A COLLABORATIVE FILM BY GNARLY BAY + FOREST WOODWARD + FRIENDS
Special thanks to Doug Woodward, Brendan Leonard, Skip Armstrong, David Marx, Jeff Scholl, Elliot Ross, Jess Lowe, Howl Collective, Story & Heart
Edit: Jordan Ingram + Gnarly Bay Additional Audio Mixing: Joshua Svare
Save the Important Places. Protect the Grand Canyon and other wild rivers. Please visit americanrivers.org/grandcanyon to learn more.
Supported by American Rivers / Chaco Footwear / NRS / Goal Zero / Marmoset Music / Story & Heart
MUSIC 01. Blind and Unwise (Instrumental) by Gregory and the Hawk 02. Honey Jars by Bryan John Appleby 03. Snowy Crescendo (Instrumental) by Bell Plaines 04. For a Film (Instrumental) by Bell Plaines 05. Awareness (Instrumental) by Lee Brooks
One of the keys to a successful off-road trip is preparation. I’ve written about that many times. Understandably, the focus is on preparing your vehicle and yourself for the journey. With this article I’d like to zero in on personal items and camping gear. Do you know how to handle breaks, tears or holes in your camping gear, clothing or bedding? It begins with the proper tools and supplies. Let’s take a look at some of the items you should pack.
For camping
Several manufacturers offer camping repair kits. They appear to be pretty good and you could probably get by with one of those. If you choose to build a kit, be sure to include these items:
–Patches and glue for the tent fabric, and a bottle of seam sealer.
–Materials to repair broken tent poles. You can use short pieces of tube slightly larger than the tent poles, along with duct tape or other strong tape.
–Carry a few small hose clamps in order to solidly hold together something on either side of the break. Camping kits contain the short tubes, known as tent pole ferrules, so you may be better off just buying a kit. Some kits also include Tenacious Tape, designed specifically for high-stress applications.
–Extra mantel(s) and generator(s). If your lantern and stove use liquid gas, consider purchasing at least one extra generator. They wear out with heavy use. You can find those at camping stores and online. Also, make sure you have extra mantels on hand.
–Patches for repairing holes in the air mattress. Therm-A-Rest mattresses come with patch kits. The patching process is a bit complicated, but it works great.
For your clothing
A Speedy Stitching Sewing Awl comes in handy for heavy material repairs
Clothing takes a beating in the outdoors. A sewing kit will allows you to mend your clothing, as well as sleeping bags and backpacks. At a minimum the kit should include a needle, thread and buttons. For heavy-duty work (backpack seams and sleeping bags), pick up a Speedy Stitching Sewing Awl. These handy devices include two or three sturdy needles and heavy waxed thread.
I’ve used one of these to stitch up a tear in a canvas chair (hey, I’m a poet!), a seam on a tent pole bag and the seams on a backpack.
For general repairs
-Duct tape: The all-purpose repair “tool.” Enough said!
-Rescue tape (self fuse silicone tape): Designed for applications involving high temperatures and pressures, like radiator and heater hoses. I’ve also used it to repair tent poles (in conjunction with a short piece of pipe). Rescue tape is so useful, I recommend you pack one roll along with other tools and gear.
Not quite enough of your zipper tab left? Use a zip tie!
-Safety pins and zip ties: Very versatile and useful. For example, you can use either to replace the handle portion of a zipper that has broken off. Simple feed one end through the hole in the zipper body and form a loop. Your zipper works like new again. Of course, safety pins and zip ties have multiple uses. Best of all, they don’t take up much space. Pack a bunch of them.
-All-purpose glue: Seal-All® glue is quite versatile and can have applications for your vehicle as well. The manufacture states that it is capable of repairing oil pans, gasoline tanks, oil lines, golf club grips, fletching arrows, fishing rod tips and guides, tents, canoes, boats, outboard motors, fishing lures, woodworking, model kits, glass, china, crockery, leather, metal, porcelain, fiberglass, plastics, ornaments, figurines, linoleum, oilcloth, furniture, knobs and drawers, screens, tile, plumbing, gutters, and much more. You get the picture and I’m sure you can imagine all the possible uses on an outdoor adventure.
Great glue. eclecticproducts.com
Don’t let a minor rip or hole put a tear in your off-road plans. Pack a repair kit and the proper supplies so you can deal with those issues that crop up during your off-road trip. The additional investment is minor, and it will allow you to keep on wheeling in comfort.
If you like vehicle supported adventures, this show is for you. TAP went to the 2018 Overland Expo West to check out the gear, off-road trailers, rooftop tents, van conversions and much more. Here is a brief overview of the show.
Rigs: Never boring, always plentiful…
Many brands display their products and services via a very cool vehicle display. Here are a few I liked.
Dave Harrington, owner of AEV, created this light weight Jeep-camper, which attracted a lot of attention.
Patriot Campers sells off-road trailers and attracted many people/potential customers by displaying this stealthy vehicle.
The crew at Hitch Hammock brought this little beauty to serve as their billboard.
If this doesn’t get your attention….
Falken went Old school with their choice of rig.
Bob Wohlers of Off Road Safety Academy came with his Powerwagon and Four Wheel Pop Up Camper.
The Parking Lot was fun to browse through too…
Come the Zombie Apocalypse, these folks are set.
Adventure Dual sports are a big part of this show. No enthusiasts here….
Roof Top Tents…
RTT’s are going mainstream and were all over the place! Here are a couple to feast your eyes on.
iKamper was there with their easy up Skycamp RTT
Autohome displayed an array of hard top RTT’s.
As I said, there were massive amounts of Roof Top Tents. TAP will be coming out with an updated Roof Top Tent buyer’s guide this fall, so keep your eyes out for it.
Off-Road Trailers…
There are so many to choose from based on your style preference and needs. Here is a taste of a few showcased at Overland Expo West 2019.
Turtleback Trailers was there in force. They manufacture an array of styles catering to multiple levels of rugged off-road functionality.
Nuthouse Industries manufacture expedition ready trailers and cab builds.
Oregon Trail’R was there with their rugged and ready teardrops.
Off Grid showed their compact and ready-to-roll-over-extreme-terrains trailers.
The Schutt XVenture series is equipped with a customized trailer bed and elevated roof rack for your RTT.
Not sure if a teardrop trailer is right for you? So-Cal Teardrops offers rentals as well as a number of styles to choose from.
These photos and captions are only teasers. TAP will be publishing our 2018 Off-Road Trailer Buyers guide, in the fall, which will give you a comprehensive description, stats, pricing, locations and contact information on a large range of off-road trailer manufacturers in the United States.
Conversions…….a hot topic.
#Vanlife What van life? 4×4 overlanding maniac conversions is more like it. Seriously though, 2018 Overland Expo West gave us a vast array of vendors that cater to a broad range of buyers, from DIY to full lux, all were on display.
Adventure Vehicle Concepts offers DIY to turn-key conversion kits for Vans, trailers, even hatchbacks.
The guys at Agile are ex-Baja 1000 racing maniacs. Agile Offroad offers full off-road external conversions for Sprinter Vans and the Ford E-Series. This company, who partners with Fox Racing Shox, will convert your rig into an overlanding animal.
Aluminess manufactures winch bumpers, roof racks, tire carriers, storage boxes and off-road accessories for Ford, Chevy, Toyota and Dodge trucks and vans.
Roambuilt will convert the exterior of your Sprinter into an adventure vehicle. They configure everything from skid plates to roof racks, custom wheels (for the 2015-2018 4×4) to ladders and nudge bars.
Snap! Outfitters manufacture a camper for the top of your truck. Pictured here is their Treehouse, a watertight truck cap with an integrated clamshell RTT.
Ursa Minor manufactures conversion pop-up camper packages for the Honda Element and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2007-2018.
GFC manufactures pop up and platform options for most models of Tacomas, Colorado/Canyons, and Tundras.
Aftermarket Components and other goodies….
AEV manufactures top-notch quality parts and turn-key rigs for the JK Wrangler, Dodge Ram and the Chevy Colorado.
AEV’s new Mesa Wheel for the RAM 1500 was on display.
Pelfreybilt designs and manufactures aftermarket bumpers, skid plates and more for Toyotas.
Satin Pelfrey’s rig is sporting their cargo rack, rear bumper with a tire gate, propane tank carrier and fuel caddy.
Leitner Designs specializes in Active Cargo Systems which enable you to carry fuel caddies, RTTs, storage pods and much more.
Tembo Tusk was cooking up some mean street tacos on their Skottle grill.
They have come up with a more compact Mini Skottle for those who need something a bit more compact.
Sea to Summit had its first year at 2018 Overland Expo West. They are a well established outdoor company that specializes in camping and adventure travel gear.
We have reviewed fold-a-flame and can attest to its durability and convenience. They produce heavy-duty portable fire pits that can be converted into grills…..or visa versa.
Overland Expo West has really grown in the past few years. It lasts three days and you need that much time to take in all it has to offer. This year, Overland Expo West featured close to 400 vehicle and adventure motorcycle OEMs and accessory makers, a Land Rover driving skills course, BFGoodrich tire tests, overland driving and recovery trainings, adventure motorcycling courses, seminars on international travel, border crossings, first aid training, adventure films and much more. In addition to all of that, Overland Expo provides you with a venue filled with people who are passionate about the same types of things you are. So, get a ticket for Overland Expo West 2019. Go with a smile and a hello to other folks at the show and you are sure to come home full of inspiration and great feelings about the tribe who loves vehicle supported adventure.
Article and photos: Lori Palmer, Editor and Co-Founder, The Adventure Portal.
Summer Overland Buyer’s Guide: TAP is always looking for ways to streamline our kit to conserve space when packing for a backcountry adventure. We are also strong believers in safety first; the importance of being prepared if a mishap should occur. Here is a short but sweet list of products we found that fit the bill.
But first, we have to recommend a subscription that’s not only useful, but fun. A monthly subscription box filled with overlanding “goodies”. We have reviewed it before, we have given it as a prize at our Run To The Sun community event and they have given us a discount subscription code for TAP readers, if you are interested in signing up.
The Nomadic Monthly Adventure Box Subscription
Each Nomadik box contains three to five products worth approximately $50.00. There are three subscription plans and they guarantee your satisfaction by swapping out a product if you are unhappy with it. Below is an example of the adventure box sent out in December.
Contents from left to right: Seattle Sports Firewater Multi-Bottle, Green Goo by Sierra Sage and Coalatree’s Nomad Packable Duffel.
The Seattle Sports Firewater Multi-Bottle is a cool little gadget that can be used as a water bottle, a light (either small or lantern size), or a waterproof container. The light is either USB or solar charged.
Green Goo, by Sierra Sage,comes in a convenient chapstick-like container and is perfect for wind burn. It’s super-hydrating, spill-proof and compact.
The Nomad Packable Duffel, by Coalatree, is a 22 litre duffel bag made of reinforced nylon with a waterproof coating. When not in use, It’s super compact in that the interior pocket turns inside out and the duffel can be stuffed inside the pocket, making it a small, handy storage pack complete with a snap closure.
The boxes also include a couple of discount codes for outdoor products.
Check out the full deal at thenomadik.com. You can apply the code: TAP2017 for a one time 20% discount on your subscription.
Here is a product that conveniently packs up into a box and holds all of your kitchen kit for easy packing. When set up, the top holds a two burner stove and provides ample counter workspace with storage below. We took out the TK Compact Camp Kitchen for a few nights to see how well it worked. Check the pics below.
Here is the TK Compact Camp Kitchen packed and ready for action.
Unpacked, it provides a spacious kitchen set up with room on top for a two burner stove and storage below.
Constructed from aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel, this portable camp kitchen and workstation is light and strong.
This is an easy system to set up. There is a comprehensive video on their website that demonstrates the process. We found that with the box packed, it was much easier to have two people set the main legs in place, although one person can definitely set it up on their own. We were pleased with its performance and quality.
We have taken the GCI Outdoor Pico chair and compact table on numerous journeys. Both products are very compact, easy to pack, solid, and somewhat easy to set up. I say somewhat because, I’m not going to lie, it took me a couple of tries to unfold the chairs. That being said, they come with instructions. We highly recommend these chairs and the table.
The Fold-A-Flame CoalBee Delux is designed for use as a grill or a fire pit.
For this review we used the Stainless Steel “CoalBee Delux” Firepit and Grill and we can’t say enough about this product. We usually strap a large “bowl” type fire pit on the back of the TACO when we go out. It’s cumbersome and too bulky for the Jeep. The Fold-A-Flame is compact, heavy-duty, and made both for campfire containment and grilling. We are impressed. It’s a bit pricey, but solid; well made and definitely worth the price.
The fold-AFlame “Coalbee Delux” is super compact. It packs into a carrying bag that is 25″ long, 12″ high and 1″ wide.
Fold-A-Flame is sturdy and holds a good sized fire.
Fold-A-Flame “CoalBee Delux” kit:
-Cut from 1/8″ thick, 100% stainless steel
-Comes with 2 stainless steel cooking grids
-Charcoal grid is cut from 1/8″ thick stainless steel
-Comes with a heavy duty nylon carrying bag
Dimensions:
-Fully Assembled: 23.5″ long, 15″ wide, 11″ high
-Flatpacked in carrying Bag: 25″ long, 12″ high , 1″ wide
-Grilling surface: 22.5″ x 15″ (or 15.5″ x 11″ using a single cooking grid)
-Firepit: Designed for 16″ standard cut store-bought firewood. Accepts firewood up to 21″ long
-Weight: 34 lbs.
Check this and their other products out at foldaflame.com
A Basic Survival Guide in case your backcountry adventure takes a turn for the worse…..
Having a basic “what to do if” and “what you should be sure to carry when traveling in the backcountry” guide is a must for all off-road adventurers. This book, written by Bob Wohlers contains basic survival gems that can get you through many types of difficult mishaps when in remote locations. This is a great “how to” guide and includes products and techniques to use in emergency situations.
The author Bob Wohlers, owner of Off-Road Safety Academy, teaches corporate, government, and recreational off-road safety, survival, and wilderness first aid courses. Some of Bob’s corporate clients have included T-Mobile, Verizon, PG&E, and Southern California Edison. As a registered government contractor, he teaches courses for the National Park Service and BLM. Currently, Bob teaches monthly introductory and advanced recreational off-roading courses. He also organizes and leads groups on 4WD adventure tours into the remote backcountry.
To order your copy and find out more about his trainings and guided adventures go to discoveroffroading.com
There it is, short and sweet. Take a look at these products and see what fits into your next adventure.
I enjoy spending time overlanding in the deserts, but one of the challenges I face is the bi-polar weather. Since I never know what the weather will be like, I prepare for everything. In March of this year I did a weeklong trip through the California and Nevada deserts. I thought this would be a good time of year to go, allowing me to avoid the summer heat. Unfortunately, it was already getting too hot. During the day I would drive up to higher elevations for relief from the heat, but when stopped for lunch or a rest, I would find myself seeking out shade to keep out of the UV rays. I can handle warm nights in the hot valleys, but not the higher elevation sunlight pounding on me all day on the trails.
I started researching awnings during this trip knowing that if I was going to keep doing multi-day or week-long trips , a sun shade was going to be a requirement. I researched your typical roof mounted awnings and found that they wouldn’t fit the area I have left available on Jess’s (my 2016 JKU Hard Rock) roof. My rack was installed to carry a roof top tent and a water/shower system, so purchasing and permanently installing a typical style awning wasn’t going to work for me. Not only do I not have the room, but I also can’t afford to add any more weight. Thankfully, I found the perfect alternative, the Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp.
Slumberjack recently came out with the Roadhouse Tarp and it is awesome. It’s easy to manage and set up. It’s lightweight, compact (not a lot of cargo space in my Jeep), and it’s design allows several different set up configurations from almost anywhere on your rig.
The first day I had the Roadhouse Tarp, I set it up on the side of my Jeep. The wind came up and I wanted to use my Jeep to block some of it out. The tarp comes with 2 poles. Each pole can be made up of 2-5 smaller pole pieces that connect quickly and securely making its height not only adjustable, but also keeping the poles strength stronger than a 1 or 2 piece set that can lose its strength and collapse or bend under pressure. The tarp stakes are tough and were easily banged into the hard dirt with my little hammer. The best part, I think, are the tie down line tightners. These little triangular grabbers have teeth that lock the lines in place and are easily adjusted when necessary. I was amazed at how much wind this tarp withstood. It’s not small, so there’s a lot of surface area to catch the wind. This tarp stayed in place really well.
Attaching the tarp is easy. You can attach it to any side of your rig making it way more universal than your typical awning that is permanently fixed to one side of your roof rack. It’s got adjustable, long, easy straps with a quick-snap that can be attached anywhere and easily tightened or loosened. I tried attaching it to the roof rack, a tire, one of my hood latches and my rock rails. You can attach it to anything really. Set up and take down only took a few minutes, and everything stuffs easily back quickly into its bag.
What I was most impressed with was the size of shadow the tarp cast in my set-up area. I thought I would just set up a chair and have enough shade to enjoy a sandwich, but the area was so nice and big that I pulled out a second chair for a friend and a little table for drinks, my camera and laptop equipment. I just settled in and relaxed. I even watched a movie on my tablet. No need to pack up and keep moving to enjoy the in-cab AC, it was nice out here.
Day 2 was also nice. I reset up the tarp only using 1 pole making a little Teepee style area to enjoy from the back of the Jeep.
We had stronger winds this day and there was quite a bit of downward wind pressure, but all I needed to do was adjust the little triangle grabbers down the line allowing the wind to skirt over the top of the tarp. Not allowing the tarp to have a lot of play or flap keeps everything in a nice secure spot. Once again, with a different configuration, The Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp managed the wind easily.
I have to stress again that this tarp provides so much shade! I loved sitting and enjoying the weather out of direct sunlight. It will allow me more time to enjoy the trails in both high and low elevations with respite from the heat and sun. I quickly started imagining other ways to set it up when I go on some of my favorite Eastern Sierra trails. I have plans to incorporate my hammock so I can stop anywhere to rest and relax when needed. The Roadhouse Tarp is a welcome addition to my camp kit!
Roadhouse Tarp Specs:
Packaged Weight: 12 lbs 6 oz
Dimensions: 124″ x 103″
Packed Size: 25″ x 7″ x 7″
Peak Height: 96″
Poles: 2 steel poles (96″ tall, 5 segments each)
Fly Material: 68D polyester / 1200mm
Details from the Slumberjack site:
3-in-1 tarp provides shelter for hunting, camping & offroad adventures
Unique attachment system easily connects to most Jeeps, SUV’s or trucks
Option 1/3: Single pole “A-frame” set up with vehicle
Option 2/3: Dual pole “awning” set up with vehicle
Option 3/3: Dual pole “A-frame” without vehicle
Includes two heavy duty, 96″ tall steel poles
Includes 8 super-duty 10″ steel stakes
Includes heavy duty reflective guy lines
Carry bag included
Best served with cold beer, huge views & good friends
The following article comes from TAP friend, I4WDTA trainer, and owner of Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Tom Severin. Check out what he’s got to say about being an effective “tail gunner” on a run or expedition, then get out there and indulge in some vehicle supported adventure safely.
A great Trail Leader is invaluable for any four wheeling experience. We reviewed that position in “10 Qualities of a Great Trail Leader” . Though he could be anywhere in the group, the Trail Leader is often in the first vehicle.
The vehicle at the end of the line is also very important. This position is sometimes called, “Tail End Charlie”, “Tail Gunner”, “The Sweep”, “Drag”, or “Caboose” (although I don’t normally use any of those terms). The “Tail End” is an integral part of every 4WD trip. “Tail End Charlie” is slang from World War II for the rear gunner in a bomber. Many of the expressions we use come from the military, both for their ability to convey a thought concisely and for their colorful expressions. A trail helper in the middle of the group is called a “Mid-Gunner”. I will be referring to the vehicle at the end of the line as the “Tail End”.
Qualifications needed when selecting your Tail End
When selecting a Tail End, I start with someone well qualified in four wheeling. This person has driven with me before, knows the trail and routine well and has great people skills. In a nutshell, he or she is someone I can trust. The Tail End might be called upon to fill in for me at some point.
Ideally, the Tail End complements the Trail Leader by bringing skills in which the Leader is less knowledgable. These can include expert mechanical skills, knowledge of rocks and minerals, an ability to ID plants, flowers, and points of interest.
It’s helpful if the person is a ham radio operator. FRS and CB radios are fine for communicating between vehicles. Because the vehicles can get strung out during a trip, it’s nice to be in ham radio contact with the Tail End. Plus, we can use that radio for private conversations. For example, the Tail End may wonder why we aren’t taking a particular route. Or, perhaps I forget a step. In either case, I don’t mind if my Tail End chimes in. He should use our private frequency so as not to confuse everyone else.
10 duties of the Tail End
1. Informs the guide when the group has cleared key turns. Sometimes a driver misses a turn and strays off-course. The Trail Leader can only see a vehicle or two behind, whereas the Tail End has a much better perspective.
2. Accounts for all the vehicles when starting up again. This is after breaking camp or making any sort of pit stop (10-100, taking pictures, and such). Because he’s in the back, he can count everyone. Since we usually do a radio check only at the start of the trip (or day) to make sure all are working, the count process works well. Once in a while, we pick up a few strays!
3. As the last one out of camp, he can spot any major item overlooked like stuff left behind, a camp fire not satisfactorily extinguished, or some remaining trash.
4. Advises Trail Leader on issues the Leader isn’t aware of. Being at the rear, the Tail End has a better view of the entire group. (Although heavy dust cuts visibility at times.) The Tail End can advise of a need to stop or slow down due to large gaps in the group, cargo dropping off, mechanical problems or a manifold burrito in the middle of the road.
5. Helps with spotting. Being at the back of the line, the Tail End can quickly provide spotting to the vehicles in the rear. When everyone needs to be spotted, the Tail End can relieve the Trail Leader, so the Leader can pull his vehicle further up the trail to make room for the group. And heaven forbid, when the Trail Leader needs a qualified spotter, the Tail End can walk all the way up to the front and make sure the Trail Leader gets through without embarrassing himself.
6. Assists with vehicle issues. Perhaps some gear needs to be strapped down. Or a vehicle suffers a minor breakdown. If the damage is too severe (but the vehicle is drivable), the Tail End can escort that driver back to the road. If the Trail Leader elects to do that, the Tail End is often tapped to take over as Leader to complete the course.
7. Informs the group about vehicles overtaking them. Very valuable, because everyone else is focused on the trail ahead. If appropriate, the Tail End suggests how and where to pull over.
8. Thanks oncoming vehicles that stopped to let the group go by and let them know he is the last one. It’s a simple gesture, but means a lot to the other group. And the Tail End continues the longstanding tradition of respectful behavior that is such an important part of four wheeling.
Speaking of saying “thanks,” remember to offer your gratitude to any landowners whose property you drive on. And, of course, take good care of their property.
9. Waits for late guests. Having a Tail End who knows the trail and the plan comes in handy when a guest is late. The Tail End can wait at the meeting point for the late guest. They will likely catch up at the air down spot. We discourage splitting up the group, unless absolutely necessary. The most common case is either a machine problem or the need for some vehicles to take a detour. In those cases, the Tail End provides guidance to one or the other group.
10. The End (just being).
Benefits of Being Tail End
-You get to go on a trip!
-Work does not involve sitting in a cubicle.
-People think of you as a hero when you plug their tire.
-You can take a 10-100 anytime you want and you don’t have to walk too far.
-You can blame the Trail Leader if the group is lost.
-No one see you if you mess up.
-You have a front row seat to everything that happens.
-On the job training to become a Trail Leader.
-You get to eat dust for the whole trip. Which means the Tequila will taste even better when the day’s driving is done.
Even though the Tail End is the last vehicle in the group, it’s an extremely important position. This driver is often as skilled as the Trail Leader, and has the added responsibilities inherent in being placed last in line. But it’s a good role to aspire to. As you develop your 4WD skills and experience, plan for the day when you will step up and volunteer to be a Tail End.
