Builds Work In Progress aka: Badass

[OSS]

If you want to snuggle with a comrade then the solution below won’t work, but if you like sleeping in your own private cocoon, then it’s hard to beat this combo.

Vista 1 Quick Tent - TETON Sports

The new Vista Quick Tent, by TETON Sports, sets up in an instant. Simply roll it out, lock your poles and pull the drawstring.

tetonsports.com

Roll-a-Cot ®

Roll-a-Cot ® is tailored for comfort: Five sizes in fast-drying blue-mesh for river runners and five sizes in double layered green-fabric to hold your air mattress. Both models roll into a portable 5" diameter bundle with a special carry bag that also serves as a night storage pouch. Quality...

www.camptime.com

 

[cps432]

When I first started living out of my cruiser I had an ice chest and had to replace ice constantly. I lost a lot of food to it when bread and cheese would get water logged. It leaked a few times into the carpet. Eventually I ditched it and did what @OSS said and changed my diet. I don’t have to buy ice every other day and I don’t waste food anymore. If it was just a day or two on the road I might break it out. Fresh beef and chicken are nice but I can just go to the store and buy it before I cook it.

For the longest time I wanted a compressor fridge but after pricing it out and finding that even the cheapest set up was gonna be nearly $1000 I opted out of it. Humans lived for centuries without refrigerators so…

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Mike let me keep the big tent kid and I used in NH. Quite old but might last. I have a twin air mattress but I could see a single large queen or king size pad (few inches thick) might make more sense.

 

[MoaByte]

I have a futon mattress that fits almost perfect in the back. It never goes flat and is warm on the coldest nights. It nice to through on the ground and watch meteor showers too. Down side is it's bulky.

 

[MarkBC]

I did a 2 week trip around northern BC this summer and took a Coleman cooler, not one with a drain because I didn't want the risk of a leak. I got some white plastic coated metal racking which almost perfectly sits inside the cooler and creates a tiered shelf effect. I bought bags of ice every 2-3 days when I was in town and the ice either goes under the shelf separate from the food, or if the ice is above it melts and accumulates underneath which keeps the food nice and dry. I got one of those oil transfer hand pump things (brand new never used on oil) to suck out the water underneath so I don't have to take the food out to get the water out but honestly I haven't used it yet, I just pour the water out. This setup worked really well and cost $20 in ice + the cost of the cooler and racking. For longer remote trips in the summer it wouldn't work though.

 

[cps432]

I did a 2 week trip around northern BC this summer and took a Coleman cooler, not one with a drain because I didn't want the risk of a leak. I got some white plastic coated metal racking which almost perfectly sits inside the cooler and creates a tiered shelf effect. I bought bags of ice every 2-3 days when I was in town and the ice either goes under the shelf separate from the food, or if the ice is above it melts and accumulates underneath which keeps the food nice and dry. I got one of those oil transfer hand pump things (brand new never used on oil) to suck out the water underneath so I don't have to take the food out to get the water out but honestly I haven't used it yet, I just pour the water out. This setup worked really well and cost $20 in ice + the cost of the cooler and racking. For longer remote trips in the summer it wouldn't work though.

I like the idea of the rack. For a while I used Rubbermaid containers to keep things dry but it was just such a hassle.

 

[MarkBC]

 

[cps432]

I use this for a mattress. I’ve used it every night for more than a year. When it gets cold the valve gets a bit harder to open and close. If you don’t get it completely closed it leaks slowly which has happened a few times. It’s not bad enough to upset me though. They aren’t cheap but they are really tough and will last a long time. I’m only now seeing signs of wear and tear on the bottom side. It does not require a pump to inflate. It uses an open ended bag that attaches to the valve. You grab air in the bag and roll the closed end to inflate the mattress. Very handy! They’re repairable too and made of parachute material so they roll up very tight. You could easily hike with it.

For the winter I have three heavy polish military wool blankets that I got brand new for $20 a piece at a surplus store. And I use a sleeping bag that was issued to US troops during Korea. It’s worn out. In fact last night I ripped a big hole in it finally. I’ve used it since I was 16 so I can’t really complain. I guess it’s time for an upgrade…

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I use this for a mattress. I’ve used it every night for more than a year. When it gets cold the valve gets a bit harder to open and close. If you don’t get it completely closed it leaks slowly which has happened a few times. It’s not bad enough to upset me though. They aren’t cheap but they are really tough and will last a long time. I’m only now seeing signs of wear and tear on the bottom side. It does not require a pump to inflate. It uses an open ended bag that attaches to the valve. You grab air in the bag and roll the closed end to inflate the mattress. Very handy! They’re repairable too and made of parachute material so they roll up very tight. You could easily hike with it. View attachment 2819990For the winter I have three heavy polish military wool blankets that I got brand new for $20 a piece at a surplus store. And I use a sleeping bag that was issued to US troops during Korea. It’s worn out. In fact last night I ripped a big hole in it finally. I’ve used it since I was 16 so I can’t really complain. I guess it’s time for an upgrade…

Big Agnes is a great brand. I’d bought a used ultralight sleeping bag awhile back under the hopes to do winter 4K hiking in NH but sold it. One of the best brands from all I’d read. Thank you for the tip!
And FYI, maybe you can sew your bag?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I use this for a mattress. I’ve used it every night for more than a year. When it gets cold the valve gets a bit harder to open and close. If you don’t get it completely closed it leaks slowly which has happened a few times. It’s not bad enough to upset me though. They aren’t cheap but they are really tough and will last a long time. I’m only now seeing signs of wear and tear on the bottom side. It does not require a pump to inflate. It uses an open ended bag that attaches to the valve. You grab air in the bag and roll the closed end to inflate the mattress. Very handy! They’re repairable too and made of parachute material so they roll up very tight. You could easily hike with it. View attachment 2819990For the winter I have three heavy polish military wool blankets that I got brand new for $20 a piece at a surplus store. And I use a sleeping bag that was issued to US troops during Korea. It’s worn out. In fact last night I ripped a big hole in it finally. I’ve used it since I was 16 so I can’t really complain. I guess it’s time for an upgrade…

Looks like this? Big Agnes Insulated SLX Tent Floor Sleeping Pad Amazon product ASIN B08175TBNJ

 

[cps432]

Big Agnes is a great brand. I’d bought a used ultralight sleeping bag awhile back under the hopes to do winter 4K hiking in NH but sold it. One of the best brands from all I’d read. Thank you for the tip!
And FYI, maybe you can sew your bag?

It’s beyond sewing at this point. I’ve been stitching it up since I was 16. The zipper is broken and I have to rely on the snaps. The snaps are starting to pull through the fabric. It’s what… 60 years old? 70?? It’s a wonder it’s lasted this long. The fabric has no real integrity anymore.

Looks like this? Big Agnes Insulated SLX Tent Floor Sleeping Pad Amazon product ASIN B08175TBNJ

Mine is very similar to that. Smaller. And has a higher R value. I think I paid around $100 for it. I do wish it was a bit wider but for the truck, with my dog, it’s perfect.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

It’s beyond sewing at this point. I’ve been stitching it up since I was 16. The zipper is broken and I have to rely on the snaps. The snaps are starting to pull through the fabric. It’s what… 60 years old? 70?? It’s a wonder it’s lasted this long. The fabric has no real integrity anymore.

Mine is very similar to that. Smaller. And has a higher R value. I think I paid around $100 for it. I do wish it was a bit wider but for the truck, with my dog, it’s perfect.

I found a few others double the size too. Will just keep doing some research. Thank you!
Good luck on a new bag purchase. One option if your on fb are used hiking gear groups. I’ve gotten some great deals that way.

 

[cheeese]

I use reusable gel ice packs instead of ice in my cooler, they last longer and the only moisture in the cooler is from condensation. Very little cooler soup. Depending on conditions they stay cool for 3-4 days, after that you do need to refreeze them though.

 

[MoaByte]

Dry ice in a cooler, in a bigger cooler. Like a freezer in your refrigerator.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I use reusable gel ice packs instead of ice in my cooler, they last longer and the only moisture in the cooler is from condensation. Very little cooler soup. Depending on conditions they stay cool for 3-4 days, after that you do need to refreeze them though.

I get them free from work too. They come w/ certain meds and are literally tossed in the garbage.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

A wander today to find a few more eastern spice bush for my yard.

 

[cps432]

Awesome

 

[kirvesmies]

A wander today to find a few more eastern spice bush for my yard.

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the young lad's lookin' like he's growing up. i think he'll make a fine neanderthal. so did you harvest a club for him?

 

[MoaByte]

Is that a slug??

 

[cps432]

Is that a slug??

Throw some salt on it and we’ll know for sure!