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
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.
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.
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
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