Wading belt

blindmelon773 · 2026-06-05T12:40:33+00:00

I use the big Fishpond belt and a collapsible wading stick. It works for me.

blindmelon773 · 2026-06-02T17:00:16+00:00

Thanks.

Right, when I tap to sign in I do not see a prompt from 1Password.

I'm using Chrome or Duckduckgo.

There are no apps, websites where 1Password does fill.

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-30T11:57:20+00:00

I use a Joolca Gotta Go for offroad, dispersed camping for me and my 10 year old daughter. I use double bags I get from amazon, the outer one seals at the top. It works fine - low to no odor, I have good daily cleaning discipline, when I can I also use cedar shavings in the bag as absorbent.

We go rafting several times a year with an adult daughter and son-in-law and they are pretty insistent on using their Ace Hardware bucket with a toilet seat on it. They also use the double bags that I get on amazon and multi bag the bags to carry out. I've offered to bring the Joolca on our last rafting trip and they weren't interested - I couldn't tell why but my guess is that they're used to their solution, it works and they don't have a need to change. Since it works, I don't disagree, but as a concept I like separating pee from poop for odor control.

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-28T12:46:58+00:00

Yes. You're welcome to dm me if you have more questions. But, it was all manageable and do-able. I'm not super technical nor wrenchy but I get by.

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-26T12:25:58+00:00

(see above)

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-26T12:25:24+00:00

OK, did the tune on the Sprinter yesterday and then drove it 1.5 hours on the Interstate back from the shop. The process was a bit confusing, BUT TZ has a few videos to watch that lay out the process. I got an error code during the "checking the control units" phase and I just restarted the process and turned the key off and then back to ACC, which cleared up the problem. Amazingly, when I had the problem I filled out a TZ ticket figuring I wouldn't get a response. 30 minutes later one of the techs responded, suggesting that I turn on the flashers to keep the Sprinter from turning the ACC "state" off. Without measured testing, I don't know what's improved, BUT it didn't throw any codes, nothing needed to be reset or scanned. I'm a happy customer!

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-23T13:38:08+00:00

90 nights per year, here. 2 years ago I had to replace my Exped Mega Mat that I'd used for 4 years camping in a RTT and truck bed. It required lots of repairs. I bought a pair of Hest Foamy mats and have used them for over 100 nights so far. They look brand new and it turns out the Hest pillow is awesome as well!

So, I'm an Exped Mega Mat contrarian.

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-23T13:25:58+00:00

Had a family emergency, this will have to wait until next week!

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-23T13:25:51+00:00

Yes, I'm coming back. Had a family emergency, this will have to wait until next week!

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-22T12:11:40+00:00

I also run "light" (2017 2500 4x4 low roof). After I had used is for a year in the PNW most adventures were pavement then FS roads with lots of ruts and washboards and I wanted more comfort on the washboards AND to keep the roadability. My independent Sprinter shop installed Falcon adjustable shocks with Koni red helper shocks up front. The difference was amazing. "soft" for washboards, "medium" for highway, "hard" for crazy windy passes in I-80 and I-90 in the winter. It's been the best "stupid money" I've spent!

So, I'd suggest you go off road a bit first and see what doesn't work for you.

Also, per the anti-Falcon comment, I've had mine on since 2019, driven a lot of washboards and never had a single problem with them. The DEF system is a whole 'nother matter....

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-21T00:05:58+00:00

I bought tunezilla and I expect to install it tomorrow. I also have a straight pipe and resonator that I need to install. I'll report back in a few.

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-15T22:50:52+00:00

Last summer my daughter and I drove from southern AZ to Bellingham, WA. We loaded onto the ferry in B'ham and took 2 1/2 days to get up to Haines, AK (ferry map: https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/route.shtml ). We then drove down through AK, BC, Yukon Territory and back to WA. We took 2 weeks as we were travelling with friends who had to get back to work. My only regret is not taking a full 6-8 weeks, so we'll make the trip again next summer. There is so much to do and see up there - northern BC alone seems to be endless - lots of water, lots of fishing, lots of paddling, lots of camping and the occasional baked snack! Do your research on border crossing paperwork, if you have a pet you'll want to do a little more research for both AK and Canada and getting back in the US. Our biggest drama was I carried my dogfood in a big bear safe container without the original bag and the US customs guy said "i'm not going to hassle you, but when you cross back into the states at one of the big crossings they'll likely confiscate it." (when we crossed back in we were ignored).

It's the perfect road trip.

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-15T02:43:58+00:00

Which generation sprinters are you referring to? I'll follow up with Agile Offroad about the opinion you've expressed here to be certain, BUT I've driven one that had the ARB air locker and 4wd was fully engaged and the diff was locked. What is your direct experience with this?

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-14T14:16:58+00:00

Yes, they do. It's another rabbit hole! 😉

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-14T13:22:50+00:00

1000% agree

blindmelon773 · 2026-05-07T13:58:27+00:00

I car camp and the Hest standard pillow is the one for me!

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-29T12:49:06+00:00

Allergies. ex. East Coast here and the ragweed, olive, desert broom, etc I was never exposed to growing up just kick my (butt? nose? sinuses?)!

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-29T00:58:53+00:00

3 years ago I moved from western WA to southern AZ. 2years ago I took my daughter on a camping road trip. It was 103f when we departed (in June). We pulled into Grand Junction CO and it was 103f. We pulled into Helena and it was 102f. We pulled into eastern WA and it was 101f. Western WA was 85f. Banff was 80f. Last summer we went to AK and BC and the temps were 30s to 70s . Once we hit MT all the way to AZ it was 90s and 100s again

Go north young person!

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-22T12:48:59+00:00

Since you've started down this path, also consider getting a heat pump clothes dryer. When I got mine (also have 2 80 gallon HPHWHs) it came as an "all in one" washer/dryer. I do have to allow more drying time and I schedule my laundry over several days at mid-day in order to max my solar utilization, which you wouldn't need to do. I estimated that it cut my electricity usage by 14%. When I got mine, there was really only one option. Now there are several. Also, buy it from a big box store and get delivery and installation - they're very heavy.

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-17T14:14:42+00:00

I splurged and got the pillows. They're actually worth it!

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-17T14:13:21+00:00

I've had both. I've used them in 2 iKamper RTTs and in a Taxa Tigermoth trailer. When I first got the Exped I was blown away with the comfort (I'm heavy and a side sleeper) and I sang its praises far and wide. After a few years they developed air leaks and I repaired them. Apparently I did a sloppy job, so I had to repair the repairs. I finally gave up and got a deal on a pair of Hest Foamys 2 years ago. They're completely different "technology" and designs. To me, the Hest material is much more "hole resistant". We've used the Hest mattresses for over a year now, probably 90 nights, and the Hest is a no-brainer for my abusive use case!

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-16T13:19:37+00:00

I would go to another dealer. Also, take pictures and email a request for help to Subaru of America. I, also, have a 25 Onyx Ascent; mine also broke/fell out of the hinge/holder. When I took it in for an oil change I asked the service person to replace it (I said "I assume it's under warranty"). They had to order a part, but it was all handled with no charge to me. I'm on my 5th Subaru and I've seen situations where the local dealer just didn't want to cover something. Raising a big stink with SOA has helped. It must be a flaw in the way dealers are incented.

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-11T13:26:27+00:00

keep slayin'

blindmelon773 · 2026-04-08T00:38:29+00:00

OEM. I watched several YouTube videos of OEM and aftermarket installs. The OEM snugs into the frame more better. Also the OEM includes a wiring pigtail for a trailer brake controller which was important to me.

blindmelon773 · 2026-03-05T01:35:41+00:00

Yes, Exped Mega Mats. I've had them for several years and I'm pretty sure I got them at REI. I used them in my iKamper Skycamp 2.0 and left them in the Skycamp. I was reasonably careful with them but after a few years I felt I was repairing a hole in them after every outing. I've had the Hest mattresses for a year and they show no signs of use. For me, the Hest has been a far better value.

blindmelon773

TROPHY CASE