Let's Talk Outdoor Camping Tips, Tricks, Hacks

[Crazy dutch]

I’m on rtf team, done them both and won’t go back to a ground tent. I to have a dog, I just taught him to climb up the ladder. I do have to help him down in the morning but he’s learned to climb up on my shoulders. He weighs 75 pounds

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[TPadden72]

I’m on rtf team, done them both and won’t go back to a ground tent... I do have to help him down in the morning but he’s learned to climb up on my shoulders. He weighs 75 pounds

... but if he got to vote he'd most likely be on the ground tent team.

Seriously, never say never. Sooner or later as you both age a ground tent will be the only viable option. Enjoy the RTT while you both can.

Tom

 

[Steve_In_29]

I added this light.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPJT765J

It is bright as all get out and held in place to roof liner by velcro. So I can move it to shine light out rear of Bronco if needed. On my 2dr it is mounted between the roll bar and front seats. The power cord (into rear cargo light) is pretty long so I might also attach some velcro (it came with) on lift gate at some point as well to make it an overhead light out back. .

 

[tourproto]

Thinking about starting car camping for the occasional weekends along the gorgeous Cali coast I am so blessed to have at my disposal.
Anyone has any good recs for mattress situation? Deep sleep is on the top of the list but it is quite pricy, wanna hear some alternatives

I don't like spending money unnecessarily on stuff, but when it comes to in-Bronco sleeping, I haven't found anything that compares to the DeepSleep. It just works and I love it. Lots of do-it-yourself options out there, but I passed on them because the vast majority of them were "solid" platforms that took up too much space.

A big issue with the Bronco design is the non-flat back section (a design "fault" IMHO), and the deep sleep is the only commercial solution I found (this was well over a year ago, there may be something else out there now) for a leveling mat as part of the sleeping surface.

If the back was flat, I would just use my backpacking Therm-a-rest and be good.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

I installed fords rear slide out tailgate... makes the floor level with the seats down.

I’ve figured out that extending my slide out tailgate is the only way I could sleep in the back. I would need a tent that attaches at the clamshell if I want an enclosed space and a mattress that extends to the slide-out, with a pad to level that with the rest of the cargo area. Being tall is a pain in the ass sometimes. More often than not, honestly. I’m probably just going to stick to ground tents. I have a cheap inflatable queen mattress from Walmart that’s been going strong for years now and it makes a ground tent reasonably comfortable. Bought a small USB-chargeable electric pump to inflate it.

 

[tourproto]

I’ve figured out that extending my slide out tailgate is the only way I could sleep in the back. I would need a tent that attaches at the clamshell if I want an enclosed space and a mattress that extends to the slide-out, with a pad to level that with the rest of the cargo area. Being tall is a pain in the ass sometimes. More often than not, honestly. I’m probably just going to stick to ground tents. I have a cheap inflatable queen mattress from Walmart that’s been going strong for years now and it makes a ground tent reasonably comfortable. Bought a small USB-chargeable electric pump to inflate it.

Absolutely nothing wrong with a ground tent! (I have one too) Except when it is 0* outside at night and the ground is covered with a foot of snow. That's when sleeping IN the Bronco is a much better deal

When it is just me, I prefer sleeping in the Bronco. I can decide when/where i want to sleep. its just faster and easier IMO. Especially with the 12V air pump that came with the DeepSleep. It is inflated and deflated in about 2 min.

 

[suparee]

I added this light.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPJT765J

It is bright as all get out and held in place to roof liner by velcro. So I can move it to shine light out rear of Bronco if needed. On my 2dr it is mounted between the roll bar and front seats. The power cord (into rear cargo light) is pretty long so I might also attach some velcro (it came with) on lift gate at some point as well to make it an overhead light out back. .

Wow. That makes sense.

 

[Felix808]

As a less is more type camper, I appreciate my camp shower.

1 gallon bug sprayer with a kitchen sprayer installed on it.

I just couldn't see paying the $350+ for one of those yuppie geyser units

 

[BigFootie]

As a less is more type camper, I appreciate my camp shower.

1 gallon bug sprayer with a kitchen sprayer installed on it.

I just couldn't see paying the $350+ for one of those yuppie geyser units

Bonus benefit…..no ticks, flies, or mosquito’s bugging you later!

 

[swamp2]

My first Boy Scout winter camping trip I found out air mattresses are very comfortable but very cold if uninsulated.

I see a few comments about Boy Scouts here. Have to chime in with my experience growing up with a serious Scout Master in Fairbanks Alaska.

One camping trip per month, regardless of weather was our troops policy. We camped outdoors all winter. We had a 100 below club where you had to get 3 consecutive monthly trips where the sum of the temperatures was LESS than negative 100! When it was colder than about 30 below zero we would camp in out Scout Masters back yard. Just too many things that can go wrong and then get serious. I never made -100 but got close, around -90.

We didn't have a crazy ton of prep, just good sleeping bags and easy to cook (home made) meals double wrapped in aluminum foil. Typically meat, potatoes, veggies and butter. Toss it on the coals for 5-10 min each side, slice open and eat directly from the cooking pouch.

Good times and great memories.

 

[tourproto]

We didn't have a crazy ton of prep, just good sleeping bags and easy to cook (home made) meals double wrapped in aluminum foil. Typically meat, potatoes, veggies and butter. Toss it on the coals for 5-10 min each side, slice open and eat directly from the cooking pouch.

That is seriously old school. I assume it was so cold out that you weren't worried about the meat going bad? Or was the meat already cooked and all you were doing was reheating it?

We did Underwood Deviled ham in cans and bread. We also had tinfoil, butter, and lemons. If we caught fish, we'd put butter and a few lemon wedges in the belly after cleaning, wrap in tinfoil and toss on the fire.

 

[EasternSierra]

That is seriously old school. I assume it was so cold out that you weren't worried about the meat going bad? Or was the meat already cooked and all you were doing was reheating it?

It had to have been already cooked given the short time on the coals. I think the challenge would have been in keeping those meals from freezing beforehand.

One of the fun things about winter camping/backpacking in a cold area is that you can take perishable food along and not worry about it spoiling, as long as it's protected from the relative warmth in the vehicle.

 

[swamp2]

I assume it was so cold out that you weren't worried about the meat going bad? Or was the meat already cooked and all you were doing was reheating it?

Again 30° below 0, Farenheit!

The meat was entirely raw. Maybe I have the cooking time wrong. I don't recall efforts to keep it less cold/frozen before cooking. It seems like that would be the relevant challenge. I also don't recall keeping food in my sleeping bag overnight, so it must have frozen...

 

[EasternSierra]

Again 30° below 0, Farenheit!

The meat was entirely raw. Maybe I have the cooking time wrong. I don't recall efforts to keep it less cold/frozen before cooking. It seems like that would be the relevant challenge. I also don't recall keeping food in my sleeping bag overnight, so it must have frozen...

I stand corrected. Come to think about it, 5-10 minutes per side right on the coals is a lot of heat, enough to cook a steak or similar decently.

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