Over the years my camping equipment has "evolved" a bit. I used to be a backpacker, so weight and size was always a consideration. As I've gotten older, I have decided that comfort is MUCH more important. With that said, here is my "Camping Equipment"
It is a basic
Adventure Trailer Chaser model. It has:
Overland RRT with queensize air matress w/pillow top (I like to be comfortable) I have since changed the tent to a hardshell Magnolia. I need to find those photos.
19 gallon water tank
2 5 gallan fuel cans
Deep cycle battery in nose box
Engle 45 freezer/fridge
Easy Awn Awning
and tons of cargo room.
The trailer tows like a dream and is the perfect wheel base for the Xterra. It will go ANYWHERE the X can go and more.
You can get a set of stainless steel trays that attach to the sides for a kitchen setup. I had these at first. They are nice. If you are cooking for yourself, and maybe a significant other they will work fine, however I tend to find myself cooking for 3 to 15 people, so they were too small. Adventure Trailers then designed a table to attach to the fender. I decided to try my hand at making one.
First I added 2 small plastic "bushings" to the fender.
These will keep the table from sliding out once it is on the fender. The side of the trailer will keep it from tipping over once istalled as well.
Next was the table itself. As I am not very good with wood working I chose to buy a pre-built piece. It is made from 5 pieces of 1x6 pine joined together on the ends. I cut it to size and rounded the corners off. I then gave it a light coat of stain and about 7 coats of spar-urithain.
I drilled 2 holes for the "bushings"
Vala, nice big table for cooking and food prep.
Next was propane. I HATE using those little green bottles. Besides the fact that the are not good for the enviroment, they also run out in the middle of cooking a meal. So I purchase a 4 lbs (I think, I forget the size now) propane tank and set about finding a mount for it. Well, I looked everywhere and could not find any premade mount. So I bit the bullet and bought a power tank mount and modified it to hold the tank.
Let me tell you it is very hard to cut up a perfectly good, brand new $75 dollar mount, but I figured it had to be done to get what I wanted. About three days after I had it mounted and was very happy with it, a friend sent me a link to a mount MADE for the tank I have. $25.
AAAARG, now that I don't need the mount anymore I can find them everywhere. Figures.
Up next, cover for the kitchen. I added the awning since at least 2 or three times a year I end up getting rained on. I have to say I use it every time I camp. It is nice to have shade, and keeps the pine needles and sap from falling on the kitchen.
Next is the stove. I have spent quite some time looking/searching for the perfect stove. IT DOES NOT EXIST. However I have found one I like. It is the Coleman Roadtrip Grill LX.
It has different topps to it that let you change what you can use it for.
You can have two burners for pots, or two grills for BBQ, or 2 flat top gridles for frying, or a combo of those. I really like this grill. The only drawback I have found is that it is big and has a round top so it is hard to pack, but I was able to sovle that with my storage setup.
On to the storage.
The inside of the trailer box is very big and open. I have tried a few different things to keep it organized and make it easy to access everything.
The fridge is stored towards the front of the box, which gives me easy access to it. Behind that I have a plastic storage container with stuff I like to keep it the trailer "just in case" Games, extra batteries, toys for the pup and such. To the left of the fridge is a platform I made. this supports my chairs, cloths and such and still alows access underneath it.
From the back you can see the storgae for the grill.
The top lifts up to alow access.
Behind that you can see the drawer that sits under the platform.
This houses all of my cooking supplies. Pots, pans and the like. As I said I find myself cooking for more that just me, so I like to have everything I need.
Now, you may find your self saying "well sh*t, he has everything except the kitchen sink" Well, you spoke too soon.
On to the sink and On demand water heater.
I am sure noone has noticed I have a thing for "gadgets". I know, it's hard to tell, but I do. This next one was given to me by my dad. It is a Colman On Demand Water Heater. I tad big to carry around, unless you have a trailer. :bannana: I LOVE this. Just tuurn the nob and you get hot water, and if you turn it all the way it will dam near burn you. Great for washing dishes, or just washing your hands on a cold night.
It comes with a pump that hooks to a tank of water. I just dropped the pump into my water tank on the trailer. The white cap houses/covers the conections.
Just plug it in, add a tuperware for a sink and vala, kitchen is done.
If you have questions feel free to ask. As I do more, I will update.
Casper