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Long Haul Camping Section

fpoole

fpoole

Junior Ranger
Donating Member
Howdy Evan,

Just a thought here.

I'm retiring in Nov, with luck, and was planning on some longer trips, like doing the 50-States and was looking for a resource area that might have it all consolidated. Selfish reasons, I know, LOL.. but might encourage those that might see it as overwhelming.

Long haul meaning more than 5 days or so..

Thoughts were: (along these lines)
Section: Long Haulers Resources

Sub sections:
- Planning - Books, maps, websites, resources favorite loops
- Communications - laptops, WiFi, DISH, phones whatever else
- Day to Day - Meal, laundry, travel times
- Weather - Planning, equipment
- Things to do - things to see, do, goto.
- 3 main things to know about - mbrs posting 3 main things to help.
- Helpful Hints. - Anything else the might help.

The members would add as needed their thought and helpful hints

Hope that helps...
 
Great idea! I am upgrading to a 550 and should have it next spring and I plan on taking it for a 6 month trip. I read Jenn's post in reference to her journey and picked up some great info.
 
Anna&Steve:
Heheh.. Yah, it was addressed to him, didn't realize it'd get posted in the main forum, thought going to him "Behind the Scenes".. Oh well.. might come up with something eh???

It just seemed so much info but it's scattered all around..
hopefully..??
 
Frank

Here's my contribution to a couple of sites that answered many questions I had along similar lines.

Life on the Road - www.rv-dreams.com Howard and Linda Payne's website. While they live fulltime on the road in a large trailer lots of their ideas and thoughts are applicable. They also have a good forum site.

All things communications -http://www.jackdanmayer.com/communication.htm
Jack's site is full of the stuff you mention asking about on communications. Since I plan to be able to work while out and about, most of my stuff I do from home remotely, I read what he had and ended up with the following:

MaximumSignal cell amp - works with my Verizon iPhone, voice and data and really boosts the signal. Usually about -20db which is 2-3 bars if you can't see the signal level on your phone. Does not have anything available for 4G - yet...

WiFi - WiFiRanger Go from www.wifiranger.com. Followed Jack's build your CPE instructions. Got a Ubiquity Bullet amplifier and a -9dbi gain omni antenna. Tried it out on a couple of my art shows this summer. With just my laptop I would usually see a half a dozen wifi spots. Turn on the WifiRGo and would see 30-50. While most folks do password their hotspots I had no problem finding open ones to use. Helps reduce the reliance on cellular wireless.

Maps, Planning, Dreaming, etc - Get an iPad and/or iPhone. I run the following apps for camping:

Gaia GPS - Topo maps that can be offline. Great for the back country
TPE (The Photographers Ephemeris) - This tells you orientation for sunrise/sunset and a bunch of other stuff if you are a photographer or just want to see the sunset/sunrise through your doorway.
Google Earth
SPOTConnect - works with my SPOTConnect GPS transmitter. Peace of mind when I am in the backcountry and would need to signal for help. Always with me, in or out of the car/camp. I can transmit canned messages back home and my wife can click on the link and see on a map where I am. www.findmespot.com
AllStays Camp & RV - this one I find to be invaluable. Good information, uses Google maps, links to information about the campsite you are considering.
RVParkReview.com - Good reviews. Usually accessed through AllStays
NFS Camping - www.forestcamping.com For US National Forest Campgrounds
National Park Service Find a Park - www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm All things NPS
National Forest Service Locations - www.fs.fed.us/rescreation/map/finder.shtm All about NFS areas. Good maps for off road called MVUM's. These are PDF and can be saved to use on your laptop or iPad or other device.
Recreation.Gov www.recreation.gov Site to use for making reservations in lots of areas managed at the Federal level

And finally most states have some type of reservation system for their sites. I find these through using the AllStays app.

Weather - Get a weather radio for warnings. The following sites/apps are what I use.
Intellicast app
Weather Underground - wunderground.com
TWC The Weather Channel app and online
Radarscope - App for iPad/iPhone for all weather radar sites in the US.

So that's my contribution of 3 or more items ;)

And in closing I leave on the 15th to drive to pick up my 560. Hard to believe. Made the trip to Necedah and placed my order in mid November last year. (No they didn't have that long of waiting list :). Just couldn't do a pick up until mid September due to summer art shows for my photography.

Ready to hit the road, gathering all of my gear. Would be lost and struggling if not for all of the information on this forum. For those that are new if you can find the time just read every post that has been made. Great stuff in the evening or in my case something to do while I was on the road in the evenings.

Thanks Evan for putting up this site.
 
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Whoa... heheh...Kewl.

Now if could just get it organized by subject with all the links on one page, that'd be kewl.

the idea that you don't have to got through each posting, as much fun as that is, to hunt down the 'Links' section..

Thanks all, I'm going to put this as a reference somewhere, not sure where yet...

thanks for the info..
Luckily, I'll have the time to review it.. LOL.. in Nov that is...

cheers..
 
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