Lightweight touring setup

We now consider light weight options but normally comes at a cost.....durable quality stuff gear I'm talking

Just pack what you have that's needed for the trip.....this will determine the weight.

For us.....we afford ourselfs some comforts these days as we have roughed it plenty in the past.

We are currently transitioning from a camper trailer to a pop top.

I posted up a week ago a weight and space saving comparison for camp chairs.....we just tested them last weekend and they were a success.

While we make weight savings in some areas we will blow it out in others

I wouldn't call drift lightweight....good gear though, I had it in my camper trailer.

If your getting down to driving lights, ask the question if you really need them at all??

I just spent the last hour or so planning the fitout of the kitchen/storage area in the back of the defer...will be using qubelok and 6mm marine ply, others have used Drifta but I'm confident there will be weight savings.

While Pat is correct some bolt too many accessories......I went with a few (rigidij front bar, Mulgo side steps, custom roof rack, dual battery system,ARB twin compressor, 4x maxtrax......still need to come rear wheel carrier and sill tanks)

I have ditched the conventional solar panels and now have 2 x flexible solar panels that live under the bed...good weight saving.

We will be carrying our through walk packs......some stuff will double as day to day (sleeping bags will become the doona, plates, bowls, cutlery, cups and clothing,chairs are all dual purpose items.

I'm not sure what the Mulgo Poptop added in weight.....defiantly heavier than our RV4 tent and swags.

There is no one solution to fit all......good luck in the planning and setup.

We will have a good indication what ours will end up weighing late September, just before we head to fraser for nine days.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's an interesting discussion and I think for me it's just a bit of a challenge to see how I can save weight.

Interestingly this came up on my FB feed this morning - The Minimalist’s Guide to Overlanding – Expedition Portal

Its is a fine balance. If you go too light then you can become fatigued - especially if you combine long distance walking/ exploring with the camping. Shower every night, comfortable sleeping gear, good food and cooking gear, are my essentials. I buy locally to support local shops rather than buy up big and fill a giant fridge. I really could use a small DC fridge for longer stays and to store the odd fish I catch - but only use an esky and ice at this stage which is only for vacuum packed meat and a few beers.

Solar is waste of time where we go as most times we camp right up in the shade to stay out of the heat. A large alternator is better and can refill a battery with a short drive. If you use a data logger and watch what goes it and out of your DC solar system over a week of static camping you will more often then not see a large deficit between current in and out for a modest 40 litre Engel. I got rid of it all.

Going in the one vehicle, I have used the winch a couple of times to save our butt.

Tools and wire is essential. We only carry 20 litres of water and use a katadyne filter to replenish.

Carry a comprehensive first aid kit to cover all sorts of injuries if you are going to walk as well and a very good handheld GPS with the latest maps from oztoppo - you will need it. It is easy to get lost out there after dark and easy to get injured.

You will get wet during the dry on the east coast - even around Cooktown - a tarp will flap all night ,but a tarp is great when the shade is hard to fine. Its a fine balance between sleeping cool and dry. I am currently using a hammock which keeps me cool on the hot evenings up north - it also has a fly. Both pack down to very small sizes. Both take a few minutes to setup.

The hammock makes a great lounge chair during the day.

Ill post a couple of pictures later.

If you find other great gear please list it.

I didnt notice that. you were in Tassie - my post was skewed towards north queensland. Hope it helps anyway if you come up here. Staying cool at night from Oct onwards is an issue. Sleeping on a matress of any sort can be hot and sweaty - for me anyway.

Regarding vehicle setup - Rear diff lock has been usefull - because of the number of tracks ripped up by others.

Sold my roof top tent - too heavy, too hard on fuel. I have small roof basket inorder to collect firewood in the national parks - if you put it inside the car you get lots of dirt and spiders etc inside the car.

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Originally Posted by peter51

I didnt notice that. you were in Tassie - my post was skewed towards north queensland. Hope it helps anyway if you come up here. Staying cool at night from Oct onwards is an issue. Sleeping on a matress of any sort can be hot and sweaty - for me anyway.

Regarding vehicle setup - Rear diff lock has been usefull - because of the number of tracks ripped up by others.

Sold my roof top tent - too heavy, too hard on fuel. I have small roof basket inorder to collect firewood in the national parks - if you put it inside the car you get lots of dirt and spiders etc inside the car.

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That's alright I throw the hammock and tarp up at every opportunity - I make them for a living [smilebigeye].

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Originally Posted by SimonM

That's alright I throw the hammock and tarp up at every opportunity - I make them for a living [smilebigeye].

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You make hammocks and tarps for a living...can you link to a website?

Family of seven only a roof pod and barely any room in the car so...everything is minimalist. We pack clothes, one day's worth of food - and book to stay in a nice comfortable house with towels, bedding, shower, toilet, and everything we need in the kitchen!

Very. Very. Comfortable.

I try to travel as light as I can But I am not prepared to give up my creature comforts, After all I go bush to enjoy myself and relax not to go down the "Survivalist" path and do it Tough.
As I have already removed the "Dicky" seats and the second row of seats from my D2 I have gained heaps of space and lost a lot of weight So I can afford to load up with "Goodies" that make a trip away So much more comfortable [biggrin]
Gathering and chopping wood for a campfire is OK every now and then But to have to keep a fire going just to have a cuppa or cook a feed every day is a PITA so a little gas stove and table always get packed with the gear.
Awnings take care of keeping the Sun/Rain off for me and are simple and easy to erect/put away So NO tent and far less weight.
One of those helicopter type mats keep the camp tidy and the sand/dirt away and a double swag takes care of my sleeping arrangements.
I take a 12v fridge with the meat in vacuum sealed bags and a fold out solar panel to keep the beer cold So NO ice needed, Eskies are completely impractical for extended trips anyway.
I take up to 60l of water with me as a nice hot shower each day to get the fish slime/stink off not only makes you feel great it also stops your sleeping bag stinking like a dunny door on a Trawler [thumbsupbig]
Add to this a decent folding chair that can be used around camp and down on the beach/rocks while fishing is also for me a Must Have.
I also don't skimp on what I add to the Tucker Box so I not only have plenty of food I also have a good variety as well because eating the same tucker day after day is pretty "Meh".

I may not be the lightest truck on the track But I am always comfortable when camped up.

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Originally Posted by carjunkieanon

You make hammocks and tarps for a living...can you link to a website?

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Yep you can find us at Lightweight Camping Equipment.