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  1. Happy Joe

    I'm killing batteries -- time to go LiFePo4?

    Given that solar panel makers are typically excessively optimistic (lie about specs). I would; verify the power consumption of the fridge with a fully charged battery and monitor it to see that it is well ventilated and does not consume excessive power during its cycle during the heat of the...
  2. Happy Joe

    Advantages of ground tents over camping in your vehicle.

    I too have had wind concerns; so far no problem. (unlike the dome tent that I chased down just before it got to the river). I expect to use some long lag bolts (Spax) next year to help assure its ground grip (along with a battery powered impact driver; to put them in and take them out)...
  3. Happy Joe

    Tired of spilling gas while filling generators. Transfer pump or???

    I got tired of liquid fuel hassles and got rid of, or put into long term storage, all but one of my liquid fuel powered generators and all of my liquid fueld camping accessories quite some time ago; other than a campfire and propane stove; 99+ % of my camping energy is provided by a LiFePo4...
  4. Happy Joe

    Advantages of ground tents over camping in your vehicle.

    I use a standing room tent, it works well; mine is the 4 door model. I only encountered one quality issues, (one tent peg loop/ tie down was not completely sewn). Room to stand up straight and wave your arms if you want.... ...setup is getting harder as I age... (needs 2 people or tie one...
  5. Happy Joe

    Tire repair kit?

    Been there... and looked at all the variants; etc. etc, etc. (Like 20-30 years ago)... I will continue use a compressor; problem solved. ...Although, honestly, I don't recall ever pushing a bead off the rim myself, in the field; I have gotten may folks going who did. People who push the...
  6. Happy Joe

    Plug and Play Lithium?

    There are multiple chinese made batteries out there; many do not appear to be terrible. I looked at BB (Battle Born), good reputation and good reviews but quite spendy. and decided the drop in 100 AH was too pricey. I eventually went with a reBel 100 AH LiFePo4 it has a 5 year warranty, made...
  7. Happy Joe

    How do you manage trash?

    I tend more to believe that the wolves that we heard that evening (and the following morning) might have had some scouts out... Th cooler at the time weighed in excess of 40 pound and was on level ground .. something made an effort several times that night... (although I have seen some pretty...
  8. Happy Joe

    How Do You Store Your Garbage?

    At home, before the trip, repackage consumables, where possible, to minimize trash (think ahead). On the road; minimal trash is generated; dump the munchie wrappers, cans and bottles at the fuel stops. In camp, when there is no fire ban; burn the food waste and packaging in the fire pit/ring...
  9. Happy Joe

    How do you manage trash?

    RE; spring loaded (overpriced) trashcan; A trip to the local waly mart will get you a similar item for less than $6,,, its called a hamper. Mainstays spiral hamper They have handles on top so they can be bungied to a tree/vehicle put a garbage bag inside to keep it nicer longer... they came in...
  10. Happy Joe

    Propane quick disconnect and 20Lb tank

    I too, have a number of propane devices (although I do not attach the tank to the vehicle). I use propane quick disconnects; because I want all my devices inter-compatible and some like the fire pit want a larger hose size; I use the 3/8 inch size quck disconnect (first encountered on a Mr...
  11. Happy Joe

    Airing down

    I personally like BFG mud tires on multi use vehicles; they are an adequate MEDIUM traction tire. ... Just like ARBs and straight axles; they do the job... better than some.. They (BFGs) do not really compare on most off road terrains with Boggers (or some Swampers) performance wise; they DO...
  12. Happy Joe

    Airing down

    They don't let us drive on the dunes here so I have to make do with the access roads and areas outside the parks/National Monument, or a few areas around Moab Utah. (areas where it is legal to drive in/on the sand) My tires are not stock they are over sized for flotation. My typical street...
  13. Happy Joe

    Airing down

    Off road hand books are typically written for neophytes, however most have a feat least a few nuggets of worth while information. I will occasionally browse one that I haven't seen (usually they just have a different cover). Airing down to improve the off road ride indicates that, to me, that...
  14. Happy Joe

    Airing down

    ...That's not how I travel; IMO; First rule for people with less experience or vehicles that are not modified for optimum safety and traction; Bring a sensible, well experienced friend in a well set up vehicle so they can guide, help, instruct (& possibly help recover) you/your vehicle... If...
  15. Happy Joe

    ARB air lockers???

    ARB's are my go-to locker; been using them (sometimes transferring them to the next vehicle) since the early '80's.. the only problem that I encountered was on the very early ones sometimes the plastic air tube developed a leak and had to be shortened by a quarter inch then re-installed, this...
  16. Happy Joe

    Airing down

    ... just thought that I would chime in with a little empirical experience; Over many tires, vehicle and loads; airing down doesn't seem to do do all that much good until I reach 12-15 psi. (my typical street/highway pressure, unloaded) is in the mid 20s psi range)... when airing down I normally...
  17. Happy Joe

    Relay Box Question

    I have utilized vacant positions in the existing fuse/relay box for some items in the past. It is a bit of a pain but it can bee done... assuming that your existing box has open positions of the desired type. Enjoy!
  18. Happy Joe

    “Grab and go” setups?

    ..Away back when (we were younger and the kids were still young); We used a much less refined variant of what I still/currently use in the back of the Jeep TJ vehicles have changed over the years but when the STUFF pile gets too large for the vehicle its time to reduce stuff not normally to get...
  19. Happy Joe

    Arb locker/compressor wiring question

    Yep! It happens only rarely and then on very difficult to extreme obstacles. For the Rubicon I ended up putting the floor switch under the carpet just to the left of and a bit higher than the brake pedal pad (no clutch; dang it)... I will likely change it this year, to operate the front...
  20. Happy Joe

    Arb locker/compressor wiring question

    As far as I can see it will work; However it prevents you from unlocking the rear while locking the front... very occasionally it is some times advantageous to let one axle or the other spin sideways... Most people , in reality, never get into terrain this difficult, it all depends on your...
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