“PWTPR” (Pre Winter Trip Preparedness Run) | 4WDTalk - Overlanding and offroad Forum
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“PWTPR” (Pre Winter Trip Preparedness Run)

smritte

smritte

Well-known member
Went to the local mountains this weekend. The group wanted to pull the cold weather gear out and make sure everything was in good shape. This was also an opportunity to make sure all the new people knew how to use their gear and were equipped properly. Unfortunately, none of the new people went.

The trip had five rigs, we decided to go around the back of the mountains and drive all dirt instead of taking the highway up. The drive was great and the weather was nice. It was running around 70 degrees at the base and a low 60 when we arrived at camp.

Nighttime temp dropped to 17 degrees

After camp was set up, three of us hooked up our diesel heaters. One is brand new out of the box, another on its second trip and mine is the oldest with a few trips and almost two years old.

The new one is being used in a camper shell with an RTT attached. You climb into the shell and can go through the bottom of the RTT to sleep. A real cool set up but he didnt think about how he was going to run the hose in. We left the shell rear hatch open slightly , pushing the hose through one side. This left a four inch gap along the bottom letting in cold air. A couple of spare blankets "sort of" fixed that. We decided on making a plate that will mount to his side window. The duct will attach to that and a deflector will spread the air around inside. This will be done later.

The next guy opted to bring his huge Dome tent (dont remember the brand) and use that instead of his RTT. He had two issues.
His heater kept shutting off and all the heat went to the top of the tent (7 foot ceiling). The bottom stayed cold. Fortunately they had a ton of blankets so they didnt freeze. Not sure what he's going to do there, I do know if its cold he'll be in the RTT.

My issues were the opposite. Ive been trying to make my camper cooler. Normally the heater brings the inside to about 80 degrees. This trip I notched one of my fittings and diverted air from going inside. After playing with the opening I settled on losing about 25%. On low my temp was 49 and high was 62. Later, I'll get a Y adapter and put a door inside to bleed off what I need.

The other guys just used blankets and eyed my set up. I think soon we'll have a few more heaters.

Clothing wise, new jackets came out, lined pants and a new USB heating blanket. I forgot to ask how well the blanket worked.

Something else thats been really gathering my interest is 23 Zero's 270 degree awning with walls. Over the last couple of years, these awnings have more then proven their worth. My last trip it rained most of the time. These made great shelters for everyone to hang out in. This trip was no exception. We normally do some kind of pot luck dinner. It was about 5:30pm, already dark and about 32 degrees. No one wanted to leave the awning shelter and cook. We did what every hard core overlanding adventurist does. We ordered Pizza. Town was only 20 odd minute's away and I made it in 12. See, all that upgraded suspension is great for pizza runs.

Overall the trip was great and we got to see issues before we go anywhere far. I only took two pictures, one of camp and the other of dinner inside the awning.

Dinner a.jpg

Big Bear Camp a.jpg
 
My local mountains. San Bernardino Forest. The camp is near an area called Holcomb Valley. If I drive the highway, its about 40 mins of paved then about the same on dirt.
 
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Hey bud, I think we might have been near each other! Is this up near Fawnskin? I was down near Yellow post 30.
 
Vance Hogg said:
When do you all get your first snow fall?
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It's suppose to snow this week. Our snow season is odd. It can start anywhere between October and December.
alex said:
Hey bud, I think we might have been near each other! Is this up near Fawnskin? I was down near Yellow post 30.
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I was on the north side of the lake from you. Not really that far as the crow flies.
 
Oh man, so close! Were you up near Yellow post 6 and 7? We were just at 6 a few weeks ago. Awesome spot.
 
A bit more east of those. If you look at Big Bear Lake. we were straight up from the middle of the lake. About mid way across that side of the mountain. If you have ever attended an event up there, It will probably be staged out of Holcomb Ranch. We were right next to their property.

If you never visited that side of the mountain, go to the discovery center and grab the scenic tour map. Its a great way to spend an afternoon.
 
OK... I think I know where you are at. We have a super active winter camping season coming up. Would be cool to run into you up there!
 
Which food delivery service will deliver to almost everywhere? Is that Doordash? What would be funny is have food deliver out to location like that!
 
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