Waiting for OHV Trails To Open

As the weather gets better it becomes increasingly tempting to hit the trails in our OHVs.  However, those who manage our off road riding areas may not agree with us yet.  You may still see some or maybe even a lot of seasonally closed trails for a while.  While it may be tempting to bypass the CLOSED signs and keep going, it definitely is NOT a good idea!  Doing so may subject you to expensive fines, poor riding conditions, damage to your equipment, and you may cause the trail to be permanently closed!  Often the trail within view of the CLOSED sign looks just fine, but further along there may be downed trees, washouts, or muddy sections that pose threats to your travel and your equipment as well as to the environment.  Negotiating around those obstacles can do irreparable damage to the environment an the trail.   As anxious as we are to get out and get riding, it will be better for everyone in the long run, if we pay attention to seasonal closures.  A little patience will be rewarded with better, safer riding conditions and less negative results to the environment and to continued access.

As an off road enthusiast you are, no doubt,  used to encountering CLOSED signs on some trails.   Trails may be seasonally or permanently closed.  Either way it is a frustration for OHV riders.  Often is is tempting to find a way around the CLOSED signs and blockades, especially if the trail looks OK for a ways beyond the closed sign.  As tempting as that is, is is NOT a good idea for at least a couple of good reasons.  In the first place, ignoring CLOSED signs will very likely result in further closures and more stringent ways of blocking access.   Secondly, seasonally closed trails are closed because they aren't suitable for use yet, usually due to residual snow or mud.  Riding trails too soon will result in unnecessary damage that may trigger permanent closure and often leads to difficult riding conditions that can damage your equipment or cause injuries to riders.  I personally know a rider who ignored closed signs on a trail with river crossings one spring and nearly lost his off road motorcycle when it was swept out from under him and carried way down stream.  Upon dragging it from the river it took hours of disassembling the engine to clear the hydrolock and dry it out enough to run again.  The river crossing looked normal, but the clean, clear water was actually a lot deeper and a lot faster than usual and the rangers knew it, hence the warning signs.

I once spent a weekend working with an off road group in California installing CLOSED signs on some quite popular trails around Randsburg, California.   Sound a little out of place for an OHV organization to install closed signs, but in reality the group was working to keep the riding area open.  By closing some trails and directing traffic to others we were able to avoid having then entire area shut down permanently!  It was a good example of OHV users and land use managers working together to appropriately manage the resources, quite a pleasant departure from the normal knee-jerk reaction of arbitrary closures often triggered by those who oppose off road activity.

CLOSED signs often don't make any sense at all, at least to OHV riders.  I once rode more than 7 miles down a sand wash on my dirt bike with sides too steep to ride out of before encountering a CLOSED sign in the middle of nowhere!   Made no sense whatever.  Frankly we weren't too worried about damaging the sand wash.   Even a light rain would erase months of OHV riding.  If it were actually in danger of being damaged by riding, why wasn't it closed at the beginning and not 7 miles down the wash?  I expect riders turning around at the sign and riding back out the way they came would have done more damage than riders continuing to the natural end of the wash.  I definitely saw mountain trails totally destroyed when the meandering boundaries of a new wilderness area cut off a number of looping trails, forcing riders to backtrack.  Before long the beautiful, pristine, single track trails that had been used successfully and frequently for more than 40 years became whooped-out, double-track roads due to excessive two-way traffic.  I must give credit to the forest service rangers who petitioned for California "green-sticker" funds to create new loops outside the wilderness area.  BTW, that same wilderness had 55,000 acres burned to a crisp in its first year or two of existence from a forest fire caused by a card-carrying Sierra clubber burning her toilet paper!  Why the heck was she doing that in the first place?  It must also be noted that there were exactly zero forest fires in more than 40 years the area was open to OHV riding.

CLOSED signs are a nemesis to all OHV riders.  But seasonal closures are there to protect and maintain our trails.  Please recognize that seasonal closures are normal and necessary and should always be respected.  When you encounter permanently close trails make note of them and contact the relevant land manager to see what, if anything, can be done.  I was told managers sometimes receive a mandate to close a certain number of trails or miles of trails and it essentially is done as a paper exercise without anyone inspecting the trails or making any attempt to determine if they are frequently used.  They just arbitrarily mark off a certain number of trails or miles of trails on a map to comply with the order, without ANY consideration of current use or environmental impact.  Sometimes you can work with land managers to reopen popular trails.  The best way to do so is to present as much evidence as possible regarding the popularity and safety of the trails.  I have seen trails in the bottom of sand washes closed to supposedly reduce erosion when a single rain does far more damage than years of off road use.  Sometimes pointing that out to land managers along with justifying the need for the trails to connect popular destinations is enough to get them to take a second look.  It is also helpful if you are prepared to trade some alternate routes  for closure that may be less desirable or may even be more environmentally sensitive.  When you come across seasonally closed trails, turn around!  You may want to contact the land manager to see if there is any trail work you could help with to speed opening of trails, but don't blithely go around or ride past CLOSED signs.  Doing so is likely to result in problems for you and your machine and for the future of the trail.

Ride respectfully!

OHV's in Snow or Ice

Maybe May is not the right time to be talking about running OHVs on snow and ice, but it does give is time to think it over and prepare for it for next winter.  And you may still encounter snow and ice at some elevations in the mountains for several weeks to come.  I am still seeing winter weather advisories with up to 12" of snow forecast above 4500' in the Cascades through May 29 here in Oregon.  If you've never ridden or driven on snow and ice, coming up on it unexpectedly on a road or trail can be scary and dangerous.

Most OHVs (with the exception of snowmobiles) are not typically intended or equipped for operation in snow or ice.  Most dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides are well designed for use on dirt and rocky trails.  However, because of the extended and remote locations some OHV outings take us to, you could run into to snow or ice on the roads and trails.  We usually avoid riding dirt bikes and even ATVs in winter conditions.  For the most part you want to avoid operating two wheeled OHVs in snow or on ice unless they have been specially equipped and you are properly trained and prepared.  4WD ATVs and side-by-sides do better in snow and ice, so much so that you can even get snowplows for them to clear your driveway.

Side-by-sides usually have 4WD and can operate fairly safely and successfully in a lot of conditions.  Having 4WD and usually having fairly aggressive tires gives them pretty good traction in snow but they can suffer many of the problems we have with highway vehicles on icy surfaces.  If the snow gets deep enough it is going to inhibit or stall our side-by-sides.   Snow deep enough can be impossible to push through and even fairly moderate amounts, like a foot or so, can be enough to cause the bodies of side-by-sides (and even other larger, heavier vehicles) to float enough to lose traction.  Like ATVs, side-by-sides can make good snowplows for your driveways.

ATVs, also commonly known as four wheelers, with 4WD are also quite agile in moderate amounts of snow.  But they will face insurmountable problems when the snow is deep enough to block their progress and are subject to the same problems on ice as any other vehicles.

Dirt bikes are the least capable of all motorized OHVs on snow and ice.  Folks who plan to ride through snow often equip their tires with steel spikes to improve traction.  However, even with spikes, dirt bikes are not all that well suited to riding in snow or on ice.  There are track conversions for dirt bikes that would make them work better in snow but they are quite expensive.

Snowmobiles are, of course, designed to operate on the snow and are usually very good at it.  However, even they can run into situations where the snow exceeds their capabilities.  Snowmobiles may be configured in different ways to maximize performance on trails or in powder snow.  When riding a snowmobile, make sure you know what yours is configured for.  Trail machines will not do well off-trail in deep powder snow.  

Tracked vehicles generally fair better in snow and ice than wheeled vehicles.   The Cushman Trackster, for example,  a popular tracked off road vehicle for a time was quite agile in snow.  They were manufactured and sold from about 1969 to 1974.   There are still a few around if you are lucky enough to find one.  These days you can also purchase track kits to fit almost any kind of OHV, from dirt bikes to Jeeps.

Some common dangers for any OHV when riding in the snow include deep drifts and hidden obstacles.  Hidden obstacle might include logs, stumps, disabled vehicles, rocks, and ditches, streams, ponds, or depressions filled with snow.  Snowmobiles are fairly heavy and will sink deep where skiers and snowboarders can skim over the surface.  Tracked vehicles can sometimes ride over the top of deep snow while wheeled vehicles tend to dig into deep snow.  Avoid riding or driving on ice over the top of lakes or rivers unless you are absolutely sure the ice is thick enough to support your vehicle.  Liquid water beneath ice will never be colder than 32 degrees and can partially melt and/or erode the ice until it can't support the weight of passing vehicles.  Ice should be at least 4" thick to walk on and 12-15" thick to drive on.

If you know you are going to be riding in snow make whatever preparations and  take whatever precautions you can.  Preparations might include special tires, spikes, or tire chains along with dressing for the weather and carrying extra supplies in case you get stuck or stranded.  Precautions will include paying special attention to where you are going to avoid drifts and hidden obstacles and driving cautiously and appropriately.   Sometimes there will be hints of hidden obstacles -- mounds of snow over logs and stumps or depressions over ditches or holes in the ground.  Sometimes those indicators might look like fun things to explore, but it would be a good idea to approach them initially with caution, perhaps even use a stick or something to probe them before attempt to run your vehicle over them.  Learn what you can about the trails you plan to traverse so you can anticipate and prepare for as many problems as you can.  Stream crossings or places a trail passes through rock slides can present particularly menacing problems if you hit them without warning.

If you suddenly get caught in a snow storm or a trail climbs up into a snowy area  slow down enough to be able to properly evaluate the trail ahead of you.  You don''t want to slow down too much because often you need to maintain a certain amount of momentum to keep going through snow.  Consider turning around and heading back to camp if you encounter unexpected snow on the trail.  There are very few rides, other than rescue missions, that might warrant forging ahead through dangerous snowy conditions.  Even rescue missions might need to be aborted if things get too bad or you will become another part of the problem instead of being part of the solution.  Turning back before it is too late may be the best thing you could ever do.  Staying out in cold conditions too long will risk injury or even death from exposure or hypothermia, especially if you are in or on an open vehicle.

If your vehicle gets stuck or breaks down you might find yourself stranded for a while.  It is always good to have some extra supplies to fall back on if this happens.  Some things to consider are blankets, extra clothes, matches or lighters, first aid supplies, food, and water.

Be sure to dress for the weather whenever you might be operating your OHV in snow or icy conditions.   Start by dressing in layers and be sure to protect your extremities -- hands, feet, ears and nose -- since they are most susceptible to the cold.  Stay dry!  You will lose body heat about 25 times faster if you are wet!  Warm gloves will be essential for operating your OHV but make sure they aren't TOO bulky as that can negatively affect your ability to control the vehicle.  Chemical hand warmer packs are fairly cheap and are easy to use to help keep your hands and feet warm.

Have fun and stay safe!

Driving an RV or Tow Vehicle in the Snow

 

Driving in snow might not seem too relevant this time of year (May), but here in the Cascades in Oregon we are still having winter weather with snow as low as 2000' and heavy snow above 4,000' through Memorial Day weekend. That means anyone heading over any of the mountain passes could still encounter heavy snow.

Most of us would probably prefer not to drive our RVs or pull our trailers in the snow. Usually we prefer warmer weather for all of our outdoor recreation but sometimes we might get caught in an unexpected snow storm.  Of course, folks involved with winter sports may choose to drive in the snow for snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, and snow camping.

Snow and the ice that often accompanies weather cold enough for snow reduces the grip our tires have on the road to near zero.  Just wet roads have only half the traction of dry ones.  Snow and ice can reduce the grip to near zero.  Even a  few inches of snow can make road surfaces so slippery we might have trouble even getting out of our own driveways!  Our vehicles are totally dependent on the tires gripping the road for acceleration, stopping, and turning --  when they loose grip, we loose control.

It should go without saying that you should never use your cruise control when driving on slick roads.   Many drivers enjoy the extra comfort and alleged fuel savings associated with using cruise control, but using it when driving on snow or ice is a recipe for disaster.  You need all the sensitivity to vehicle behavior and control you can get.  You don't want cruise control suddenly boosting acceleration and causing your wheels to spin or even causing you to totally lose control of the vehicle!

A second problem associated with driving in snow is getting stuck.  While deep drifts are possible on many roads, it doesn't take really deep snow to trap a vehicle.  I even had a 4WD SUV stuck in about 1 foot of snow in my driveway because it was enough that the pan under the body basically floated the SU until the tires couldn't get enough traction to move it.  You can encounter drifts even on well-plowed and well-traveled highways when the winds are strong enough.  I once encountered snow drifts 3' deep as part of a convoy driving down from a mountaintop military installation.  I was only 3rd behind the snow plow, but we were driving in a blizzard with lots of falling snow and high winds that created drifts faster than the plow could cut through them.  One of the keys to getting through deep snow is to maintain momentum.  You don't need to be moving fast but it helps if you can keep moving.  Avoid deep snow if you can.  Even with 4WD, which is pretty rare on motorhomes but can be found more often on vans, pickups, and SUVs, pushing through really deep snow can be difficult if not impossible.  

Tire chains can sometimes be enough to cut through snow.  Make sure they fit your vehicle and are properly installed to avoid serious damage to your vehicle.  Driving with tires chains requires you to drive slower.  There are debates about whether to put chains on the front or rear of 4WD vehicles.  My recommendation is to install them on both for best results in snow.  You only need them on the driving wheels on 2WD vehicles.  Front wheel drive vehicles usually get better traction than rear wheel drive and having tire chains on front wheel drive helps with steering as well as traction.  Tire chains can also help on thick ice, but have a limited affect on black ice and can sometimes actually reduce traction if you end up sliding on the chains when a rubber tire might provide a better grip.  Always take care when installing tire chains.  First, make sure your vehicle is safely out of traffic.  One way to install chains is to lay them out in front or back of the tires, drive on to them, then wrap them around the tires and secure them in place.  Sometimes the wheel wells do not provide enough clearance to get your hands in to handle the chains.  In that case you may have to jack up the vehicle to lift the body enough for you to install the chains.  Be sure to set the parking brake and chock the wheels before using the jack.  Close clearances  may preclude the use of tire chains as the chains will fly up a little off the tires when in use, even when fully tightened.  Make sure you have enough clearance!

In some cases local laws may allow you to use traction tires or 4WD in lieu of tire chains.  A few places in the United States may even require traction tires.  Be sure that you know the restrictions for each snowy location you drive in and that your vehicle is properly equipped.  Traction tires are not simply snow tires or all terrain tires.  They are specially constructed for maximum traction in snow and ice and are labeled.  Traction tires are labeled with a mountain/snowflake symbol like one of these molded into the sidewall:

                   

 

 Another major problem when driving is snow is visibility.  Falling and blowing snow can seriously inhibit visibility -- both what you can see and who can see you!  Sometimes it gets bad enough to create what they call a white out where it is literally impossible to even tell up from down, let alone distinguish any landmarks or read road signs.  When that happens your best bet is to find a safe place to pull over where you are out of traffic and wait for it to clear up enough to see where you are going.  If possible put out some road flares or other warning devices and leave your flashers on so approaching vehicles don't run into you.  Falling and blowing snow often sticks to road signs so they become unreadable.  In such cases it is really helpful if you have some kind of GPS device to aide you in navigation since you won't be able to read speed limits, curves, exits, or distance signs.  When falling or blowing snow makes hard for you to see the road it also makes hard for other drivers to see you.  Turn on you lights to make your vehicle a little it more visible through the snow.  Don't use your high beams in snow when it gets dark as the snow will reflect a lot of light back at you and make it even harder for you to see.  Using high beams to make your vehicle more visible during daylight hours is OK, but remember to dim your lights for approaching vehicles.  You want them to see your vehicle but you don't want your bright lights to impact their vision.

Windshield washers can help keep your windshield clear but you MUST use freeze-protected washer solution.   Even if it stays warm enough where the reservoir is located to keep it from freezing unprotected solution will freeze instantly when sprayed and spread on cold glass.  If it does get cold enough to freeze the reservoir it will probably crack and be destroyed.

Unless you grew up where you had snowy winters you probably don't have much experience driving on snowy or icey roads.   I am grateful that I did grow up in a  real 4-season climate and began learning snow driving techniques from my Dad long before I ever got behind the wheel.  If you have any opportunities to practice driving in the snow in controlled conditions, jump on it!  There really is no substitute for hands-on experience.  You don't want your first run in the snow to be somewhere where everything is unfamiliar and out of your control.  

Anytime you have reduced road friction or reduced visibility (rain, sleet, snow) you need to slow down and allow yourself more time for just about every maneuver.    Spinning tires will make it take longer to get your vehicle moving.  Slippery surfaces will make it much, much harder stopping your vehicle.  Slick roads and turn ordinary curves into potential slide outs and dangerous death traps.  Modern ABS braking systems are helpful.  Before ABS we learned to pump the brakes so the wheels had a chance to turn now and then instead of locking up.  Once the wheels are locked up you have NO steering!  That little patch of rubber on the road has no sense of direction and your vehicle will continue moving in whatever direction inertia takes it.

Driving in snow increases the probability of being stranded AND increase the consequences if you are.  Always wear warm coats and carry extra coats and/or blankets and winter gloves.  Bring along some high-energy snacks and plenty of drinking water.  Make sure your provisions are protected from freezing.  A good first aid kit should be something you always have in your vehicle.  Same with road flares.  Road flares can not only be used to warn other drivers so they don't run into your parked vehicle they can be used to help direct traffic and used to start fires if you need to get warm.

If stranded, stay in your vehicle if you can.  I have heard warnings that ordinary cars and trucks loose heat rapidly and you shouldn't stay in them if stranded in the snow.  But think about it:  are you better off in your vehicle out of the wind and snow or stumbling around outside in the weather?  In addition, your vehicle will usually at least start off a lot warmer than it is outside.  Snow covering your vehicle will also act as insulation, just like an Eskimo's igloo.  In fact 1 foot of snow provides as much insulation as the R-13 fiberglass insulation in the walls of your home.  Staying in your vehicle is especially helpful when there is more than one person as the enclosed space captures and allows you to share body heat, which you definitely could not do outside.  The human body creates about as much heat as a 100 watt incandescent light bulb.  To give you some idea how helpful that is, 100 watt bulbs are often used in residential pump houses to prevent well pumps from freezing.  If your vehicle is an an unsafe position you may need to abandon it in favor of a safer place to wait things out.  If you do, try to leave information in your vehicle about who you are, how many of you there are, what you are wearing, and where (at least what direction) you are planning to go.  Chances are rescuers will find your vehicle before they find you out in the storm and the more information they have the easier it will be for them to find you.

Dress for the weather whenever traveling in winter conditions.  Dress in layers, starting with thermal underwear and warm socks.  Be sure to include a waterproof or at least water resistant outer layer.  Most waterproof garments also offer pretty good wind protection.  Include warm gloves and a baclacava or face mask in your preparations, even if you don't need them while driving as you might need them if you get stranded or have to leave your vehicle.

Driving in snow is no picnic, not even in your daily driver, let alone a big rig of some kind.  But, if  you are out in the snow, you probably weren't planning on a picnic anyway!  If you have to drive in the snow, take steps to make sure both you and your vehicle are properly prepared for it.  Yes, people have perished in snow storms.  You want to do everything you can to avoid them and to be prepared to drive safely and survive in them if you have to.

S'now picnic out there!

Driving an RV or Tow Vehicle in the Rain

Driving in the rain isn't fun and can be especially nerve wracking if you are driving a larger, heavier vehicle than you normally drive, including RVs, truck campers, and vehicles towing trailers.  In the olden days of open touring cars or horse-drawn wagons and buggies, you could pretty much count on getting soaked when traveling in the rain.  Today's modern vehicles have eliminated that problem, giving us warm, dry, spaces in even the heaviest of downpours. But driving in the rain still has its threats.

First of all, wet pavement has a coefficient of friction (what makes your tires grip the road) 50% less than dry pavement.   The friction between the tires and the road is the limiting factor for how fast drag racers can go.  It is also the most important thing for handling any vehicle, any time.  Half the friction means your won't have as much control as you normally would.  Tires will spin easier when attempting to accelerate and stopping will take a lot more space and you are more likely to slide out on turns.  That means you need to slow down!  Also watch for puddles on the road.  They can grab your tires and alter the path of your vehicle if you aren't prepared for them.  They can also slow you down and will throw up a big rooster tail that can affect the vision of nearby drivers.  When your front wheels hit puddles they can throw muddy water up on to your own windshield, negatively affecting your vision too. It is really hard to manage where you are going when you can't see where you are going!

Rain and the spray kicked up by other vehicles can affect visibility, making it harder to see obstacles down the road.  It is not a bad idea to turn you headlights on when driving in the rain.  Water on the roads can make it harder to see lane markings and puddles can hide potholes with sharp edges that can damage tires.  Having good windshield wipers is a must.  Most wiper systems offer multiple speeds so select the one that gives you the best view of the road.  Sometimes a slower speed actually gives you a clearer view than running them at full speed all the time.  A lot of modern systems include variable delay timers that let you adjust the speed from very slow (for mist and very light rain) in increments to account for different amounts of precipitation.

Because RVs, truck campers, and vehicles towing trailers are bigger and heavier than our normal daily drivers we need to take that into consideration when driving in rain.  Make allowances for slower acceleration, lower turning speeds, and longer stopping distances.  Part of that simply means slowing down but it also means giving yourself more preparation time for each maneuver.  Realize that other vehicles behavior will also be affected by the road conditions so they will not be able to swerve, change lanes, slow, or stop as quickly as they normally would on dry pavement.  Give yourself plenty of room when pulling out into to traffic and begin stopping long before you come to a STOP light or sign.

One of the worst situations you might encounter is a light rain after a long dry period.  Oil and grease dripping from vehicles builds up on the road and a light rain sits on top of it making it very slick.  It also creates nasty spray that can foul your windshield and damage your wipers.  Heavy rain eventually washes away a lot of the spilled grease and oil.

Windshield washers are almost essential when driving in traffic.  The polluted road spray from tires often results in smears on you windshield and windshield washers can help remove it.  In cold weather you want freeze protected fluid.  In the summer you can use ordinary water but commercial windshield wiper solvent will do a better job cleaning road spray and even removing bugs.

Rain behaves differently in different locations.  You are probably pretty familiar with the quirks of rain in your neighborhood but it is a good idea to talk to someone who knows the area when you are driving in other places.  Sometimes a gas station attendant or a clerk in a convenience store can give you an idea of what to expect but rangers or law enforcement officers are usually more reliable sources.  Some places are subject to very hard, very local squalls that weather forecasts probably won't predict.  Mountains often create their own weather that can be very different from the general regional forecast.  Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for it.

Thunderstorms often generate especially heavy rain and sometimes hail.  You usually don''t have to be too worried about lightning hitting your vehicle, although high-profile vehicles like RVs and trailers are more likely to get hit than smaller cars.  Some people think your rubber tires protect you from lightning.  That is not true!  Lightning can arc across thousands of feet of air from cloud to ground.  The few inches of rubber between your vehicle and the road is nothing!  What does protect you is the steel frame of your vehicle which conducts a lightning strike around you and into the ground if it occurs.  Avoid touching any metal parts of your vehicle when driving in a thunderstorm.  Also, keep an eye on  tall trees, radio towers, and light posts near the highway as they can ''attract'' lightning and could fall into your path.  Trees hit by lightning can literally explode, throwing lots of debris that could injure you if you are unprotected.  Some folks like to seek shelter under a freeway over crossing during thunderstorms but always be sure you have sufficient clearance for tall vehicles and park out of traffic lanes.

Do not use your cruise control when driving in the rain.   It can misinterpret loss of traction and react in a way that cause you to use control.  You may have heard this before and not believed it.  This it NOT a "fake news" idea.  Check it out on Snopes.

Driving in rain at night further complicates things because the wet roads will reflect you headlights differently than dry roads, making it more difficult to recognize even familiar characteristics of the highway.  On top of that, your headlights may not seem to reach as far because the light is scattered differently by the wet surfaces.  There are night driving glasses that claim to improve your night vision, but you should be careful about using them to be sure they do make it easier for YOU to see at night.

Keep the shiney side up!

Nylon Webbing for OHVing, RVing, Camping, and Boating

Nylon webbing is useful for OHVing, Rving, camping, and boating.  It is light weight but very strong.  Typical 1" nylon webbing can be rated as high as 4,000 lbs.  It is available in a variety of colors so you can choose a color you like and can use different colors for different applications.  Different brands, sizes, and qualities of webbing may have different strength ratings so be sure to choose webbing that is sufficiently strong for your application.  1" webbing is often used for tie downs and load-securing ratchets straps.  You will also see heavier webbing used for tow straps, snatch straps, and heavy-duty ratchet straps.  I use 2 1/2" ratchet straps to secure my 25' sailboat to its trailer.

Most tie downs for OHVs are made of nylon webbing.   They may have simple friction catches or ratchets.  Simple catches are usually appropriate for dirt bikes and ATVs where ratchet straps may over-compress and damage the suspension while tied down if over tightened.  Tie downs come with "S" hooks on both ends to easily attach them to anchor points.  You can also loop the webbing around larger contact points and run the webbing back through the "S" hook if needed.  To avoid marring the surface of handle bars you can get "soft shackles" which are nylon web  that wraps around the handle bars and you attach the "S"hooks to loops on the end.  Some higher end tie downs come with their own built in soft shackles.  Strong 1" nylon straps, even your regular tie downs, make good tow straps for dirt bikes and most ATVs.  Side-by-sides may require a sturdier tow or snatch strap.  Dune buggies, Jeeps, and other larger 4x4s will definitely need an appropriately sized tow strap, tow rope, or tow chain.

Many RVs have roof racks to carry additional cargo.  Whenever you put something up on the roof of your RV you want to make sure it is secure.  Nylon ratchet straps are a good way to do this, just don't over-tighten them or you may damage the roof rack, the roof, or the load.  Here again, 1"straps are usually more than adequate.

Ratchet straps normally used to secure loads on pickups and utility trailers are usually 1"straps.  Pay attention to the rated strength when you purchase ratchet straps.  The rating takes into consideration all the components:  the nylon strap, the stitching, the hooks, and the hardware.  If you cut or break the strap you may able to repair it if you are comfortable doing the necessary sewing.  Choose replacement webbing that is at least as strong as the original and used appropriately sized UV resistant thread and a box stitch for webbing to secure the webbing to hooks and anchor points.  You can purchase bulk webbing online or at most fabric stores.  I get mine from a discount store for just ten cents foot, much less than even buying it direct from the factory!

A fairly new and convenient invention are self-storing ratchet straps.  As you might expect, they are a bit more expensive than regular ratchet straps but are spring loaded to take up the slack for you instead of having to pull it all through the hub of the ratchet.  I haven't used them yet, but the reviews I have seen have been pretty favorable.  I suspect the mechanisms will be slightly heavier than ordinary ratchet mechanisms and might get in the way in some tight applications.

Campers find nylons straps useful for securing tents, sleeping bags and back packs.  Many bags for tents and sleeping bags even come with nylon straps sewn to the bags for convenience but you can add your own or use free-standing nylon straps anytime.  You can buy straps with buckles or just tie them around your bundle.  Buckles are usually easier to fasten and unfasten and allow the straps to lie flat.

I use nylon webbing for sail ties on my sailboat.  I use different colors for different length sail ties to make it easier to quickly locate the right one for each position for securing the mainsail to the boom for temporary storage.  Sail ties an also be used to tame excess halyards and dock lines and the secure loads on deck and in the cabin and storage compartments.  Sail ties have a loop in one end, usually made with a twist to make it easier to get your hand in.  Normally they do not have an metal hooks because those could chafe and damage sails and sail covers.  You can thread the loose end through the loop to pull the strap tight around the sail, then tie it off securely.

As mentioned above, I use 2 1/2" ratchet straps to secure my 25' sailboat to its trailer.  They hold it down nicely and the wider straps spread the load to avoid excess pressure on point of contact with the fiberglass hull.  If you use ratchet straps to tie down your boat, make sure you don't crank them down too tight.  It is too easy to put enough tension on them to crack fiberglass or dent aluminum hulls.  I once noticed tiny stress cracks forming under the heavy duty straps on my sailboat.

As a volunteer firefighter I have roll of 1" nylon webbing in one of the pockets of my turn out gear.  Just about all firefighters do.  We can use the webbing to help move an injured or unconscious victim, to lift tools up a ladder, or even to help us make an emergency escape out a window.

Nylon webbing or straps is not usually used for guy lines for tents or awnings but it can be.   It is often stronger than most of the light weight ropes usually used in such applications.  It also has the advantage of being wider and more easily seen so you aren't as likely to run into them or trip over them.  You might find ratchet straps useful as guy lines on really large, heavy tents.  On occasion I have used ratchet straps to secure the awning on my motorcycle trailer.  The ratchet straps allow me to easily pull the awning taught.  If you do use ratchet straps in this way, take care not to over-tighten them as they can easily damage the awning or attachment hardware.  The only possible downside I see to using straps as guy lines is they might flutter in the wind, which can be annoying and the vibration can sometimes cause them to loosen.

Webbing used to used a lot on aluminum-framed camp chairs.   Most camp chairs these days are bag chairs with cloth seating and backrests but you can still find aluminum-framed chairs here and there.  The webbing strips are usually about 2-2 1/2" wide and made of some kind of fiberglass or plastic material, not usually the kind of heavy duty nylon you find in tie downs and ratchet straps.  If you have any of these old chairs you might still be able to get replacement web kits for them.  I have even seen kits on amazon.com. In a pinch you might be able to re-web your chairs with sturdy nylon webbing and they would probably last a very long time.  It would make the chairs a bit heavier and they might be warmer to sit in than the original webbing.  That might be nice in cold weather but less comfortable on most warm summer days in camp.

Good web to get caught in!

Trash Bags for RVing, Camping, and Boating

Trash can be a problem when RVing, Camping, or Boating.   A lot of our camping food and supplies comes in disposable containers that often generate even more trash than we normally do at home.  Paper and plastic cups, plates, and utensils are very convenient for camping but do add up to more trash to take care of.   At home we just toss all our trash into the nearest wastebasket, which gets dumped into the trash can, and picked up by the waste management company at the street every week.  In camp or on a boat we have to collect our trash and store it for later disposal.   Some campgrounds and marinas have dumpsters you can put your trash in but you will have to pack it out when you are boondocking or camping in a primitive camp site.  Very few RVs or boats and no tents I've ever seen have any built in provisions for collecting or storing trash.  So trash bags area the obvious solution, even if you bring along a wastebasket -- trash bags collect nasty stuff that can be hard to clean from waste baskets.  'Pack it in, pack it out' is one of the original tenets of back country travel.  It is something everyone who participates in remote outdoor activities should live by.  Trash bags make that easier.

My brother once observed that trash bags are the perfect consumer product:  people buy them just to throw them away -- and then buy more!

A lot, but not all trash can be safely disposed of in campfires.  Pressurized containers, batteries, and even tin cans should not be put in campfires.  Aluminum cans may burn up, but do you really want to breathe vaporized aluminum in the smoke?  I can't imagine that doing anything good for lungs!  And every can you toss in the fire means you are throwing away that 10 cent deposit!  Recycling aluminium cans can be tedious, but it can we worth it.  A group who collected aluminum cans after the Holiday Farm Fire in Oregon amassed more than $25,000 in less than a year to aid victims of the fire.  The bulk can be reduced by crushing the cans but some recycling places only accept uncrushed cans.  If you take your recycling to where it is weighed, crushed cans are OK.  Burning paper plates is usually OK and even burning styrofoam and plastic utensils isn't all that bad an idea and the more you can burn the less you have to hang onto and transport home.

Of course, if you have room, you can bring along a convenient sized waste basket or trash can to collect trash during your outing.  But sometimes that isn't very convenient because it takes up so much room in your vehicle.  A handy alternative for use in RVs, campers, and boats is a plastic bag holder that an be hung on a cabinet door or even a picnic table.  It makes an easy, readily available place to deposit refuse for future disposal in a dumpster or your home trash can.  These plastic bag holders are usually designed to use the regular plastic bags that we bring our groceries and other items home in, giving us a good opportunity to recycle those pesky plastic bags.  Even if you use a wastebasket it is a good idea to line it with a trash bag.  It makes it a lot easier to dispose of the trash and minimizes having to clean the waste basket.  Trash bags can be easily tied off to contain odors and minimize unwanted spills.

Grocery bags are sometime the right size for small waste baskets and those little plastic trash bag holders that fasten onto cabinet doors  but you will probably need larger, commercial trash bags for kitchen-size units.  There are typically two styles:  draw string and the kind where you have to tie the corners together to close the bag.   Drawstring bags are obviously more convenient but usually cost a little more.  Kitchen bags are usually 13 gallon capacity.  Regardless of the style of bag you will find different qualities and strengths depending on brand and price.  The better bags cost more of course but are not as likely to tear and dump your nasty trash all over the floor or the trail and your feet!  If you are lucky, your bags will fit your kitchen-sized waste basket snugly.  If they are a little small they can usually be stretched.  Take care stretching them.  If there are any sharp corners or edges on the can, put the bag over them first to avoid tearing the bag if you try to stretch it over sharp spots.  If they are too big, gather the excess on one side and twist it about 6 times and tuck the twist up under the edge of now snug top of the bag.  Kitchen trash bags are usually strong enough to handle normal kitchen trash but you may need extra strong bags or double them up if you have extra heavy trash like bottles or lots of wet food waste.  Double up bags for heavy loads.  You never want your trash bag to tear and drop stuff all over the place, especially if there is a lot of wet, heavy, nasty garbage!

Draw-string bag are easy to close and can be re-opened if you need to add something.  There is a draw-string (usually a brightly colored strip of plastic, orange or yellow are the ones I've seen) inside the top seam of the bag.  Look for half moon shaped cutouts an each side of the top of the bag to grasp the draw-string and pull it tight to close the bag.  These draw-strings are usually about the same strength as the bag itself and should be adequate to pull it pretty tightly closed and maybe even strong enough to use as handles to carry it, but don't pull too hard or use them to carry really heavy bags or you could tear them.

Handle-close bags are a little more difficult to close and, depending on how tight you tie the knots, can be difficult or even impossible to re-open.  You need to leave a little extra room at the top of the bag in order to have enough bag to tie.  Grab the top of the bag on opposite sides, pull tight, put a few twist in each side to roll the bag  corners into a kind of rope shape, then tie the two ends together.  Use just a single over-hand knot if you think you will need to re-open the bag.  For permanent closure (for transport and disposal) tie a second knot. then grab the remaining ends or corners and tie them together with a double knot.  Tying up all four corners keeps the bag more secure and reduces the chance of spills.

You may want to set up separate collections bags for trash and recyclables.  It is kind of nice to get back that 10 cent deposit on every aluminum can and plastic water bottle and its better for the environment.  Using separate bags lets you easily take your combustible trash to burn in the campfire or put in dumpster.  Be careful not to burn bags with large amounts of rotting food that might create a nasty smell around the campfire and avoid burning plastics as they can create toxic fumes that could make you sick.  Never put aerosol cans in the campfire as they can explode sending shrapnel and burning embers all over the place.  Tin cans won't burn, just accumulate in and mess up the fire pit.  Some with glass bottles.  Only put combustible material in the campfire.

RV stores often sell devices to store grocery bags for later use.   I have tried both hard plastic containers and soft cloth ones and both have served well.  You can usually stuff new bags into the top and pull bags out the bottom to use.  The plastic trash bag holders are often designed specifically to hold grocery bags neatly and you will seldom fit enough trash into a grocery bag to overload it or make it too heavy to easily carry.  The bags are originally designed to carry fairly heavy loads of groceries.

The plastic bags retailers use to corral our purchases are often a convenient size for trash collection during our outings. And it is a nice way to get a little extra use out them and even save a little money and avoid adding even more trash bags to the land fill.  However, if you have a larger wastebasket in your RV or camper you will probably need kitchen size (13 gallon) trash bags.  I prefer the drawstring style over the handle style.  They are easier to close and can be reopened if you have a last minute addition or two.

Kitchen sized bags are often available with some kind of scent to offset bad odors in the trash.  Whether or not it is worth any extra cost is up to you.  You may be able to spray ordinary trash bags and containers with air freshner or Fabreze as an alternative.  Scented bags might be helpful if you frequently have to deal with smelly trash but probably aren't necessary for ordinary waste like packaging.

Lawn or contractor trash bags come in larger sizes, usually about 30 gallons.  They too can be purchased with and without drawstrings.  The heavier plastic of contractor bags handles larger loads and is a good place to collect and store trash until you can dispose of it properly in a dumpster or your home trash can.  I prefer the drawstring bags because they can be easily opened and closed to add trash throughout your outing.  Lawn and contractor trash bags are usually black but can be found in yellow and orange and sometimes other colors.  The yellow and orange ones can be used for emergency signals and are a little more attractive if you have to use them for emergency rain ponchos.  It usually isn't practical to bring along large trash cans when RVing, camping, or boating but you can get folding trash bag holders that are easy to transport and hold your bags open for easy use, giving you a large trash container in camp.  Years ago I made my own out of the framework of an old bag chair.

Large trash bags can be used as emergency rain ponchos.  Just cut a slit in the middle of the bottom and one in each bottom corner.  The middle slit goes over your head and the corner slits let you get your hands out if you need to get hold of something.   

You might cut a large trash bag open to make a small tarp to cover equipment you leave outside during a surprise rain storm or even tie it overhead for emergency rain protection.

My first choice for trash bags for camping etc is to recycle the pesky plastic bags my groceries and supplies come in but I also find it useful to keep a supply of kitchen and contractor bags in my RV and even in my boat!  I usually buy mine at my local Dollar Tree but buying larger packages at a home center or grocery store might cost less per bag.  I find the smaller packages convenient for camping and boating and lower purchase price attractive.  For home use I prefer buying my bags in bulk at a big box store like Costco or Walmart to save money and make sure I always have plenty on hand.

Bag it!

Keeping Your Feet Warm When RVing, OHVing, Camping and Boating

Your feet, like your hands, are ''extremities'' and, as such, are subject to difficulties keeping them warm in cold weather.  After all, your toes are the furthest away from your heart, which supplies warm blood to your entire body.  The distance blood has to flow and the amount of blood available to those areas limits how much heat reaches your toes.   Further more, your body reduces blood flow to extremities when it gets cold to preserve the heat in your core to keep your organs functioning.  Wiggling or exercising your toes can sometimes help increase blood flow enough to help keep them warm.

Good, dry, insulated boots are a first good step toward keeping your feet warm.   In really wet weather you may need to wear rubber boots or galoshes or over-shoes to keep your feet dry.  Insulated work boots help prevent you from losing the heat from your feet.  Snow-boots are usually made of fabric and can be quite warm and comfortable but might not provide the impact protection you need for many outdoor activities.  You can buy insulated OHV boots, cowboy boots and insulated hiking and work boots.

A good sock system is another way to keep your feet warm.  And yes, that is a sock system, not just a pair of socks.  A proper sock system will include a fairly thin layer next to your skin that can wick away perspiration and protect your skin against abrasive movement that can cause blisters.  On top of that you will want to wear appropriate layer(s) for insulation to prevent heat loss and keep the warmth your feet get from your blood from escaping.  Wool is an excellent material for socks as it continues to retain its insulating quality even it it gets wet.  Summer and winter I usually wear a pair of thin dress socks beneath my motocross socks in my OHV boots to prevent chafing and blisters.  They make my feet noticeably hotter in the summer but do seem to ad a bit of insulation in the winter.

Tall boots will keep your feet warmer than low topped shoes.  Close fitting tops will retain heat better than loose, open tops.  Tall boots or gaiters will help keep your legs warm, which in turn, will keep the blood going to your feet warmer.  With that in mind, wearing full length thermal underwear can also help keep your feet as well as your legs warmer.

Chemical heat pads are available to help keep your feet warm.  You usually place them near your toes as they are the most vulnerable to heat loss.  They typically last about 8 hours but sometimes will need to be pulled out and reactivated by shaking.  Do that in a warm environment if possible so you won't lose more heat than you gain!

Battery-powered electrically heated socks are another option.  Personally, I haven't found them to be very effective.  In the first place they didn't get very warm and in the second place the batteries didn't last very long.   I also found the bulk of the batteries banging around my ankles kind of uncomfortable.  I only tried one brand so there may be better ones out there.  For me warmer boots and warmer socks are a better solution.

Just stomping your feet or wiggling your toes can help simulate blood flow to help ward off the cold.   Rolling your ankles might help bring more blood to your feet too.

Getting your feet next to a campfire or other heat source is a good way to warm them up.  Just be careful you don't get too close for too long.  You can easily get up the soles of your boots enough to burn your feet if you aren't careful.   When dirt biking in the desert we liked to build our campfire in what we called R2D2, and old washing machine tub.  I put it on an outdoor RV table pedestal to lift it a few inches off the ground so we could stick our could toes underneath to get them warm.  I've seen people put their boots right into a campfire to get their feet warm but be aware that by the time you begin to feel the heat the soles and steel shank may have gotten hot enough to burn you before you could get your feet out of your boots so exercise caution if you every resort to this!   Campfires and stoves are also a good pace to warm up your boots before you put them before going outside for a little added comfort on cold days.  Be aware that it takes time for the heat to penetrate your boots.  Don't keep your feet too close to the fire for too long.  If you wait until it starts to feel too hot the residual heat will probably cause burns even after you move away from the fire.  If your footwear or pants start smoking, back away from the fire immediately!

If you have a warm environment available (RV, cabin, vehicle, tent, etc) you can go inside and remove your cold boots and tuck your feet into a blanket, warm towel, or sleeping bag to get them warm.   I find that kind of sitting Indian style and tucking one foot behind the knee of my other leg and clamping it between the thigh and calf helps warms my foot from both sides, then switching sides every few minutes until both feet are warm.  That might a really important if you are think you are starting to get frostbite.  I use an old pair of snow boots as my ''desert bedroom slippers" when camping.  They are easy to get on and off and keep my feet warm around camp.

When boating, keeping your feet dry will go a long way towards keeping them warm.  Being out on the water means you have a good chance of getting water in your boat and your feet are likely to be subject to more extensive exposure than other parts of your body.  In wet weather or when dealing with a lot of waves splashing into the boat, wear waterproof shoes or boots instead of the canvas shoes you normally wear.  When you feet do get wet, change into dry socks and shoes as soon as it is practical.  Lacking waterproof footwear I have seen folks tie plastic bags over their shoes for some protection.  Some folks prefer going barefoot on their boats.  While it exposes your feet to abrasion and other injuries proper foot gear might protect against, it does allow you to dry your feet quickly and avoid the consequences of sitting around in wet shoes and socks.  Allowing your feet to remain wet can result in additional injury or damage to your skin so keeping them warm and dry becomes a priority.  Weather permitting, going barefoot will let you dry your feet more easily as needed.

Speaking of frostbite, contrary to a very old bit of folk medicine NEVER rub snow on frostbitten areas.  This practice was definitively proven  ineffective and even dangerous way back in the 1950s.  Frozen areas should be rapid warmed up using moist, controlled heat.  Putting frozen skin near a campfire or hot stove can result in burning the frozen flesh!  Tuck frozen extremities next to warm body parts (yours or someone else's), put them next to hot water bottle, or cover them in warm water.  BTW, don't rub frozen skin with anything as rubbing will further damage the affected tissues.

Now you're hot footin' it!

Keeping Your Hands Warm When RVing, OHVing, Camping and Boating

We use our hands a lot during outdoor recreational activities.  In cold weather or even cooler days in the warm weather we may need help keeping our hands warm.  As ''extremities'' our hands are one of the first places to get cold.  They have quite a bit of surface area that allows heat to escape and the flow of blood to warm them is somewhat limited by location and the size of blood vessels supplying blood to the fingers.  Your toes are even more susceptible to the cold.  Furthermore, when your body starts getting cold it limits blood flow to the extremities in order to maintain heat to your organs that is critical to survival.  Using (exercising) your fingers and toes can help keep to keep them warmer because it increases blood flow.

Keeping your hand warm is a lot more than just for comfort.  We need our hands to perform a myriad of tasks in camp and on our vehicles and vessels.  Cold hands get stiff and loose strength, significantly reducing dexterity and our ability to perform necessary tasks.  You don't want to let your fingers get so cold they get stiff and you can't safely manipulate controls and tools.  Letting them get TOO cold risks frostbite and permanent damage.

Gloves and mittens are the primary ways to keep our hands warm when needed.  Gloves provide more dexterity; mittens do a better job of keeping your fingers warm.  Any kind of sturdy gloves you use for manual tasks will help to keep your hands warmer, but as the temperature drops you are going to want to get insulated gloves or add glove liners.  For OHV riding you can by ''Windchill'' gloves that are designed to keep your hands warmer or you can add glove liners to your regular OHV gloves.  We have found simple, inexpensive knitted gloves work pretty well as glove liners.  Mittens help keep your fingers warmer because they allow your fingers to share heat and reduce the exposed surface area for heat loss but you sacrifice some dexterity and control.  Light weight "kiddie"gloves usually fit better under regular OHV cloves than heavier jersey gloves.

Many outdoor activities require good dexterity.   You need it for operating almost any kind of equipment in camp, on the trail, on the road, or on a boat.  For that you need warm gloves that allow you to get a good grip on whatever you need to do.  Ski gloves work pretty well in many cases but sometimes they are a little too bulky and even though they work well in snow are not always waterproof enough to protect your hands from rain or from splashing on your boat.  You might need to look for waterproof gloves for those situations.  For OHVs go for Windchill gloves or put some liners in your OHV gloves.  I've seen guys try to use latex gloves inside for another layer and bit of moisture protection but it seems to me usually all it does is capture the sweat inside!

When gloves are not enough you might want to try hand warmers.  A common type of hand warmer is a chemical hand warmer.  These come in foil packets which, when opened, allow air to activate a chemical reaction inside the packet to create heat.  You normally crumple the packets in your hand to facilitate activation and can usually boost the warmth after they begin to cool down by taking them and and crumpling and shaking them again.  You place them inside your gloves.  You can put them on your palms if they won't be in the way of whatever you need to do with your hands (like grip an OHV handlebar) or on the back of your hand.  Either way they provide extra heat inside your gloves to help keep your hands warm.   Chemical hand warmers usually are designed to last about 8 hours.  Sometimes you can reactivate them if they begin to cool down during use by taking them and and shaking them in the open air.  There are also reusable hand warmers that typically run on the same fuels (lighter fluid or butane) as cigarette lighters.  Reusability is a nice feature and you can use them for almost an unlimited time as long as you can keep supplying sufficient fuel.  However, they tend to be stiff and bulky so they sometimes interfere with necessary dexterity more than chemical hand warmers.

I have seen and even tried battery-powered electrically heated gloves.  While I really like the idea I haven't found the ones I've tried to be terribly successful.  Might just have been the ones I tried, but they didn't do a very good job of warming my hands in the first place and the batteries seemed to run down pretty quickly as well as adding uncomfortable weight to my hands and arms.  I found just wearing warmer gloves worked better for me -- and were less expensive!

Lacking hand warmers, just rubbing your hands together or using them actively can help stimulate blood flow and help warm them up.  Rubbing them together can generate friction that creates a little heat and stimulates the muscles to increase blood flow.  Another trick is to tuck your hands someplace next to your body where they can get extra warmth such as under your arms or between your legs.  Putting them in the pockets of your coat or pants can also help.  Doing so usually provides some additional insulation and protection against heat loss and often allows heat from other, larger parts of your body to help warm them.  Also, as you get cold, your body restricts blood flow to extremities to preserve core temperature, so putting you hands nearer your core will allow them to absorb extra heat from body parts that still get more blood to keep them warm.  Skin-to-skin will warm your fingers faster than through gloves and/or clothing but even tucking your gloved hands into your armpits of your jacket for a while will help take the chill off.

Most of the glove options for OHVs and camping would work pretty well for boating too, although the added probability of getting them wet may dictate the use of water resistant or waterproof gloves.  I found that knit gardening gloves with rubber or latex grip worked well on my sailboat.  They weren't waterproof, but they protected my hands and would dry out without being damaged or losing functionality when I did get them wet.

A common injury from cold hands is frostbite.  Obviously you want to avoid this if at all possible.  Frostbite is when your skin begins to freeze.  The water inside your cells will expand as it freezes, damaging cell walls.  In the earliest stage of frostbite, known as frostnip, there is no permanent damage to skin. Symptoms include cold skin and a prickling feeling, followed by numbness and inflamed or discolored skin.  If you begin experiencing frostnip or seeing in your companions, take immediate action to warm the affected areas before permanent damage occurs.  Contrary to a popular folk treatment, you should NOT put affected areas in snow or rub them with snow.  The best treatment is protect the affected areas from further damage, warm them up, and, if necessary, use pain medication for added comfort.  Avoid hot, dry sources of heat.  Warm water is a good way to thaw frozen fingers.  Holding them under a hot air dryer may cause more damage.  It is not uncommon for over-eager attempts to warm frozen body parts to result in burns since the frozen parts don't have any feeling to warm you when they are getting too warm.

Campfires and wood stoves are good places to warm your hands if you are careful.   Just don't get your hands close enough or leave them long enough to get burned!  They are also good places to warm your gloves or mittens before you put them on for a little additional comfort.  Once again, exercise caution to make sure you don't burn them or get them TOO hot before putting them on!

One way to warm your bare hands is to blow on them.  Blowing with an open mouth will provide warm air to you hands.  Blowing with pursed lips will simply act as a breeze to cool them, like it does cooling your soup or hot drink.  I heard a story of medieval knight who was accused of being a witch or wizard because he could blow both hot (to warm his hands) and cold (to cool his soup). BTW, to blow cold, purse your lips and blow a small fast stream of air; to blow warm, open your mouth and breath out large slower puffs of air.

Keep 'em warm!

Waterproofing Camping and Boating Gear

Waterproof camping and boating gear seems like kind of a no-brainer.  Shouldn't ALL camping, and especially boating gear be waterproof?  Maybe it should, but not everything you buy is waterproof -- or even water resistant.  But that is an oversight you can usually correct.

We usually don't set out to participate in outdoor recreational activities in bad weather, but is all too common for some to strike while we are enjoying the great outdoors.  When that happens, it is good to have waterproof or at least water resistant gear.

A lot, but not all, of camping and boating gear and apparel will come from the factory waterproofed.  Some fabrics are naturally waterproof or at least water resistant.  For those items that do not include factory waterproofing or for items that may have lost some of their waterproof capabilities due to normal wear and tear or abuse, you can often solve the problem with a product like Camp Dry spray.  It is not too expensive and is very easy to use.  Just spray a coat or two on clean dry items like tents, jackets, gloves, and footware.  It is said to work well on tents, tarps, boots, hunting apparel, outdoor gear, boat covers, and more.  I have used it for years to waterproof my OHV, cowboy boots, hiking boots, and to improve the waterproofing on coats, tents and awnings.  I figure it will be good to use on the main sail cover on my sailboat.  I have even heard of people using it on canvas shoes, which could be a real boon to boaters.  Be sure to test it on an inconspicuous spot on light colored materials to avoid permanent stains.

The first step in waterproofing your camping or boating gear is to make sure the item is clean and dry.  Be sure to brush debris and caked on dirt from the seams of boots and shoes.  Remove any stains you can.  You will want to set up your tent and make sure it is pulled tight when spraying your tent to ensure complete and even coverage.   You may also want to waterproof your packs.  Pay special attention to seams on all items:  tents, awnings, gloves, boots, shoes, and jackets.  Those are often the most likely points of leakage and need the most protection.

Camp Dry normally dries in abut 24 hours and cures completely in about 72 hours so you want to allow some time after applying it before using the items and subjecting them to precipitation.    Some forms of waterproofing can seal surfaces too well, causing them to trap moisture inside as well as keeping it out.   Camp Dry says it has no effect on the breatheability of fabrics when applied per the manufacturers instructions.  Attempting to waterproof items with other kinds of sealant may destroy breatheability and make them uncomfortable to wear.  Non-approved chemicals may cause damage to many materials.  If possible, test any protective product someplace it won't normally be seen to be sure it is safe to use on the full item.

Items protected with this kind of waterproofing will not stand up to being submerged for any length of time but normally does a good job of protecting them from normal dew, rain, and snow.  Camp Dry can even help protect parkas and other snow gear against melting snow.  I've seen way too many snow-rated garments that let melting snow in so as soon as you step in out of the cold and the snow melts you start to get soaked!  Camp Dry and similar products are designed to waterproof fabrics and footwear and are not designed to waterproof equipment.  You can use it to waterproof a canvas or heavy fabric bag to protect your cell phones or radios but don't use it on the devices themselves.  If you are looking for something that protects even when submerged, remember you will also need some way to seal the items where they contact your body.  Waterproof boots can still get wet inside when submerged because water can soak down between your leg and the boot.  Waterproof gloves may allow water to enter through the cuff when submerged.  I have seen people use duct tape to seal boots and gloves but it can be painful to remove when it gets stuck to your skin.

I have not had any problems nor heard of any problems with Camp Dry staining or otherwise altering the color of anything I've used it on, but, as always, try to test it on an inconspicuous area before applying to the entire item just to be sure.    I have used it on canvas, nylon, leather, and even suede, on jackets, gloves, shoes, and boots,  Even on my OHV riding pants!  I haven't tried it on riding jerseys.  I suspect the open weave that provides adequate breathability wouldn't be easily sealed against rain and I usually rely on a light jacket or poncho for upper body rain protection on the trail.

Applying waterproofing to boots or gloves is NOT a substitute for waterproof boots and gloves.   Applying waterproofing can help prevent water from easily penetrating materials but it is no substitute for truly waterproof  construction, like rubber boots or rubber gloves.

Another option is to put your stuff in dry bags.  Dry bags are often used on boats and can provide excellent water protection for gear in camp.  Dry bags are especially useful for things you normally wouldn't apply waterproofing to, such as clothing, socks, and underwear.  If you don't have any dry bags you can get some protection by putting your stuff in plastic trash bags and closing them tightly.  Of course that only works well for things you have in storage, not things you are wearing or actively using.

Stay dry!

 

RVing, OHVing, Camping, and Boating Weather

Weather can play a significant role in whether our outdoor recreational outings are successful and enjoyable or an utter and complete failure.  The old adage about raining on someone's picnic has definite roots in historical reality.  I am sure most of us have had at least one picnic, BBQ, or camping trip spoiled or at least dampened by rain.  

Perfect weather for outdoor activities is not something you can easily define.  What is perfect for one activity or one group may not be perfect for another activity or group.  For example, most of us would prefer to have fairly calm days for our outdoor activities or maybe just a mild breeze to help keep us cooler and more comfortable.  But is you are going sailing, you will need more wind to move your sailcraft.  Most camping and off-roading is done in summer months and avoids snow and other cold, wet weather.  But, if you are going snowmobiling, ice fishing, or cross country skiing, you absolutely need cold, snowy weather.  Most off-road riding is done in clear, dry weather, but riding after a light rain helps reduce dust and increase traction.  Sometimes getting a light rain out on the trail can be refreshing -- as long as there isn't enough to get you soaked and you can dry out before getting hypothermia, which can be life threatening if not caught and treated soon enough.

Most of us would prefer to go RVing, OHVing, Camping, or Boating when the weather is good.  So what does good weather look like?  Well, in most cases you want clear skies and warm (not too hot) days (probably in the low70s F), with no precipitation.  However, if you are going snowmobiling or ice fishing, the ideal weather could be quite different!  If you are into sailing you need wind, something most of us would rather avoid for outdoor recreation.  We once encountered winds so strong on a dirt biking trip in the Mojave Desert that they literally blew bikes and riders over when they reached the top of a hill and got caught in a crosswind.  Definitely NOT ideal OHV riding conditions!  We usually avoided riding in rain or snow or even really hot weather.  A pretty good target for good outdoor recreation weather would be a clear, calm, day with temperatures in the low 70s F.  Lower temperatures will require you to dress warmer; hotter temps will demand cooling techniques.   Sailors will want to look for steady winds somewhere around 10-12 knots.  Lower winds don't provide enough energy to move boats comfortably;  higher winds can create dangerous situations out on the water.

Human beings are most comfortable in an environment around 70F - 72F.  However we are also quite adaptable.  We can usually dress up or down to accommodate slight variation in that temperature and still be relatively comfortable.  That being said, almost of us will plan and enjoy outdoor activities when we stick to reasonable weather ranges.  You probably don't need to make a lot of changes in your planned activities or your basic wardrobe as long as outside temperatures are in the 60-80F range.  Temperatures below 60F will require dressing warmer and when it gets above 80F you are going to want better ways of keeping cool, and may be forced to limit your activities to avoid hyperthermia (heat illness).  Swimming and other on-the-water activities are attractive pastimes for hot days and can help keep you cool.

The best weather may differ depending on what activities you are planning.  Normal camping where you mostly sit around and enjoy the scenery and ambiance is most comfortable in mild temperatures around 72F.  Water sports can be enjoyed during hotter weather.  OHV riding is usually adaptable to a wider range of temperatures, with cooler days being more comfortable than warmer ones.  Hiking or any other highly physical activity will thrive in cooler temperatures and become tedious and unpleasant as things warm up.  Light rain may or may not be an issue, depending on available canopies, enclosed vehicles, and good rain gear.  Heavy rain is almost always a deterrent to outdoor recreation.  Windy days can spoil your picnics and campfires and I've even seen winds strong enough to blow over dirt bikers when they topped a hill.  However, a certain amount of wind is good and even necessary if you are going sailing and light breezes are usually beneficial in camp and for camp fires.  A light breeze is welcome on warmer days.  Cloudy days can moderate temperatures but you may still be subjected to UV rays that can cause a sunburn and cloudy days can inhibit good lighting for photography.  If you are doing any winter activities (skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing, etc) you will need near or below freezing temperatures and snowy conditions.

Keep in mind the weather when you arrive at your destination could be very different that the weather around your house when you leave home.  We often deliberately drive several hours to a different climate so be sure to check the weather at your destination before you leave home.   Mountain campgrounds are a frequent choice of campers.  Be aware that many large mountains can create their own localized weather that might not show up in a regional forecast, so check with someone who knows the area before you go.  That might include rangers, law enforcement, merchants, and fellow campers who have been there before.  I once worked a summer job at a mountain resort and we got rain at about 1:00 almost every day, regardless of what was in the regional forecast.  You could almost set your watch by it!

There are several good resources available to you to predict and monitor the weather.  These days most of us rely heavily on electronic devices to provide us with information.  Internet weather service usually provide a good idea of what is going to happen.  NOAA radios give you regular updates just about where ever you might be.  You can get local AM and FM radio stations on your car or portable radios.  Another good source for local weather information is the sky.  Unfortunately, a lot of us mostly city-dwellers have never learned how to read the sky for clues about the weather but you can learn basics from the how to read the sky link.  There are also handy guides to wind strength you can use to judge velocity based on what you can see around you.  Here is a link to chart for Estimating Wind Speeds With Visual Clues. You can also purchase portable weather stations you can use just about anywhere to monitor temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, and even precipitation.  Some aids don't require electronics.  Even airplane pilots still use wind socks to monitor wind direction and strength and a small one hanging in your camp and do the same for you.

One of my favorite weather station stories is about the weather string or rope, a very simple device but it is surprisingly accurate. If you can see it, the sun (or moon) is shining.  If you can't see it, it is either dark outside or a strong wind blew it away.  If it is moving it is windy--and you can actually get a good idea how hard the wind is blowing and which direction.  If it is wet it is raining.  If is it blurry there is fog.  If it is frozen it is cold outside.  Tried to link the image below to the etsy.com page where you could buy one, but it didn't work.  If you want one do an online search for "redneck weather rope" and you should get several affordable options.  Or, if you are crafty, make your own!

 

                                            

Sometimes you may want to alter your plans if the weather is not suitable.  Having a comfortable RV or tent where you can escape unpleasant weather is nice.  If the weather gets too bad for your accommodations you might need to head home or seek better shelter.  Other times you may only need to adjust your wardrobe.  In any case, it always behooves you to check the weather where you are going before you get there!

Happy forecasting!