I also have an old truck no computers or anything like that. So if I have to I can Hotwire the engine compartment and get me home one big Advantage for having an old truck period but the blinking lights in the engine compartment has work for the past 50 years

@eatcommies1375 No, I haven't noticed any odors inside. Of course, when it is cold enough to use the heater, the windows on the tent are zipped up. :^)

@brandonhalcyon6984 No, I don't have a written list of the food that I carry on long excursions. Sorry about that! I am working on another video, however, regarding food... but that probably won't be ready for a week or so.

@Penny-mk7fv Wow! That's concerning! I just did a quick search and didn't turn up any information related to lead contamination with the Yakima road shower. Can you point me to where you found that? Thanks!

@@OverLandScapes the company conceals the it behind a warning in the installation manual that just says don’t drink the water. If you look at the product page itself there is a California warning on it that warns there’s lead in the water, and if you contact support they’ll admit to it and blame their supply chain for it. Apparently lead in water however is common place because brass is corrosion resistant more so than stainless steel so it’s used everywhere except in theory drinking water, but it’s a real wtf. Apparently irreversible brain damage must be common place still. 🤷

Yes, good point, Larry! I've come to the conclusion that bear spray can give a false sense of security... and so carrying a gun with which you are well practiced is the better way to go. Bear spray does work... but only under certain circumstances. It is really disconcerting to see the number of bear attacks that occurred in 2023... a number of which were fatal!

Thanks! Yes, he said that he had been cooking earlier in the evening and that the bear smelled evidence of cooking and that's why it stuck its head under the tent. It is definitely not a good idea to cook anywhere near camper or tent!

@user-tq5tq2zv1k I've been getting 13 to 15 mpg... and on average it has been about 13.5--and I believe that there has been some power loss. Where I notice it most is when I'm stopped and the light turns green. Other vehicles leave me in the just. :^) I have thought about turbo charging it...

See my comment above! Thanks! 👍

@northstar8411 - Thanks! That really bothered me for some time. I finally asked the outfitter and others but no one had a solution. One day, I was watching a video by ALU-CAB about the door... and although they didn't come out and say how to keep it from happening, I realized that the solution was just that simple. Better safe than sorry, right! Thanks for your comment and all the best!

Thanks! I did watch it. Nice video! 👍

@jparra2K. Thanks! Having been a professor (among other things), I can honestly say that a day that I don't learn something new is a wasted day! 😅. And if you have some insights, I'd love it if you would share them. All the best!

Great question, Allen! Yes, I definitely took a hit on the gas mileage! By itself, the ALU-CAB canopy camper added about 400 pounds. But the real impact came with all the additional weight, such as components and gear (Snomaster refrigerator/freezer, ARB bumper, winch, armor plating, rock sliders, 18 gallons of water, 35 gallons of fuel (LRA gas tank), and camping gear. The larger tires and wind resistance created by the ALU-CAB canopy camper showing above the truck cab also substantially affected the gas mileage. I didn't have the truck for very long before it was outfitted... but I think I was getting around 18 to 20 mpg originally. Now, around town and on the trails I am getting about 13.5 mpg... and somewhat more on the highway (15 to 17 mpg). Let's hope gas prices don't go up again! :^)

@@OverLandScapes thanks for your response. I guess we have to pay to play. I get about 21 to 25 mpg on the highway. When towing my trailer (4000) pounds we get 16 miles per gallon. My Colorado is stock and I plan no modifications other than suspension to handle the extra weight of the canopy camper. We travel fairly light so hopefully our mileage will not suffer too bad. Will take the canopy camper to places where we would take our trailer and then some. But really look foward to the quicker setup and take down on multiple day trips. We have a Rubicon if we really want to do challenging trails. Safe travelsm

@JD.12. Hey JD! Yes, the trip back went well... and fast. I bee-lined it back once I decided to leave Washington. It had been wet and cold up there... and I needed to get some repairs finished (thanks to Hurricane Ian). I've been "off the air" for a while embroiled in other fun things. How are things going on your end?

Hey Steve, glad to hear you are back safely and doing new things. I am good, just enjoying Florida at the moment. It’s getting cooler, so thinking of heading to the Keys, usually best time to be there. Regarding the Alu cab, I had an electrical issue, so replacing the electrical panel, but I have added a Sirocco II fan on the heater side of the camper and am very pleased with it. I have a few things on order to do to the camper so will head to Jacksonville to get them installed. One is a 813 Fabrications Bolt lock and the other is a Window install for the passenger side of the camper. The reason for the bolt lock is obviously more security but regarding the window I decided to do it after realizing that during winter, it’s helpful getting some natural light in without opening the camper and letting cold air in. I hope you were able to fix everything that the Hurricane damaged, Ian was definitely disastrous for north Florida. I hope you were able to resolve that tent leak issue you had. I enjoy watching your overlanding journey and wish you safe travels on your next journey.

@greyghost6174. Wise counsel, my friend! I think I'll follow your advice (with a twist but the same result). I'm going to throw the pad over the sleeping bag when I'm not sleeping up there. Have you ever used any of that spray used on tents to keep the canvas from leaking?

@coyotesnipe Thanks! 👍

@mlgomez9644. I'm not sure what he is charging (when I was there last year, we became friends and I stayed there for pennies on the dollar, so to speak). You can contact Brady (the owner) at 704-207-6023 or make reservations on Hipcamp at www.hipcamp.com/en-US (in the search box, just type: Lil Snowbird Farm Primitive). By the way, I just posted another photo that I took from the campsite at the top of the mountain at Lil Snowbird Farm: flic.kr/p/2pjDDA6. I hope this helps... all the best to you!

Interesting, this is the first time I have seen anyone complain about it. I know mine does not leak.

@donnajohnson9324 Thanks, Donna! Honestly, I wasn't aware that there were others who had the same issue. It would be interesting to see if the latest model also has the problem. I going to spray it with the same thing you spray tents to make the material repel water... and make sure that the pad doesn't press against the tent wall when I open the hatch. Someone mentioned that you can remove the pad completely before opening the hatch, which also sounds like a good idea. Hope our trails cross soon!

@freedompanda9438. That's awesome! I've loved traveling in the rig and doing photography... a great combination! What type of photography are you doing? Hope we can meet out there someday!

@scottclukey2424 You bet! Glad that you found them helpful! (I've got more coming soon.) :^)

@thepokerpilotapp That's great... I'm glad to hear it! Hope we meet on the trails soon!

@DonnaNicotera Ha! Yes, I do! You did a great job with my house roof. How would my camper look with shingles? :&) Great to see you here, Donna!

@nickknack5884 That's a very thoughtful reply and I appreciate your take on it. Between you and me (and the rest of the world that is reading this), I haven't often deployed the rain fly when stormy weather threatens because of the possibility of strong wind gusts. But if gusty winds are not expected, I'll start using it more often. Also, keeping the bungy cord pulled down to the base of the tent is an excellent suggestion. Thanks again... be safe out there... looking forward to the day we meet on the trails!

@sabrakharbouch8954 Hello Sabra! Yes, I remember having the pleasure of meeting you and Biscuit! Thanks for touching base and saying hi! Are you still on the road? I made it back down to southern Florida and I'm trying to get work finished on the house after the hurricane... but I'm already thinking and starting to prepare to go up into Alaska this next year. Were you able to talk to the folks at Asheville Vehicle Outfitters about what types of rooftop tents might work with your car? All the best to you. I hope we have a chance to meet again soon!

@mtdavidhunter. Thanks David! That’s some really great information… And I love the GPS coordinates. My Garmin Overlander (GPS) had led me to that spot where I met you. But it was in error. I wish I saw your message before I drove on and found another place. I’m going to hang onto this information in case I’m back in your neck of the woods again. It was great to meet you all and thanks for your help! I hope our paths cross again someday!

@betheboss1 Thanks! I appreciate your comment and I’m glad that you enjoyed it! 👍🏻

@jparra2K That’s excellent! I had thought about doing the same thing at one point in time. After putting them to the test for eight or nine months on the trails and highway and byways, I’m very happy with the cabinets. I’m interested in finding out how things evolve for you… Please keep in touch and let me know! Thanks! 👍🏻

@hellzone2982 it’s great hearing from you… thanks for dropping me a line! Yes, I’ve definitely been having fun! I am now in south eastern Nebraska, and tomorrow I will head down into the Ozarks in Arkansas to camp in one of the forests down there. Hopefully, the nights will be a little bit warmer than they have been up there. Keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing from time to time! All the best!

sounds like so much fun will do @@OverLandScapes

@JD-ud8bl Hey JD! You are right in both accounts! Isn’t that aggravating when you try to pull the tent down and realize that you left the hatch open?!!! 😜 the more I think about it, you may be right about replacing the canvas. Down the road (no pun intended), that might be useful knowledge! Lately, when I am opening the hatch, I pull the pad up about a foot to relieve the pressure on the zippers. Are you currently out on an adventure?

@@OverLandScapeshey Steve, I camped out the other night in north Florida for a bit after the hurricane, was curious to see the damage up by live oak. Other than that, no big trip. Hopefully soon before winter comes. I wanted to ask you, I thought I saw a Scirocoo II fan installed in that video inside your camper. How do you like it?

@@JD.12 That’s great… I’m glad you are getting out. Yes, I really think that the fan is a great addition. Because i can aim it on any direction (literally), I can use it to cool down in the tent or to blow heat from the heater up into the tent (with the hatch open). It is safe too… I stuck my finger in it a couple of times while it was running without any harm. I’ll make a video about it. Right now, I’m up in Washington but thinking about heading back to Florida. The temperatures are dropping down into the 40s at night and I’m concerned about the hurricane season. Have you done any of the Florida Adventure Trail yet? Maybe we can get together later this winter and do a section of it.

@@OverLandScapesthat fan sounds like it’s a must have, Specially down in Florida. A video on that is an awesome idea. I have not gone on any Florida trails. It would be great to meet up when you’re back in Florida. Yes these hurricanes are pretty serious, definitely better to be safe. I hope you have a safe trip back. Are you going to stop off in Sedona? That’s top of my list.

@@JD.12 well, actually I just spent the night in the southeastern corner of Nebraska. I drove from Bliss, Idaho here yesterday, while stopping and taking a lot of pictures… It was a very long day on the road. My goal today is to get down into Arkansas today and spend some time in the Ozark forest down there. I also wouldn’t mind spending some time in Missouri, but time will tell because I do have some pressing matters to attend to back yet home.

@TUNDRALU Yes, I remember that rule from my Boy Scout days! 🙂. Great idea about checking to see if there is anything under the zipper. I had not thought of that! Anyway, hope yours is doing well!

@vincentalvarez4406 Thanks Vincent… yes, that makes perfect sense! I have not been in the habit of deploying the awning over the rear window, but if it’s not too windy, I believe that will prevent future leaks there.

@HM-vu9zw. Thanks… definitely good to know! All the best to you!

@boetch1729 Thanks... I really appreciate your comment. Hope we meet on the trails soon! 👍

@betheboss! Thanks! Hope all is well!

@betheboss1 Thanks for subscribing Jerome! 😀👍

@betheboss1 Thanks Jerome... and thanks for your suggestions regarding edits!

@jksmountaindream I agree! When I started recording, I had no idea that they were going to share these stories... I'm really glad that they did and I hope their stories help people to be more aware of their surroundings when they are camping in forests. Thanks for your comment!

@KinglcyCactas. Hi Nicholas! It is good to hear from you again! I’m in Donnelly, Idaho now visiting with family (we are having a family reunion at a cabin in a lake). It is nice to be taking a break from exploring the trails for a few days but I am already thinking about where I’ll head next. Please tell your dad thanks again for me… and I put one of the stickers on the back window of the truck (I found a perfect spot among all of the other stickers). I hope I can drop by again sometime and say hi. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!

@@OverLandScapes i will

@JD-ud8bl Thanks! They have worked out great for me. The only glitch was that the strut on the passenger side popped off a the ball couple of times. Once I realized that the plastic panel on the truck was causing that, I removed the panel and haven't had a problem since. I'll add another short video to show what I did. Safe travels!

@@OverLandScapesThanks, I’ll keep that in mind during install

@scottclukey2424 Thanks Scott and welcome to Overlandscapes! That's a great idea about sharing my checklists. Another viewer has asked the same question and so I've been thinking about it. Although I am creating another video to address that... the quickest and easiest way is for me to put it in the Community tab. Give me a couple of days and I'll post the lists there. Here's hoping our trails cross soon! Steve

@JD-ud8bl I've been up in the northwestern corner of Montana at an absolutely fabulous campsite. It sits on top of a cliff overlooking the tops of trees in the forest stretching out to a distant range of mountains. At the foot of the cliff is a mountain stream and I can hear the water rushing and gurgling. Anyway, I came in to a little town called Eureka (montanta) to meet a friend and I've got internet access outside of Valley Pizza. If you'd like to make a trip to Alaska, how about next year? :^) I had planned on going up through Danali and Fairbanks in a large loop (about 900 miles) After all of m y careful planning, I made the call to make a reservation on the ferry out of the state of Washington... and told the agent where I wanted to go. He said, "I can't get you that far north... the only ferry that runs across the gulf is not running this year." Argh!!! So it is on my agenda for next summer. As far as costs, I'm tracking it by using a separate credit card for travel. Please remind me later down the road and I can share those costs.

@@OverLandScapesHey Steve, that scenery sounds incredible. I definitely need to venture further from the south east. I’m sorry to hear your trip was cut short since the ferry didn’t run this year. I will definitely consider going to Alaska next year. Going to Alaska is a dream and the journey alone will be something special. Are you planning on coming back to Florida or staying out west? AVO is opening up AVO JAX in Jacksonville on August 12th, will be going there to add a few Molle panels that were originally sold out. Please keep in touch, I sent you an email with my info. Would be great to talk about a big trip like Alaska. Please stay safe out there, talk to you soon.

@jhelie4732 Thanks! I went through a rough period that sidetracked me. Sorry! Still trying to get repairs completed on the house after hurricane Ian struck last fall in southern Florida. Also, my mother passed away. For the past several days, I have been in Northern Idaho just 20 miles from the Canadian border. I had planned on ferrying my rig across the Canadian gulf. I put a lot of time and effort into this trip but it fell apart when I called to make the ferry reservation. The only boat in their fleet that transits the gulf is not running this year! I was really bummed… but having fun up here in the northwest. It has been really hot, though! So, what are you been up to? Hope all is well!

@@OverLandScapes i am sorry to hear about your mother’s passing, my condolences 🙏 I have been good, my alucab gets put on soon! I’ve learned so much from your content. How long will you be in Idaho?

@grelanderoverlander691 Yes, that’s a lot of things to keep track of! I should go back and look at my list and see how many items I have on it. The other day, I couldn’t find something that I knew I brought. I just forgot which nook or cranny I stuffed it into! So, I am now keeping two lists. The one you mention and another that keeps track of items by location. I should make a video about that… but I’m not sure how to present it. Maybe showing each of the locations and in general what is in them and then in the comment section i could put my actual list? I don’t want to drag everything out and put it back in again. And that might be boring to watch! Any ideas? Anyway, hope your travels and adventures are great and safe!