Life with a Diesel Heater
Life with a Diesel Heater After years of using different heating methods from electric to propane to wood, none of them offered the flexibility I needed with my new teardrop trailer. The trailer is very well insulated, has a dedicated diesel heater port, and has several exhaust fans to pull the heat through the trailer. I often have a secondary tent to heat, so that makes heating options much more limited. The key attributes I was looking for from a heater were the following: A diesel heater meets all the above criteria and with cheap ones becoming more and more popular, there is hardly any downside to trying one out, so I did. Just as a point of reference, my temperature target is around 50F in both the trailer and tent as I like sleeping in the cold and have adequate bedding for down to 10F in the event the…
Gear Review – OzTrail OR375 Tent
Well, I think it’s time I do a real review of my OzTrail OR375 tent. In my travels, this tent is what I get asked the most about, by far. Folks love the footprint, construction, and ease of setup, so let’s look at it in detail.
Product Review – ExOfficio Clothing
After much debate, I finally went ahead and purchased a few items from the much-touted ExOfficio line of clothing. It seems like everyone that has some speaks of it as if it is the holy grail of adventurer gear. My experience has been a mixed bag. Some I absolutely love, other items were quite a disappointment. All of these clothes are comfortable, fit very well, and provide excellent ventilation and drying time. However, the durability of some left much to be desired. These are not cheap clothes and while I did not pay MSRP for any of them, I still expect them to perform. So, on a item basis, let me share my thoughts.
Product Review – DEPO Smoke LED Tail Lights for FZJ80
DEPO Smoke LED Tail Light Installation for the FZJ80
Having been in the process of making some lighting upgrades, and having a cracked driver tail light since I got the truck from one of the previous owners, I figured it was time to fix it. I had originally looked at a full set of Depo light including headlights from a guy on IH8MUD, but in the end he couldn’t get smoke, just clear. Opinions vary, and it is personal preference, but having a white truck, I wanted smoked. So, Ebay to the rescue. For less than a single OEM assembly, the new set was on its way.
Product Review – PFrans LED Kit for the FZJ80
Outstanding. That’s how I would describe this kit, its value, and performance. In a nutshell, PFran is a guy on IH8MUD that has sourced parts and sells complete vehicle-specific LED kits as well as individual components. And his prices are VERY reasonable.He has gone to great lengths to make sure the parts match in color (because most of us are OCD to some degree), and are high-quality. His products may be found here www.pfranleds.com. Be sure to visit his fitment guide for your particular vehicle, it will save you time. He is also expanding into other specialty products like CV clamps, so keep an eye on the website for new products to show up.
Gear Review – Toyo Open Country M/T Tires
Tires. There are few topics that will initiate a more varied and often heated discussion. Everyone has their preferences, and most are more than willing to share them with you, regardless of whether you asked. Lol. To avoid any long drawn out discussions on the selection process, I went with Toyo Open Country M/T in 315x75r16 for the FZJ80.
Gear Review – Mr. Heater Portable Radiant Heater
Surprisingly enough, camping in Upstate NY in November can get pretty cold. There can even be snow. And in a tent, even a heavy canvas one, staying warm can be a challenge. That’s where Mr. Heater comes into the picture.