It's Camping Season

It's Camping Season

Read about our trek with the Toyota 4Runner up through the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
We set this vehicle up to go out in the wilderness for a week or more without having to reload supplies. First, we wanted to have a bit of a minimalist approach and not add equipment or weight if it was likely not to be needed; however in the case of the winch, it's insurance from getting stranded.

Below is a list of gear the 2018 4Runner Off-Road Premium was equipped with before the journey: 

    • Toytec 2.5 BOSS suspension 
    • Total Chaos UCA’s
    • Rear Heavy Duty Springs
    • BFG KM2 285/70/17 tires
    • Hefty Fabworks Aluminum front winch bumper
    • Hefty Fabworks Aluminum rear bumper
    • Hefty Fabworks Steel sliders
    • Rigid Industries LED spotlights
    • ExtremeLED 30” lighter
    • Warn VR 10S winch
    • Factor 55 shackle
    • CTEK 250S charging system
    • Northstar 29F battery
    • Snomaster 67L dual bin fridge
    • LED interior and exterior lighting
    • Viper alarm with remote start
    • Dual Alpine 500W amps
    • JL 10W3 in custom glass enclosure in side wall
    • 8 Focal OEM size replacements
    • Kenwood Excelon Android in screen with DVD
    • Multiple security cams and recording equipment
    • S-Tech 6 switch panel
    • Rhino Rack Pioneer platform
    • Alucab gen 3 aluminum roof top tent
    • Alucab Shadow-Awn
    • Viair 400P portable air compressor
    • Boulder Tire Deflators
* Miscellaneous items in a couple durable totes include: cookware, Kovea slim burner stove, Nitecore LED lights, Camp King cooking table, woodcutting, bug and bear repellants and extra lighting and camera equipment.

How we made extra storage that was also easy to access.
  • Raingler Hybrid Full Length Ceiling Net  Clothing bags, first aid kits, cooking utensils and other often used items like jackets and maps were all stored and carabinered as needed in the ceiling net for easy access.  The outer rings on the ceiling net work perfect for hanging the NiteCore lights and conveniently charge off the power outlet in back as well.  We find that camping also involves hanging drying towels, swim trunks and boots regularly.  The ceiling net’s hybrid webbing grid allows in numerous places to do this as well!

  • Raingler Basic Upper Barrier Net  This kept the packed full totes safely in the cargo area but is also set up to allow the Snomaster Fridge to be able to open easily without the need for a fridge slide - saving us weight and extra height along with a cost savings of course.  The Raingler net grid also allows carabiners or MOLLE bags to be attached to either side for easy access while traveling. 

  • Raingler 1” MILSPEC Roof Rack Net So very helpful to have a full platform of on the top of the tent storage with this 1300PSI MILSPEC net.  The loaded dry bags, firewood, camp table, privacy tent and camp mat all worked wonderfully on the 5000 trip. Nothing lost, loose or any movement at all.  The only downside was the height on top put us near 8 plus feet tall and that got us loaded in the semi truck lane on a ferry crossing or two.

  • Raingler interior grab handles So much easier to hang onto when bouncing down the rough trail and not to mention climbing in the vehicle, especially in a wet or muddy situation.

  • Raingler liftgate handle Simple and much easier to pull that liftgate down instead of the slick factory strap that was there.  Arms loaded, one finger out and a comfortable yet very solid grip to pull and swing that back end up closed. Made it a bit lower as well so the 10 year old can easily reach it too.
    Lots of adventures and awesome locations were found in this trek. We hope this gives you some ideas and inspires a few adventures as well.   When you are done go and grab ya some FREE USA SHIPPING through end of Sept 18 with code CAMP18 when you order $20 or more gear on our store.
      Onto the fun stuff...
     Justin@raingler doing some video getting the 4Runner ready at Hefty Fabworks in Colorado Springs
    Justin@raingler doing some video getting the 4Runner ready at Hefty Fabworks in Colorado Springs
    Just about loaded up. Raingler ceiling net also great place to store a roadside snack! Zak has realized that’s we took up his spot in back and won’t be able to go on this trip.
    Just about loaded up. Raingler ceiling net also great place to store a roadside snack! Zak has realized that’s we took up his spot in back and won’t be able to go on this trip.
    That first sunset heading to camp in the Colorado Rockies. Lot’s of miles and trail to come but sometimes you have to set up in the dark and having things accessible and organized is the key.
    That first sunset heading to camp in the Colorado Rockies.  Lot’s of miles and trail to come but sometimes you have to set up in the dark and having things accessible and organized is the key.
    Morning view of the All-Cab tent and the MILSPEC Raingler net holding extra gear in place along with a Wyoming collection of flying insects.
    Morning view of the All-Cab tent and the MILSPEC Raingler net holding extra gear in place along with a Wyoming collection of flying insects.
    Typical morning camp view. Smell of breakfast and planning out some nice trails and stops for the day. Did I mention we also packed gear, cots and ground tent for two boys?
    Typical morning camp view. Smell of breakfast and planning out some nice trails and stops for the day.  Did I mention we also packed gear, cots and ground tent for two boys?
    Raingler Roof Rack net doing a superb job with no stretching or flapping sun or rain.
    Raingler Roof Rack net doing a superb job with no stretching or flapping sun or rain.
    Citronella candlelight under the Canadian sky.
    Citronella candlelight under the Canadian sky.
    Daily backroads exploring Alberta wilderness and avoiding the tourist crowds near Banff.
    Daily backroads exploring Alberta wilderness and avoiding the tourist crowds near Banff.
    Miles of trail, no one in site for hours and then it just ends in a big camp worth spot like this.
    Miles of trail, no one in site for hours and then it just ends in a big camp worth spot like this.
    The Hefty stone and mud guards doing their job today.
    The Hefty stone and mud guards doing their job today.
    Nothing better than a steak dinner after a long day off-road even if you have to enjoy it in the rain.
    Nothing better than a steak dinner after a long day off-road even if you have to enjoy it in the rain.
    The Viair air compressor did wonderful and saved our suspension and backs many a day.
    The Viair air compressor did wonderful and saved our suspension and backs many a day.
    Another wonderful day exploring, setting up for the evening meal.
    Another wonderful day exploring, setting up for the evening meal.
    You never realize how well you will be sleeping on top of the roof until you have done it!
    Most will never realize how amazing it is to be away from civilization, people and the sound of traffic. One must go and experience the wolf's howl and elk's bugling under a sky full of stars, a meal prepared on a fire, conversation without gadgets in hand...  This is the experience to have and share with those close to you.  We’ll build our gear to help get you to that time and place that memories are made of.
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