strange gear obsessions :)

[the dude]

That old saying "A place for everything and everything in its place" is critical in tight spaces. We have gone full circle and have landed some where in the middle.

Repackaging everything has always been big on the list.

The RTT has really helped but with a new born we are back to a big ground tent.

I ALWAYS struggle with the kitchen. I LOVE cast iron but it is a PITA to store and carry. Same goes with stove, propane, grills etc. All big and bulky items. I am taking a serious look at the volcano II stove (which I think you looked into) Looks like it will fill our needs. With that and a 12" cast iron frying pan and dutch oven the, we should be able to cook anything. We are finding that the cooking is becoming more of the adventure, especially now with a kid. But it takes up space

[Honu]

one thing from living in the islands most my life I am very good at packing and space
and can carry that over
like the dude I love cast iron especially for breakfast crunchy outside french toast yummmmy that is where my struggle is I do not want to give that up yet ! maybe I try a aluminum one from partner steel ? also at fire bans no charcoal I can do meat on cast iron and it comes out quite nice
and like others I love the cooking side of camping and a kitchen that is nice is a big part of it IMHO of my camping experience with the kids

[marlin4570]

Love this thread because my head is in exactly the same space. I'm making do with an xterra because downtown Seattle isn't conducive to a 3/4 ton truck and pop up camper. So I have the same mix of backpack gear and safari type gear. Recommendation on chairs: http://www.aerostich.com/camping/cam...ing-chair.html

My wife and I have two Kermits with leg extensions. A bit spendy but fantastic quality.

Dealing with my old REi tent but it's EOL. Any recommendations? I've been thinking about A Springbar but I'm interested in other opinions. http://www.springbar.com/shop/prodde...?prod=41010076

Our nested camp pot setup: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-STOW...s=nesting+pots

Wonderful set and pretty reasonable. Not a backpacking set up but works great out of a vehicle and the camp kitchen experience is important to us. It's been discontinued but you can still find them in stock at Amazon.

[CaliMobber]

Dealing with my old REi tent but it's EOL. Any recommendations? I've been thinking about A Springbar but I'm interested in other opinions. http://www.springbar.com/shop/prodde...?prod=41010076

I thought this was a light weight thread. that thing weighs 62lb lol

[nwoods]

Be cautious with the Springbar style of tent. They are fantastic, but fitting one in an Xterra will displace quite a lot of other things you might need, such as a cooler, passengers, etc.... :-)

[Honu]

we had a Kodiak Canvas same look style of the springbar and us fitting in the FJ it was a no go

we loved the tent I miss canvas and the huge tub floor etc...
my issue was the pack size and weight
we wanted a large tent though ? so we ended up with a Snow Peak LandLock which is huge but its also like having a eating room and changing room and general area to change the kids and stuff and still pack a bit smaller and lighter than the springbar but offer way more room and versatility for us


but I think your idea of the tent is also my point more than just light weight gear its also a struggle what to let go of ? if one loves that tent then I say get it use it and love it you just know you have to make a sacrifice somewhere else with gear

since you are saving so much room with the Kermits maybe you can swing the springbar with pack space saved like nwoods said it will have to replace something ? and was again the original idea and struggle we have and why I started its that balance and was looking at new chairs ?


question on the Kermit chairs with the extensions ? are they still stable or do they feel wobbly and can they fall off ? my fear is moving them around the camp site and having to keep putting the extensions back on but they are still on a short list for me
might just have to order one see how comfy they are for me as everyone says they are comfy

[Flounder]

I grew up in a family of backpackers and mountaineers. I've always been light, but comfy with my gear selection. In 2005 I started to change my methods and before long I was pulling the back seats out of our Discovery to accommodate more crap. Then our camp sessions become more about gear management than anything. By the time I finished deploying the awning, crawling around to set up an RTT, and setting up our overly equipped kitchen, I was exhausted. I remember one trip saying to my wife, "we have way too much $#!*."

I prefer traveling without the car being stuffed to the gills. We've also altered our travel to accommodate a smaller car so we can cover more miles. All of our camping kit fits in a compact Thule 1200 XT cargo box on the roof. If it can't fit the box...it stays home.

The one exception - the ARB fridge.

[Honu]

I grew up in a family of backpackers and mountaineers. I've always been light, but comfy with my gear selection. In 2005 I started to change my methods and before long I was pulling the back seats out of our Discovery to accommodate more crap. Then our camp sessions become more about gear management than anything. By the time I finished deploying the awning, crawling around to set up an RTT, and setting up our overly equipped kitchen, I was exhausted. I remember one trip saying to my wife, "we have way too much $#!*."

I prefer traveling without the car being stuffed to the gills. We've also altered our travel to accommodate a smaller car so we can cover more miles. All of our camping kit fits in a compact Thule 1200 XT cargo box on the roof. If it can't fit the box...it stays home.

The one exception - the ARB fridge.

I am heading this way more and more with smaller lighter
even not using pelican cases yeah they are nice and tough but heavy load em up with gear etc..

thinking of making a over 3-4 day setup so we bring extra things we had as comfort items like the coleman hot water heater a luxury we got used to with the trailer ! but just going to get a pump top setup for my scepter water can and call it good

[VATACO]

Most of my trips are solo these days which has allowed me to lighten considerably.

My work schedule equals unannounced trips and I typically leave the IGT gear home and take the Jetboil and a backpacking meal and eat odds and ends during the day.

I've switched from Big directors chairs to an Alite Mantis chair, trading my 63 qt ARB for a 50Qt ARB, and bought a softopper so that I can sleep in my short bed tacoma.

Eventually I'll build a sleeping platform, but still working on the design.

Granted the East Coast is not exactly deserted or open.

[Yuman Desert Rat]

I absolutely LOVE my Kermit chair. I have the lift kit and when I use it it works like a champ. The legs lock in place. and they can also be secured in place if you plan on hem being a more permanent thing. I'm 6'3 200#. It's comfy and sturdy.

we had a Kodiak Canvas same look style of the springbar and us fitting in the FJ it was a no go

we loved the tent I miss canvas and the huge tub floor etc...
my issue was the pack size and weight
we wanted a large tent though ? so we ended up with a Snow Peak LandLock which is huge but its also like having a eating room and changing room and general area to change the kids and stuff and still pack a bit smaller and lighter than the springbar but offer way more room and versatility for us


but I think your idea of the tent is also my point more than just light weight gear its also a struggle what to let go of ? if one loves that tent then I say get it use it and love it you just know you have to make a sacrifice somewhere else with gear

since you are saving so much room with the Kermits maybe you can swing the springbar with pack space saved like nwoods said it will have to replace something ? and was again the original idea and struggle we have and why I started its that balance and was looking at new chairs ?


question on the Kermit chairs with the extensions ? are they still stable or do they feel wobbly and can they fall off ? my fear is moving them around the camp site and having to keep putting the extensions back on but they are still on a short list for me
might just have to order one see how comfy they are for me as everyone says they are comfy