water resistant sports camera
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djinvincea
Ok here's the scoop...
I want to get into hiking and camping with my wife. I currently have no gear. What should I buy? I have about $800 to work with. I am planning on camping through 3 seasons, spring, summer, and fall (a little in the winter perhaps). I am going to need a two person tent, his and hers sleeping bags, and his and hers backpacks. I am looking for gear that would take me on 2-4 day hikes. Should go with internal or external backpacks. What's the difference? Is there a good rain resistant tent within my price range? I'm thinking I would want a mummy type sleeping bag. Again, not sure though. Brand names with reasons for purchasing would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Answer
Go to www.cabelas.com and browse around, or better yet request a catalog. It's the best outdoors outfitter I've ever used. First off, since you're talking about backpacking, you need to think lightweight. Interior/Exterior just has to do with whether the frame is inside or outside the "pack" on a backpack. To decide on which type is better fo you, go to a good sporting goods store in your area and look at them/try them on. Sleeping backs should definately be the "mummy" style bags. They are around $100 each, but are very lightweight and can handle moderately cold weather (sleeping bags will have a rating in degrees to how cold it can get and you can still rely on the sleeping bag). They can also be compacted better than classic sleeping bags. Any brand in Cabela's would be a good brand, including its own brand. Also buy you and your wife sleeping pads... they are light, compact, and your back is worth it. I like the self-inflating type, but you can also get foam ones. Again any brand in Cabela's (this goes for all their products) is usually a good brand.
Tents are usually rated by seasons they can be used in (summer, 3-season, or all weather are popular ratings). Definately go for a dome-style tent rather than the boxier tents. Dome style tents are usually more sturdy, deflect water better, and are usually lighter. Also you'll want one with a good rain cover that goes close to the base of the tent, and a high waterproof rating (in mms)... 1,500mm waterproof ratings are pretty good. Also, pay attention to weight. Aluminum weighs less than fiberglass, but costs more also. A two person tent probably weighs around 15 lbs, and you and your wife can split this weight (she takes tent, you poles) or you can pack it yourself, but weight is the largest factor (besides neccesities) when hiking.
Alright, now that we have the major equipment out of the way, here are some neccessities.
-First Aid Kit and maps or knowledge of area, or GPs
-Flashlight w/extra batteries and lantern would be nice
-Good all-purpose knife/survival knife
-water purification pump AND purification pills... start out with at least 1/2 gallon of water each
-Waterproof matches AND waterproof lighter (just in case)
-Lightweight stove. Sporting good store can recommend good ones for backpacking.
-Food: lightweight, non-perishables, such as top ramen, energy bars, canned food, chocolate. Fatty foods are good to have in the woods since you will be burning a lot of calaries. They say one of the best things you can eat if your lost is butter. You may burn 3,000 or more calaries a day, so don't try to go on a diet right then. I recommend some type of powder flavoring for water... it doesn't always taste great when used with purification pills.
-Dish soap, eating utensils and backpacking pots. They usually come in a nice kit that doesn't take up much space. Look on Cabela's or at a sporting goods store.
-TOILET PAPER
-Permits. You usually have to get permits to camp in public parks/Forest Service land. You go to the closest Forestry office to pick these up. These are important if for no other reason than if you don't come back when your family expects you, they know where to start looking.
-Bear spray
-Clothes that can be layered, gloves, beanies, good hiking boots and tennis shoes if you dont mind the extra weight (for camp).
Recommended Supplies:
-Cell phone or handheld CB at least
-Camera (for obvious reasons)
-Rope(hang your food away from camp so predators dont get into it).
-Insect repellant/sunblock
There's probably more that I am missing, but those are the most important. The most important thing to do when going camping is to tell at least two responsible people you know where you're going, and give them a timeframe for coming back. Also I recommend you both take a First Aid Course... they are usually free and something could go wrong quickly (although unlikely) in the forests... snake bite, broken leg, heat stroke, hyperthermia, bear attack, drinking bad water (always purify or boil for five minutes... & retrieve from running water source. If impossible to purify, find area where water is "falling"... it's usually cleanest there).
I'm not trying to scare you away and you guys will probably have a blast, but definately be prepared.
Can you upgrade a 2013 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner to a TRD package?
Caleb
My parents surprised me with a 2013 Tacoma Prerunner Doublecab for getting a scholarship, and I was wondering if I could upgrade it to the TRD package now that it has been purchased. It has the prerunner and sr5 package, but I would like to upgrade it to the TRD package if possible. Can I do it?
I'm really wanting to do the whole package. I am not extremely knowledgeable about working on cars other than changing the oil and stuff like that, but was curious as to whether or not it could be done.
Answer
Which parts of the TRD package are you most interested in? The most noteworthy component in the TRD off-road package is the electrically-actuated rear differential locker. This is a possible add-on from a donor axle equipped with the locker. You can also add a differential locker from a different manufacturer, such as ARB, Powertrax or Eaton. A set of Bilstein shock absorbers are not too difficult to add (easier in the back than the front). The wheels and tires can be swapped from a TRD Tacoma. Check your local Craigslist. If it's the TRD bedside stickers you're interested in, you can buy them online and stick them on...likely, no one will be the wiser.
***It can be done. Whether or not it would be worth it is another story. Each TRD package includes a bunch of stuff. It'd likely be easier to swap trucks if you really need all of it.
The TRD Sport package includes: TRD Sport Extra Value Package (Savings of up to $400)includes sport suspension with Bilstein® shocks, 17-in. alloy wheels with P265/65R17 tires, hood scoop, color-keyed grille surround/bumpers/power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators/door handles/overfenders, sliding rear window with privacy glass, 115V/400W deck-mounted AC power outlet, fog lights, remote keyless entry, cruise control, variable intermittent windshield wipers, overhead console with maplights and sunglasses storage, Sport water-resistant seats with driver lumbar support (passenger-side fold-flat feature delete), metallic-toned instrument panel trim, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls and shifter, dual sun visors with mirrors and extenders, tailgate-handle integrated backup camera 6 linked to an auto-dimming mirror with monitor and outside temperature gauge, TRD Sport graphics.
The TRD Off-road package includes: TRD Off-Road Extra Value Package (Savings of up to $395)includes off-road-tuned suspension with Bilstein® shocks, electronically controlled locking rear differential, 16-in. alloy wheels with P265/70R16 BFGoodrich® tires, engine skid plate, front tow hook, 115V/400W deck powerpoint, fog lights, power outside mirrors, remote keyless entry system, cruise control, variable-speed wipers, chrome grille surround and rear bumper, color-keyed front bumper and overfenders, sliding rear window with privacy glass, Sport water-resistant seats with driver lumbar support (passenger-side fold-flat feature delete), metallic-toned instrument panel trim, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, leather-trimmed shifter, dual sun visors with mirrors and extenders, tailgate-handle integrated backup camera 6 linked to auto-dimming mirror with monitor and outside temperature gauge, TRD Off-Road graphics
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