I want to start camping again. (The unintentional build)

Looks good, man. Solid build you got going.

 

Thanks….BTW, you any closer to a decision on your future tent setup?

 

I'm not. Still debating. Each day I see to lean more one way that the other, only to flip 180* the next day.

 

Ok, just to really confuse you, I've got the perfect solution and will save you a bundle of cash

• 12' x 16' tarp: $49.95

$50 Tarp Cover 12x16 Silver/Black Heavy Duty Thick Material, Waterproof, Great for Tarpaulin Canopy Tent, Boat, RV or Pool Cover!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Material-Waterproof-Tarpaulin-Canopy/dp/B016J0WK6Q?crid=60ZPN7F5FWXX&keywords=12'+tarp&qid=1646410182&sprefix=12'+tarp,aps,77&sr=8-2-spons&th=1

• Paracord $8.98

$8 GeGeDa Paracord 9 Core 550 Parachute Cord Camping Rope 100FT (Black, 100feet)

https://www.amazon.com/GeGeDa-Paracord-Parachute-Lanyard-III-100ft/dp/B07CH7YHXH?crid=31I7MSCSOPRKY&keywords=paracord&qid=1646410362&sprefix=paracord%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-4-spons

• Extension pole: $10.00

$10 Ettore 45000 All Purpose Extension Pole, 5-Feet,Blue, White

https://www.amazon.com/Ettore-45000-Purpose-Extension-5-Feet/dp/B0085SY762?crid=3B9XAGSXD49AI&keywords=paint+roll+extension&qid=1646410406&sprefix=paint+roll+extension%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-13

• Ground Stakes: $15.29

$14 Eurmax USA Galvanized Non-Rust Camping Family Tent Pop Up Tent Stakes Ice Tools Heavy Duty 10pc-Pack, with 4x10ft Ropes & 1 Orange Stopper

https://www.amazon.com/Eurmax-Galvanized-Non-Rust-Outdoor-10pc-Pack/dp/B07PQB74J4?crid=WAQYA1AHVFOQ&keywords=ground+stakes&qid=1646410481&sprefix=ground+stakes%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-9

So, for a grand total of $84.22, you're all set. You could probably shave a little off with a cheaper tarp.

 

Smartass.

 

Hey, you caught me on a good day .

On another note, trucks all loaded up and heading out for a weekend camping adventure with the son. Hopefully I’ll still be able to pick up a cell signal.

 

I wanted to say thank you for posting this up. I'm going to try my hand on this, only because I have all the tools on hand to do so.

 

Awesome! Please create a thread on it and link us here. I'd love to see how it goes for you.

 

Hey @GODZILLA …. A little taste to get you in the mood and zero in on a RTT or GFC.

 

That looks awesome!

 

Thanks man. The son had a blast. Talk about a wild temp swing. First night was in the low 30’s and today it’s 75.

 

@GODZILLA, I finally have been caught up on your retail adventures. Last I read was when you received the RTT damaged.

Fast forward, I had the same dilemma as you, in regards to making a choice between a shell and RTT and a full enclosed camper topper(like Go Fast). I own a CrewMax also and I am on the taller side(I’m 6’2”) so sleeping long term in the bed was out of the question. I went back and forth for a year and finally decided on a fully enclosed camper topper. I went with AT Overland Summit. And I know everyone’s financial situation is different and honestly I’m only able to afford it because I busted my ass the last 3 years to pay off debt and get financially set and since I’m currently deployed with little to no bills except truck payment and odd and ends such as internet, cell phone and RV storage(living in an RV that is paid off has helped financially speaking).

I choose the fully enclosed camper topper because my ultimate goal is to be self contained for up to a week out in the woods if my heart so desires that. And if the weather turns I will have an area to hangout and get away from the weather but also I want to be able to go out at anytime of the year in any weather conditions. (I did splurged and got the furnace and 4 season tent liner for both summer and winter camping) And as you have stated you are pretty close to the cost of the Go Fast after the cost shell with add ons, mounting system, and the RTT.

Life is too short get what you want, as long as if doesn’t drastically effect your quality of everyday life. Don’t buy something if that means you will have to live in a tent under a bridge. Hope this rambling helps in some way.

Look forward to your adventures and build process!!

 

@Damie Street thats cool, do you have pics? I’m sure everyone would love to see your setup

 

Much appreciate you sharing your experience and perspective. I find it helpful to see what others do with their setups, because I can internally review how it would fit my needs.

The "budget" option at this point is the iKamper Skycamp Mini (or the full size), and the GFC or trailer are the luxury/expensive options. The shell/topper with a tent just isn't an option when compared to the GFC. Cost is so similar and the GFC being all in one just rules it out.

That AT Overland Summit is pretty damn tanky looking! Be sure to tag me in a thread showing it off. Did a bit of google and the furnace for it sounds badass.

How long is your current deployment? Thank you, by the way.

 

So, I just made a purchase that may have an impact on my setup choice.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/124...SR0&csp=a&searchTerm=wilderness systems&pos=1

Once I have it I'll have to see if it can go on my trailer with the RZR. If it cannot, then I think I have to go with a GFC or an enclosed trailer.

 

What color did you order?

 

Fossil Tan. That was the hold up for me previously. Nobody had it in stock, or wanted $400+ to ship. Buddy stumbled on this and I pounced.

 

Very nice! GFC!! Haha. Peer pressure!

 

Thank you for your support! I am currently on a 9 month deployment. Can’t wait to get back and go on some adventures.

I plan on making a build/adventure thread when I get back as I’ve bought a few things for the truck. And will either link or tag you in it.

 

Stay safe. Looking forward to the updates.

 

Nice. Those are fun. Mine is a high pressure blow up one that when deflated rolls up to about 24”. Sounds corny I know but it is tough as nails. Being in the marine industry, got it from a fellow vendor who did not want to pack it up after a boat show and sold it to me at cost, about $300. Retails around 1k.

 

Solid win.

 

I’m looking forward to yours as well!!!

 

This will be a longer post. Strap in, we're going to spitball and theorize stuff at 3 in the morning!

So, I am still rolling things around on how I could haul my RZR, camp, and use a kayak all in one trip. The GFC and the enclosed trailer options make this pretty easy, but are expensive. The iKamper Skycamp Mini is more economical, but you can't put a kayak on top of it. This means my current trailer would have to haul my RZR and my Kayak if I wanted both to tag along.

It's a 12 foot Big Tex 60PI model. This is my RZR snugged up to the front pipe rail, and it's the usual tow position. For scale the RZR's total length to the back of the roll bar is 110.9" (Basically 9'3"). If I add a front bumper and winch that is going to increase, but that's for another day/thread.





The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Kayak is 12'3" long and 31" wide. Should pretty readily fit on the trailer, BUT will it fit with the RZR? This is the question that I am working on answering here.




So, fitting it on the deck next to the RZR without damage or difficulty is unlikely... I think. My current thought, and I'm hoping for suggestions and guidance, is that I could get some of the J bar kayak mounts and put them on one of the top pipe rails of the trailer. Pic below gives ballpark dimensions of the bracket with a total width of 17.25" so I am toying with orientation. Really loose math to check the overhang would be subtracting the 8" for the middle from the overall 17.25" width for a total of 9.25". I know that the pipe that makes up the trailer top rail isn't 8" OD, but I'm also loosely assuming that the shorter side of the J bar and the pipe's OD will be around that ballpark figure.



The RZR is a 50" machine, but with tire bulge and just for buffer because I don't want it rubbing the J bar or the Kayak we will call it 55" wide. My previous machine was a 64" width and it fit with a couple inches to spare on either side. So, if I'm looking at 9.25" of inboard overhang added to the 55" SxS width we are at 64.25" of used space. It should fit, but I'd have to load the SxS pretty close to the side that doesn't have the J bars. This is of course dependent upon my previous loose math assumption on the overhang of the J bar. If this works I'd mount them where indicated below as the spare blocks the other angle iron braces that could be used for stability.




The spare tire presents it's own challenge, too. Could the kayak, even mounted inboard, fit with the spare tire there? Now, if the spare is in the way and if the inboard mounting isn't viable, the kayak would have to be mounted outboard on the driver side. This is less than ideal considering that this is the side toward traffic. It would affect mirror visibility, and likely overhang a bit more than the fender.

Pardon my 3 AM ramblings.

 

Would it be possible to do something like this so your kayak sits above the rzr?

 

Maybe, but I don't know for sure. The RZR is fairly tall in it's stock config (about 5'8") and I may wind up with a bit taller tire on it. IDK how stable/sturdy something like that would be at a height that cleared it comfortably. It might be the best option, though.

 

put pool noodles down on the dash of the UTV and strap it now in the cab lol

 

Seriously though will the kayak slide under it?