Camping Equipment for Our Trucks

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Heather and I have been talking about the soft sided storage that was mentioned in an above post, we are looking to go that route. We have one large box that becomes a hug priority when it comes to how to pack the truck.

With that in mind, we plan to visit Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, AL. Heather's family lives in Scottsboro and we have been to the store many times. They usually have tons of soft sided bags. All kinds of shapes and sizes.
Unclaimed Baggage

If anyone wants us to pick up bags while there let us know, no clue when we are going that way again, some time this summer I am sure.
 
@Izzyandsue Our coffee making quest is over!!!
Coleman 10-Cup Instastart Portable Propane Coffeemaker - Walmart.com


k2-_cacdbaf1-8132-46ff-9c86-f51cefbc3332.v1.jpg
 
:meh: Have had no problems with a simple pour over cone and #4 filters

And the Coleman pack away kitchen table is nice in concept and initial use but I found it cumbersome after repeated use.

Agreed a table is key. I like the aluminum bungee restrained slats with screw in legs. Small and light. This one is quality but not heatproof like bare aluminum
Camp Time Roll-A-Table - REI.com

A wash basin is awful handy. Whether face or dishes. There are several collapsible basin designs avail. Mine is a single round and extra large but some UC guys were using this on a winter run and made cleanu nice
Amazon.com : Coleman Folding Double Wash Basin : Camping Kitchen Equipment : Sports & Outdoors

A kettle is a great addition. Concrete showed me his percolator minus the stand trick. Boils faster pours nicer
{{ MetaInformationFactory.getTitle() }}

I'm going propane. Have 1lb bottles and a 4lb unit I need to figure out how to mount. Roof rack or Swingout.
Worthington Pro Grade 4.25 lb. Empty Propane Tank 281149 at The Home Depot - Mobile

The awning was a great addition. Granted it was the desert. This comes with an option of walls or a room. The room will make you think twice about an rtt. Not as stormproof but a nice low cog option.
Shade and Shelter - ARB 4x4 Accessories

The chuck box or kitchen. It pays to have this laid out well just to make things smoother on the journey

Containers. There's lots of options and funny I read about unclaimed baggage here and since have heard of it 3-4 more times. I went soft and hard combo. I chose front runners wolf pack boxes that get secured to platform and their soft sided cubes that fit well in the sides. Loved the organization. Just need to label them. And the latches are prone to breaking. A little spendy but fit my space well and were stackable as a chair and will last.
http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/storage-systems/boxes-bags.html
 
Last edited:
I like the coffee maker :) I do just fine with a cooler or two, no need for a fridge at this point. To each his own. Been using the camp kitchen for years, still like it.

I think that there is no right or wrong way, just what works for you. I am also on the propane plane, although my friggin lantern control vale smoked last trip. "Hey Stan your lantern is on fire" Brinkman. I liked that lantern. That's why I like the coffee maker, propane. Been using a french press with no issue.

I have been thinking long view and I think if I really get into the overland thing I'll go the trailer route. Jack knife the trailer with a manta type awning and drop walls like Jason mentioned. I was thinking RTT on the trailer but you are still up and down a ladder in the middle of the night (old guys understand).

When you return home, clean everything, pack it all back in the trailer and it is ready for the next trip. Match tire diameter of trailer to truck and carry two spares on the trailer. Trying to get rid of swing out or tire inside. certainly not underneath.
 
A tip for the frugal: I fill my own 1 lb propane tanks with an adapter from wal mart and a pair of hemostats. Saves a ton of money and you can fill them about 10-15 percent more than they come new.

It takes me about 2 minutes to fill one. I've heard that it might be illegal but that just makes me like doing it that much more.
 
Last edited:
roadstr6 said:
A tip for the frugal: I fill my own 1 lb propane tanks with an adapter from wal mart and a pair of hemostats. Saves a ton of money and you can fill them about 10-15 percent more than they come new.

It takes me about 2 minutes to fill one. I've heard that it might be illegal but that just makes me like doing it that much more.
Click to expand...
I do this as well. I have four 1lb canisters and purchased an empty 20lb from Costco. Costco filled the 20lb, by weight, for a little more than $7. Really can't beat that.
 
We upgraded our tenting to a Big Agnes Big House 6 last year. Been mostly happy with it, but one of the main poles inverted on us under heavy wind last year. In those situations, you really have to run out every guy line available (which I hadn't at the time). I was able to recurve the section of pole that started to bend and all is well. I added the vestibule attachment recently and it's nice to have in rainy situations.

Before that we upgraded our air mattress to the Kelty Sleep EZ version which is non PVC. I think its a poly coated fabric, with the fabric on the outside, so no rubber squeakiness to it. Also it packs down to half the size and weight of the average vinyl ones. Our previous vinyl one had the flocked stuff on it and it was hard to clean. We open up two full size sleeping bags to go on top and sometimes insert a wool blanket under that.

I'm on the propane train as well and have a 10lb bottle I keep in the trailer. It generally lasts me a full year of camping and only cost $8-9 to fill. If you connect one of these to a Coleman stove make sure you get the hose that's rated for the higher psi. If not, then your high pressure propane tank will cause oil to form inside the hose and clog up your brass bits. Also, I use a filter between the brass armature and the hose. For some reason my particular stove will not even operate without the pressure reducing filter inline. On cold trips we'll connect the tank to a Mr. Heater Buddy and not have to worry about the 1lb canister running out in the middle of the night.

I've been using a rolling tool chest for my chuck box and it's been pretty good for us. The main compartment holds the pots/pans, tongs, cutting board and the removable tray holds utensils, spices/salt/pepper, etc. Seems they have gone up in price. I paid around $45 for the one I linked.

As for packing, all the gear we have goes into various shaped Pelicans we got 2nd hand over the years. Then these go in the trailer. With just two of us and no kids, we have plenty of room for all the cases, couple of Alps Mountaineering tables, folding chairs and spare parts.
 
I've always thought that a table would be too cumbersome to bring in the truck for an expedition style trip. I've always used my tailgate, as a food prep surface, as a chair, as a table, etc. Bonus; I can't ever lose or forget it :D

That said, I need to try one of those collapsible/roll-up tables. Maybe I can convince someone to let me borrow one for HC later this month :D
 
The tailgate is great and I still rock it cause I don't have a table yet ;)

Untill you need to access the fridge or food box behind the grill slinging bacon grease mortars everywhere ha

I just run out of space fast. I'll likely consider a swing down table on Swingout for grill and then tailgate and table for prep/serve

And on the subject of space. Those with roof racks with enough clearance may consider some bracketry to secure table under the rack. Or front runner sells some

And I wasn't knocking the coffee maker just more of a less is more approach plus I'm solo. Like you said no right or wrong
 
This is my favorite for coffee maker when going solo or not doing big kitchen stuff. Limited to my cooking skills (boiling water) fills my 22OZ Kanteen with delicious black liquid. But sometimes ONSC is like an army, rolls on its stomach, and food and creative food prep IS the reason for the trip. And that food is GOOOD. I am still dreaming about the elk sausage patties from last July....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RDDKVVA/?tag=ihco-20
photo-apr-16-7-13-40-am-jpg.1243440
 
That has one serious mutha of a guy line.
 
I was rather intrigued - even after seeing the price tag. I wonder how well the shift pod would handle Black Balsam in October... It was only tested to 50 mph winds - I think we see that out on the bald. And Gabe got frostbite a few years back, so the insulation has me intrigued as well.
 
We have a mini foldup table that fits in the floor of our roof top storage. I think it's 2ft x 4ft and is invaluable for cooking and food prep.
 
jfz80 said:
And on the subject of space. Those with roof racks with enough clearance may consider some bracketry to secure table under the rack. Or front runner sells some
Click to expand...

That's the approach we use and it works great. Front Runner rack along with their stainless table and the under-rack mounting kit.
 
Great deal on a 1-2 person tent for $50:

Taurus   /   ALPS Mountaineering

Hiker Direct Order Form

shock corded, easy clip, two pole design with weather-proof cover

hard to fit two people in there unless they are kids - i used the ALU pole version of this for scouting for just me




More info:

I got a note from Hiker Direct (used to be Scout Direct) about a good deal on their 2-person (would be really a single for most).

In Scouting you camp out every month, rain or shine, and so we had to buy more durable gear.

Several folks were using Alps Mountaineering tents and we bought one and really liked it.

We now have three :) But our biggest one is too big for two, so we will likely get a 4-person for two of us :)

Wanted to pass along their website. They used to want you to be a scout to get these prices, but they did change their name and I don't see anything about scouting on their site.

The Lynx 4 would be a great tent for 2 people who want room. Has bigger zippers and aluminum shock corded poles. Lynx   /   ALPS Mountaineering

Hiker Direct Order Form
 
Jamie, your stories about the Scouts, camping out etc bring back memories. We used to go camping all the time. We found an island on the Neshaminy Creek and called it Webelos Island. I can not tell you how many times we camped there.

You are spot on about gear too. That is where I learned that paying a bit more for better gear made sense. Not nearly the selection then. I can remember cutting lawns, shoveling snow etc and saving up for more gear. All us kids would be camped out "roughing it" and my Dad would come walking up with a cup of coffee for Mr. Treet, our leader. My Dad knew the guy that owned the land and drove to his place, we hiked in about a mile down the creek. Dad always had extra gear with him in case any of the kids were needing something. Good times :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom