I'd like to hear some of your tips and tricks for expedition rigs. I'm not really talking about the major mods but the little things you do that make a difference. Hope that makes sense.
Expedition Tips & Tricks
- Thread starter Azrocks
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I'll shoot first. I met a guy in Mexico that travels around a lot and he was showing me around his rig. Underneath he had all sorts of containers he made out ABS pipe that were capped on one end and had a threaded cap on the other. They were made specifically to fit all sorts of areas mostly under his rig.
He would keep all sorts of stuff in them he didn't need quick access or didn't use often. Strong, cheap and water tight.
I know, not earth shattering but a good idea i thought. Could make for interesting border crossings though!
He would keep all sorts of stuff in them he didn't need quick access or didn't use often. Strong, cheap and water tight.
I know, not earth shattering but a good idea i thought. Could make for interesting border crossings though!
How did he attach the tubes?
Thanks
-Wyo
Thanks
-Wyo
My favourite idea for expeditions is the table I incorporated into my rear drawers system. When the back is chock-a-block full of gear when you are travelling meal breaks are made super easy with this. Slide the fridge out to get your food and then prepare it on the table. Nothing else needs to be unpacked. I keep a knife, fork and spoon in the front pocket of the Engel fridge bag. Most of our meals just consisted of a sandwich or similar which made the meals easy. Once preparation was over we'd slide the table and fridge back and sit on the tailgate to eat it.
BTW good idea for a thread for this forum.
BTW good idea for a thread for this forum.
We fit a heap of these tubes to the cruisers we fit out at work. There are a plethora of different brackets available to mount the tubes. They range from simple hardware store plumbing horseshoe type clamps through to sexy alloy clamps from the big manufacturers like Rhino Racks and ARB.
I'll shoot first. I met a guy in Mexico that travels around a lot and he was showing me around his rig. Underneath he had all sorts of containers he made out ABS pipe that were capped on one end and had a threaded cap on the other. They were made specifically to fit all sorts of areas mostly under his rig.
He would keep all sorts of stuff in them he didn't need quick access or didn't use often. Strong, cheap and water tight.
I know, not earth shattering but a good idea i thought. Could make for interesting border crossings though!
We often use them in oz on the roof rack for fishing rods spare antennae andmap storage
Others have used them below for water storage.
If you had enough of them tied to each side of the cruiser ,you could float it across a river
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
Not expedition specific- but you can store spare hoses and belts in the front fenders. If put them in a plastic bag(s) first, it helps keep them from getting tooooo filthy.
Another tip: carry a doormat with you to put in front of your tent (or by the ladder of a rooftop). Really helps cut down on dirt in your life, which can be nice.
A 5gal pail with tight lid is handy for a million things- among them is doing laundry. Just put a little bit of soap in with your clothes and some water, then put it on the roofrack (sun=warm water, offroad=washing machine effect). change the water to rinse, and you've got no-effort clean clothes.
Another tip: carry a doormat with you to put in front of your tent (or by the ladder of a rooftop). Really helps cut down on dirt in your life, which can be nice.
A 5gal pail with tight lid is handy for a million things- among them is doing laundry. Just put a little bit of soap in with your clothes and some water, then put it on the roofrack (sun=warm water, offroad=washing machine effect). change the water to rinse, and you've got no-effort clean clothes.
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Great thread! Wish i had something to contribute right now, but i can't think of anything out of the ordinary.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
Never a bad idea to have a small stash of money and/or an extra credit card. Hidden somewhere that you can get at without tools, but hard to stumble upon for someone else. You never know if you might end up without funds.... or you might need them.
I backed up into another car in Mexico. BARELY tapped it, got lucky and only broke his headlight. He was (understandably) pretty angry with me, but digging out a hundred dollar bill ended the problem. Now, I wouldn't recommend walking around in Mexico with a hundy in your pocket, necessarily, but having various amount stashed in various places can mean that when you need some cash you can access the right amount. Had a pulled out a roll of 20s and peeled off five, you can bet that the light would have suddenly been worth at least $120, maybe $160....
I backed up into another car in Mexico. BARELY tapped it, got lucky and only broke his headlight. He was (understandably) pretty angry with me, but digging out a hundred dollar bill ended the problem. Now, I wouldn't recommend walking around in Mexico with a hundy in your pocket, necessarily, but having various amount stashed in various places can mean that when you need some cash you can access the right amount. Had a pulled out a roll of 20s and peeled off five, you can bet that the light would have suddenly been worth at least $120, maybe $160....
I keep a stash hidden in a plastic sauce bottle with the food or in a brake fluid bottle with the spare fluids I carry. I wrap it up so it doesnt rattle and to most it feels empty unless you open it.
Another little storage tip is I get all my spare hoses and put some wire through them them to keep them together.
I dont take new hoses or belts. I put the new ones on the vehicle and keep the old but servicable parts as spares.
That way I know they will fit and in the middle of the night in some lonely place I wont be struggling with stiff rubber.
- Thread starter
- #11
Awesome! Great contributions so far. Here's a few more that I like.....
- I keep about 6 feet or so of fuel line with an equal length of about 12 guage wire inside it that I keep stashed in the frame rail on my FJ40. It's amazing how many times I've used the hose and/or wire for different things and it's space I don't really use otherwise. It's never fallen out either!
- I gave up on standard flashlights a long time ago. Since I have an inverter I carry and use two 18V dewalt batteries along with the charger and the "non-snake" flashlight. Much brighter than most flashlights and tough. Depending on the trip I sometimes carry the drill as well. I even made an adaptor for a bottle jack off of a dodge with a spin type mechanism so I can jack up a wheel in about 15 seconds using the drill! There's also some pretty cool liquid pumps that use a drill as well although I haven't tried one yet. I like to get multiple uses out of the stuff I carry if possilbe. The only other flashlight I carry is a Petzl head mounted type.
- I try to go off backpacking checklists when deciding about that type of gear to bring. It's too easy to get carried away on stuff when you have a whole rig to fill. Space is of the essence (especially in an FJ40).
- I ditch the standard container for items when I can pack them into something smaller. For example I always carry a good heavy duty tire plug kit but dang, it comes in a huge red carry case that is a total waste of space.
- I'll probably catch grief for this but I ditched the multi-tool a long time ago. Realized I never really used it. Always went for the knife or actual tool before that awkward thing.
- I buy a bulk packages of the razor blade knives at costco or home depot. For $20 you can get about six of them. They are very handy for the price, you always have a sharp blade and they are great to give away along with a pack of blades that come with each knife.
- Speaking of giving away knives I always bring along things to give away to the locals. It doesn't have to be much but can work miracles. Don't forget the kids as well.
- I keep about 6 feet or so of fuel line with an equal length of about 12 guage wire inside it that I keep stashed in the frame rail on my FJ40. It's amazing how many times I've used the hose and/or wire for different things and it's space I don't really use otherwise. It's never fallen out either!
- I gave up on standard flashlights a long time ago. Since I have an inverter I carry and use two 18V dewalt batteries along with the charger and the "non-snake" flashlight. Much brighter than most flashlights and tough. Depending on the trip I sometimes carry the drill as well. I even made an adaptor for a bottle jack off of a dodge with a spin type mechanism so I can jack up a wheel in about 15 seconds using the drill! There's also some pretty cool liquid pumps that use a drill as well although I haven't tried one yet. I like to get multiple uses out of the stuff I carry if possilbe. The only other flashlight I carry is a Petzl head mounted type.
- I try to go off backpacking checklists when deciding about that type of gear to bring. It's too easy to get carried away on stuff when you have a whole rig to fill. Space is of the essence (especially in an FJ40).
- I ditch the standard container for items when I can pack them into something smaller. For example I always carry a good heavy duty tire plug kit but dang, it comes in a huge red carry case that is a total waste of space.
- I'll probably catch grief for this but I ditched the multi-tool a long time ago. Realized I never really used it. Always went for the knife or actual tool before that awkward thing.
- I buy a bulk packages of the razor blade knives at costco or home depot. For $20 you can get about six of them. They are very handy for the price, you always have a sharp blade and they are great to give away along with a pack of blades that come with each knife.
- Speaking of giving away knives I always bring along things to give away to the locals. It doesn't have to be much but can work miracles. Don't forget the kids as well.
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- #12
I really like these. Along these lines I bring along a small cutting board that is cut to fit in a good spot in my rig. It gets used all the time.
I use an old small tarp for my "mat". It fits behind the spare tire for easy access.
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- #13
I look like a dork when I wear them but I stash a pair of coveralls next to my tarp behind the spare. Along with a pair of mechanical gloves its nice to do repairs and/or maintenance or even just basic camping tasks without getting completely filthy.
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I do the same! I have a set of coveralls, pair of old shoes and socks in a plastic bag ready to go. For when i know im gonna be under the truck a while.
I also carry a spare fuel pump and filter for my aux fuel tank. There's nothing like switching over to a aux fuel tank and having the transfer pump crap out on you. Then your screwed. Also carry a super-siphon.. but it's hard to siphon fuel out of the same neck your putting it into.
Security is a real problem, especially with all of our gear and leaving our rigs parked somewhere while we go off and explore.
The big question is what do you do with expensive stuff like laptops, radios, etc. My AO sliding drawer system locks, which is nice, but it's also often full of gear. One thing I figured out is that you can buy a bunch of those cable bike locks and use them to secure a lot of stuff.
For my laptop, I alternate between locking it in my sliding drawer and locking inside a lockable pelican case, which in turn is cable locked to something inside the rig.
Of course none of this will stop a determined thief, but most theives are smash and grab and don't want to hang out all day cutting through locks or unbolting things. I also cover everything up, so they can't see what's inside very easily.
Also, cable locking the hood shut prevents access to by pass any alarms or theft deterient systems. I haven't done this yet, but may someday.
I also have a little blinking amber strobe light that I leave turned on when leaving the vehicle. This serves several purposes. It makes bad guys think that we are working nearby. It makes law enforcement less suspisous of why we are parked where we are, which is often in remote places far from any actual trails. And it makes the rig easy to spot from the air and on the ground by searchers in case we get lost. And finally some of our trips are for official research for gov. agencies, so the flashing light is necessary to let people know we're not bad guys.
Let someone know where you are going and give as much detail about what kind of gear you have, etc, as possible. Sometimes trips cover a wide area and even multiple states, so the list of routes may be long, but its better than having no idea where you went in case you get hurt.
And finally, get a ham license and radio. They will work darn near anywhere, including the most remote places (inside the U.S.) may be your only lifeline for help.
The big question is what do you do with expensive stuff like laptops, radios, etc. My AO sliding drawer system locks, which is nice, but it's also often full of gear. One thing I figured out is that you can buy a bunch of those cable bike locks and use them to secure a lot of stuff.
For my laptop, I alternate between locking it in my sliding drawer and locking inside a lockable pelican case, which in turn is cable locked to something inside the rig.
Of course none of this will stop a determined thief, but most theives are smash and grab and don't want to hang out all day cutting through locks or unbolting things. I also cover everything up, so they can't see what's inside very easily.
Also, cable locking the hood shut prevents access to by pass any alarms or theft deterient systems. I haven't done this yet, but may someday.
I also have a little blinking amber strobe light that I leave turned on when leaving the vehicle. This serves several purposes. It makes bad guys think that we are working nearby. It makes law enforcement less suspisous of why we are parked where we are, which is often in remote places far from any actual trails. And it makes the rig easy to spot from the air and on the ground by searchers in case we get lost. And finally some of our trips are for official research for gov. agencies, so the flashing light is necessary to let people know we're not bad guys.
Let someone know where you are going and give as much detail about what kind of gear you have, etc, as possible. Sometimes trips cover a wide area and even multiple states, so the list of routes may be long, but its better than having no idea where you went in case you get hurt.
And finally, get a ham license and radio. They will work darn near anywhere, including the most remote places (inside the U.S.) may be your only lifeline for help.
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- #16
cruiser_guy
Out of Africa / North Africa
The biggest thing no one has mentioned is to stay on top of maintenance!
Also, if you plan to venture far afield stock is better than modified for repairs in "Outermongoliaville". Small towns in far off places won't have a fully stocked off road supplier for your vehicle but chances are they will know where to get stock parts from.
Tools and the know-how to use them along with the OEM shop manuals.
x2 on the ham radio. For added security, get one with a remoteable face plate so you can mount the radio elsewhere.
Also, if you plan to venture far afield stock is better than modified for repairs in "Outermongoliaville". Small towns in far off places won't have a fully stocked off road supplier for your vehicle but chances are they will know where to get stock parts from.
Tools and the know-how to use them along with the OEM shop manuals.
x2 on the ham radio. For added security, get one with a remoteable face plate so you can mount the radio elsewhere.
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Brian as far as theft protection goes, i dont really have much in the way of someone stealing our gear, but i figure if someone is way out in the middle of BFE stealing our junk then they need it more than we do! I dont know, i dont see it happening all that often if your nearby. I would be more concerned if my rig was left over night. I'd probably come back it would be stripped and sitting on blocks lol I normally set the alarm (sets itself anyways) after we leave the truck for a hike or exploring and with the twin hellas i can hear my alarm from a 1/4 mile LOL.
At home, i pull the GPS and expensive equipment. The 2 meter radio stays in because nobody even knows what it is. They think its a dumb CB. The CB stays put also. I do pull the axle and shovel and it's not because im worried about someone stealing them.. im worried about someone hurting someone or worse off killing someone with it. Then i'll be the one responsible im sure.. in this day in age.
My outback drawers are too full to put any electronics in it.. but that's a great idea. I might have to make spot.
No one has mentioned maintenance cause it basically goes without saying.
At home, i pull the GPS and expensive equipment. The 2 meter radio stays in because nobody even knows what it is. They think its a dumb CB. The CB stays put also. I do pull the axle and shovel and it's not because im worried about someone stealing them.. im worried about someone hurting someone or worse off killing someone with it. Then i'll be the one responsible im sure.. in this day in age.
My outback drawers are too full to put any electronics in it.. but that's a great idea. I might have to make spot.
No one has mentioned maintenance cause it basically goes without saying.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
tuffy console.
doesn't really count as a tip or trick, but that's where we keep cameras and gps and whatnot stowed while underway (unless we are using them).
I notched the console so that I can run the gps external antenna out, or run a power cord in (for a cellphone, for example) or can run my iPod connection out but leave the iPod secure. Good peace of mind.
doesn't really count as a tip or trick, but that's where we keep cameras and gps and whatnot stowed while underway (unless we are using them).
I notched the console so that I can run the gps external antenna out, or run a power cord in (for a cellphone, for example) or can run my iPod connection out but leave the iPod secure. Good peace of mind.
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- #20
I guess another one of my tips along these lines is I don't bring anything I would be too bummed about losing. I'd rather bring an older used laptop dedicated to expedition stuff than my good one that has semi-important data on it. I bring a good camera but I don't go over the top with high end stuff.
