Thread: Lightweight touring setup

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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by SimonM

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

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
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
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.