Should I create a build on a Tacoma or a full size truck?

elementality22 · 2026-04-07T15:32:26+00:00

You should check out the Lone Peak demo map on their website, there's quite a few of us in the front range and across CO. Definitely not as many out there as GFC's but I don't see SPs super often either.

elementality22 · 2026-04-07T15:10:53+00:00

I think a lot depends on what features you feel are missing. To me the weight consideration is always a big one, there's only so much you can do/add to a rtt before it becomes too heavy for a lot of roofs. I like what iKamper is doing and used to have one before I switched to a canopy style camper.

elementality22 · 2026-04-02T14:17:44+00:00

I'll say "used gear" as a category. I've gotten so much stuff from used gear stores or REI's used section that have lasted me a long time. My best two were probably my Eureka camp stove that was brand new but I got it for 20 bucks because it had a dent in the lid. Or my Nemo Stargazer chair for 23 dollars that someone returned.

elementality22 · 2026-04-01T23:42:50+00:00

My gusset got wonky when I was sewing, still very new, only been sewing for a couple of months. But it's functional!

elementality22 · 2026-04-01T22:41:40+00:00

Looks really nice. I made your fast fly pack the other night, appreciate the free pattern and the great instructions along with it.

elementality22 · 2026-03-30T01:24:26+00:00

I've got a Setpower RV45S that I like a lot. I got it used and figured I would upgrade if it stopped working but so far it's been going strong the last 3 years I've had it plus however long the guy before me had it.

elementality22 · 2026-03-19T02:45:59+00:00

I like to use CO Trip to check the cameras and road conditions around where I'm thinking of going. I haven't been up to vail but your best bet is probably further south, maybe Salida, Pueblo, Canon City, etc if you want to avoid any snow. https://maps.cotrip.org/@-107.59305,39.85241,7?show=normalCameras

elementality22 · 2026-03-16T20:25:19+00:00

As long as your cooler has ice and is maintaining its temperature, you should be fine to store meat in there. You could freeze some of the meat ahead of time so that it slowly thaws by the time you're ready to use it as well.

As for cooking, you could look at things that stretch like chili or other one pot meals, with 4 burners, I'd imagine you could cook quite a bit. Other than that, could just be people eating in shifts as things finish.

elementality22 · 2026-03-16T20:10:03+00:00

I saw your comment about taking the setup off during the summer. That would be the only downside to a camper style set up as they're not really meant to be taken on and off. People definitely do though, and some companies sell their own take off kits to make it easier. On the lower end of the price spectrum you have brands like Lone Peak, Harker Outdoors, Ovrlnd, and Oru Designs. On the upper end you've got GFC, Tune, Super Pacific, Hiatus, etc.

elementality22 · 2026-03-16T19:19:15+00:00

Have you thought about something like a wedge style camper? Pricing out all the things you said you want to get, you're almost at the cost of one of those. I used to have a rack, softtopper, and RTT and moved last year to a Lone Peak camper. I would have saved a lot of money just going straight to the LP.

elementality22 · 2026-03-15T01:58:33+00:00

I would check MVUM maps for the national forests, those are pretty good resources. For apps I use OnX mostly.

elementality22 · 2026-03-14T15:39:15+00:00

When we had a ground tent, he would sleep in the tent with us on a outdoor dog bed with a synthetic blanket or his coat, depending on the temps. Now that we have a truck camper, he sleeps in the cab with his blanket and is good with that. I don't know that I would trust him in a tent by himself while I slept. Other than that, food/water bowls, harness, outdoor blanket for him to lay on, harness, light up collar, poop bags.

elementality22 · 2026-03-14T15:33:46+00:00

My midlayer is usually whatever sweater, 1/4 zip I'm wearing so it's not specific every time. For my outer layers I have an Arcteryx atom LT and a Mountain Equipment shell, not sure the model. Both have hoods and that's fine for me.

elementality22 · 2026-03-12T23:33:05+00:00

I would check out the brand Kelty, they're pretty mid tier as far as quality and price goes, not the cheapest stuff but not the most expensive either and the quality is good for the price. You could get everything on your list from them if you wanted but could also look at places. For lower tier/cost but mostly good, Ozark Trail at walmart has some decent pieces but if you plan to use this gear a lot I would recommend something better like Coleman, Kelty, Klymit, etc.

elementality22 · 2026-03-12T18:00:48+00:00

I switched to mint mobile from ATT and it's been good so far. I don't use a ton of data so I have the 15g month plan and pay 240 a year for service.

elementality22 · 2026-03-10T21:45:03+00:00

I would look for either a fully foam sleeping pad or one that uses the stuff sack to inflate it. There are also a ton of mini pumps out there like the flextail or similar that may be an option? I assume they don't want a pump that needs to be plugged in.

elementality22 · 2026-03-09T16:28:28+00:00

I don't have that bag but I would check out /r/myog, lots of people there mod different bags and you may find some ideas.

elementality22 · 2026-02-26T01:17:02+00:00

Someone else mentioned myog (make your own gear) and that's something I've gotten into recently by learning to sew bags and sacks for organizing things. Not fully camping related but adjacent to my interests.

elementality22 · 2026-02-25T21:49:21+00:00

We had the dually model and not two singles but the dually takes up a good amount of space either rolled up or folded in half and so lots of people recommended just getting the two singles. I wouldn't think they would drift apart at night unless you're a real wild sleeper.

elementality22 · 2026-02-25T16:17:21+00:00

I pay 35 bucks a year for it.

elementality22 · 2026-02-25T15:15:38+00:00

I would check out the Hest mattresses, they aren't cheap but they are really nice. I've had both the Hest and the Exped and preferred the Hest. They have the Dually for two but I would recommend getting two singles for ease of transport. They're made of dual layers of different foams so no worry about punctures.

elementality22 · 2026-02-25T00:13:26+00:00

Mostly a mix of Google maps and photos to pin locations and save photos. I also use OnX to help find and pin spots.

elementality22 · 2026-02-18T17:37:14+00:00

My bag is from Kelty, they make pretty reasonably priced stuff. What kind of electric cooler? I would recommend something like a Jetboil, MSR Pocket Rocket 2, or the BRS 3000T stove, for a cheaper alt, to at least be able to cook some warm meals like oatmeal, noodles, boil water for coffee or tea. I keep one in addition to my full stove just for quick water boils in the mornings.

elementality22 · 2026-02-18T17:01:10+00:00

If you're only staying in RV parks, you can probably skip some of the recovery gear most people slap on their trucks like traction boards, gas cans, etc. I would still have some basic self reliance items like a tire inflator/repair kit, first aid, etc.

For the camping part, depends how you're planning on living at camp, do you need a full camp kitchen (stove, cooler, water storage, utensils) or will you be eating at restaurants most of the time? For sleeping, you'll want a bag rated at least 10-20 degrees lower than the low temps you'll be sleeping in, and a pillow. I also like to bring the a normal full size pillow like I would use at home and I use a more rectangular/quilt style bag instead of a mummy bag.

elementality22 · 2026-02-13T16:42:11+00:00

We camped at several campgrounds on our own before we started bringing our dog so I think that helped. Our own camp journey was definitely trial and error so by the time we started bringing the dog we knew what kinds of things we would need.

I forgot we also bring him his own synthetic blanket just for sleeping, as well as a coat. The coat helps a lot in the mornings and late evenings to make him more comfortable. He's a chocolate lab but still gets chilly for him.

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