little conveniences

[esh]

What are some things you've found that make long trips that much more enjoyable?

For me, besides the fridge (not so little), it has been magnetic window screens for the 62. I have a pretty decent storage/sleep platform setup to sleep inside the truck and it is so nice not to have buzzing around your head at night. I think there are a couple companies making them for about the same price. I use these- Magna Screen - The SUV Camping Tent Alternative

The nice thing these have over a DIY magnetic/gluethescreentostrips setup is that Magnas squish down into nothing for easy storage. After you get the supplies to DIY, these are not that much more ($30+s/h a pair).

 

[B-RAD]

For me, it's the Sirius Satalite radio, my lexan french press for a great cup of coffee in the morning, and a small bottle of white gas (used for my backpacking/back-up stove) I can use to intantly start a fire.

 

[EOE_overland]

my lexan french press for a great cup of coffee in the morning, and a small bottle of white gas (used for my backpacking/back-up stove) I can use to intantly start a fire.

X2 on the press, and I carry a bottle of bourbon or Moonshine for dual-purpose fire starting and sedative
I call it my "Kentucky fire-starter"

 

[TemboTusk]

.

Chocolate, dark chocolate.

The reason to get a fridge...

.

 

[sirenmoses]

walking my dogs at parks along the way. puts a damper on the 'gotta get there', and we all enjoy the walk.

sunflower seeds n a spit bucket: can buy a hundred miles, easy.

a sammich and a tea for midway.

knowing my rig is 100%: priceless.

 

[94SRUNNER]

By far my iPod...especially across those long expanses of this great country.

 

[esh]

I do vaseline and cotton balls for fire starters. Have to agree Sirius sat radio is really nice to have along. Audio books in mp3 on a thumb drive is nice too.

Agree on the chocolate, too. Found some great peanut butter/chocolate fudge in Creede on the last trip. Usually carry peanut M&Ms, but found some new pretzel M&Ms that were yummy.

One I always use but don't think of is a can/bottle cozy. I have a couple small nalgene bottles along and a cheap foam cozy in the Tuffy cup holder keeps water (or Mtn Dew, cough) cold for a long time.

 

[rusty_tlc]

SWMABO.

 

[NLXTACY]

110v inverter. Keeps the kid entertained when we run out of things to talk about and he doesnt feel like reading.

For me just a really good bag of homemade beef jerky.

 

[euclid]

Moist towelette!

 

[concretejungle]

Moist towelette!

Yep!!

 

[Trail Outfitters]

Good door mirrors are always nice. I tend to get too lazy on long trips to check my blind spots. Bought some of those little stick on ones from Napa and they work great.

 

[Trail Outfitters]

Oh and good cup holders...

 

[SHREDwagon]

#1 all-around: my headlamp. On winter trips after a long day: down boots from MEC. They're sleeping bags, for you're feet!

 

[greentruck]

I like to have my shortwave radio. I can keep up on the news, no matter how far back in the woods I am.

Out West, I like to have a scanner set-up to monitor mil-air frequencies, as there always seems to be something going on with training, exercises, etc. And it's really neat when you see an aircraft and hear the pilot communicating. Lots more encryption these days than in the past, but still enough to make it worth listening to.

And it's always good to have a radio to pick up National Weather Service broadcasts and weather alerts. Sometimes you can't pick the local signal up if you're on the wrong side of the mountain or in a really remote area, but it's handy when you can.

 

[1leglance]

a good camp chair makes a difference
I have been loving the GCI Xpress lounger as it packs small and Home Depot sells them for $29.99 or REI with a lifetime coverage for a bit more.
Little cup holder on the side with a few other pockets.

Also my Fire Dancer Propane fire pit, no smoke, works even when burn restrictions are in place and super simple

 

[tag3]

Sodas, water, whatever in a small cooler close to the front seats.