thats why we visit the "packet drawer" before heading out on a trip....
if the packet is puffed out or has rust on it, taste it first before using
Cheap “Tips” and “Tricks
- Thread starter M Rose
- Start date
if the packet is puffed out or has rust on it, taste it first before using
Roam Bearded
Rank V
Enthusiast III
Off-Road Ranger I
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- First Name
- Donald
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- Diehl
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I have four regular rectangle magnets encased in plastic, that live on our front bumper. They are used specifically for holding a map down atop the hood. 
Off-Road Ranger I
- 2,865
- First Name
- Donald
- Last Name
- Diehl
- Member #
-
0745
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WRPN 506
Off-Road Ranger I
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- Shahn
- Last Name
- Brown
- Member #
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29302
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- GMRS - WRQD549
Stadium cushions aka Bleacher cushions - I keep a few of these in the truck, they are great for wet benches, wet chairs, hard picnic table benches, sitting on the ground if no chairs are around. In addition, great to kneel on if you need to get on the ground and work on something, I've even used them to fan a fire to get it going, padding between to items that were clanking around when I drove...
Explorer I
One of our favorite pieces of gear are the small rolls of velcro strip that we can cut to size. Since we move between vehicles we have not invested in fancy mounts and such so we use this velcro to “mount” all sorts of things. We strap our fishing poles to the roll bar, ditto our GMRS radio. It is a great cord wrap and all around handy item .
Autism Family Travels
Rank IV
Enthusiast III
this is a tip, it's not really cheap but it out performs lighting sources many times more expensive. Outfitting Hella DRIVING light housings with HID systems. There are a couple of keys to do this. You cannot use the round FF version of the lights and get a good beam pattern. You need to use DRIVING fluted housings. then, for best "punch" get 4300k 55w HID kits. The results are lights that punch way above their weight and price point. I swear by them and I have parked my rigs with this setup next to people with rigid/brand x/light bars etc and my lights will drive down the road way farther than the LED. Give it a shot. This trick does work in the FF75 driving housings as well if size is a concern, as well.
Advocate I
Differential swap without a forklift or friends to help out? just did a rear diff makover using a wheelbarrow as the workbench. Even better I put a strap on the diff and tilted the wheelbarrow, and lowered the diff onto a tire dolly. Lowered the one being removed onto a second dolly. Wheeled it out and wheeled in the replacement. Then a floor jack from there. Not young anymore, this worked like a champ and at no point had to lift anything too heavy by myself. So the tip is a pair of cheap tire dollys from Harbor Freight (borrowed from friend) made the diff swap a one man job no problem!
I always double knot. Prior to that, when crossing the laces, I cross them at the first boot hooks above instep. Then at the highest set of boot hooks, i double cross the laces then double knot. And I have used 5 50 for hiking boot laces. If I have super long laces, I cross, wrap around the ankle, and double cross and double knot at top
Nalgene water bottles:
Freeze them after filling to 750 ml and you could have ice packs and cold water all day
Pour in hot water and place in sleeping bag 10 minutes before sleep on a cold night
Hold tyvek maps down
If you ever crack a few, string them up as light casings for party lights
Freeze them after filling to 750 ml and you could have ice packs and cold water all day
Pour in hot water and place in sleeping bag 10 minutes before sleep on a cold night
Hold tyvek maps down
If you ever crack a few, string them up as light casings for party lights
Advocate I
I do this. Recently, though, I've read that these scents could attract bears. What to do
Advocate III
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- US ARMY Retired
They attract bugs, never heard of bears though… bears I have encountered didn’t like human smells.
Red_Leaf_Overland
Rank V
Advocate III
agree they attract all kinds of bugs. but never heard of bear. though I live an a fairly mild bear area. ( only black bears )
Advocate I
Odds of bear encounters are 1 in 2 million. . . I'll chance it to be sure my travel bag doesn't smell like a high-school gym locker. I haven't noticed it attracting bugs, but then again, bugs are to be expected during outdoor adventures. . . comfort is only an illusion, but stinky socks and underwear are reality.
Red_Leaf_Overland
Rank V
Advocate III
agreed that bugs are to be expected in the outdoors, and socks stink like hell lol. but your odds of a bear encounter for any reason are much higher than 1 in 2 million. I usually see at least a few bear a year without trying, and see a few campsites torn apart, vehicles damaged.... it just depends how hungry they are. We even had one break into 3 different houses when I was a kid before my grandfather shot it in his basement.
long story short, I'm not saying fear bears, but they should be in the back of your head when camping because they are nearly as likely to be close by as a racoon in some spots.
You never realize how strong the smell of scented dryer sheets are until you’ve been backpacking for several days and then meet someone on the trail in freshly laundered clothes. You can smell them at a surprising distance. I switched to “free and clear” detergent and dryer sheets to lessen the chance of attracting bears. Flowery, sweet smells are likely more appealing to bears than stinky socks. Store dirty clothes in a mesh bag that you can hang outside at camp, then stash it in your vehicle/closed bin at night.
mother-in-law went on a trip with us once into bear country and i had bought a special soap for her to use...
