New World 45 Gallon Fold-A-Tank: 10 Year Review

Camper Upgrades,

Imagine. You’re at a campsite with no water available and your camper is getting low on water and you still have a week of your trip ahead of you. What can you do?

One option is to close up the camper and drive to a water source: pack up any loose items inside, retract any slide outs, roll-up your awning, disconnect any items such as a propane grill, hitch up the tow vehicle and drive to a water source. Once your campers water tank is full, you will drive back to your campsite and set up everything again.

There’s a better way.

Continue reading New World 45 Gallon Fold-A-Tank: 10 Year Review →

Organizing Backpacking Gear and/or a Camper

Backpacking Gear, Travel Trailer
Backpacking gear stored in large plastic bins located on the shelves at the right of the picture.

Organizer all my backpacking, camping, boating and other gear has always been less than ideal. The biggest issue was the bins were large and it was a hassle to locate the one item I needed.

As it turns out, the solution was simple.

Continue reading Organizing Backpacking Gear and/or a Camper →

I’m Done With DCF (aka Cuben Fiber)

Backpacking Gear, ,
Six Moon Designs Deschutes Carbon Fiber Shelter (April 2015)

Cuben Fiber (now called DCF) is a non-woven laminate fabric developed by the Cuben Tech Corporation in the early 90’s for the sails on racing yachts. In 1992 America3 won the America’s Cup Race using sails of Cuben Fiber.

In the mid to late 2000’s a few cottage industry backpacking gear companies started selling shelters and backpacks made from Cuben Fiber. The fabric has high tensile strength and is extremely light. But it has some important disadvantages. Most of which is my concern that  it really isn’t very durable and has a short lifespan.

So the question becomes, is DCF worth the cost?

I’m not throwing away my DCF gear, but when items wear out, which they will, I will be replacing them with something else.

Continue reading I’m Done With DCF (aka Cuben Fiber) →

When & How to Replace an RV Smoke Alarm

Backpacking

Earlier this month I shared the story of the RV fire I witnessed. This served as a reminder that fire extinguishers, propane/CO detectors and smoke alarms need periodic inspection, maintenance and end of life replacement.

Yesterday I posted an article on When and How to Replace an RV Propane/CO Detector. As promised in that post, this is a companion article on smoke alarms.

Continue reading When & How to Replace an RV Smoke Alarm →

When & How to Replace RV Propane/CO Detector

Tent Trailer, Travel Trailer, ,

RV manufacturers have been required to install Propane/CO detectors for many years. 

Our 1992 Starcraft Meteorite tent trailer did not have one. I installed one that also included a solenoid that shut off the propane near the tanks. Both our 2006 Fleetwood Niagara tent trailer and our Eclipse Milan travel trailer came with propane and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Nowadays it is rare to see a detector that includes a shut-off solenoid.

These need to be replaced periodically. Most RV manufacturers include the owner manuals for every single appliance and other equipment installed. These are separate from the RV’s owner manual. Our Milan came with over a dozen manuals. Most people don’t read them. And if they do, there’s a good chance they have become misplaced or lost over time.

So let’s go over some information about these devices and a quick documentation of a replacement unit.

Continue reading When & How to Replace RV Propane/CO Detector →

How to Avoid Slipping When Hiking Downhill Trails

Backpacking Gear, Senior Moments,

Senior Moments 

The trail shown in the lower right of the picture above is hard-packed dirt covered with loose sand and pebbles.

A common fall or slip for backpackers is on downhill trails similar to the one pictured above. These kinds of trails can be difficult for anyone, especially for us older folks whose reflexes aren’t as quick as they once were.

What is probably more important than the kind of footwear we wear is our hiking technique, although footwear can play an important part. Proper technique and footwear will minimize slips and falls. Continue reading How to Avoid Slipping When Hiking Downhill Trails →

Nunatak Arc Specialist Quilt: 15 Year Review

Backpacking Gear,

Over the past 15+ years I have purchased two sleeping bags and three quilts. I still have and use both sleeping bags. I only have one quilt remaining in my gear closet — the Nunatak Arc Specialist.

My first quilt purchase was a used warm-weather piece and cost me $65. It had synthetic insulation and was not very warm. I bought this to test out and determine if a quilt would work for me. It did and I gave it away; to buy a quality quilt.

At the beginning of 2009 I bought my Nunatak Arc Specialist for $457, which I am still using.

In 2010 I bought a super ultralight quilt with a Cuben Fiber (a.k.a. DCF) shell from Enlightened Equipment. It was one Tim Marshall’s first quilts when he was a one-man show working out of his house after he came home from his “real job.” (Today Enlightened Equipment has over 50 employees and operates out of a 50,000 square foot facility). Given that Cuben fabric does not breath, Tim created an adjustable ventilation foot-box that worked well. But, alas, Cuben doesn’t last long and I had to retire it. I knew this before I bought it.

Of all my sleeping solutions, the Nunatak Arc Specialist is my absolute favorite. 

Continue reading Nunatak Arc Specialist Quilt: 15 Year Review →

Backpacking Quilts for Side-sleepers?

Backpacking Gear,
Nunatak Arc Specialist quilt fully opened.

Yes, backpacking quilts can work well for side-sleepers, but it depends on personal preference and the specific design of the quilt. 

For side-sleepers, the key consideration is the design of the quilt and how it accommodates different sleeping positions. Some backpacking quilts come with features like straps or snaps that can be used to secure the quilt around the sleeper, providing a more secure fit and prevent drafts. These features can be adjusted to allow freedom of movement for side-sleeping.

But first, for those who are not familiar with backpacking quilts, an overview of these specialized backpacking sleeping systems needs our attention. Continue reading Backpacking Quilts for Side-sleepers? →