Sleeping in my Jeep..Qs...

Liberty & Justice 4x4 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:59 pm

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

I just roll out my cheap coleman sleeping bag (if it's above 50) and use my goose down bag (if it's under 50). If you are worried about cold weather, these down bags can't be beat. I have camped in -30 degree weather in these bags-worth the money if you sleep where it's cold.

So which bag should you use to wipe the moister off the windows, coleman or goose down?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:10 pm

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

I just roll out my cheap coleman sleeping bag (if it's above 50) and use my goose down bag (if it's under 50). If you are worried about cold weather, these down bags can't be beat. I have camped in -30 degree weather in these bags-worth the money if you sleep where it's cold.

-30?!?! Where was that at? space?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:19 pm

I would use the coleman to wipe the moisture off :wink:

No actually a microfiber cloth works the best as it doesn't leave streaks or lint and retains moisture fairly well. The -30 degree weather is found here in Minnesota-I was about 20 miles south of the Canadian border on a solo-trek into the boundary waters on cross country skis. These goose down bags keep everything in the bag right around 70 degrees in even the coldest weather. Anything exposed will get VERY cold in low temps. I have never had a problem with moisture inside the Jeep. Are you leaving it run? You mentioned something about the vent controls...

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:25 am

Nope, Jeep is turned off. Climate controls are set to any position other than "off" so that the vents will be open to the outside. Window is open just a little at the top. And I still get thick condensation on all windows inside. Guess I'll have to just roll the windows down some more and hope it doesn't get foggy outside.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:27 am

Check thos out:

http://www.shevron.com.au/window_SOX.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHEVRON-WINDOW-SOX- ... dZViewItem

QuestMan · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:44 am

Quote:

I just roll out my cheap coleman sleeping bag (if it's above 50) and use my goose down bag (if it's under 50). If you are worried about cold weather, these down bags can't be beat. I have camped in -30 degree weather in these bags-worth the money if you sleep where it's cold

You the MAN! I get flack when I camp in +20 degree weather. That's 50 DEGREES colder! (I bet you ice fish without a shanty, too - LOL)

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:02 am

actually my mother went into labor with me while ice fishing. It doesn't get any more Minnesotan then that. New Year's I got totally hammered and couldn't get a ride home-so I slept in the Jeep. Beats the heck out of a DUI...Ice shacks...I usually use my Jeep if it's cold enough (more windchill really on the ice). But then again I am a heat baby. If the humidity gets over 30% and the outside temp is in the high 80's, I can't take it. Basic at Fort Jackson last summer was a living h*** (wake up to 90 degrees and 90% humidity-then it got worse).

Those window sox look like a great idea for summer camping in the Lib...what will i do with my old tent now?

VTNomad · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:12 am

I'm not a fan of goosedown. I does give you the most amount of insulation for it's weight, but if you're car camping, weight isn't an issue. It loses all ability to insulate when it's wet, synthetic won't. Also down moves around and hot and cold spots develop.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:23 am

I have yet to have those problems with goosedown you describe and I have had my bag since I was 8 (11 years). I use a compression sac from the army surplus store to store/transport my bag. If you keep them in compression just stuffed in a bag as opposed to rolling the down doesn't move. If it does-just shake it for a few minutes. Never had a synthetic-might try one out next time if i destroy this bag. How much does a synthetic cost compared to a goose down?

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:03 pm

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

New Year's I got totally hammered and couldn't get a ride home-so I slept in the Jeep. Beats the heck out of a DUI...

Problem with getting hammered is that it doesn't just affect your driving ability, it affects your judgement. Deciding to just "sleep out in the jeep" in the middle of winter in minnesota is the sort of thing that is likely to land you in the paper for "stupidest drunken death of the year".

Sleeping outside in cold temperatures is dangerous enough when you have the right equipment and a sound mind, add drunkenness to that and you have a recipe for disaster! Glad to hear that it worked out ok, but jeez, that is just reckless!

Not that I condone drunk driving, I just say shame on your friends for not getting you home safely or letting you crash on their floor or something.

diesel00 · **Joined:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:06 pm **Posts:** 40

If you have the Sunroof, you can open it using the vent option, heat rises, should help out. Otherwise you can open the rear hatch a little. Tie some rope to the hatch to restrict it from opening all the way, this should allow for more ventillation.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:55 pm

Haven't you grown out of that bag yet? I've worked at several outfitters over the last decade and everything I've come across has said not to store your bags compressed, it breaks down the fibers, down or synthetic. You're supposed to store the bag fully opened under a bed, or hung in a closet. Synthetic bags are usually cheaper and the only difference is the fill.

I've always tried to force synthetic bags on people, they're cheaper, they hold their loft better, and they don't develop hot and cold spots. The only people I haven't been able to talk into synthetic are Appalichain Trail Thru-hiker weight weenies. These guys cut all the tags off their gear, remove the embroidered stitching and leave the toothbrush, soap, and deoderant at home to save a few ounces of weight. The only advantages to down is that it is extremely compressable and lighter weight, only an issue if you're carrying a heavy pack and are tight on space.

I'm using Mountain Hardwear's base model sleeping bag I believe it called the 2nd Dimension. It's served me well over the last 4 years. I'm probably getting close to 200 nights in it. I mostly do weekend camps in the Smokies. The first year I had it I spent over 100 nights in it, I was a hippie.

www.rei.com is a good place to find anything, but I like www.sierratradingpost.com better. It's prices are better than employee cost. Here's a great bag for anybody: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp ... roduct.htm $40 bucks, if you're tallker than 6'4" get the long for $10 more.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:29 pm

I am one of those weight watching space conserving weenies! I can live for a week with 50 pounds of gear where I can fish-70 if I can't. I have frequently cross the BWCAW by canoe and cross country skis. No I don't keep the bag under compression all the time (its hanging up in my closet at the moment). I store it in compression as apposed to rolling when I am traveling. Even if I am driving somewhere. Sleeping bags stink if you don't leave em open.

As for sleeping outside-I have had lots of training and practice from both the military and (don't laugh) the boy scouts. When you camp as often as I do it is second nature and easier to do drunk then drive. Besides-even if I wasn't properly equipped, I would rather freeze to death then worry about killing other people. I lost a friend to a DUI and know of plenty more around me. If I die it's no big deal. I'll get over it. If I killed somebody it WOULD be a big deal and I WOULDN'T get over it. I don't feel it is my friends' responsibility to look after me. It is mine and only mine. I am the only one that can take responsibility for myself-sober or not.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:32 pm

PS: VTNomad: thanks for the link to sierra trading post. I needed new hiking boots...

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:35 pm

ManicMechanicJoe, I was in Basic and AIT in Ft. Jackson back in 93 i think, Light weight auto mechanice was the m.o.s. We had a blast working and running the Hummers. They are so easy to work on..The real Hummers that is.. Victory tower was a blast as well.. Good ol' days..

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:22 am

I vented my vehicle with the sunroof once while I was sleeping in it. Went to sleep, wind picked up, storm rolled in, I ended up with a front seat full of pine needles, acorns, little pieces of bark, and a big puddle. I won't go that route again. Of course, you risk some of nature coming in through a gapped side window too, but not as much (and it won't pool in the seals like it does in the sunroof).

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

If I killed somebody it WOULD be a big deal and I WOULDN'T get over it. I don't feel it is my friends' responsibility to look after me. It is mine and only mine. I am the only one that can take responsibility for myself-sober or not.

I have to say it again, your application of self-government deserves applause.

If you're still looking for boots (or anything else) give Campmor a look. I've ordered quite a bit of stuff from them (usually from their "web bargains" or "hot deals" sections"). Their prices are good/fair and their Standard shipping gets to my house THE NEXT DAY.

I'm using a Slumberjack bag now that converts from a mummy style to a rectangular with the quick pull of a zipper. I love it!

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:26 pm

MattyMac1 wrote:

ManicMechanicJoe, I was in Basic and AIT in Ft. Jackson back in 93 i think, Light weight auto mechanice was the m.o.s. We had a blast working and running the Hummers. They are so easy to work on..The real Hummers that is.. Victory tower was a blast as well.. Good ol' days..

VICTORY TOWER WAS AWESOME!!!! were you in 1/61 for basic? Thats where I was (Delta Dragon baby). Were you a 63B? My buddy had that training while I was down there. The weather sucked (got hit by a hurricane, wasn't too bad because we aren't that close to shore but you know)

Dog_Party-thanks for the compliment. I have ordered stuff from campmor before. I think thats where I got my 1 man tent or maybe it was my 2 man kelty tent...I know it wasn't the 4 man...I am going to need to rent a storage unit when I get all of my gear out of my dad's house :shock:

VTNomad · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:38 am

Sorry to disappoint you, but ManicMechanicJoe, but you're not a weight weeinie if your pack is over 30 pounds. There was this guy I met on year at, Tail Days (AT thru hiker get together) who was hiking the whole trail with an 8 pound pack. Of course he was stopping to get food every chance he got. He used a lot of GoLite (http://www.golite.com/) gear and even made some of his own. There's a book out there about him, I'll try to find the title.

You have to add more than two pounds to my pack before I can tell a difference, but I'm sure you'd be able to tell by the end of a 15 mile day. The light weight stuff is expensive, I'd rather carry a few extra ounces and have a heavier wallet.

Sierratradingpost.com has great shoe deals. Sizes are limited and they are usually models from a year, sometimes two years, ago. But who cares if they're the latest style, the only thing that changes is the color scheme.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:05 pm

In the boundry waters you need to carry more because there is no place to get food. It's not straight hiking either. You need to carry a paddle (5 lbs), lifejacket (not enough weight to worry about), second pair of boots (open toed sandals are asking for injury). You get the picture. I can fish there in the winter so that lets me cut back on carrying food in but you still need a little to last any amount of time. I usually get 7 days without stocking up for supplies out of one pack. I don't know how long those AT trips are that you're talking about.

my canoe is kevlar (i want carbon fiber but I am very lucky to have a 45 pound canoe) skis with boots and poles are a little less but then you need heavier clothing. When you hike do you use an internal frame pack or an external frame? I still use an older external frame...Might upgrade that after the boots.

If you are into to some real camping where there is no way out with no comforts of home (some of the camp sites have toilets...) you might want to try the boundary waters in minnesota around July.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:24 pm

I'm talking 8 pounds for the whole trail. Over 2,000 miles and over 6 months travel time on an 8 pound pack. Freakin' insane if you ask me. I've got a collapsable fishing pole from Shakespeare, I love it. It's an ultralight and makes fighting a 2-3 pound trout incredibly fun. A little salt, a little cornmeal and some Parkay (doesn't go bad like butter and doesn't need to be refridgerated), talk about good eatin'. Fill a Camelback full of beer if you don't mind drinking it warm. My idea of the dream weekend.

It was in the 60's and sunny today, still a little chilly at night to convince my girlfriend to go camping, but I'm dying to go. I'm gonna try to pull an 8 or 9 day trip to the Smokies the first full week of March, hopefully there won't be snow up to my booty. Spring is such a tease here, it could come in early Febuary or late April.

Sleeping in my Jeep..Qs...

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