I appreciate this list so much. While I don’t do large van life, I do a lot of outdoor rig sleeping. I set up my old Lexus RX 330 SUV (a beast) so I can bug in or bug out in it. I lived in it for a year, even though I have a house. I can stay comfortable even at 20 degrees. Solar, cooking, electric blanket, Jackery, self defense and first aid. As you probably recall, these are systems I developed on the Appalachian Trail and thereafter in my outdoor business and work and hiking with my friends from the 82nd and 101st. I keep it very lean because of limited carry capacity so my meds/wants list is pretty small. However, I have been pondering a Byrna myself. Great article except that now I need an adventure!
You’re welcome, and the more you share, the more I think we need to hop on a chat or call! 82nd and 101st Airborne? Appalachian Trail? So MANY questions. LOL
The Byrna system is great for deterring PTA people and a quick bug out, but not for a cracked out crazy wanting to do real damage.
I think I'm going to screen shot this quote "she’s not wrong for wanting to bring what she wants to make road life happier for herself" so I can show it to you when you get onto me for something I want. 🤣😜
Good list of stuff though! These are all definitely important things for us! Some more than others for me. ;)
Nice list. My wife and I just chatted about this and we’d add: Starlink Mini, bug netting, an Air Fryer, a silicone dish mat for drying dishes, solar lights that stick to our van magnetically, a hanging rod that hooks onto the ceiling handles in the cab and acts a rod for hangers, Turkish towels which are small to save space but are highly absorbent, DC-DC charge to charge batteries while driving and cheap thermometers for living space and garage.
Honorable mention for light bar for night time roll in and a chamois cloth for wiping condensation.
Thanks! That's some good stuff there and I agree with ya! We just got a bug net for the back door. My old Army mosquito net was too big and a hassle. The solar lights we also have and have been great. Will look into the Turkish towels, as I've never heard of them. Appreciate your input.
Lot's of useful information here James, thanks. But of course being a guy I had to click on the link for the non-lethal pistol. I've seen these in sporting goods stores before and was thinking that with pepper balls they'd probably be a better solution than bear spray if we ever find ourselves face to face with an angry one.
Appreciate it, Todd! The Byrna launcher is a great deterrent against people, but I don't think a bear is going to think much of it, because while those pepper balls are strong, bear spray is a concentrate that can "stick" to its face if used properly. You'd have to be a good shot to get that ammo under pressure in the right place.
I always carry a loaded firearm when there's a good chance of Apex predators, along with my bear spray, and a damn good knife for backup.
The loaded firearm would be a bit of an issue on a lot of our hikes, since they happen on the military post. We've never actually even had to use the bear spray. I'm pretty sure that unless it was a very unusual situation, bears, mountain lions, or anything else I might not want to be in close quarters with are almost certainly going to go the other way when they hear me coming anyway.
The one thing I am most scared of when we're out hiking is something I can't really deter, bees.
Yeah, that would be a problem! The military post rules are one reason I wouldn't get on base with our vehicle, but I also don't have the golden ticket either. It's a fine line between legalities and being mauled by an angry critter. Most of the time, animals try to avoid us, but there are those rare encounters.
Bees are another story. You can't run from them! Funny story, though, I watched the show about killer bees in the 80s, and I was terrified to go anywhere near the woods for a bit. I also hate ticks. Got a chest full of them after my two weeks of Army training in the sticks.
I wonder if the military would allow a Byrna on it even though they are legal.
I might check into that. I would think it’s probably allowed … but at the same time, would probably cause any “random vehicle check” to end up being much longer than normal.
I appreciate this list so much. While I don’t do large van life, I do a lot of outdoor rig sleeping. I set up my old Lexus RX 330 SUV (a beast) so I can bug in or bug out in it. I lived in it for a year, even though I have a house. I can stay comfortable even at 20 degrees. Solar, cooking, electric blanket, Jackery, self defense and first aid. As you probably recall, these are systems I developed on the Appalachian Trail and thereafter in my outdoor business and work and hiking with my friends from the 82nd and 101st. I keep it very lean because of limited carry capacity so my meds/wants list is pretty small. However, I have been pondering a Byrna myself. Great article except that now I need an adventure!
You’re welcome, and the more you share, the more I think we need to hop on a chat or call! 82nd and 101st Airborne? Appalachian Trail? So MANY questions. LOL
The Byrna system is great for deterring PTA people and a quick bug out, but not for a cracked out crazy wanting to do real damage.
Yes, we can schedule something. I even have some biz questions also. Hit me up in CHAT whenever.
I think I'm going to screen shot this quote "she’s not wrong for wanting to bring what she wants to make road life happier for herself" so I can show it to you when you get onto me for something I want. 🤣😜
Good list of stuff though! These are all definitely important things for us! Some more than others for me. ;)
Nice list. My wife and I just chatted about this and we’d add: Starlink Mini, bug netting, an Air Fryer, a silicone dish mat for drying dishes, solar lights that stick to our van magnetically, a hanging rod that hooks onto the ceiling handles in the cab and acts a rod for hangers, Turkish towels which are small to save space but are highly absorbent, DC-DC charge to charge batteries while driving and cheap thermometers for living space and garage.
Honorable mention for light bar for night time roll in and a chamois cloth for wiping condensation.
Thanks! That's some good stuff there and I agree with ya! We just got a bug net for the back door. My old Army mosquito net was too big and a hassle. The solar lights we also have and have been great. Will look into the Turkish towels, as I've never heard of them. Appreciate your input.
Lot's of useful information here James, thanks. But of course being a guy I had to click on the link for the non-lethal pistol. I've seen these in sporting goods stores before and was thinking that with pepper balls they'd probably be a better solution than bear spray if we ever find ourselves face to face with an angry one.
Appreciate it, Todd! The Byrna launcher is a great deterrent against people, but I don't think a bear is going to think much of it, because while those pepper balls are strong, bear spray is a concentrate that can "stick" to its face if used properly. You'd have to be a good shot to get that ammo under pressure in the right place.
I always carry a loaded firearm when there's a good chance of Apex predators, along with my bear spray, and a damn good knife for backup.
The loaded firearm would be a bit of an issue on a lot of our hikes, since they happen on the military post. We've never actually even had to use the bear spray. I'm pretty sure that unless it was a very unusual situation, bears, mountain lions, or anything else I might not want to be in close quarters with are almost certainly going to go the other way when they hear me coming anyway.
The one thing I am most scared of when we're out hiking is something I can't really deter, bees.
Yeah, that would be a problem! The military post rules are one reason I wouldn't get on base with our vehicle, but I also don't have the golden ticket either. It's a fine line between legalities and being mauled by an angry critter. Most of the time, animals try to avoid us, but there are those rare encounters.
Bees are another story. You can't run from them! Funny story, though, I watched the show about killer bees in the 80s, and I was terrified to go anywhere near the woods for a bit. I also hate ticks. Got a chest full of them after my two weeks of Army training in the sticks.
I wonder if the military would allow a Byrna on it even though they are legal.
I might check into that. I would think it’s probably allowed … but at the same time, would probably cause any “random vehicle check” to end up being much longer than normal.