(New Mexico)
Items I carry for camping are few. After all, everything I need is in my small motorhome Tardis. For the times I spend outside, I do have a few things that make camping more enjoyable.
Two folding camp chairs provide outside seating. The straight back type with a side table and cup holder is the one I use most. The sling back seat with cup holder is for a possible guest. Both are made by Ozark Trail. The small fold up table is meant for holding extras, but it rarely gets used.
Mostly I cook on the stove inside my rig. But, on occasion I grill outside with this small propane stove by Char-broil. I really wanted a charcoal or wood grill. But, sometimes they are not allowed, while propane ones are. Plus, a wood fire can always be done in a rock or metal fire ring.
Fiskar clippers and an Estwing hatchet are handy when preparing kindling and firewood. The Coleman folding shovel can be used for cleaning a fire pit or digging a cat hole. Believe it or not the Forest Service requires you to have a hatchet and shovel when camping.
I use the orange leveling blocks by Lynx, as they are more durable. Currently, 39 blocks are carried along with a couple of pieces of half-inch plywood. And yes, there have been times when I needed all of them to get level. Boondocking is my preferred way to camp.
I’m not sure a bike counts as camping gear. However, it’s useful for exploring an area, checking out iffy roads before driving them with my RV, and as an escape pod in case of a breakdown. Not to mention it’s fun for trail riding.
Camp: Various locations
Scene: Items for camping
Also see: Fat Bike and Bike Conversion
Hello Pleinguy,
I did not know about the requirement for a hatchet and shovel; that’s really helpful as we too prefer boondocking, sometimes on Forest Service lands. Thanks for the tip!
Also, I’ve been thinking about e-bikes in lieu of a toad (which we don’t prefer for many reasons. Can you tell me about your experience with your e-bike (or maybe you have a post about this that I missed)?
Where do you store it or carry it when you are traveling?
Are you concerned about theft, and how do you mitigate that (if it is externally mounted or while you are out in town or something)?
What brand/model do you have and how do you like it?
From what you know now, are there other brands/models you might consider if purchasing again?
How much does it weigh?
What sort of assisted range can you get with it?
Finally, how do you recharge the battery, and about how long does that take (and/or how much will that draw down your batteries to recharge?
Thanks David, perhaps I should have sent you a direct e-mail, but I thought others might benefit from your insights to these (and any other items you think are important).
Thanks again for sharing your insights and lessons learned from full-timing on the road.
Steven Crisp (Thistle Dew Too, 26.5 Mid-Bath Lazy Daze)
Many of your questions are answered in the posts about the bike. Links at end of post; also read the comments.
1-It’s carried on a hitch rack with chain and locks. Never had any theft attempt in town or camp. Keep in mind that I’m rarely in cities, or RV campgrounds.
2-Mine was a self build, and would likely do it that way again. A pre-built eBike will cost twice what you could do yourself. Perhaps I would choose suspension, or a mountain bike to convert.
3-The Fat eBike weighs about 60 pounds with battery attached. A lighter frame bike would be less of course.
4-The range is about 40 miles; 20 out and 20 back. However, I’ve never done anywhere near that distance. Expect that range is on flat terrain, and would be more like 30 in the hills and mountains. Be aware that it depends much on your battery, weight of rider, terrain, road surface, and the motor efficiency.
5-The battery is charged using a smart charger connected to my 600W inverter and takes about an hour or so when starting at 50%. Recommended not to discharge the battery below that. The initial charge took several hours on a 120V circuit. Not sure how much it draws down the house battery; guessing maybe 2 or 3%? I rarely ride for long or far, so recharge doesn’t take long.
Hope this answers your questions. eMail me if you need more details.
Uggh Pleinguy, sorry for missing those links you provided.
I will check them out now, and thanks for the continued education.
Appreciate it!