gear Archives - ROADDUDE

Adventure Rig: Coming Into Its Own . . .

I’ve had this adventure rig for two and a half years now. I’ve hauled it around America more than 600 nights and over 35,000 miles.

Self-sufficnet off-road trailer/adventure rig with rooftop tent set up in the Chihuahuan Desert — **Moonrise Over Mexico – Chihuahuan Desert**

This rig lets me wander and explore far more than not. I use it for extended basecamps and quick overnights in all kinds of weather and environments.

It is my primary living space, put together from components chosen after extensive research. I crawled over, under, and around as many camping and off-road trailers as I could. I checked out every style of awning and water tank and solar power system and roof top tent that exists. Those components I could not visit in person, I read and researched as much as I could. Company background, construction techniques, features and options, and end user reviews.

In the two and a half years since I put this rig together, I’ve tested all components and pushed them to their limits. I’ve damaged and broken shit and repaired it in the field.

Underneath it all is the rugged and dependable XVentureTrailers XV-2. Born of military heritage, this more-than-capable trailer is the foundation that makes this adventure rig possible.

No, not sponsored or affiliated. I just like the product.

For details on other gear I like and use:

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#xventurefamily #goxventure #xventurelife #rooftoptentliving #rtt #rooftoptent #adventurerig #overlandtravel #offroadtrailer #offgridhome #offroadcamper #mylifeoutside #campinglifestyle #getoutdoorsmore #overlandlife #livingsmall #bugout #bugoutvehicle #exploremoreoutdoors #gonecamping #onsomeadventure #nomadict #nightphotography_exclusive #nightskypainting #lightpaintingphotography #lifeadventure #hittheroad #night_owlz #night_shooterz #nightscaper

ROOM WITH A VIEW

by Road

More and more backcountry camping spots are discouraging or forbidding the digging of catholes. FTWDK, catholes are for squatting over. They should be at *least* six inches deep, seventy-five feet from any trail, and at least two-hundred feet away from any water or camp.

Social media has increased the visitation to backcountry and off-grid places at a rate seven times the increase in population. SEVEN TIMES, according to a study done in Seattle about Mt Rainier NP.

Contrary to what some overland sites preach, it is NOT the ‘increase in population, so get used to it, it’s inevitable’ type mentality we should believe.

Many folks that go to a specific spot they’ve seen online or read about on a forum giving exact coordinates are far from prepared. Even those who call themselves overlanders.

Over the last few years I’ve been to dozens of remote sites down single lane dirt roads, miles from any pavement. Some have a toilet building of some sort within walking distance or near the beginning of the road. Most don’t.

I’ve seen human waste and desert blossoms (used toilet paper stuck to the ground or cacti) in almost every spot. Often within a 15-20’ radius of camp where people cook and sit by a fire. Often WITHIN SIGHT of the composting toilet building set up to reduce this kind of humanshit. Multiple piles. Multiple blossoms.

If you’re going to some ‘for the gram’ type spot, whether camping overnight or day-hiking, be prepared. Prepared to pack out what you brought in. You should not have to leave anything behind.

The best and most compostable solution is to make your own composting bucket. You can get comfortable seats that snap right on.

The trick to eliminating odor and being able to use the bucket for a month or more before emptying is keeping solids and liquids separate. Use peat moss or coco fiber for solids. Use a jug for liquids. Empty liquid soap dispensers work well; just cut out the inner spout. Use ziplocks for used paper or use toilet paper meant for Marine, RV, or septic systems if putting it in the bucket. Pack it all back out. Dispose of it in proper fashion.

It’s not that difficult. It doesn’t stink. It’s not inconvenient.

Just do it. If you can’t or won’t do it, don’t go.

Here’s how to put together A Simple Composting Toilet.

@roaddude
@leavenotrace
@treadlightlyteam
@americanadventurist
@expeditionportal
@overlandbound
#roomwithaview #packitinpackitout #vanlife #nocatholes #desertblossoms #adventure #offgrid #solotravel #nomadlife #groover #imtiredofthisshit #beprepared

GEARING UP

by Road

Treated myself to an early xmas of sorts and got a bunch of stuff I need for the road, since I’m likely to be on the road and in the desert for xmas.

Reese 37096 Front Hitch Receiver — Reese 37096 Towpower Front Hitch Receiver

– Got a front receiver hitch for my van so I have a solid front recovery point, though also the capability to have a front step, basket for generator, firewood, or other camp/road gear, AND can better hook up and steer trailers into tight spots or in recovery situations. Also makes it easier to reverse direction on a tight trail where one may not have enough room to back both trailer and vehicle off the trail.

Hoping to install it this Thurs when it warms up a bit. Well below freezing and gloomy out there lately.

– A 3in x 8ft 30,000lb tree-saver/winch strap/tow strap (below) to go with the 30ft 24,000lb recovery/tow strap I already have. Both are from TGL Recovery Gear, which I honestly don’t know anything about, though they sure get a lot of good reviews on amazon for their stuff and my 30′ strap has performed great, though hasn’t seen a ton of use. They’re offering a 15% off coupon as of this writing on the 30′ strap.

TGL 3 inch, 8 Foot Tree Saver, Winch Strap, Tow Strap 30,000 Pound Capacity — TGL 3 inch, 8 Foot Tree Saver, Winch Strap, Tow Strap

3" Tow Strap label — 30,000 Pound Capacity

– An All Weather Notebook from Snugpak. I’m all the time making quick notes in the field about flora, fauna, animal tracks and sizes of all, or camera settings, etc. I like this all-weather notebook more than the other popular brand because it is larger at 4″x6″ and easier to use with gloves on. Also easier to write in.

In my tests so far it works really well with regular pens, pencils, and Sharpie (which sometimes beads up on all-weather paper but not in this notebook). Ink from my Micron pens needs a few secs to dry or may smudge. It also has, inside the back cover so it stays clean, handy rulers in both inches and millimeters and conversion charts for length, weight, and temps.

Be aware, if you order from amzn there is just one notebook in the order, not three or four as they picture. It’s also green, not tan as they picture, which is fine with me. Mine is a full 6″ long, however, contrary to what a previous reviewer found.

4″ x 6″ All Weather Notebook from Snugpak

All Weather Notebook from Snugpak — Inside back cover with rulers and conversion charts

Snugpak has a bunch of great stuff. I have three of their Jungle Blankets, too, and use them regularly for myself and camp guests.

– Finally got another pair of good touch-screen gloves. I use these all the time when camping, with my cameras and mobile devices. I and want gloves that both keep my hands warmer and are effective with touch screens. My old ones from Manfrotto finally wore out a fingertip. I’ve had these a couple weeks now and can say they work even better than my old ones did. I like that they have grip texture in the palms, too. Very handy when gripping gear.

Touch Screen Gloves with Grip Palms — Handy Grip Palms

Books, Boots, & Hats

by Road

Books, boots, and hats, pretty much in that order; that’s what I most depend on in life.

Books. Far as I’m concerned, one can never have too many books. Books can be powerful, magic, things if you let them.

The titles of these two books are self explanatory and help fulfill my insatiable curiosity about woods and water. Both are considered classics and both are reads I’m eager to absorb.

Look for future reviews on each. You can find out more about these two titles here:

* The Science and Art of Tracking – Nature’s Path To Spiritual Discovery – Tom Brown, Jr., acclaimed outdoorsman, author and tracker extraordinaire.

More about Tom Brown Jr

Other books by Tom Brown Jr

* Finding Your Way Without Map Or Compass – Harold Gatty, legendary Australian navigator and explorer.

More about Harold Gatty

Other books by Harold Gatty.

Boots. Well hell, I’ve been wearing good western boots since I was a young teenager. That’s like seven decades ago now. No, all seriousness aside, I’ve learned that having several pair of good boots, whether western or not, to rotate wearing saves my feet, overall health, and the boots too. Choosing boots wisely pays off in the long run with good footwear that will last you longer and allow you to be on your feet longer to do the work you need to do.

These are my favorite boots, Justin #1122, still made in the USA of what they call Mulehide but is actually a thick steer hide. This is my second pair, my first pair having been bought in the 70’s. Yeah, like last century 70’s. They wear like iron and outlast any other good working boot I’ve ever owned.

Of course, like most well-made things I like, they quit making these a few years ago. If anyone finds a pair of Justin #1122 in 8.5D, new or decently used, I’ll pay a finders fee if I end up getting them. I’m serious. I like these boots that much.

They’re due for a good cleaning and greasing. I like Huberd’s Shoe Grease for that. It’s an old standby going back to before the Great Depression and is made from pine tar and beeswax with no animal fat or tallow. It’s great for softening, waterproofing, and preserving leather without causing deterioration of threads and stitching. It’s one of those touchstone smells, too, that always brings back memories of where and when I used it before.

Hats. I love my hats. This one is a new Akubra from Australia, something I’ve been wanting for a long time. It’s their Snowy River in a Santone Fawn color and is a classic stockman’s hat meant for all weather. I love this color and it fits my gigantic noggin quite well. You can bet I’ll be getting their classic Cattleman hat, too.

Books, Boots, and Hats. That’s what I depend on most in my life, for both traveling and sitting around jawing.

What do you depend on most?

#books #boots #hats #haroldgatty #tombrownjr #knowledge #knowledgeispower #liveauthentic #akubra #myoutdoorlife #geartesting #sustainablelifestyle #optoutside #worktravel #justin #adventurist #realvanlife #bushcraft #getoutandexplore #tracking #orienteering #nomap #nocompass #noproblem #readingsign #spirit

Nomad Viking

by Road

Hornbeck Nomad 14 On Still Water At Sunset

The water was so calm and still I didn’t even moor the canoe. She just sat there.

I almost wrote “and didn’t move a muscle.”

This boat is as close to a living thing as I’ve ever put on water. She glides smooth as glass, responsive to every slip and turn of the paddle. It’s as if she anticipates and aids my every move, waiting for me to become as much a boatman as she is a watercraft.

I remember looking at the images that evening and thinking “Damn, these are cool. Viking like!”

Looking forward to playing more with water-level shots and reflections on both calm and disturbed water.

#sunset #hornbeck #canoe #lightestboatsinthewoods #nomad #boating #instasunsets #viking #exploretocreate #workandtravel #gearreview #workshop #iphoneography #pointofview #lakeside #reflection #liveauthentic #overland #expedition #adventure #explorer #composition #photography #getoutstayout #letsgetlost #wanderfolk #welivetoexplore #travelgram #solotravel #travelblog

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