FatDave's Thread

[FatDave]

I just read through this entire thread(big accomplishment I know) and you have some great pics and fun looking adventures. Since I live in Denver I'll be trying to copy most of your trips haha.

Do you camp out on some of the longer drives or do you hotel it? I only ask because my gf and I want to do some light(at this point my TE is mostly stock) off roading and camping but I'd prefer to do disbursed car camping rather than sharing a campground with lots of other people... really get out there in the woods. I can't seem to find a lot of info on where I can do car camping in CO without paying for a multi-site campground rather than just pulling off a dirt road and setting up a tent.

Howdy, neighbor Thanks!

I'm at the age (52) where I like a long hot shower and a soft clean bed at the end of a day wheelin'. I loves my motels and B&B's. So, unfortunately, I can't help with your camping question. You probably already did so, but I suggest a look at the National Forest and BLM web sites.

 

[FatDave]

Basketcase pointers

Hi FD,

I would like to follow your lead on mounting the basketcase this way. It seems like the right fit. Low profile so easier on the gas milage, but good for some extra gas, which is the only thing I will likely ever need to put up there. And I have rotopax.

I am wondering if you could give some more details, or have a picture of the DIY mounting that you did.

Thank you,
Deaner

Hi, deanerdub.

There's a description and pics of the Basketcase mod above in this thread.

I'll add some high level points here.

Basically, the Basketcase fits almost perfectly between the factory Trail Edition rails. The rails are not parallel, so the fit varies, depending on how far back you mount it.

The Basketcase comes with a mounting kit for round Yakima crossbars. The kit contains at least 2 black plastic "c" clamps.

The strategy is to split/cut 2 "c" clamps into 4 blocks. Once you cut them, you need to trim the clamp part off the boxy ends.

The ends have rectangular holes in them for carraige bolts.

So, the plan is to remove the rear, factory rail caps/ends, place the correct length carraige bolts (I bought shorter ones) through the black plastic blocks, slide the blocks down the inside of the rails with the bolts facing the inside of the vehicle, lower the Basketcase over the bolts, and use the included black plastic wing nuts to tighten.

I used purchased washers to take up the gaps between the Basketcase and the rails, and I used fender washers under the wing nuts so they didn't dig into the plastic covering on the wire basket.

Finally, I had to grind/file down the plastic wing nut ends a little.

Hope this helps.

:FatDave