Topic: Loaded down with trail gear.

[FourbangerYJ]

Seems like every trip I pack more and more gear. Between tools and spare parts this stuff weighs a ton!  When I do a overnighter it's even more stuff that gets packed. How much stuff do we really need?
What all are you guy's bringing on day trips?

[aka-justin]

I'm paranoid because we usually go alone on spontanous outings...

• chain
• tow strap
• hi lift
• spare tire
• first aid kit
• fire extinguisher
• zip ties
• some cut down 2x6s under the bench
• drinking water
• radiator coolant
• a quart of oil
• spare hoses (coolant, fuel)
• serpentine belt
• box of clamps, bolts, nuts, misc
• full tool box with pliers, sockets, wrenches, hammers, screw drivers...
• tie downs
• crow bar
• maps
• gps (if new trail for me)

[sharpxmen]

i always had it packed up to the soft top and a big bag on the over spare tire carrier and i still wish i had more room - that's for going camping for 3 or 4 days

[Jeffy]

For clothes, one backpack or duffel bag for one person.  If it doesn't fit then it's too much crap.  Sleeping bags will depend on the size and type.  Usually ultra light for backpacking is best.  Cookware shouldn't that much either.  Tent's are pretty small.  I prefer a 3 person tent for 2 people.  Keep bags inside.

For a 3-4 day Rubicon trip, we had two backpacking bags, one for each person.  A box of some crucial spares and tools and cookware.  There was still a lot of room in the back of the Jeep and it was all under the duster cover.  Two folding chairs strapped to the spare.  Still brought too much stuff.  We only used maybe 1/2 of the stuff.

[FourbangerYJ]

This is from last years Dusy trip. 4 nights 5 days.
On the roof in a large nylon bag was our jackets,pillows,etc. On this trip I left my tool bag at home. It weighs around 6o pounds easy!
What you can't see is the Ready Welder,spare front shafts L&R,F&R driveshafts.
Storage isn't really the problem, it's what do I really need to bring. Like what Jeffy said lots of this stuff was not used. It some ways it's better to have it and not need it.
On day trips I carry tool bag,ready welder, the black bag above has my welding junk plus some power tools and inverter. The ammo can has fluids,all kinds of U joints and u bolts and straps for joints.
I try and weed out stuff that I have not used but it seems the load does not get any smaller.

[Jeffy]

This is from last years Dusy trip. 4 nights 5 days.
On the roof in a large nylon bag was our jackets,pillows,etc. On this trip I left my tool bag at home. It weighs around 6o pounds easy!
What you can't see is the Ready Welder,spare front shafts L&R,F&R driveshafts.
Storage isn't really the problem, it's what do I really need to bring. Like what Jeffy said lots of this stuff was not used. It some ways it's better to have it and not need it.
On day trips I carry tool bag,ready welder, the black bag above has my welding junk plus some power tools and inverter. The ammo can has fluids,all kinds of U joints and u bolts and straps for joints.
I try and weed out stuff that I have not used but it seems the load does not get any smaller.

So how much of it did you actually use?

[aka-justin]

More than a day, I bring a bed, bathroom, fridge... ohhh... then I tow the jeep to the locale.  I guess what I'm saying is, I ruff it as far as long as my water and holding tanks last.     No tent for me please.

[FourbangerYJ]

So how much of it did you actually use?

Spare parts,tools= not at all. But would you leave them at home on this type of trip?
Camp gear= pretty much used all of it.

[Jeffy]

Spare parts,tools= not at all. But would you leave them at home on this type of trip?
Camp gear= pretty much used all of it.

You're carrying gear for 4 people?  You've got way too much stuff.  You need a support vehicle.    I know guy's who take less then that on a round the world trip. 

[FourbangerYJ]

You're carrying gear for 4 people?  You've got way too much stuff.  You need a support vehicle.    I know guy's who take less then that on a round the world trip. 

You sound like my wife 


The pink bag is my daughters clothes, the blue Jeep one is mine.
Lite blue tote box is camp cooking gear
Gray box on the fender well is food.
Tent
ammo can (fluids,u joints,ball joints)
Camp table (could leave this but it's nice to have since there is no pinic tables where we go)
BBQ (could leave this too but it makes grilling fast and easy)
Tarp,porta potty (could leave it but it makes taking a digger much more enjoyable)
Ice chest ( could leave this too but I like my soda's cold!)
Water (thought about getting a purifier and pumping what's needed)
Gray tote behind the water is parts D20 rear output, tools,radiator hoses,serp. belt,yokes) Heavy stuff!

[chardrc]

you could save room and have more water by getting a 5 gallon water Jerry can and then just bring enough small bottles for each person and refill as needed... i find it less annoying that having to through in a ton of little bottles.

[FourbangerYJ]

you could save room and have more water by getting a 5 gallon water Jerry can and then just bring enough small bottles for each person and refill as needed... i find it less annoying that having to through in a ton of little bottles.

Ya that is one thing I am gonna change for this years trip.

[Jeffy]

He could save a bunc of room by just letting his wife and daughter take the Jeep.

The ice chest ONLY holds soda?  Man that's a lot of sodas.  You really should be able to feed 4 people for several days with that one cooler. Including drinks.  Too much cooking gear for 2 people.  On top of that a grill?  Two plates, to sets of utensils, one dutch oven and you should be good.  If you plan ahead and make the meals before hand then all you have to do is cook them.  Tables?  Most of the time we're eating from our chairs around the fire. Portapotty, yeah, learn to do it the old fashion way with a shovel.

I don't think Girl Scouts take that much baggage with them camping.

I think for spare parts, you really have to think about what's got a high chance of breaking and what you can live without, even if you're limping in 2wd.  Having too many spares may help in the 100:1 shot but for the 99 other times it's just an anchor.

With two people, and spare parts/tools, you shouldn't have it stacked much higher then the sides of the Jeep.

[aka-justin]

My spare parts other than a jug of coolant and the hoses, all fit in an old small ammo box.  Now that I have the rear tuffy, everything is in there, and I still have enough room to double anything, so I can still lockup laptop or whatever I have with me.  I still need to put my tools back in, but I have to find so small narrow canvas tool bags to toss them in.

[sharpxmen]

He could save a bunc of room by just letting his wife and daughter take the Jeep.

The ice chest ONLY holds soda?  Man that's a lot of sodas.  You really should be able to feed 4 people for several days with that one cooler. Including drinks.  Too much cooking gear for 2 people.  On top of that a grill?  Two plates, to sets of utensils, one dutch oven and you should be good.  If you plan ahead and make the meals before hand then all you have to do is cook them.  Tables?  Most of the time we're eating from our chairs around the fire. Portapotty, yeah, learn to do it the old fashion way with a shovel.

I don't think Girl Scouts take that much baggage with them camping.

I think for spare parts, you really have to think about what's got a high chance of breaking and what you can live without, even if you're limping in 2wd.  Having too many spares may help in the 100:1 shot but for the 99 other times it's just an anchor.

With two people, and spare parts/tools, you shouldn't have it stacked much higher then the sides of the Jeep.

i usually take more than he has just for 2 pple

i have 2 coolers, 1 full of drinks (pop, water, beer^2) and a plug-in one with food (meats, cheese, eggs and stuff like that), i have a huge (no j/k) tarp that takes a lot of room, another small tarp, bbq, tent, sleeping bags, inflatable matress, table, chairs, tools, travel bags, 2 jerry cans with water, propane, inflatable boat, small and big hatchet, 1 bin with a lot of little stuff like starter fluid (for the fire), lighters, travel plates, knives/forks, etc. - like i said, packed up all the way to the top.

usually use all of it except for the propane tanks, i have taken twice as much as i used every time.