A rocket stove uses a high-temperature combustion chamber inside an insulated chimney to efficiently burn small diameter pieces of wood. This blog describes how to make a camping version out of tin cans. It looks like a fun project.
If you’re looking for something ready made, check out this review of the EcoZoom rocket stove ($114).
Update 5/12/2013: Or you can buy the tin can version above for $40, already assembled, at Premium Rocket Stoves.
Airing down on our way to Laurel Lakes, near Mammoth, California
In case you haven’t already spotted it, Jonathan Hanson, a co-founder of the Overland Journal and now co-director of Overland Expo, writes an excellent blog called Overland Tech & Travel.
He recently posted an in-depth article on airing down, in which he explains the ins and outs, as well as reviews the most well-known tools to help with the job. He covers, among others, the ARB E-Z Deflator (a valve core removal tool coupled with a pressure gauge), a set of second generation Staun deflators, and the Mil-Spec deflator from CB Developments.
Both the Staun and CB Developments deflators screw on to the tire valve and stop deflating at a predetermined pressure. The cutoff pressure for the Stauns (they come as a set of four for about $80) has to be set using a tire inflated to the desired cut-off pressure (from 3 to 50 psi). The CB Development deflators (sold individually for about $100) can be dialed in to the desired pressure directly (from 10 to 20 psi). He covers deflators by Trailhead as well.
The article is well written and the products sound like they were well tested.
In some ways motorcycles are the ideal overlanding platform. They’re inexpensive, sip fuel, can get through stalled traffic, or down the narrowest trail. In my experience, they’re two to three times faster over rough roads than 4x4s. And, as this beautiful video shows, they even work for very long distance travel.
Between 2010 and 2012 Alex Chacon, a recent BioMed graduate from the University of Texas, spent just over 500 days traveling up, down, and across the Americas, from Alaska to the Tip of South America, on his motorcycle, a 2007 KLR 650. It looks like it was a stunning trip. If you’d like to dig deeper, his YouTube channel covers his journey in twelve episodes.
Here’s more info on his KLR, the way he equipped it, and why he chose it over a BMW or KTM. He also set up a consulting service to assist other travels wanting to head south.
Update 5/14/2013: Here’s a WCXC post about the benefits of the KLR 650.
Matt at Expedition Portal posted about the new Front Runner Slimline II roof rack.
Here’s the summary: This slim, aluminum rack acts as a platform for a series of accessories which can be used to mount just about anything to the roof of your truck. The rack can be slotted, as above, or solid. The maximum load is 660 lbs., which is more capacity than you’ll ever need.
A variety of mounting options are available.
Link trail: Expedition Portal > Front Runner
A few months ago I thought it would be cool to convert my turn signals and brake lights to LEDs. I had seen them on my friend Greg’s truck and I liked the crisp on/off quality. I thought it updated the look of the truck and, of course, LEDs use much less power and last practically forever. In this post I’ll tell you everything you need to know to make the switch to LEDs, and I’ll also tell you why I opted not to do it, for now. Read the rest of this entry »
