are sewn inside the storage bag for the tent. You may find instructions for the fly in there. Found our instructions several years after purchase.

 

[pkniland]

Might be off topic, but as an expecting father, for those of you that have kids how long did you wait to take your kids camping for the first time?

 

[izzyandsue]

4-5, out of diapers for sure. Less s*** to worry about, literally.

 

[stevezero]

Thats a loaded question... because thats going to depend on when you have your kid (month), the season you want to go camping, and the overall health and wellbeing of the mom and baby. Spring and fall would be better seasons due to temps, but if the baby is still too small, they can get sick if the temps are too cold or too hot.

We went beach camping for the first time when my daughter was about 6 or 7. She could maintain herself (drink and eat when she got thirsday or hungry), and we were at a place where she could roam a bit. We did some backyard camping a bit before that

 

[pkniland]

I was just trying to get a general idea. Kid is due in August, and the diaper issue @Izzyandsue mentioned makes a lot of sense. The first time I remember camping was well into elementary school but I didn't know if that was the norm or if my parents just waited. I am sure a lot of it will depend on the kid's personality, but was just looking for a general idea of age vs. hassle. The car seat rules now are somewhat interesting, if the kid doesn't grow fast enough he might be able to drive, before I can take him out of a car seat.

 

[izzyandsue]

Another quick answer is "when Mama says you can". For our first kid, my wife had everything tripled sterilized, zero dust or dirt, special detergent and soap, etc. By the time number 3 came along, he had to fend for himself and fight the dogs to eat their food when hungry. Probably why he is the biggest, healthiest, and strongest kid. But I digress... Pace yourself, kid personality is one important thing, and teaching about environment etc. But they, like most of us, wont remember much until age 4-5.

 

[jfz80]

Have diapers? .........no problem

 

[slceso]

For me the no man's land was from when they started walking (fast) to when I could yell at them and they would stop and listen (for safety reasons). I gave up waiting for the second criteria and they were probably 2, 4, and 6 when we camped in a regular camp ground, and I think Mom went home with the baby at night because of the cold. Keep in mind, I am not a prolific outdoorsman.

 

[lumbee1]

We started camping much later on with our kids. Many years ago, we did take our daughter on a flight when she was 2 months old. I was a nervous wreck. What if she starts screaming, what if she gets hungry, what if she has a blow out in the diaper, etc. In the end it was fine but I would never recommend it. Camping with kids are much easier as long as the weather is comfortable.