Outdoor Adventure USA

Unsung Heroes of Camping Equipment I & II (7/11/24 and 7/18/24)

We seldom give them much thought, and they are usually not fancy, expensive, or discussed much, but there are an almost untold number of these camping items that make for great outdoor adventures. With some luck, we will be discussing many of them this week. Join us with your favorites!!!

DTK's Heroes.

CANS (Ammo cans, Jerry cans, Water Cans, Trash Cans, etc.)

1. Ammo Cans

Ammo Cans (or containers) in one form or another, have existed from the moment loaded ammunition was invented. The need for these containers was prompted almost entirely by military necessity. Limiting ammunition to that which the soldier could carry, was a limitation that was inconsistent with success in protracted battles or ones that required armies to travel long distances. Holding larger quantities of ammunition, which would likely be subjected to foul weather and harsh treatment, required the containers or can to be both durable and weather proof (or extremely weather resistant.)

In the case of US ammo cans, it is not clear who invented them, but the familiar cans that we use today were military in origin and and so robust that the cans and the design have become adopted or copied by countless military around the world. Following WWII the business of offering civilians the opportunity to purchase "military surplus" items became a booming business, both because of the large number of returning veterans and the exceptional quality of these items. Perhaps one of the most popular "surplus" items was the ubiquitous green ammo cans that came in enough sizes to meet almost any civilian need.


The US manufactured cans were and are extremely durable, water tight, available in huge quantities, and attractively priced. And, even today, these "surplus" cans are still available, which in many cases, are in primo condition. And, while I am not aware of any new US made cans for sale, The primo Grade 1 cans that are available today are nearly indistinguishable from a new can, both in function and appearance.

The ability of these original military ammo cans to protect their contents from damage is legendary, and quite a testament to the design of the originals. In fact, so popular are the US cans, that a certain country has been making an exact copy (at least from visual appearances), and selling them to the American public.

The availability of US made cans in several sizes has opened doors to all kinds of uses for these cans, some of which we will discuss during the net. In addition to using the actual US cans for a multitude of purposes, many many clever businesses have modified the original design to suit both old and new purposes.

Electrical Storage Devices

As technology has evolved, so has the type of equipment we rely upon on for all of our outdoor adventures. In many respects, electronics have become common place these days for such tings as lighting, GPS navigation, computers, Ham radios, charging stations, and more. Feeding these hungry electronics has given rise to a wonderful diversity of electrical storage devices, many of which are DIY creations, designed to meet the needs of their designers. And, as the outdoor adventures get longer, we find that these charging stations are connected to solar panels. It will come as no surprise then that the container in which most of these stations reside are the larger military ammo can, or in the cased below, plastic copies thereof..



Camping Tool Boxes


Target Cameras


Rocket Stove

This is what the Minute Man Provisions site says about their Rocket Stove"

The Minuteman Rocket Stove is one of the most compact, portable and efficient rocket stoves on the market today, making it perfect as a survival, camping or expedition cook stove .

Delivers 1200 degrees to bottom of the cookware
Use your full sized cookware including Dutch Ovens up to 3 gallons
Durable internal ceramic mat insulation
200 degree max external temperature - Safe for use on wood tables
Near smokeless operation
Fueled with small diameter sticks and biomass readily available most anywhere
Uses 1/10th the fuel of traditional open fire cooking – no saws or axes required
Sustainable in a city or suburb
Self-contained airtight design- Clean transport and storage
Very portable- Only 14 lbs w/ carry handle on top
1/8 “ steel burn chamber and chimney for years of use. 3 year burn through warranty
100% handmade in the USA

Source: Minuteman Provision Co.
https://www.minutemanstove.com/products ... 1028476349


Cleaning Kits

With a pleasing variety of sizes from which to choose, military ammo cans are the perfect way to store your cleaning kits. The strength of these cans also make for a perfect way to transport your firearm cleaning kit either to the range or your favorite shooting or hunting spot.


2. Water Cans

Camping in areas where water quality is questionable or where water is simply not provided (dispersed camping), means that we need to carry enough to last for the duration of the trip. As dusty as it gets, and knowing that our water cans need to be durable enough to survive the rough roads we normally encounter, the cans need to be strong and reliable. This is one area where again, we have adopted the equipment used by our military. There are two companies that manufacture military water cans (available to the public) - Scepter and LCI, and both are excellent choices for carrying water to all of our campsites.

The JAGMTE website is almost entirely devoted to Scepter and LCI water and gas cans. With respect to water cans, they have designed several products that improve their functionality and convenience. I routinely use my 2.5 gallon Scepter can for the kitchen, and decided to replace my trusty long hose faucet which leaked and required two hands to operate. The JAGMTE Scepter (and LCI) water can cap replacement is self venting (eliminating leaking) and only requires one hand to operate. Convenient, efficient, and simple. See: https://jagmte.com/collections/scepter- ... ot-kit-mwc.

One note: In order to get the spigot positioned correctly, and to eliminate leaking, you will need a cap wrench, which JAGMTE sells. They are cheap, and having two would be a good idea.



Trach cans


3. Campsite Equipment

Camp Tables

This picture says it all. A good table helps to make the meal a great experience. Good food and scenery doesn't hurt.


Camp Chairs

Ditto for good chairs!!!



Eating Utensils

Snow Peak makes quality outdoor gear. These stainless steel plates will last a whole lot longer than any of the cheap plastic stuff, and save you from ingesting any more nasty micro plastics. Win, win.


Happy Hour Equipment


Portable John

Frankly, the less said about this piece of equipment, the better. But, I will say this: Having the means to answer the call of nature is a MUST on just about any trip.



Repair Kits

If you are in town or on short duration trips which are close to home or repair facilities, the following items are unnecessary. But, when your trip takes you to remote locations, hundreds of miles from home or repair facilities, having the means to make "field repairs" can be a lot more than just a convenience. This is when a carefully prepared repair kit comes into play. The benefits of such kits are realized only when you have the skills and knowledge to properly use them. Case in point is a tire repair kit. If you carry such a kit (which is a good idea), and have never used it, a flat tire on the trail, a hundred miles from a tire repair shop, is not the time to learn.

Good repair kits are too numerous to list, so I will just mention a few, and you will need to assess your needs to determine what you should carry.

Tire Repair Kit (https://safetyseal.com/product/kap30/)

Safety Seal Tire Repair Kit

Source: Safety Seal


Hardware Kit


Antenna Repair Kit


Sewing Repair Kit

A good sewing repair tool has almost unlimited uses, and is small enough to stow in any vehicle.



Misc. Tools

Tie Down Straps

Tie down straps fall into the multi-use tool category, much like duct tape, and several should be in every off-road vehicle.

1. Nalgene Water Bottles - Must-Have Equipment for Outdoor Adventures

1A. History of Nalgene Water Bottles 1B. Why I Rely on Nalgene Water Bottles
I have been using 1-Quart Nalgene Water Bottles since the early 1970s and they have never once let me down. The Nalgene bottles are a great size for carrying, for stuffing into a pocket on a backpack, attach to many brands of water filters, are nearly indestructible, generally don't flavor the water, and are relatively inexpensive. In addition, Nalgene Water Bottles are environmentally sound, and through their use, one contributes to fewer plastics entering the environment.

1C. Nalgene 1-Quart Water Bottles in My Gear Box

1D. Vintage Nalgene Water Bottles
These two Nalgene Water Bottles are early vintage bottles that I purchased in the early 1970s and used regularly for 40 years. The only reason they were semi-retired is because backcountry water filters began to use an updated Nalgene Bottle Lid thread that was lighter and flatter. These two bottles still get a little use when I need the capacity. 1E. Updated Nalgene Lid Thread
Nalgene updated its water bottles for several reasons, and a major update was a thinner, lighter, and flatter lid. The Updated lids are easier to attach and use less plastic, yet still provide a bubble-tight seal. The Nalgene Lid pattern is adopted by many water filter manufacturers.

This Nalgene shows some staining, which is possible on some Nalgene Water Bottles. This bottle was my Smelly Bottle and was used for making ice tea, juice, and other drinks over the years. In BEAR COUNTRY, the Smelly Bottles go into the BEAR BAG every night, so only one Nalgene Bottle was designated as the Smelly Bottle.

The bottle in the photo was purchased in the late 1980's or 1990's...its mate was lost years ago. Fun fact...with the translucent lid, the Nalgene can be turned into a lantern by shining a flashlight into the bottle through the lid. 1F. Recent Nalgene Bottles
By starting with a nearly perfect design, Nalgene has not needed to implement many improvements over the years. One improvement was adding graduated measurements on the side, and another was adding the leash to the lid. The Nalgene Water Bottle in this photo was purchased in the early 2000's and has been in regular use since, and has been refilled likely several thousand times! 1G. Nalgene Modern
Nalgene has implemented new materials to address consumer issues. This is a current bottle made with Tritan. 1H. Nalgene in Style
Nalgene bottles can now be had in many different colors. 1I. Glow in the Dark Nalgene
This Nalgene glows in the dark, making the bottle easier to find in a dark tent or under a moonless sky.
2. Scepter Military Water Cans

2A. Why I Rely on Scepter Military Water Cans
The Scepter brand of Military Water Cans are light and durable, and don't have the rust issues associated with metallic water cans, and they don't leak or easily break like the flimsy water containers found on grocery store shelves.

Initially, my preference was for the 20L Scepter containers, but for traveling, I now use almost exclusively the 10L containers. While the 10L containers may not be quite as efficient at water storage as the 20L Scepter MWCs, they are a lot lighter and easier to load, unload, and use, and the multiple MWCs can be assigned to different uses.

Full 20L (~5 Gallons) Scepter MWC = 48.42 pounds
Full 10L (~2.5 Gallons) Scepter MWC = 24.28 pounds

The Scepter MWCs are available in several different colors at https://www.lexingtoncontainercompany.c ... -Cans.html
2B. Scepter MWC Accessories
A couple of inexpensive accessories will make the Scepter MWCs even more easy to use, a Spout and a Lid Wrench.

See AB 28, in some circles referred to as a "sin tax," here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/face ... 320240AB28

NOTE: How they describe "Dealers" in this legislation:

• "Firearms and ammunition sold by licensed manufacturers, dealers, and vendors of these products contribute to gun violence and broader harms. Gun dealers, for example, are the leading source of firearms trafficked to illegal markets, often through straw purchases, as well as negligent losses."

• [Author's Comment] This is another attempt to vilify dealers and the general public who participate in their Second Amendment Right, a legal and protected endeavor, and is part of many anti-gun laws signed into law in SEP 2023 by Governor Newsom which included a myriad of restrictions that gutted the usefulness of CCW permits in CA, SB 2. This was an attempt to sidestep the SCOTUS ruling in New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, but a US appeals court ruled against several of the purposed SB 2, CCW restrictions. https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/01/us- ... ic-places/

How the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act tax money is codified for use:

The revenue from this act would provide sustained, dedicated investments in programs that are effective at addressing and remediating harms caused by firearm and ammunition industry products, including investments in:

• community gun violence intervention and prevention initiatives that help address risk factors for violent behavior, protect and heal victims, interrupt cycles of shootings, trauma, and retaliation among those at highest risk, and address racial inequality in access to safety for communities of color;

• gun violence research that helps stakeholders identify leading causes and evidence-based responses to gun violence;

• initiatives that train health care providers about effective clinical tools for preventing firearm suicide and injury;

• crime victim services, including mental health services, for victims of mass shootings and other gun homicides, and individuals chronically exposed to gun violence in their community, including students in school districts disproportionately impacted by gun violence in the school or broader community;

• coordinated efforts to ensure firearm and ammunition purchasers are adequately informed about how to comply with California’s gun safety laws and responsibilities associated with safe use and possession of firearms, including child access prevention, and to promote effective and equitable implementation of California’s gun safety laws and programs;

• programs that promote victims’ and public safety by ensuring the prompt, safe, and consistent removal of firearms and ammunition from people who become prohibited from possessing them, such as after a gun violence or domestic violence restraining order; and

• evidence-based activities to effectively and equitably support gun homicide and shooting investigations in order to deliver justice for victims of gun violence in communities bearing the brunt of these tragedies.

Groups like the California Rifle and Pistol Association are looking for litigants to file against the "sin tax" based on their "standing;" being negatively affected by this law/tax: https://crpa.org/news/blogs/crpa-statem ... ion-sales/

Definitely worth sharing...


I think it goes without saying that a rifle/shotgun and big bore revolvers are useful remedies for larger furbearer threats but they can be large and difficult to "explain" in the case of moving, specifically a rifle/shotgun, around in the campsite and big bore revolvers are often large and unwielding as well, with quick load and unload issues derived from most people's lack of training and confident use of speed loaders. So, what is left? Increasingly, it appears, the 10mm semi-automatic pistols have taken a top spot with folks who live, work or play around these threats. They are easily loaded and unloaded, have the potential for higher capacity round counts and come in a variety of manufacturers with many choices of ammunition available. The Glock 20, in 10mm, for instance, has become a "go to" for many who are concerned with personal protection in the wild.


Scalable solar power sources have become another reason to be able to move away from the common fuel fed lighting systems. Rechargeable, just about everything, has become a very basic concern in the campsite and relying simply on your vehicle to power all the items that can be battery powered has become a potential drain on your source of mobility, your lifeline for getting back to civilization. Why run the risk? To double up on redundancy, a nice solar generator with the right charging cables, cradles and inverters is a good way to address "power" in the campsite but it is also good for emergency communication and homestead power outages as well. Nesting several applications in this kind of power source can become a real change in how you look at, specifically battery powered, fixtures in the campsite.

Adding to the Nalgene discussion, I present to you cups that nest into both the Nalgene canteen and the Nalgene standard quart-sized container. On the right, the standard Nalgene big-mouth bottle with a stainless-steel cup I found for around $10 (Wally World). Additionally, on the right a military style Nalgene canteen with a standard issue canteen cup.

Lighting

I have several types of lights I use when camping and here are two that are regulars.

Cheap Amazon, Harbor Freight, or big box store motion sensor solar lights. I attache a magnet (either glue or some magnets come with stickum on the back) to the light and mount them on both sides of my FJ. They come on every time I come with in range. It's nice to have some external lighting around the FJ at night. If you have one of the new aluminum body vehicles then you'll have to mount them a different way.



Here is a light fan combo that I use in my tent. The fan has two modes low and high. The light is on or off. It comes with a bracket to hang it, or a leg that is use to prop the fan/light up to point in different directions.



Here you can see the different ways you can move the light/fan around for comfort.


These next two items go hand-in-hand. In stead of having two dish pans, one to wash in and one to rinse in, I can use one dish pan to wash and clean using the spray bottle to rinse. I spray the Dawn Power Wash on the dirty items, clean using sponge or equivalent and than use the spray to rinse the item. This saves water and clean up time. Spray bottle is another inexpensive Harbor Freight item.




Camping Refrigerators

Most of us that do Overlanding trips (5 days or more) have 12 V refrigerators for our perishables. These have been a great addition to our trips. No longer are we dealing with ice, soggy food, and are not tied to where our next ice stop is.

Most of the fridges can either freeze or chill your food, but not both. There are a couple that have two zone chambers that can be set separately. And some of the brands have charging ports to charge small portable electronic devices.

I've camped with people who layer the bottom of an ice chest with dry ice, then place a layer of towels to separate their food so it doesn't freeze or get frost byte. This usually lasts 3 to 4 days. This is great for short trips but very inconvenient for longer trips.

Here are some of the more popular camping refridgeators:


Dometic CFX3 35

Size: 35 L
Price $879.99
Power 12/120V
Lid Opening: End


Dometic CFX3 45

Size: 45 L
Price $949.99
Power 12/120V
Lid Opening: End



Dometic CFX3 75DZ

Size: 75 L
Price $1249.99
Power 12/120Vdometic-cfx3-75dz
Lid Opening: Duel Zone side


ARB 38 Quart Zero Zone

Size: 38 Q
Price $1100.00
Power 12/120V
Lid Opening: End


ARB 47 Quart Zero Zone

Size: 47 Q
Price $1136.00
Power 12/120V
Lid Opening: End

ARB 63 Quart Zero Zone

Size: 63 Q
Price: $1332.00
Power: 12/120V
Lid Opening: End

BougeRV CRPRO30

Size: 29 Quart
Price: $299.99
Power: 12/120V
Lid Opening: Side
Here is a new one that I thought I'd share because it's different in that it has an internal battery that can be remove and used to charge small electronic devices. The battery is sold separately. Fridge will stay cool for up to 10 hours on the battery (actual time depends on ambient temperature).

ARCO LIONCooler

Size: 30/40/50 L
Price w/o battery: $498/$538/$578
Price with battery: $718/$758/$798
Power: 12/120V and Battery
Lid Opening: Side

And finally this is my setup. I have an old ARB that I purchased around 2008 to 2010. As you can see from the pictures I have it mounted on a Tumbo Tusk slide. The ARB has served me well through several extended off-road trips that included some of the roughest washboard roads I've been on.

My unsung hero of camping and off-roading is the tailgate table.
When I bought Jack’s (KK6WXQ) TJ, he showed me all the improvements and add-ons he had done.
I thought the table was cool, but didn’t think too much about it until my first long off-road trip.
When we stopped, it was really handy for preparing lunch. Like may of them, it also has a cutting board, very useful, since some of the bread I buy is unsliced. I also used it for setting up my JetBoil real quick, I didn’t have to put together a table for it just to make a cup of tea or cook dinner.

Good Subject. Please check me in tonight.
KD6SJP
Geoff in Colton and sometimes Loma Linda.

Check in please!
Randy KF6KOC
Becky KF6RGR.

Thanks!

Check in please, Ed KM6UWI.