Expedition Portal Forum - Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum Discussion of ground and roof tents, cooking equipment, etc. Sponsored by www.campinglab.com en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:56:23 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Expedition Portal Forum - Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum Norcold Fridges http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48872&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:11:07 GMT The last (or maybe the one before) issue of OJ had a fridge review in it. I was all set to go and buy an ARB, but I came across a similar chest fridge by Norcold.

I'm familiar with the brand from RVs and Marine markets, but there doesn't seem to be much discussion of them here.

Any opinions? ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab bajajoaquin http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48872 Thule parts and service http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48860&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:35:16 GMT Does anyone here know how to get parts or service from Thule? I have a cargo box that needs a new latch. Just a simple part. I located their website, and sent them an email inquiring about the part. They didn't even have the courtesy to reply.

But I still need a latch.

JP ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab Curmudgeon http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48860 Repairing ARB Awning http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48842&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:13:37 GMT Hello everyone, Long time reader, first time poster :) Unthinkable happened - heavy garage door closed upon my new ARB awning... Result: rough cut in the awning cover, lateral, about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Awning itself seems to have survived OK. Can anyone share thoughts or... Hello everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster :)

Unthinkable happened - heavy garage door closed upon my new ARB awning...

Result: rough cut in the awning cover, lateral, about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Awning itself seems to have survived OK.

Can anyone share thoughts or experience on the good material to use to patch it? Duct tape is not an option, I'm thinking along the line a rubber patch, like the one you use to fix a bike tubes. Any ideas are very welcome!!!

Many thanks in advance,
Aleks ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab aleksandrc http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48842 Kamp Rite Collapsible Tent Cot http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48773&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:47:39 GMT Good sales going on now for these. Have the regular Double TC and like it. But it does take up a lot of room in the trailer. Anyone use one of these collapsible models ?? Good sales going on now for these.

Have the regular Double TC and like it. But it does take up a lot of room in the trailer.

Anyone use one of these collapsible models ?? ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab fzsk4p http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48773 The Chuckbox http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48746&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:26:27 GMT Chuck is made out of wood, does this make Chuck a woodchuck :D Image: http://www.pnw4runners.com/camping/chuckbox/woodchuck.jpg When I was in Boy Scouts eons ago, our scoutmaster had a chuckbox for camping. We mostly backpacked, but occasionally we car camped at a dedicated site somewhere,... Chuck is made out of wood, does this make Chuck a woodchuck :D



When I was in Boy Scouts eons ago, our scoutmaster had a chuckbox for camping.
We mostly backpacked, but occasionally we car camped at a dedicated site somewhere, and out came the chuckbox to prepare meals.

I soon forgot though about those old chuckboxes from long ago until they started appearing before my eyes on forums where I saw trip reports and researched them more from a few online places that make them like:
Blue Sky Kitchen
Drifta Camping Kitchens
Kanz Outdoors
The three above are all very nice units, with the first two having several models.
If one has the tools and the skills, Blue Sky Kitchen has plans available and many videos on his site showing the construction of them.

Before I got interested in them much though I had already bought a Cabelas Instant Cooking Station that I have used for the past few years.
It works great, but between the two plastic drawers and the kitchen itself, it takes a lot of room in my rig.

I saw a design by Chad (JJBigg's on Expedition Portal site) that was built around the same stove I have, the Camp Chef Denali, and I took a liking to it immediately.
His 3D modeling threads he posts up are incredible to look at.
I got the plans from Chad for the chuckbox and I had talked to a local crate builder who supplies Boeing with customized crates for shipping parts, and a salesman there saw the plans and said they could build it for me.

I was getting ready to call them up a month later to give them the go ahead when a member on a few forums I am on (Titanpat57) contacted me after he saw I was interested in them and said he could build one for me, so I emailed him the plans and he looked it over.
He modified it a bit as I measured out the two right side shelves so one could hold my 8" Lodge cast iron skillet, and my 8" Lodge Dutch oven, and the other shelf for my French Press coffee maker and plates.
The two left side shelves would be for the utensil tray and miscellaneous stuff.

I have a Cabelas Deluxe Roll-Top table I bought a few years back and it hardly takes up any room when stored in the rig.
It will be used to support the chuckbox, and it will have plenty of room to hold other stuff on top when preparing meals, much more room than the old setup.

While the Cabelas Kitchen setup was very nice I have used for the past few years, there is something about the chuckboxes that seems much more nostalgic to me.
Something like this can be passed on down the line too when I get to old to get out :D

The chuckbox arrived just a few hours ago via FedEx.
It had a long journey from New York to Washington state, and the way Pat packed it, it arrived unscathed.
It was packed with foam core and taped all around, and heavy cardboard on the outside, very nice.

When I opened it up outside a few neighbors were eyeballing it, and they commented on how it looked like fine furniture.
The pictures do not do it justice, it looks great!
The finish on it lets you see the lines in the wood through it too.

Pat did an incredible job on the box from us just communicating via email back and forth.
Hats off to Pat for offering to build this for me, I am very impressed with it.

Below are some pictures of the chuckbox unloaded and then loaded up with all the stuff I had in the other setup.
I still need to figure out something to hold a roll of paper towels like the Cabelas kitchen had on it.

Box unpacked and set up on top of my ECS cargo cases



Side view showing the holes that are the carry handles and also the exit for the propane hose and assembly



Undo the two front latches and the top goes up, and the front comes down like a draw bridge



Loaded up with everything to prepare a meal except the food
Left side bottom is for the utensil tray and foil.
Left top is for the blue enameled plates, paper plates, bowls, toaster, measuring cups, ect.
Right side bottom is for the cast iron skillet and Dutch oven with the former nestled inside of it, and a stainless pot for heating water behind them.
Right top is for the French Press, blue enameled coffee cups, cutting board, towels, ect.



Upper part that holds the Camp Chef Denali propane stove
I have the non slip toolbox liner stuff below it that I buy from Griots Garage.
I use that stuff in my toolboxes at home, and also in my cargobox in my rig to prevent tools from rolling around.



Front closeup view showing the goods
Look at the reflection in the wood, nice finish!



Another shot showing the utensil tray and cast iron cookware pulled out



View from top



I take cooking very seriously when camping.
I was the head chef, well the only chef when I took my two young sons at the time many years ago camping after a divorce.
We ate generally better camping than at home.
I am a firm believer in that food tastes better when when camping and fresh air if prepared correctly, so I tend to cook better too.
The chuckbox will allow me to keep my items better organized and give a certain ambiance to the preparation of meals.
Easier access too to the items than my previous setup.

Please note the cast iron too, I feel there is nothing better to cook on both at home and outdoors, and well worth the extra weight to have a set for camping too.
I have tried many non stick pans at home and camping over the past several decades, and I always end up buying more non stick stuff to only throw it away after awhile.
Since I got into cooking with cast iron recently this year at home first, I could never go back to non cast iron again.
Food does not stick to the cast iron like it has for previous cookware.
Cast iron is also easier to take care of if you take the time to read up on it.
The food literally slides out of the skillet, and all I do for cleanup is wipe it out with a paper towel and spray some oil in it, then wipe it around, then store the pan for next use.
I do not even have to wash out with water and a scrub brush like I did at first when I got them.
They get better each time with use as they season more.

So far all I need in the setup for camping is the skillet and Dutch oven.
I still carry one Paul Revere stainless steel sauce pan, that is for heating up water only for the French Press.
Heating up water with a Dutch oven would put oil from me wiping the pans out after cleaning into the coffee, yuck. ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab Corey http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48746 Swiss Mil. Surplus 20Ltr Water Storage Bag http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48743&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:17:08 GMT When camping out of the truck/car...always used hard plastic water storage cans, either the blue round ones with the white spigot or US military cans. Recently for canoe camping where we needed a soft bag type that also was easy to tie in...so...I bought off of ebay a pair of water bags... When camping out of the truck/car...always used hard plastic water storage cans, either the blue round ones with the white spigot or US military cans.

Recently for canoe camping where we needed a soft bag type that also was easy to tie in...so...I bought off of ebay a pair of water bags described as "Swiss 20 liter water storage bags" for $24. plus shipping of about $11. They are a heavy black reinforced vinyl material with a very nice heavy spring loaded spigot. The spigot screws off for filling/quick empty. Nylon rope with vinyl tubing handles on both ends. The ones I got seemed "new". Workmanship, design and materials seem first rate.

I cleaned them with a good soap rinse, then a sanitize rinse with bleach and water, and so far they meet my needs perfectly. The bag also can be left out in sun and hung upside down...works as a fair shower set up.

For the price of other options I saw...this was a good deal at about $35 for a pair.

I am not related to this seller in any way...but this is easier (for me) than posting a photo...

http://cgi.ebay.com/SWISS-MILITARY-2...item35abfbfa6f



Anyone else using these? ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab FAW3 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48743 Best invention ever since sliced bread? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48693&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:15:38 GMT This is so cool. I didn't even known it is possible. You can store all your camping equipment in one place.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...51276*&topnav= ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab net4n6 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48693 Thule Cargo Box Rental http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48683&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:08:24 GMT If you need some extra space on your next camping trip you can www.rentmycargobox.com on your next trip get this thing out of my garage for a week If you need some extra space on your next camping trip you can www.rentmycargobox.com on your next trip

get this thing out of my garage for a week
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]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab jjstahl3 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48683 wireless engel? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48669&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:56:04 GMT I didn't know they made regular ice chests. Anyone have any experience with these. Seem to be priced a little better than Yeti.

http://www.cooler-store.com/engel_en..._6480_prd1.htm ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab 3jarrells http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48669 Coleman Stove Issue http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48471&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:41:58 GMT I have a green coleman propane stove model 5435 with electronic ignition . The burner closest to the regulator doesn't seem to be getting enough fuel beacuse 1. its burning yellow and 2. it doesn't light with electronic ignition but lights with a match.

I thought easy, I just need a new valve assembly (part 6 of the pdf diagram here: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/pdf/5435D.pdf ). But just for giggles, I put the left working Burner Assembly pipe (just the pipe) (see part 1) onto the right burner and it worked perfectly fine with plenty of fuel and pressure. So the issue can not be the valve assembly. The burner pipe of the burner assembly basically a brass pipe. I examined it to make sure it was not clogged or leak and its still not getting enough fuel.

Any input would be great...Thanks!!

BTW: I know its just a stupid stove but I'm sort of attached to it because it reminds of my boy scout days and they don't make this model anymore. ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab Super Doody http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48471 Ozark Trails shower enclosure/privy pics http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48434&goto=newpost Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:46:41 GMT In preperation for an upcoming trip to Canyonlands/White Rim (which I had to postpone for a few months) I've been purchasing various equipment and posting pics with a 1st look review.
Here I submit the Ozark Trails Shower Utility Room/Shelter $37 online

It comes neatly packed







Assembly instructions are sewn into the storage bag



All the enclosed pieces (Boots the cat was extra)



There are a total of 4 metal poles and are spring loaded.



The pole crown is permanently sewn into canopy of the shelter.





]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab tremors834 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48434 NEW propane tank procedure http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48337&goto=newpost Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:43:54 GMT So I fell victim to the new propane tank bad fill. How was I supposed to know you have to fill it a bit and then let it drain the air out to replace with propane vapor?

So just a note if you're buying a 5lb/10lb propane tank for your Coleman stove, to do that. It's actually in the Coleman help section for the symptoms I had, but when I bought the tank I wasn't informed of this requirement. ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab SWbySWXJ http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48337 Heads up on REI sale http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48330&goto=newpost Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:46:00 GMT REI is having their labor day sale. I just picked up 2 GCI PICO chairs for $70. Lowest I've seen anywhere else is $98. ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab wipeout http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48330 Water filtration system at costco http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48293&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:59:27 GMT Stumbled across this at Costco.com. Little confused about what its actually doing, due to the obvious poor translation under the product details. Thought others may be interested. ... Stumbled across this at Costco.com. Little confused about what its actually doing, due to the obvious poor translation under the product details. Thought others may be interested.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...US&Sp=C&topnav
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]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab blazinid http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48293 Is This Safe? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48266&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:41:44 GMT So I'm almost finished with my platform/drawer system. I will definitely post pics once it's completed. I've been having random concerns here lately, and I know you guys with the experience can help me out.

But to my question:

In one of my drawers will be this



Will it be safe to sleep in my enclosed vehicle with the two of these after use that night? They would be disconnected of course. Or should I leave the tank outside? ]]> Camping Equipment: Sponsored by Camping Lab Raw7s http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48266