The official OTO "Ozark Trail Overland" gear thread!
- Thread starter outwardbound
- Start date
Yep that lifetime cooler is a really good option if you don't want tie down slots (can still be opened while tied down to your truck). It's also a little bigger. The lifetime cooler ironically doesn't have a lifetime warranty (5 years) while the monoprice does have a lifetime warranty.
Made me think of a couple of other features of the monoprice cooler I didn't mention because I don't use them but it also has a steel reinforced lock hole and they don't advertise it but the cooler top is designed for being a prep surface. Has a ruler molded into it.
Either way, for what I was looking for the monoprice cooler provided more value for the money.
Member III
Not that I need it to keep my beverage cold since it’s 30 degrees, but here’s my OT 20 oz nabbed off the clearance shelf for $2.99. Looks pretty good customized with an OB sticker, don’tcha think?
Traveler III
Booyah. Got one of these bad boys on its way to my house for only $49 Canuck bucks and free shipping!.
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/ozark-trail-one-person-cot-tent/6000197475712
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/ozark-trail-one-person-cot-tent/6000197475712
Member III
Traveler III
I'm very stoked. I think this will be a perfect alternative to an RTT for me and my ultra light rig.
Plasmajab
Rank IV
Off-Road Ranger I
Traveler III
I like the idea of a hammock from a comfort standpoint - I know a lot of guys have camped with great success in hammocks with rain flys, even in very cold conditions, but I don't like the idea of being hamstrung by needing two trees or other anchor points. I love that this cot tent can be set up anywhere. It reminds me a lot of the cot/swag combo that I see so often in Aussie 4 wheel drive video series. It seems to be a super popular combo down there. This to me seems even superior to that idea.
Plasmajab
Rank IV
Off-Road Ranger I
While this isnt an "OZARK TRAIL", all my kit is cheap stuff from the likes of Canadian tire. Compared to the REI or "specialist stores" its dirt cheap.
My setups a "dual mode" version. Its also my ultralight setup. 7'c and up.
First we will start with the hammock itself. Its a vivere parachute double hammock. Rated for 400 lbs. ($40)
https://www.vivereltd.com/20/parachute-hammock-double
To attach it I use the Ultra-light tree straps from the same company. Comes with two carabiners, and a lot easier to set up then those whoopie straps. Wrap around tree, set the carabiner in the slot (10 adjustments I think?) Attach the hook of the hammock to the carabiner, done. And the straps are a good 10 feet long each and a good inch thick. Straps are rated to 450lbs. ($40)
Total hammock is about 2 pounds.
My sleeping bag is a woods micro-lite. Weighs in at a blistering 1 pound, 13oz. (800g?) Decent, simple and light, and even has a glow in the dark zipper pull. ($80)
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/woods-microlite-sleeping-bag-7-c-0765530p.html#srp
All set up that looks like this:
Now tell me this wont fit somewhere in your rig.
I mean, this is tiny. 4 pounds total. Add in a generic 10 buck tarp over top and some 550 cord for overhead cover and your golden. And when the mosquitos are visable on airport radars, a simple bug net will do.
If it gets colder there are blankets that you can buy for it that go under. I usually just use this.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/woods-expedition-adventurer-ultra-light-revo-rs-mat-0763204p.html#srp
Now this guy slides right into the hammock. Its bloody expensive. $150. but: it is super comfy, holds air for a good solid week and hasnt let me down. Im a pretty big guy. Im 6'0 and 250lbs. And I cant touch ground with it. Rolled up its the same size as the bag. It says 220lb capacity bit it handles me just fine. But it is a full inch thicker then the therm-a-rest offerings and cheaper. That will set you 3 pounds in in weight.
Worst case scenatrio. I toss the pad and the sleeping bag in my rig and have a nice dry sleep.
Traveler III
Looks like a nice setup that could work for backpacking as well. What's the temp rating on that bag?
Almost all my gear is very old, some of it dating back to highschool lol. I got my 2 burner Coleman stove from Craigslist for $20. Gear doesn't have to be expensive to work.
I have an old Eureka Timberline backpacking tent that I bought ages ago during my army days, like 12-15 years ago. That thing has served me very well, including several times on army ex, as well as more recently on my last camp out. It will remain as my backpack tent, while the Ozark Trail is my overlanding tent. Saves me a lot of setup time since I won't have to inflate an air mattress anymore, and it should be nice and cosy.
Almost all my gear is very old, some of it dating back to highschool lol. I got my 2 burner Coleman stove from Craigslist for $20. Gear doesn't have to be expensive to work.
I have an old Eureka Timberline backpacking tent that I bought ages ago during my army days, like 12-15 years ago. That thing has served me very well, including several times on army ex, as well as more recently on my last camp out. It will remain as my backpack tent, while the Ozark Trail is my overlanding tent. Saves me a lot of setup time since I won't have to inflate an air mattress anymore, and it should be nice and cosy.
Plasmajab
Rank IV
Off-Road Ranger I
The bag is only +7'c. Its my summer kit. Or Back of the xuv kit as the escape makes a decent tent. I'd still like to get my old Alice pack and mount it to the back of the rear seat, but some of the walmart offerings will be able to take its place.. Not sure on how Im going to do it to be honest.
But I really want to see that cot-tent thing you ordered. Even if it needs waterproofing with silicone or something, 50 bucks is a bargain and Id scoop one up pronto. Its been my past experience that cot tents set up super quick.
But I really want to see that cot-tent thing you ordered. Even if it needs waterproofing with silicone or something, 50 bucks is a bargain and Id scoop one up pronto. Its been my past experience that cot tents set up super quick.
Traveler III
It seems to get excellent reviews, so I have high hopes. There is an Australian company called OzTrail that makes an identical tent cot for a huge amount of money, like $350. I find the similarity of the names intriguing and I wonder if they're not actually the same company.
Just be aware that the $49 is a clearance price, and they were sold out for a while, so you might have to act fast if you want one.
I'll post a review in this thread once I get the tent.
Plasmajab
Rank IV
Off-Road Ranger I
Which reminds me. For those that have seen my setup and think its the cat's meow, theres some pretty important disadvantages you need to know about.
Not trying to dissuade you, but I figure my setup must be very, very close to this cost. But it is some food for thought. I say, grab a cheap one from amazon, give it a go then buy a gooder.
- You need trees. Or a stand. And they have to be just so apart so you get the right amount of sag or else you will be uncomfortable. Doing this in the dark sucks.
- Cold-butt. There is no insulation underneath you, unless you add it or buy and underquilt.
- Sway. As with anything hung, even wind will cause you to rock back and forth. Some people like this. Some can feel motion sick. You can stake out stabilisers.
- Some hammocks have no bug mesh. You need to buy a bug screen.
- Cost. If you want a really good, and complete setup, a hennesey hammock that can hold 250 pounds with most of the bells and whistle will cost $2-300 bucks US. Which is probably cheaper then a good quality single tent. Or maybe more expensive. The kicker is, hammocks only sleep ONE PERSON. Doing it with 2 is an exercise in futility.
- Near impossible to sleep with a dog in it. If duke is your trail buddy, dont waste your money on this.
Not trying to dissuade you, but I figure my setup must be very, very close to this cost. But it is some food for thought. I say, grab a cheap one from amazon, give it a go then buy a gooder.
Plasmajab
Rank IV
Off-Road Ranger I
I was watching Theoutdoorgearguide and he basically showed the Outback swags pioneer was pretty much junk. But yeah, $300 bucks. And there is the kodiak canvas version of it that scored good, but thats also $300..
Pathfinder I
Whoah, I had no idea Monoprice even had products in this category. I only used them for speaker wire, connectors, and HDMI cables. This is good to know!
Pathfinder I
Your last note is what makes hammocks a no-go for me. Terry Pup sleeps with me, and in the hammock, it just doesn't work.
Bought one also. For backpacking i sleep in a hammock, but this could be good for some trips with the vehicle.
Traveler III
Cool. I hope it turns out to be awesome for both of us.
Right now Canada post strikes are delaying the delivery of mine. Hard to wait...lol
I just finished my first trip with the Ozark Trail 52qt. cooler and I have to say, it performed flawlessly. I used maybe 10lbs. of ice and some frozen cooler packs and had cold food for 4 days+. We only used it for food as we kept our drinks in a separate soft cooler. 52qt. was the right size as well, 3 meals a day which included Thanksgiving goodies. Preparing everything before we left really helped with space in the cooler as well as prep time at camp.
Daytime temp was 55-60F and night was 38-42F.
Daytime temp was 55-60F and night was 38-42F.
Probably should have posted this here instead of the other thread:
In search of: The Best Ground Tents
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/index.php?posts/282369/
In search of: The Best Ground Tents
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/index.php?posts/282369/
