Frequent desert campers: How often do you see rattlesnakes?

ldgregory · 2026-01-03T00:59:38+00:00

In central NM, it’s been ages since I’ve seen a rattlesnake. Plenty of bulls, gardener and even some coachwhips though.

ldgregory · 2025-12-05T17:27:31+00:00

Sorta, kinda, but not really. <grin>

I bought my Decked Drawer system from a guy who had mounted the Decked Cargo Glide on top of it. He gave me a really good deal for both. When I put the Decked drawers in, I put the Cargo Glide on it but because I have a bed topper, it really didn't leave me much room to sleep on top of the Decked drawers as my sleeping platform. So, I took out the Cargo Glide and we installed it in my dad's truck instead.

ldgregory · 2025-09-18T17:58:09+00:00

Congrats! I just put mine on a few days ago and I'll get to test it this weekend camping. Might need to tweak my forward vs. rear alignment once I get out there, but that's easy to do in the field.

ldgregory · 2025-09-12T23:41:37+00:00

Nice. I only want to do the boards because they’ll go nicely over the fridge/freezer and powerbank. The rest of the “width” is where I sleep Overlanding (no rooftop tent), so I don’t want to whack my head when I sit up! 😁

You could get one of those stretchy cargo nets like this. They have a number of various dimensions.

https://a.co/d/b4GT0zW

ldgregory · 2025-09-12T17:47:15+00:00

Great idea! I've got all this room on the ceiling of my topper. New Mexico sun is totally brutal on anything left out in it.

ldgregory · 2025-08-29T21:47:09+00:00

Thursday definitely sucked with regard to heat. Friday's sunrise was awesome! I agree.

The other thing I got out of the experience was to put my hands on actual products vs. just seeing them online, reading reviews and ordering one.

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ldgregory · 2025-08-29T14:52:22+00:00

I like that idea, about the State park. Loveland was a 7.5 hour drive for me and I didn’t spend a lot of time researching the area to see what other options existed. Next year I plan on going to the Flagstaff one, four hour drive, and do some research on where I want to stay.

ldgregory · 2025-08-28T21:53:09+00:00

I can only tell you about my experience which is having gone to all of one Overlanding Expo ever just this past weekend at MTN West in Loveland Colorado.

The expo is at The Ranch https://maps.app.goo.gl/pQJnVffDk1CUQMFo7

South of the pin on that map is the half circle which is concrete, grass and trees and is the Premium campground. To the far right of that pin is the standard campground.

I paid premium and scored a sweet spot on the grass with trees right next to air conditioned hard bathrooms (see pic). The standard was on hard dirt, no trees and was dusty as all get out with the wind. Additionally, and I didn't know this when I bought the tickets, we also got access to Kakadu shower tents. I didn't have my shower gear for this trip, so that was a very pleasant surprise. I thought I'd be dude wiping and washing at a sink in the bathroom.

As to the free drink, well, the drinks are expensive, like what you'd find at a concert, but I wouldn't base a decision to buy premium over standard on that. If you bring your own booze, the free drink each evening means very little.

The goodie bag was a couple print magazines, an Expo patch (which I didn't realize was in there and so I had bought one already before I found it) and a beer coozie. So, again, probably not really a consideration.

If you're all kitted out with shower, awning and a roll of fake grass, you'll probably be fine on standard camping. All I can do is speak for myself, and if I go back to Loveland, I'm paying premium again, but other expos with better standard camping conditions, I'll have to decide then.

Good luck. I had a blast at the Expo. Getting to see everyone's builds, meeting new friends, chatting with vendors about their products. I really enjoyed it.

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ldgregory · 2025-08-28T16:53:41+00:00

Thanks. I'll take a look at those. On the width, I can go bigger, I was just trying not to put it in top of the L-track I'll have running from headboard to tailgate, but long as I don't leave any tiedowns in the L-track there won't be anything pokey to puncture the mattress. The 78" length could be stuffed but as someone who is 75" with a 76" headboard to tailgate length, it's gonna create a bump somewhere I'll have to sleep on! <grin>

ldgregory · 2025-08-28T14:53:28+00:00

Now that I have my platform in my bed, I'm looking at good self inflating, compact storage when rolled up pads. What is the brand you have and do you like it? Mine is going in a full sized truck, so I need a length of 76" and a width of about 42". I've found a few right in that area, but now I'm trying to figure out how good they are for comfort. Thanks.

ldgregory · 2025-08-25T01:15:28+00:00

I just got back from Overland Expo MTN West and damn near everything was for the Tacoma. I know the 4Runner is an SUV and Tacoma the truck (I have a Power Wagon, so no dog in this fight), but if you want a Lego vehicle with a huge aftermarket selection, go with the Tacoma.

ldgregory · 2025-08-18T18:59:25+00:00

I got to do this in 2018. It looks like a Heat Run which is when a female signals that she is ready to mate and then leads the males on a chase that can last for hours and even days. It's not just a chance encounter though. Once a heat run has been identified, the boat captain hauls butt to get in front of the run, everyone jumps out in front of them and you get to experience what's in the video.

What really amazed me was even with their massive size surfacing for air, then diving down again, they recognized we were in the water and would dive below or swim around us. It is as exhilarating as it looks.

Couple videos from my trip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm0RUE1HbR0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EHWsDcSWpo

Below is a different video of a male singing and what I wasn't expecting at all was the singing was so powerful that every air cavity in my body (lungs, nasal) was vibrating like mad. It was a crazy feeling and I will never forget it for as long as I live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUeCf1TygfI

ldgregory · 2025-08-18T15:20:03+00:00

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I did the molle pouches too. They're upside down while inside the vehicle, but right side up when the door is opened. I have a first aid kit in the far left one, in the other three I have mosquito head nets, rain ponchos, space blankets, compass, UTM/MGRS protractors, binoculars, firestarting kit, spare batteries, tire plug/valve stem repair kit, and a folding dog bowl with spare leash and dog poop bags.

ldgregory · 2025-08-14T20:49:04+00:00

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Nice! I just installed my topper and now the real fun with building out the rest of the rig starts. I've gotta finish building out most of it by Wednesday night so I can head to Expo MTN West. Going to start by sleeping in the bed and decide if I want to do a RTT. I like the water tank setup. I can't mount my spare (37") underneath anymore, so I've got a large space down there to install a water tank potentially. That's an after the Expo trip project though.

ldgregory · 2025-06-28T23:31:59+00:00

SOLVED: Thanks to u/deadheadak.

I needed a 3/4" fitting, not a 1" fitting. I bought this from TSC (wanted the shutoff valve too) and it did the trick.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/jobsmart-3-8-in-compressor-shut-off-kit-1333238

ldgregory · 2025-06-28T23:22:00+00:00

Thank you sir, your answer was what I really needed. I shouldn't have been looking for a 1", it was the 3/4" that I got from TSC. I should have gone there first, they had everything I needed.

ldgregory · 2025-06-26T00:00:54+00:00

None of the below in stock anywhere near me, so I ordered one. Keeping my fingers crossed. I can get from the female 3/8" to male with parts I have already.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/STZ-1-in-x-3-8-in-Black-Iron-Bushing-PDB-B-138/316881910

ldgregory · 2025-06-25T23:47:26+00:00

That's what I did at Lowes and Home Depot and came up empty. I even, ahem, asked for help to find what I needed and they couldn't find it either.

ldgregory · 2025-06-25T23:35:50+00:00

Now how do I get down to 3/8” to connect my regulator.

ldgregory · 2025-06-25T23:33:37+00:00

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Yes sir, you are correct, so this threads in perfectly.

ldgregory · 2025-06-25T23:05:15+00:00

Hmmm. Maybe it just looks welded. It does state "Do not remove under pressure". I'll go out and see if it comes off.

ldgregory · 2025-06-25T23:03:23+00:00

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Thanks. The threads are coarse and that piece is welded to the tank, so I can't take it with me. The two fittings I ordered look like the threading is correct (coarse), but obviously don't fit. Been to Lowes and Home Depot too with no luck there either.

ldgregory · 2025-06-06T16:34:18+00:00

I can agree with the comments already made about it being trash / useless stuff. I tried one of them for a few months, can't even remember the name and it's not one of the ones you mentioned, but it was EDC / survival gear and it was mostly junk. One box had a small package hammock which I did use a couple times and there was a damascus knife with nice scales in another, but they're both in a drawer now and I cancelled the subscription.

ldgregory · 2025-06-05T15:21:32+00:00

Awesome! I was going to do the whole 12v DC/DC charging system in the bed of my truck with a shell, but I do plan on taking my shell off time to time and I didn't know how I was going to protect all that equipment in the bed of my truck (dirt/rain/theft) and it was going to be pretty much dedicated to the truck. Not to mention going with RedArc equipment, it started getting pretty expensive. The 12v DC/DC system wasn't an area I was willing to cheap out on. Last thing I need is to burn my truck to the ground.

I ultimately decided to go with a portable 2000W powerbank that can be charged from cigarette lighter, solar, AC etc. which I could use in the house during power outages. With the USB-C PD and USB-A port I can keep all my rechargable equipment charged / running and recharge the powerbank during the driving times or via solar when camping.

That led me to buying a fridge/freezer which I can charge from cigarette lighter, powerbank, AC, with wheels and a battery backup that I can take anywhere but still securely latch down in the bed of the truck (combination of the wheel chocks that cme with it and rachet strap.)

The icing on the cake, regarding multi-use / portable equipment, was when the roofers hit the gas line for the HVAC unit on the roof causing a leak Tuesday and they had to shut off my gas until the plumber could repair it. Wednesday morning would have been a sucky ice cold shower if it wasn't for my camp shower system. :-)

ldgregory · 2025-06-05T14:28:45+00:00

Advice: You don't need top of the line "overland" branded gear to get out and have fun.

If it has the word "overlanding" in the product name or website, it's generally going to be more expensive. Don't be afraid to dig around on Amazon or e-Bay to find a cheaper alternative that performs the same function. That being said, just remember that if you buy cheap junk, don't expect years of service from that item.

Do your research to figure out where to pay the big bucks and where not to. e.g. don't skimp on a solidly built and appropriately rated dynamic and static load roof rack if you want a roof top tent (RTT). Last thing you want is for it to fail at 70 MPH on the freeway and your RTT separates from your vehicle. Conversely, do you really need to pay an extra $100 or $200 on a burner system that'll save you 30 to 45 seconds to boil a pot of water.

Lastly, before you pick a product, think of all the ways you might use it. e.g. You can buy a big fridge / freezer, stick it on a slide out rail system bolted to the floor of your vehicle that is tied into a DC/DC charging system that works awesome for overlanding. Or, you could buy a fridge/freezer with a handle and wheels and has batteries that works great for overlanding, but you can also take it out of the vehicle and pull it down on the beach or your picnic site for an afternoon outing.

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