Camping Equipment for Our Trucks

[SFROMAN]

Going to WV for some winter camping/ driving this weekend, will be single digits. Got this cot to get my body off the ground

View attachment 1660376

Going to this place
Twin Mountain Off Road Adventure-Off Road Driving Center with Fun Trails and Campground with Mountain Views in Williamsport, WV

Maybe you already know this but for those who don’t I will put this here as an FYI.

sleeping on a cot when it’s cold out is a horrible experience that i don’t wish on my worst enemy.

Cold air comes in from the bottom fabric and u feel the cold right on your back.

Think of it like a bridge that iced before the rest of the road. Cold air travels under the bridge which chills the concrete from the top and bottom. Same concept with a cot.

I have spent many nights on a cold mountain or cold desert sleeping on a cot. I counter the cold with a sleeping mat. Not an inflatable, use the solid ones. (Note: inflatable sleeping mats will crystalize the moisture from you blowing it up in the cold which makes it a no go for cold weather camping.)

Anyway, just thought I would put it out there just in case someone doesn’t know and would like to know.

 

[angerhater]

you can put a mylar /emergency blanket under the sleeping bag but then you risk sweating ...might try to rig it like an underquilt with an air gap...

 

[izzyandsue]

I do remember that. And absolutely brought my pad. I have hated cots my whole life, just wanted to try it this time as I kept hearing to try a cot or a hammock. But do have plan b and c!

 

[Dissent]

My hammock uses a body length Reflectex (reflective bubble wrap) that works great to freezing. Haven't tried it on cot I'd bet it would work great!

 

[izzyandsue]

What if I set my Buddy Heater under the cot? Now I am thinking....direct booty radiant heat. Just don’t release any methane

 

[weejub]

New gear for a possible new truck:

Go Fast Campers Homepage

A little lighter, cheaper and better access than some of the others out there.

 

[weejub]

Looking into a wash bag like this Scrubba. Something you can just put your dirty cloths in and let it shake around all day while you drive in the AM- Rinse in the PM and then hang out each night.

I had a three-day cycle at Scout camps. Would wash that day's cloths in the shower w/ some Dr Bonners in one of these sinks. Then I would tie my socks and underwear on 550 cord and hang my tshirt and shorts out.

Edit: wondering if anyone has better solutions. The other method is a bucket and plunger for a quicker wash

 

[izzyandsue]

Wanted to put this one out here, this weekend we had a lifted Excursion in the 4WD class. It was a thing to behold to watch that thing barely make it through the trails. Anyway, obviously not designed to be a tight trail and more of a family with boat+camper hauler, it struggled.

End of the class, everyone shut off their engines for a final debrief and general chat for about 30 mins. Excursion wouldn't start. Had a 2 battery system too. Battery voltage was low, and dipped even lower at every attempt to start it. I brought this little box out, and told them lets give this a try. VROOOMMM started right up. Then everyone wanted to take a pic of this thing so they could buy it from Amazon. So, tested during emergency, freaking worked!

 

[stevezero]

I have a couple of the costco jump boxes, and it appears the only real weak point is the clamp trying to pop open. next go around, I'll get a noco. I love my noco charger in my teardrop.

 

[BMThiker]

I have the Anti-Gravity version and it works well. I think I've only recharged it three times since buying it a year ago, so storing in your truck for a few months is not a worry. I was going to do a dual battery setup, but this is a better option for me - lighter weight, less expensive, no installation, multi-use charging (laptops, phone, car).

 

[jfz80]

I have the Anti-Gravity version and it works well. I think I've only recharged it three times since buying it a year ago, so storing in your truck for a few months is not a worry. I was going to do a dual battery setup, but this is a better option for me - lighter weight, less expensive, no installation, multi-use charging (laptops, phone, car).

Make sure to get a quality product and not some china rebadge here. Lipo are no joke and if you keep it in the car might be nice to get one of the rc fireproof charge bags just in case. Not sure if this was due to direct sun or product malfunction but scary.

OH CRAP! Bet you never had this happen before!

 

[izzyandsue]

Make sure to get a quality product and not some china rebadge here. Lipo are no joke and if you keep it in the car might be nice to get one of the rc fireproof charge bags just in case. Not sure if this was due to direct sun or product malfunction but scary.

OH CRAP! Bet you never had this happen before!

Thats how my seat looked like after TacoBell

 

[AJR]

Looking into a wash bag like this Scrubba. Something you can just put your dirty cloths in and let it shake around all day while you drive in the AM- Rinse in the PM and then hang out each night.

I had a three-day cycle at Scout camps. Would wash that day's cloths in the shower w/ some Dr Bonners in one of these sinks. Then I would tie my socks and underwear on 550 cord and hang my tshirt and shorts out.

Edit: wondering if anyone has better solutions. The other method is a bucket and plunger for a quicker wash

I read through this post and at the end I thought to my self, when does he sleep?

 

[jamesurq]

I like how they say that "Scrubba" doubles as a dry bag.... probably because it's literally just a dry bag with a knobby rubber inset.

 

[weejub]

I like how they say that "Scrubba" doubles as a dry bag.... probably because it's literally just a dry bag with a knobby rubber inset.

Yea - I thought maybe small rocks would literally work better

 

[weejub]

I read through this post and at the end I thought to my self, when does he sleep?

Was up late last night considering crazy ideas like selling the Tundra and an LX and buying a Tacoma

 

[AJR]

Those are the sort of things your supposed to sleep on, not stay awake on.

 

[BMThiker]

Make sure to get a quality product and not some china rebadge here. Lipo are no joke and if you keep it in the car might be nice to get one of the rc fireproof charge bags just in case. Not sure if this was due to direct sun or product malfunction but scary.

OH CRAP! Bet you never had this happen before!

I had heard of the cheap/counterfeit ones available on AMZ, so I bought mine direct from the MFG. But you got me thinking a 30cal ammo can might be a better storage solution.

 

[forrest5000]

I had heard of the cheap/counterfeit ones available on AMZ, so I bought mine direct from the MFG. But you got me thinking a 30cal ammo can might be a better storage solution.

I had an antigravity swell up on me, I know it wasn't a counterfeit. Switched to noco better clamps! Still keep an antigravity as backup.

 

[Dissent]

I think they all swell eventually. Everyone of my Traxxas truck Li-Po's swell up over time. My old mPower Mini Jump Pack lasted 2 years with a few uses then it swelled up too. My current NOCO is going strong at 2 years. Jumped many vehicles of all sizes and it never drops below 3/4 charge. I bought one for my wife and son too. Great product. I figure realistically, I'd have to replace these things every 3-4 years.