Camping essentials

[punisher1130]

I am new to the expedition world and basically looking for advice on what I will need. I am no stranger to rec camping in parks and what not and I do have some camping gear but I would like to get into the more serious and isolated side of it for lack of better terms. I live in the south east and don't really see my self going up north or far west, mainly sticking between FL and Georgia, Tennessee if I can manage to afford that trip but that is way in the future. Long story short I want to take my truck out into the mountains a ways, find a good spot to set up base camp then take my backpack and hike around and simply enjoy nature and to simply get way.


The gear I have for camping is a 3 person tent ( plan on getting a smaller one for my backpack), 2 burner stove, air mattress and a pump for it, couple of lanterns several flash lights and lighters, FOX Tactical excursion backpack with M.O.L.L.E. capability and can be fitted with a hydro bladder to make it a hydro pack, compass, couple of different multi tools, hatchet, machete, 2 pocket knives, Bear Grills survival knife that comes with a striker, hammer built into the handle, sharpening stone and survival rescue tips. For my truck how ever, I am still in the process of building it and trying to get my hands on a front hitch and a winch but I do have a C.B. for it as well as some recovery gear and some of the stuff I have for camping stays in the truck.

I should also include that my intentions for my bag is to have it double as a bug out bag, can anyone give me a list or something I might or will need for both my bag and my truck?

And if anyone has tips on using a v8 dodge truck for expeditions that would be welcomed as well. My little Dakota has been real good to me since I bought it and any info to make it better or something I should look out for would be great.

 

[Happy Joe]

...sounds a lot like what I often do.
Here are some universal advice that I have found generally true;
Proper tires and off road driving practice/experience are very important; for the more difficult off roading airing the tires down into the (relatively safe 12 psi range) can help a lot (lower is better but raises the risk of popping the tire bead off the wheel and reseating a bead can sometimes not be fun) have a way to air the tires back up after the trip for safe highway operation.
Tow points front and rear (preferably frame mounted) should be the first vehicle mod if they are not already on the vehicle... followed by the acquisition of a snatch/recovery (not tow) strap. I favor carrying of a hydraulic jack that will work on its side as opposed to a high lift jack but its a personal choice/preference. A cheap winch from harbor freight is better than no winch at all (get one rated for around 1 1/2 times the vehicle weight) and mount it securely to the frame (I am not a fan of front hitch mounted winches). A snatch block and tree strap (although the snatch strap can be used in a pinch) are very highly recommended accessories, as is a heavy log chain for rigging winch pints with the snatch block .. these are somewhat advanced techniques though.

I sometimes use a propane Coleman 2 burner in basecamp with a 10 pound tank and hose.
The tent is also reserved for base camp and a lightweight tarp or piece of tyvek or visqueen is used for extended day trips.
I, personally, would rather saw (back packable large Svensaw) dead, seasoned, wood to length than chop it.
Mostly a Bic (carry at least one spare in the pack) is used for fire starting although it is backed up by a fire steel.
Typically the fixed blade knife gets mostly used for cooking chores (a plastic cutting board can be handy). When going light I sometimes substitute a locking folder for the fixed blade (no need to carry both, IMO).
I sometimes use a Svea 123r, or a trangia or an Emberlit stove on the day trips (lighter is almost always better for pack weight) the lightest weight & cheapest stove is a Pepsi can stove.

There about as many ways to camp as there are people and much depends on your personal style.
Enjoy!

 

[punisher1130]

...sounds a lot like what I often do.
Here are some universal advice that I have found generally true;
Proper tires and off road driving practice/experience are very important; for the more difficult off roading airing the tires down into the (relatively safe 12 psi range) can help a lot (lower is better but raises the risk of popping the tire bead off the wheel and reseating a bead can sometimes not be fun) have a way to air the tires back up after the trip for safe highway operation.
Tow points front and rear (preferably frame mounted) should be the first vehicle mod if they are not already on the vehicle... followed by the acquisition of a snatch/recovery (not tow) strap. I favor carrying of a hydraulic jack that will work on its side as opposed to a high lift jack but its a personal choice/preference. A cheap winch from harbor freight is better than no winch at all (get one rated for around 1 1/2 times the vehicle weight) and mount it securely to the frame (I am not a fan of front hitch mounted winches). A snatch block and tree strap (although the snatch strap can be used in a pinch) are very highly recommended accessories, as is a heavy log chain for rigging winch pints with the snatch block .. these are somewhat advanced techniques though.

I sometimes use a propane Coleman 2 burner in basecamp with a 10 pound tank and hose.
The tent is also reserved for base camp and a lightweight tarp or piece of tyvek or visqueen is used for extended day trips.
I, personally, would rather saw (back packable large Svensaw) dead, seasoned, wood to length than chop it.
Mostly a Bic (carry at least one spare in the pack) is used for fire starting although it is backed up by a fire steel.
Typically the fixed blade knife gets mostly used for cooking chores (a plastic cutting board can be handy). When going light I sometimes substitute a locking folder for the fixed blade (no need to carry both, IMO).
I sometimes use a Svea 123r, or a trangia or an Emberlit stove on the day trips (lighter is almost always better for pack weight) the lightest weight & cheapest stove is a Pepsi can stove.

There about as many ways to camp as there are people and much depends on your personal style.
Enjoy!

So with an exception of 1 or 2 things it sounds like I have a good start already. I do have a 2 in 1 hydro jack I got from tractor supply specifically for its off road ability ( forgot to mention it). The main lighters I have is mostly Bic and I agree with you on those, they never seem to die out lol. The stove I have is a Coleman, frankly they are the only brand I would trust for good camping gear. As for my truck, I have some off road experience with it and will be gaining more and I do have tow hooks on the front but would love to switch them out for shackles or something safer to use and I do have a home made recovery loop thing that fits in my tow hitch out back ( its built heavy duty and works like the monster hooks basically). I love the Goodyear wrangler m/t with Kevlar, they perform beautifuly but they are expensive so I am looking to change over to the new BFG KO2 A/T tires and keep at the size I have ( 33x12.50r15). As for the winch and the mounting style, Tractor supply has a 8000lb winch for $400 I thought would be perfect ( was trying to consider if I have to use it with my truck fully loaded) and I would agree with a fixed mount but seeing as the truck is my daily also I was leaning to the hitch mouth mainly so I could leave it home, but on the prepper side of things it does make more sense to keep it on the truck so its a toss up for me, either way I do plan on better bumpers though so I guess its something I can deal with when I get to that point.


But as I said, all in all its safe to say I have a better start then I thought I did which is good news to me and I will keep a eye out on some of the other stuff for the pack. Budk magazine has a lot of good camping gear like that priced cheaper but not too cheap to effect quality so between them and Al's Army navy surplus I should be able to find all of that pretty well.

 

[Happy Joe]

Yep!... sounds like you have a fair start.
BTW, the Tyvek and vis queen are free if you know anyone that is working construction.

Enjoy!

 

[punisher1130]

Cool Thanks for the info and no I don't know anyone in construction but I may be able to use the contacts through my job to get my hands on something but I'm not sure what I would need those for, I can understand the tarp but little lost on the painters suit.

 

[Happy Joe]

Tyvek is also used as house wrap (what you want), it makes a quite nice lightweight breathable tarp or groundsheet (run it through the washing machine to get rid of some of the stiffness). (I really hate Tyvek coveralls that are used in clean rooms and for clothing protection). vis queen, plastic sheeting, also serves as a lightweight tarp and a waterproof ground cloth. Both are better than a heavy weight tarp, IMO, and way cheaper than a light weight tarp, if you are hiking light.

Enjoy!

 

[punisher1130]

Ooohhhh ok that makes sense then, I'll defiantly have to get one of those then, I am sure that will work perfect with the A frame tent I'm looking to put in the backpack to use as ground cushion, help with insolation or come up with something interesting and unique. Here is what I am looking at as a backpacking tent tell me what you think.


http://www.stagestores.com/store/product/stansport-backpack-tent/229644/

 

[Happy Joe]

I had a similar "tent" once and while it did keep the rain off (if covered by a tarp), it wasn't a great choice.
I would recommend getting a hundred feet of para cord and a medium or lighter weight tarp and try that for a couple of trips (using a piece of vizqueen or Tyvek for a ground cloth. String the paracord between a couple of trees and stake down the grommet holes (9 or 10" landscape nails work fairly well).
Bring a ridge rest or a military surplus ground pad for ground insulation and a decent bag. (one of my successful early experiments was 2.5 inches of closed cell foam glued to a military surplus ground pad; way more comfortable).

While using the tarp, save up for better than Stansport equipment; and look around the moderately light weight backpacking sites online.
If you have any garage salers in the family get them alerted (there is a lot of good equipment gathering dust in garages).


For unplanned over nighter I use Tyvek and paracord usually... although this doesn't happen much any more.

I have friends that have gotten great old tents (for car camping; too heavy to backpack) from relatives who no longer had a use for them.

For a quickie weekender I throw a eureka 9x9 dome in the truck or Jeep along with the cooler and either an air mattress or a cot, sleeping bag and a couple of chairs. Longer trips mean more stuff.
If there is no fire ban I still cook over the campfire.
You can find a section of old refrigerator/stove shelf or grill grate free or get a folding grill/grate cheap from most sporting goods stores.
The best campfire fry pans are cast iron (not really backpackable, but findable at garage sales).
For stove frying I use a folding fry pan (teflon can easily be ruined by the heat of the campfire coals).
Gather free hanging dead wood or dry downed dead wood or push over a standing dead snag. In over used aras firewood will be scarceto nonexistent use a stove or bring your own.
I cut wood to size using a large svensaw (backpackable; though they live in all my vehicles).
during a fire ban I usually use either a propane stove or a white gas stove but an alcohol stove and a squeeze bottle of alcohol is usually in the daypack.
Alcohol (pepsi can stove or a trangia) is fine for heating coffee or rations in a canteen cup. (Throw a stainless fork and spoon in the cover alongside the cup and canteen). A light weight cup/pan holder can be bent from steel wire;

Enjoy!
Edit) this thread has some good info:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/149368-1-person-tent-recomendations

 

[punisher1130]

You and me think alike for the cooking stuff lol, but as for the backpacking stuff I can look into what u suggested, the main reason I'm looking into that is in case I make up base then go for a hike but if I don't make it back in time I can throw something up real quick for the night and continue my return to my truck the next day (as well as bug our reasons to survive without the truck if I have to abandon it in that situation), but the way you are suggesting does sound easier on the back so I will defiantly look into that option. As for the military suggestions you don't have to say that twice, if I can get my hands on the military equivalent of anything I will (not counting Coleman they earned their stripes with camping). I always say if its good for the military its good for me seeing I tend to be rough on things so I look up military surplus sites and go to army navy stores and look for stuff, that's actually where I got my pack, its a fox tactical excursion bag and I plan on filling it with all the necessary needs and use the molle gear for quick access stuff like first aid, water bottle ect.

 

[Happy Joe]

...I hear you;
For situations where I might be stuck out all night (has happened wile hunting) in moderate temperatures, I carry a hank of paracord, a poncho and liner (ties together to make an expedient, not particularly warm, sleeping bag), a piece of Tyvek roughly 8' x 8' and a piece of vizqueen for a ground cloth. I typically carry a GI canteen w/cup on short day hikes (with fork spoon and cup stove/stand in the cover). If I carry a daypack it has alcohol, an alcohol stove and a small capable first aid kit (not a commercial ouch kit). On longer hikes I take the camelback pack.
My minimal FAK has a film canister sized roll of duct tape (re-rolled from the large roll) a battle dressing , a dozen large fabric band aids a roller of gauze and a roll of vetwrap (ace bandage for large animals)... and a sharp keychain Swiss army knife with a scissors. The vetwrap is often needed by others and is way cheaper to give away than an ace brand bandage, the most used item is the bandaids.
I typically have an Muncie bag along with sandwiches (save the last one for tomorrow morning), coffee bags (similar to tea bags), maybe some jerky and GORP/bars.

I have noticed over the years that the quality and availability of some/most GI surplus had gone down and that the price of the European surplus has gone up. I shop selectively and find myself sometimes/often getting better quality equipment with commercial brands. some surplus items remain a good deal (like wet weather bags for sleeping bag storage/transport).

Enjoy!

 

[punisher1130]

Cool, thank you for all the info it sounds like I have a good handle on some things I already have and got some good ideas and tricks I can use I never would have thought to even try. I will defiantly make good use of all the info you have given me, thank you again.

 

[Happy Joe]

You are very welcome!

..Its usually a good thing to get other viewpoints and examples of what others do; then experiment to find what works best for you.

Enjoy!

 

[punisher1130]

That is exactly why I made this post instead of jumping in blind and chance a costly mistake.