Chuck boxes are as individual as wives, once you get one you gotta keep working on it to make it what you want. I've been involved with BSA for several years and had lots of tents and sleeping gear. Cots are ok but if your going to get one, get one with the bungie cord wrap attached to the material. Springs pinch, material sewn around metal doesn't give and all of them are noisy when you roll over. Hammocks are the most comfortable, but I'm not a back sleeper. I don't mean to sound like a bummer but my 14ft KZ sportsman is what I like to camp in.

Sharing is Caring!

 

Think about what you’re going to cook and work back to the equipment...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I helped to build half dozen of chuck boxes for our BSA troop (plan is on the internet.) They are great, functional, built like a tank and probably will last many years... but they weigh like a ton each. I would build or buy something lighter.

 

Get a blowup matteras to sleep on. The blower to air it up with worth the weight. I like soft siderers for carry stuff. Even the resuable sacks from the grocery store work pretty good. Think about what you are gonna have to pack back out and plan for it. I used to love to tent camp, but it just got to be too much for me to try and do. Good luck and have fun. Your new boat rocks.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I am considering a blow up mattress, but a cot would probably suit me better personally. Something like this maybe? https://amzn.to/2KZpBp5 (Amazon has a lot of camping stuff on sale so I am looking now in anticipation of camping in the fall.)

Also I am going to experiment setting up my tent in the boat itself. I am a little concerned about alligators and such on the sandbar. I already had one close call years ago with a giant gator and I don't want another. I purposely built the boat wide enough so that a tent will fit and I can stretch out. I am still working out the details on all of that.

 

I slept on the kind of cot you are looking at on Amazon for a long time and they are comfortable. I don't know about that brand but that style is fine. It is bulky though.
A couple of small storage containers might work better than one large box since you will have to fit it in a boat and carry the stuff ashore.
Your camping on the river plans sound like fun. Good luck!

 

I did not have much luck with air mattresses. They seemed to work a few times then would develop leaks and I would find myself flat on the hard ground in the middle of the night. I ended up with self inflated mattresses which were not as cushy but acceptable. A drawback is that they would not be as compact when rolled ups.

 

I used an old army footlocker back in my tent days ,to hold my pan and coffee pot,and utensils also worked good inside for a table, my wife camped with me ONCE on a sandbar in the east fork I miss it ,takes you to the simple times

 

no mater how light you try to make them, wood chuck boxes end up being very heavy. I would consider plastic tote bins that seal well and try to place dividers in them for organization.

 

We always used these bullet cans. Water and ozone proof too. I don't even remember how many years it's been since this one has been opened. :smile:

 

Our BSA troop got rid of all wooden chuck boxes.... we now use the heavy duty yellow top plastic boxes you can stack
Lowe’s and Costco

Since each patrol has their own plus my fellow scout masters have theirs.... we feel we have everything covered from stove to kitchen tools to spices
Keep pepper and salt in a zip lock
Take extra bags and assorted zip ties
You can find a few list on the web

You can go two medium/small boxes or a good size big box

Last the rubber boxes have lids that snap on but we bungee them too

 

Go light is the word. Well made plastic totes.
Also paper plates and bowls that can be burned not washed. Also good aluminum teflon coated cooking gear that can be wiper clear with paper towels.

I have several totes I subdivided with thin wall panelling and silicon glue to store HO railroad models. I would think that could be used to divide up a chuck box.

 

Roasting a squirrel over a camp fire looks romantics but cooking over a one burner propane stove is a lot easier.

Experiment with two coolers. One for food and one to keep as big a block of ice as possible. Chip off chunks for food cooler as needed. We would fill 48 qt Igloos with water and place in an chest type freezer with the lids cracked open for a couple of days. Custom made block ice.

Don't forget the mosquito net!!!

 

I am thinking of building a lightweight chuck box to hold all of the cooking stuff.

You had me until you mentioned "lightweight". When I think chuckbox I think Boy Scout chuckbox for a Patrol. Even a plastic one would be heavy with that much gear. Personally I preferred the handmade wooden ones with legs, doors that flip down for a prep surface and compartments for dishes, utensils and non-perishables. If you are travelling alone look at "cook kits". A stove that you can boil water and fry with and titanium pots & pans and utensils. Bring mostly freeze dried meals from Packit Gourmet out of Austin.

I volunteer with TPWD's Texas Outdoor Family program. TOF gives families an outdoor experience through a weekend of camping and learning at a state park. We supply all the camping gear. The cot used is from REI. TPWD purchased literally over 100 of them. I never had a problem with one. Link: https://www.rei.com/product/828505/rei-co-op-camp-folding-cot

Keep it simple. You'll thank me when you get back. If you need any plans or chuckbox inventory lists PM me.
Old BSA leader here. Did a multiyear stint as adult quartermaster.

 

I use a light weight aluminum tool box. Keep my cooking stuff in it.

Most have a carry handle dead center and easy to pick up and move on and off the boat. The lift out tool tray works for utensils, spices and smaller items

the small one burner stove and lightweight cook wear go in the bottom.
The small backing fuel storage canisters are great for your coleman fuel. They have a nifty pour hole so you don't need a funnel.

In bear country I am careful to cook and keep the food and utensils at a distance from the tent. The same strategy may also be prudent for gators.

 

One good thing about the wooden chuck boxes that no one has mentioned is that it can serve as a prep surface and table also if you build in foldable legs like some do. That would keep sand out of the food etc. I like the plastic tote idea, but I am not sold on it yet. I guess experience will tell for sure. I may be over thinking all of this too.

Thanks everyone so far for sharing your experience!

 

I like my rocket stove for cooking out....just a few small branches.

 

Here is a picture of what I am considering for those who have never seen one.

 

Those are nice, but ain't nuthin' "lightweight" about those!

 

I just use a quality storage tote for a chuck box. we normally dont get that fancy when we are tent camping. It doubles as a table. now I use this for all my camping gear:

lockable, easily moved, very sturdy. has a tray that sits inside too.

I have had this cot for about 3 years, very sturdy, also comfortable. I use a self inflating pad on it. works great, highly recommended

https://www.amazon.com/Teton-Sports...1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1531233551&sr=1-6&keywords=teton+xl&th=1&psc=1

 

In the bed aluminum truck tool boxes (Tractor Supply) are mouse proof and bear "resistant" (koala bear). I have two in a utility trailer screwed down to the wood floor facing out on the left side. I made simple plywood table tops that fit on top with the box lids open. The tool box lids when open make a good wind screen for a table top stove. I've camped in the National forests during archery elk season and had no bear or pest problems. If properly packed the boxes hold a lot of gear and travel well. Empty they are easily handled and do fine in wet weather.

 

Hey Flying V. Talked to RLWhaler. We agreed that this is our recommendations.

Pup tent for ages 12 to 16

!7 to 59 too busy working to retire at 65

Bus for ages 65 and up.

Good luck on your camping trip. Wish I was able to join you.

 

Agreed !!! :cheers:

 

Just mount one of these bad boys on the ol' boat and you're good!

http://hiconsumption.com/2017/09/patriot-campers-x1-grand-tourer-trailer/

We went camping and paddling down the Llano last week and this couple comes rolling up to the island we were hanging out at one afternoon with one of these things to camp for the night. I have to say it was pretty impressive, but it was just out of my price range since they start at $40k. :biggrin: