The teardrop trailer design started sometime in the 1930’s and became popular shortly after World War 2. Families hit the road for adventure in their family vehicles, sometimes with a small teardrop trailer in tow. There’s been a big resurgence in this trailer design as fuel efficiency, downsizing and affordability have taken precedence…
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Not unlike other entrepreneurial success stories from humble beginnings, co-founders Robert Reeve (an electrical engineer) and Wesley Henry (a firefighter), started out as friends building traditional teardrops in their garages. Around 2010, Rob designed a “square teardrop” prototype of the Hiker Trailer, with the first build occurring in 2012. Not…
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If you’re like me, you’ve been sleeping in tents for years without so much as a thought to how comfortable you were. The drain of the day’s activities usually wears me out so that I just wriggle into my sleeping bag and pass out. It wasn’t until I was lent…
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For those who own a small truck, and a passion for camping, there are a few options out there for your favorite small truck when it comes to campers. Below, we list 3 Ford Ranger camper options, and suspension upgrades to better accomodate the extra weight, and improve safety. Ford Ranger…
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Maybe you’ve been on hiking trip and glanced up at a scree slope that leads to a mountain top and thought: “I’d like to climb up there! It looks pretty accessible.” If you’ve never scrambled a peak or do so infrequently, below are some suggestions for your next day out….
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Remember the days when providing enough light at night in the undeveloped outdoors meant using a fuel-based, mantle camping lantern? Sure, they provide enough light as if having a mini-sun the size of a ping-pong ball, but the downside can outweighs the benefits: expensive fuel, delicate mantles disintegrate easily, not…
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Aside from your boots, you probably won’t find a more important factor of your hiking experience than your backpack. Choosing the right pack can ensure that you grind out those miles as comfortably as possible while choosing the wrong pack can make your hike miserable. I’ve had the opportunity to…
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The Chevy Colorado, and it’s close cousin the GMC Canyon are handsome little trucks, with model years running 2003-Present. There are 2 generations, the first running from 2003-2012 and the 2nd from 2012-present day. Payload capacity ranges from 1,370 to 1,581 lbs. Maybe you’ve been looking for a Chevy Colorado camper or one for…
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When folded for transit, an A-Frame Camper trailer might be mistaken for a pop up tent trailer, as they look almost identical. However, when popped-up, the difference is visibly obvious, with hard side walls and a steeped roof, making for a completely enclosed living area. Compare that to the traditional, canvas…
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Here’s a handy new tool developed by Techknew, called the Crank Carabiner that’s been recently launched on Kickstarter. It’s essentially a keychain multi-tool with a ton of handy uses when camping/backpacking. Here’s the official press release below: Greeley, CO: Colorado start up, Techknew inc. launches its first kickstarter campaign in…
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If you’re a strong hiker who is just going out for a day hike, you may or may not choose to head outside with one or a pair of trusty hiking poles. If you’re joints are on the fritz or your hike includes several days, hiking poles are almost a…
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In 2005 I found myself lacing my boots, shouldering my pack, and heading out to Smoky Mountain National Park to hike a sixty-mile segment of the famous Appalachian Trail. Nestled in the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Smokies provide a very scenic, but very small segment of this…
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A seven-mile day hike in Northern California found myself and a fellow hiker casually meandering along a trail that wove through a dense patch of woods. Since I was hiking in the rear, I was the one to shout when a thin figure lunged from a nearby pile of brown leaves…
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Camping options for the overland enthusiast have been dramatically increasing over the last few years. There used to be only a handful of innovative manufacturers building a true off road camping trailer that can handle serious back country terrain. However today, there’s a multitude of cool options and styles available. Here’s…
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When you’re out there on the trail, you will inevitably encounter some not-so-optimal weather. Whether it’s wind, rain, snow, sleet, or hail, you need a rain jacket to protect you from the elements. If you haven’t splurged on your other gear, start here. A quality backpacking rain jacket can turn…
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You would be hard pressed to find a hiker who has never gotten a blister. I’ve taken off my Gore-Tex boot after a twelve-mile day to find several blisters all over my feet—everywhere from atop my pinkie toe to behind my heel. They are painful, irritating, and can make the…
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Jeep Camping Gear for the Off Road Enthusiast! Growing up around and being a current owner of a Jeep (46′ Willys), I share a fondness, as many others do, with this iconic off-road capable vehicle. With both a passion for Jeeps and camping, curiosity led me to start wondering, what Jeep camping…
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Not everyone agrees that the environment should be protected from the human footprint with no trace camping. But if you are a person who enjoys spending a lot of time great outdoors, then you probably want to make sure that the outdoors stays great. When you’re out there experiencing nature…
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Back in 2009 I was privileged enough to be a part of my Boy Scout troop’s first trip to Philmont Scout Ranch outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Eleven days of hiking through the most beautiful scenery in North America with nothing but what we could carry on our backs taught…
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Depending on where you live, you may or may not have encountered a poisonous plant or two in the wild. If you’re an avid camper like me, you definite have. Trekking along the Appalachian Trail through southern Tennessee, I’ve had my fair share of rashes and bumps from a lack…
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If you’re going to be spending time outdoors in bear country, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your property or supplies from harm. Bear safety should not be scoffed at or taken lightly, as the consequences are not worth risking. Without fear mongering, backpacker.com…
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The M416 trailer, or commonly referred to as a military “jeep trailer”, was designed to be towed for utility behind, as you may have already guessed, military jeeps. The M416 jeep trailer was an off-road capable cargo trailer. Small, but stout due to being military grade hardware, the trailer could…
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Hiking in the outdoors can be a healthy and rewarding experience. If you’re just starting out though, or even if you’re a seasoned veteran, you might want to consider some of these ways to maximize your time outside. Decide Why You’re Hiking in the First Place Are you training for…
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Located 54 miles (87 km) outside of Seattle, WA, Mount Rainier National Park has been in existence for over one hundred years. The breathtaking views, a wealth of hiking trails, and an eventful history all make Mount Rainier National Park a world-renowned destination. The mountain itself towers 14,411 feet (close…
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Tentrax Off-Road Camping Trailers offer tons of options and more than 20 new upgrades on all new models, for off-road enthusiasts who like to camp off the beaten path. Tentrax trailers are perfect for towing behind a Jeep, Land Rover, or any other robust off-road capable vehicle. The Tentrax trailer,…
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In this video by Sierra Trading Post, John gives a great review of the general different types of sleeping pads available for backpacking. John mentions there are two main purposes for using a pad: To provide some cushioning from the hard ground to improve your nights’ sleep To provide some…
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Bring the Right, Rain-Proof Gear If there’s any chance of rain, you’ll want to be properly equipped and you’ll be much more likely to have a great time! Otherwise, you’ll be miserable at the very least or worse, be at risk for hypothermia. Follow these tips for backpacking in the…
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A quality pair of polarized sunglasses is a necessity. Polarized sunglasses allow you to look through the water to see fish and the structure they are holding on. Polarized glasses may even save your bat hen navigating shallow waterways. The ability to see detailed structure will help you to navigate…
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Outside of getting lost, there aren’t too many mundane things that can impact your hike as negatively as getting a blister. Depending on how many foot blisters you have, and their sizes, it may mean the end of your trek. In a previous article we talked about how to prevent…
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If you’ve ever searched for ideas about making your own DIY backpacking stove, you may have discovered that are a ton of options – from alcohol stoves, rocket stoves, wood burning stoves the list goes on. We’ve quite a few examples over recent years, and below are some of the better…
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