Bulk/Weight Reduction Ideas

[BigAl]

I was unpacking after a 4 day outing over Labor day, and thought “this is too much stuff”. I imagine many feel the same , but what do you give up? I’m not interested in exhaustive gear lists, just ideas for ways to save weight and bulk. I’m not drilling holes in my tooth brush:elkgrin:. Also call out any items that serve double duty

Some things I’m trying:

Loose the large tent and cot, start using my backpacking tent and sleeping pad again

Loose the 2 burner Coleman stove and separate grill in favor of a small single burner stove.

No ice chest, all food is canned or dry or fresh, this has worked out well. Lewis and Clark did not have an Engle!:ylsmoke:

One 5 gallon water jug for drinking, washing, etc. No cases of bottled water.

 

[AxeAngel]

I forego the kitchen box and really whittle it down to what I really need. Pre-make all your meals. We pull out some excellent gourmet quality meals that are all pre made.

Forego all the extraneous dishes by using paper, then burn when finished. Remove superfluous clothing and just in case stuff that isn't really needed - within reason.

You're going camping not setting up a home outdoors. If I can't pack up the entire campsite in 10minutes(tent and all) I brought too much.

-Sam

 

[TangoBlue]

Remove superfluous clothing...

Oh man, that just left an awful image in my warped mind... :Wow1:

 

[BigAl]

Another piece of equipment I'm working on is my moutain pie maker. I want to remove the handles and replace them with a 2' piece of light chain. This way the whole thing can nest in a pot and fit in my small kitchen box. I am still trying to come up with a latch that will hold it closed while cooking yet be easy to release when super hot. Ideas?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I forego the kitchen box and really whittle it down to what I really need. Pre-make all your meals. We pull out some excellent gourmet quality meals that are all pre made.

Forego all the extraneous dishes by using paper, then burn when finished. Remove superfluous clothing and just in case stuff that isn't really needed - within reason.

You're going camping not setting up a home outdoors. If I can't pack up the entire campsite in 10minutes(tent and all) I brought too much.

-Sam

Lol. I can't pack up the fly from my family tent in 10 minutes, let alone the whole camp. Well, it's pretty quick with the trailer, but that goes against the idea of reducing weight and bulk.

I don't worry about it so much. When I'm "car camping", I AM making a home away from home. If I wanted to rough it, I'd hike or canoe.

 

[BigAl]

I don't worry about it so much. When I'm "car camping", I AM making a home away from home. If I wanted to rough it, I'd hike or canoe.

Not really thinking in terms of family car camping...I am thinking in terms of remote primiative camping, kind of like hiking or canoeing. There would be no formal campsite/picnic table/fire ring/water source. Like what I imagine a true expedition might be. I am trying to reduce the amount of stuff the b/c of limited space in a jeep, but still want to be comfortable.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I consider it car camping even if you're on a "proper" expedition without a picnic table. You're driving a 5000+lb vehicle, why worry about an extra ~100lbs to bring some more comforts?

I just figure... if you're resorting to using backpacking gear, why not leave the truck behind and just go backpacking?