Seriously getting ready for an Expedition..

[Tbars4]

Next year, in Moab, let's make sure we can make it to camp earlier in the day. I have more to cook!

And brownies...

...I'm all up for that...I would like to spend more time camping and socializing with the people who make it to this next trip...I already drive from sunrise to sunset at home..

Storage container Update:

...I just found some containers like the ones I bought for this last trip..Found them at True Value near me and that's the only place I've seen them since..They have them for $22.95.

...As for the action packers, I finally ran across only one of the standard small ones at REI with no price..Wally world and OSH didn't have them either..Wally world by me is now sporting a new container by Rubbermaid and it looks like it's one step down from the action packers and has a different name..

 

[Brian1]

Wally world by me is now sporting a new container by Rubbermaid and it looks like it's one step down from the action packers and has a different name..

I have noticed that here too One store still had a few action packers, I should have checked the price, maybe they are clearancing them out

 

[turboexplorer]

I Love the action packers, best container I use by far. Wally World by me still carries them.

 

[Tbars4]

...Serious about cooking outdoors?

..I ran across this ad today on Craigs..
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/boa/2406876343.html

..The guy was wanting to trade a camp kitchen

Orignal cost of this was $8500.00. plus tax and shipping New and never used.

..and he has a couple pictures but they didn't show much for $8500..I started searching the net and found out it is made by Cook Ind and I don't think they are still making them..

..A little to big for my liking but anyways, onto the Ultimate camp kitchen...

..Be sure to check out the pictures and info in this link..
http://www.ewins.com/items/220175/C...lgate_Backyard_BBQ_Kitchen_-_Extreme_Kitchen_

 

[Tbars4]

Next year, in Moab, let's make sure we can make it to camp earlier in the day. I have more to cook!

And brownies...

..Hey, when are we going to get the Moab Exploration trip thread started?

..It seems like a long ways off but with the economy still going downhill, we may need the time to start saving and planning..

 

[Tbars4]

...Since DB_1 has been getting so much done on his Ranger and since I talked to ScottB this am and he was working on his Ranger, I felt like such a slug as it was almost 7 am and I hadn't gotten nothing done to my trucks..

...So, I went and grabbed the Ranger, the grinder, and my frame drilling tools to get a couple needed projects out of the way..:biggthump

..First was to fix the new hitch on the Ranger...It was never a problem at all until we got back from the trip and I unloaded everything including the tire carrier...Once I did that the shackle bolts started screeching against the side of the hitch frame so the hitch was removed within 12 hours and been sitting ever since..

..Got the grinder out and went to town on the shackle bolts...Didn't go crazy and they look like their still touching but all is well now..

...When I picked the hitch up to throw it in the back of the truck to start that project, I was reminded of my OBA still needing to be mounted...I grabbed it's tank and 1 of the Ranger T/C skid plates I have and went to town on that project next...


...The operator is **** eyed, not the camera..

...A better angle shot..

..It actually sits over the flat area of the exhaust so no heat problem..

...Plenty of clearance for the blow off on top and in case it does get smooshed..

..and yet I can easily reach the drain **** to drain it..

...I know I know, it's not as fancy as our own "Dimple Die Brian's" fab work but it will get the job done..:

 

[Scott B.]

I like the use of a factory skid plate.

Who made your air tank? I ordered one from Viair - should be here next week.

 

[Tbars4]

...That's the Viair 2-1/2 gallon air tank...

..The T/C skid plate fits like a glove..:biggthump

 

[Maniak]

...That's the Viair 2-1/2 gallon air tank...

..The T/C skid plate fits like a glove..:biggthump

If you have the ability, I'd weld some 1/4 plate or something like that to the bottom of that skid plate. I've bent the heck our of our factory skid plate a few times, enough that it almost broke the weight off the back of the transfer case.

I do like that idea though.. I've been meaning to mount my air tank back there and just never found the right way to do it.

edit: this is what I did to ours.

IMG_1938 by maniak_az, on Flickr

~Mark

 

[gmanpaint]

Pretty sweet set up there!

What if you just doubled up the skid plates and tacked them together? I have been thinking of doing that with mine as I just acquired another skid for $5.

 

[Tbars4]

...The luxury of doing this on a Ranger is the frame is about 8"'s higher in that location..

..If you compare your picture and this one using the gas tank skid plate as a reference, the height difference will appear...

...I honestly don't think I will land on it where it sits and if I do, I think I might have a lot bigger problem than just the tank/skidplate to worry about..

..This sits just behind the rear axle and as close to the drivers side shock as I could get it so I'm still able to swap the shock out and it easily clears as it cycles ...

..This picture was actually taken looking in the gap above the hitch and below the bottom of the rear bumper..( top of hitch frame shown)

...:scratch:.. this may not be it's permanent location as it may get relocated later on in it's progression...

 

[Brian1]

I know I know, it's not as fancy as our own "Dimple Die Brian's" fab work but it will get the job done..:

Actually that is a pretty clever mounting solution! Nice job Tbars! No need to beef up the skidplate, as you said you would have bigger problems if you ever took a hit there. Mine is only 1/8" steel.

 

[Tbars4]

...Thanks for the props Dimple Die...:biggthump

...Much better than your old nickname of SB..:

 

[Tbars4]

...Went camping up in Hungry Valley for an annual event up there and finally got to try a few of the kitchen goodies out...

...I set up the little kitchen, the 2 burner and the single burner stove, mainly to make sure they were working properly and it was a success..:biggthump

...What pictures don't show is, there was a steady 10-15 mph breeze blowing...This would have made cooking on the single burner in the open a bit difficult...The double burner with the wind screens of course, did a lot better..Tonight's menu was 2 cans of Dinty Moore beef stew with a loaf a bread..What can I say?

...:scratch:..I swore I picked up a stirring utensil when I bought El Cheapo spatula but I couldn't find it....This led me to either using a new paint stick in the truck or my hobo spoon..I used the spoon but gave serious thought about the paint stick..

..I could never find a pic of my Hobo utensil's I bought a few years back at Wally World so here is one...

...I've been asked a few times over the years,"What do you do about milk for cooking or cereal when camping for long periods and no fridge?"

..No problem..Get a box of milk..

...You can buy un-refrigerated milk and safely carry it with you on camping trips...This also comes in handy if you do have limited storage in a fridge or cooler...This is just like the milk you by in the refrigerated dairy section and can be found in the evaporated milk section of a grocery store...

..They have different sizes from little six packs like juice boxes (which are great for single bowls of cereal) generally up to a 1-quart size like I have pictures here..This is regular 2% milk and this quart size cost about $1.50..

...Easily fits in the new kitchen...

..But wait you say, "Milk in a box can't last that long un-refrigerated"..It actually has a long shelf life until you unseal it..Then, you must refrigerate the un-used portion ASAP since it is regular ol' milk...

 

[Tbars4]

Deflators

...Forgot to add that I went up to that annual event with buying a "Preset" set of Deflators at a discount in mind...

..First I was going to get a set of Stauns but the skuttle butt is they haven't shipped to the U.S. since March..

..Second choice was a set of Smitty Built Deflators but 4WP's wanted $34.99 plus tax at this event...I bought a set and their Quality control has gone down as the threading wanted to strip the threads on my valve stems..:thumbdwn:

..Then I bought American..
http://www.trailheaddeflators.com/product.htm

..I got a smokin deal up there on an easily adjustable set for $50 bucks and they are made in the L.A. area..Use the supplied allen wrench and each full turn is a 1.5 pound adjustment..Limited Lifetime Warranty and choice of 3 colors..This comes in handy if you preset a couple sets for different poundage..

..Here is a pic of what all it comes with and even has a deflating chart..

 

[Keeper0311]

MMM, Denty Moore stew. I know what I'm packing out to Truckhaven this time around.

 

[mjmcdowell]

Cooking........

Ted, with you and Scott into the cooking........ it could be a "Gain weight" trip to MOAB next year, Ha!! Looking good, Oh, they upped the damage estimate on my truck to $ 9500, and a finish/pick up date of 07/12... we shall see. I want to do the West to East "Trans Lab. Highway loop in August by myself, 1000 mi. remote gravel road, again, we shall see. Stay safe, Michael

 

[Scott B.]

Excuse me, but I wouldn't call heating up 2 cans of Dinty Moore stew cooking...

 

[gmanpaint]

Have you guys used the soups and the coffee' with the self heating cans? They don't get boiling hot, but they do get hot enough to make some steam. Wolfgang Puck was the brand of coffee I had tried and it was very good. Think they work just like the MRE heaters with the crystals in the bottom section of the cans.


I agree with Scott....I can heat a can of stew with my little propane torch...LOL

 

[Scott B.]

Have you guys used the soups and the coffee' with the self heating cans? They don't get boiling hot, but they do get hot enough to make some steam. Wolfgang Puck was the brand of coffee I had tried and it was very good. Think they work just like the MRE heaters with the crystals in the bottom section of the cans.


I agree with Scott....I can heat a can of stew with my little propane torch...LOL

Aren't the self heating products expensive? I've seen Mountain House brand food packs with the self-heater - great idea, but heavy and costly.

I think they are better for emergencies than day-to-day use.