How do you pack for overland/off road

[Mark_BC]

I've never had a bear incident with food. I guess they're all well fed up here. Sometimes curious black bears but most of my encounters were with grizzlies harassing me. I always have bear spray ready to go which is pretty much 100% reliable. The issue is if the wind blows it back onto you or if you're in a populated campground then you could send everyone into hysterics and get sued. But in a populated campground the chances that u will be the focus of the bears attention is minor.

 

[psraff]

I always have bear spray ready to go which is pretty much 100% reliable. The issue is if the wind blows it back onto you ...

yep! When I go out hiking, I have my .44 in a cross draw position on my front left hip (that way I could use either hand to draw). And I have bear spray on my right hip. I would prefer to use spray on a bear, but wind and distance is a factor.

In my .44 I carry Garrett rounds. They're getting old so I've had my Dad reload others for me.

 

[theesotericone]

yep! When I go out hiking, I have my .44 in a cross draw position on my front left hip (that way I could use either hand to draw). And I have bear spray on my right hip. I would prefer to use spray on a bear, but wind and distance is a factor.

When I was in Fairbanks I took a summer to backpack through the Brooks Range. I had everything I needed for a long time out packed and ready to go. My friends father was going to drive me to the trailhead. As I shouldered my pack he asked where my sidearm was. I didn't have one. I'd spent plenty of time in bear country and never gave it a second thought.

He insisted that I carry one of his. He hands me his Sig .40 and 2 extra clips. I refuse. He refuses to take me until I agree. So my hands forced and I agree. I holster the thing at the trailhead and throw the extra clips in my top lid. We shake and I tell him see you in 6 weeks.

I carried that extra 4 lbs through the entire range for 40 days. I never once fired off a round. lol

 

[Etool711]

When I was in Fairbanks I took a summer to backpack through the Brooks Range. I had everything I needed for a long time out packed and ready to go. My friends father was going to drive me to the trailhead. As I shouldered my pack he asked where my sidearm was. I didn't have one. I'd spent plenty of time in bear country and never gave it a second thought.

He insisted that I carry one of his. He hands me his Sig .40 and 2 extra clips. I refuse. He refuses to take me until I agree. So my hands forced and I agree. I holster the thing at the trailhead and throw the extra clips in my top lid. We shake and I tell him see you in 6 weeks.

I carried that extra 4 lbs through the entire range for 40 days. I never once fired off a round. lol

Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

 

[Mark_BC]

I'd never shoot a grizzly, or any bear really. Not just because it might not actually be intent on hurting you, but because it is pretty much guaranteed that you aren't going to stop it with a bullet, only make it angrier. You'd have nowhere near enough time to unload enough rounds to stop a charging large bear. Plus good luck actually hitting it that many times in the adrenaline of the 5 seconds it takes to charge. The size of gun you would require to stop it is not something you are going to be able to get ready in the time you need it. Maybe one bullet might stop a black bear but those you can scare away.

Note: don't interpret this as any pro- or anti- gun statement, just an analysis of what to do in bear encounters. If you want to carry a gun, be my guest!

The advice I give above, I hear so often now, and I fully agree. See page 151 of this document about safety working in the bush in BC.

http://amebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/AME-BC-Safety-Guidelines_5th-Ed-2014-Rev_Web.pdf

A couple times I have used bear bangers. Words cannot describe how loud that bang is. It will scare anything.

 

[pstur11]

I’m curious how you guys set up your 3rd gen for a overland trip. I’m interested in storage ideas, and what you bring for the trip. What you have learned. What you need and don’t need. Please share photos.

the basic things i think about:
- what are the weather conditions? lots of rain would entail settings up tarps. if there were no trees then i'd pack some long poles, such as 2x2s, for securing the tarp. lots of cold? then i'd prepare for the worst case of needing to hunker down in the vehicle and stay warm.
- how long is the trip? this motivates amount of clothing, or needing to bring a portable shower.
- do things need to be kept cold? if so, is the inconvenience of buying ice for a cooler okay, or is an electric fridge preferred? how will this electric fridge be powered? new battery + solar? i like the simplicity and cost of a cooler.
- what's the resupply distance? how much food is needed to be brought? i like to stop daily to get more food, but i also usually carry ~2-4 days of non-spoilable food.
- sleeping? roof tent, tent/hammock sleep, or inside of vehicle? i like inside the vehicle.
- privacy inside the vehicle for sleeping? tint sufficient, or custom curtain for better stealth camping?
- mattress: air mattress or foam? air mattress is less volume stowed, but does not easily conform to custom shapes (foam cuts really nicely), and is less comfortable.
- sleep platform? lots of youtube videos on this
- how many people are going with you? if it's 4 then a rooftop tent is better. if it's 1 then it work great to sleep on one side and put gear on the other. can the vehicle be modified? i took out my back seats permanently.

other items:
- recovery gear: lots of other info already on this. i carry a winch, tow straps, traction boards, and snow chains
- repair: socket set, breaker bar, torque wrench, electric tire pump, multimeter, etc. usually this stuff comes in handy for helping others out.
- camp stuff: chairs, tables, hammock, fire wood, wood saw, axe
- hobby stuff: things to do during the day like fishing or hiking
- radio gear: amateur radio license (technician license) and some communication equipment
- extra gas and water

 

[bike]

I think you meant page 161 and also I quote
"There is no evidence of increased attack to women having their menstrual period".



Hahahaha

 

[psraff]

I'd never shoot a grizzly, or any bear really. Not just because it might not actually be intent on hurting you, but because it is pretty much guaranteed that you aren't going to stop it with a bullet, only make it angrier. You'd have nowhere near enough time to unload enough rounds to stop a charging large bear. Plus good luck actually hitting it that many times in the adrenaline of the 5 seconds it takes to charge. The size of gun you would require to stop it is not something you are going to be able to get ready in the time you need it. Maybe one bullet might stop a black bear but those you can scare away.

Note: don't interpret this as any pro- or anti- gun statement, just an analysis of what to do in bear encounters. If you want to carry a gun, be my guest!

The advice I give above, I hear so often now, and I fully agree. See page 151 of this document about safety working in the bush in BC.

http://amebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/AME-BC-Safety-Guidelines_5th-Ed-2014-Rev_Web.pdf

A couple times I have used bear bangers. Words cannot describe how loud that bang is. It will scare anything.

When I was in Fairbanks I took a summer to backpack through the Brooks Range. I had everything I needed for a long time out packed and ready to go. My friends father was going to drive me to the trailhead. As I shouldered my pack he asked where my sidearm was. I didn't have one. I'd spent plenty of time in bear country and never gave it a second thought.

He insisted that I carry one of his. He hands me his Sig .40 and 2 extra clips. I refuse. He refuses to take me until I agree. So my hands forced and I agree. I holster the thing at the trailhead and throw the extra clips in my top lid. We shake and I tell him see you in 6 weeks.

I carried that extra 4 lbs through the entire range for 40 days. I never once fired off a round. lol

I carry not just for bear, but for moose as well. A moose protecting her young is just as dangerous as a bear. The guy I actually bought my .44 from had one charge him. Got the shot off (and he's the one that taught me about those Garrett bullets) and dropped the moose practically at his feet.

Last year was the worst year I've ever seen for bear mauling ever. For a while, there was 2 or 3 a week. Most didn't have any protection (kids, or people who think they only need to carry bells) and they suffered for it. Growing up in Montana, never thought twice about bears or moose. Up here, different story.

If I ever move down to Arizona, I don't know what I'll do honestly. They have black bear and mountain lions, but I'm more worried about the snakes (that could change once I adjust to the environment). I think I would carry a Smith & Wesson Governor.

 

[Mark_BC]

Ya I'm more afraid of moose than bears. I have a funny story about a moose in Alaska. I was riding my bike around for a couple weeks. On my last day in Anchorage I had a flight out the next morning. I didn't want to stay in the hostel and get bedbugs so I decided to ride towards the airport and sleep on a park bench. I was riding that path that goes along between the water and the city and it was dusk. Suddenly I see a huge moose in front of me and I slam on my brakes which weren't very good. I literally stop 2 feet from going right underneath it. I back away and it didn't seem too concerned, it was a female in September. Then I'm riding down the streets instead and some lady warns me to stay away, there is a moose nearby and they are dangerous. Yeah...

 

[psraff]

Ya I'm more afraid of moose than bears. I have a funny story about a moose in Alaska. I was riding my bike around for a couple weeks. On my last day in Anchorage I had a flight out the next morning. I didn't want to stay in the hostel and get bedbugs so I decided to ride towards the airport and sleep on a park bench. I was riding that path that goes along between the water and the city and it was dusk. Suddenly I see a huge moose in front of me and I slam on my brakes which weren't very good. I literally stop 2 feet from going right underneath it. I back away and it didn't seem too concerned, it was a female in September. Then I'm riding down the streets instead and some lady warns me to stay away, there is a moose nearby and they are dangerous. Yeah...

LOL Yep!!
This was just several days ago. Skip to about the 30 second mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DIXBZV86IA

 

[Mark_BC]

Lol to be fair to the moose, she was trapped between the fence and highway, probably stressed out

 

[Nixid]

We also have a Jaguar in AZ, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Jefe_(jaguar)

 

[Kanoe]

To get back to the Ops topic...

Just this bed and the rear mount tool box(for grease gun, oil, anti-freeze etc.). 2 x 8 month trips so far. We pack light enough to keep the drivers seat open for late night moving if needed, just move a few things to the passenger seat for sleeping. The under bed storage holds a surprising amount of stuff.

FYI - we don't carry bear guns in the Yukon.

 

[BombCity]

Nice stuff people. I'm old fashion & have been camping for 46 years. Everything goes in assorted size duffel bags or my external frame hiking backpacks. They take up less space than totes, they compress on each other & the smaller ones can stuff anywhere if needed. I have 3 dogs so no building anything fancy in the back for me. Plus who needs the weight along with the armor. I've had the rear seats out since 2014 since me & my girl aren't having kids. The dogs go in the cargo area & gear goes where the back seats should be.

I used to go backpacking a lot so I have no need to bring every gadget/luxury item camping & all of my gear is lite weight. I could rough it in the rain for 5-6 days straight. No car camping, (that's easy) hiking up a trail & staying there.

Instead of taking up more space & adding weight with a fridge think about a good cooler & get some dry ice from your local ice cream distributor. No need to spend $200 on a cooler or Fridge. A nice $45 Igloo or Coleman will do just fine. LOL

PS, I do like those Plano totes that Brian shared. I might get a few for my garage & store extra 4Runner parts in there.

Bingo. Too much extra stuff in these overland rigs. I grew up backpacking as well, so I learned to pack only what is needed and would rather not rely on gadgetry that weighs me down and has great potential for failure at the worst possible time. Who needs the headache, extra weight and expense? Keep it light, simple and functional. To each their own.

 

[Skibber]

#t4coffin Epiteth: Here lies The Randy Man...:rockon:

I took out the back seats and built two bins along the sides and a platform to level out where the seats were, all out of plywood and 2x4s. Then stapled carpeting to it, and used the d-rings already on the floorboard to tie them down. I'm 6'3 and I can lay flat on my back in between. The carpet goes across to velcro so that everything is hidden from anyone curious to look inside.

 

[TheRandyMan]

#t4coffin Epiteth: Here lies The Randy Man...:rockon:

Haha, now I'm going to feel claustrophobic, thanks a lot.

 

[kolelt]

Bingo. Too much extra stuff in these overland rigs. I grew up backpacking as well, so I learned to pack only what is needed and would rather not rely on gadgetry that weighs me down and has great potential for failure at the worst possible time. Who needs the headache, extra weight and expense? Keep it light, simple and functional. To each their own.

I will have to disagree about the fridge. Can you survive without a fridge. Yes ! But believe me. It’s the best thing that can be in your truck. Your food will stay fresh and not go bad. You will not have to worry about ice or soggy food. I just got back from VA and I used my dometic fridge. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Brought left over food and it was still good. There was a guy with a Coleman and ice. And let’s just say after 6 hour drive.... it was melted. And so on.... not much you can do for 3 days. But that’s my personal opinion.

I also want a RTT now ! Having to camp on rocky ground, the time it takes to set up a ground tent. Is frustrating. Seeing how easily the other people set their RTT and how it’s simple. Plus your higher of the ground. Truly a awesome thing for a Overlander

 

[Scramble]

I will have to disagree about the fridge. Can you survive without a fridge. Yes ! But believe me. It’s the best thing that can be in your truck. Your food will stay fresh and not go bad. You will not have to worry about ice or soggy food. I just got back from VA and I used my dometic fridge. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Brought left over food and it was still good. There was a guy with a Coleman and ice. And let’s just say after 6 hour drive.... it was melted. And so on.... not much you can do for 3 days. But that’s my personal opinion.

I also want a RTT now ! Having to camp on rocky ground, the time it takes to set up a ground tent. Is frustrating. Seeing how easily the other people set their RTT and how it’s simple. Plus your higher of the ground. Truly a awesome thing for a Overlander

You put your food in zip locks. LOL You use that water for drinking & the ice for mixed drinks. Also a good cooler will have a tray for butter, cheese, etc.

Did you see my post above about dry ice? One piece will last 6 days.

 

[Islandchanel]

Some very creative minds here.

 

[RAD4Runner]

......the time it takes to set up a ground tent is frustrating....

You put your food in zip locks. ...

Yes, The more you know, the less you need...

Bingo. Too much extra stuff in these overland rigs....would rather not rely on gadgetry that weighs me down ...

Yes, learn to do with less. Same reason I picked a first-gen, yet I still remove things I don't need from the truck.

I even pared down my tool kit; smaller one for daily driving (3/8-inch drive socket set), adding a 1/2-inch drive socket and breaker bar for road trips... err... overlanding

I'm in the minimalist/essentialist camp. To each his own but in my book, try selling me an RTT's...