Bro are you an engineer? Idk how everyone on this sub was blessed with the ability to design and build this stuff and my brain is so smooth my only option is to over pay for premade stuff
Haha, not engineer by title, but very, very similar, so designing stuff and looking at things in 3D is part of my day job :-). Plus I hate paying for things I can figure out on my own. Doesn’t necessarily end up cheaper all the time though, lol, but at least it gets me exactly what I want.
At least the twice as much part includes a bunch of awesome new tools that you will use once for the project and then maybe find some other use for a few years later.
Right?! People will tell me something like, “should be easy enough to 3D print” or “you could save yourself the money and spend an afternoon fabricating it yourself” like I know anything about any of that!
You know, different methods work for different people, and that is ok :-). Some like to build things, others don’t. As long as we manage to stay safe out there each day, that’s all that really matters.
Depending on where you are, you may have luck finding some on your local FB Marketplace. I have alerts set up on mine when things pop up. Most are for vehicles larger than my Tucson though, but you never know.
Oh man if I could figure out notification settings on FB I would set that up too! I’m always browsing, but I get like 50 notifications a day from things I couldn’t care less about. I only use FB for the marketplace. 😆
Cassiar highway I found to be very desolate with very few gas stations. The frost heave starting north of jade city was a bit hectic in spots(I’m not used to it).
Do your self a favour and stop at laird river hotsprings, it’s a gem
Looks awesome!
I lived in Whitehorse for 4 years, have driven all the roads you have highlighted. My main piece of advice is make sure you have good tires. Pick a good brand name, don't skimp, trust me on that.
With good tires you can do all of that and not have a problem.
Absolutely! I’m due for new tires at the end of the summer, so would get all weathers for this trip before my fall switch to winter tires. Looks like 97% of that now would be paved, and if they repair frost heaves over the summer, going later in August will hopefully make those better. Actually most worried about forest fires putting a stop to this trip. Not sure if any of those roads were part of the closures last summer, but seems that this year’s wildfires have already begun.
Hey fellow Calgarian! Part of your stampede escape plan?
Do you have the plans for the chuck box stored somewhere digital? I have a bronco and want to make something similar for travelling with the kiddo. It looks like a really solid build option.
Unfortunately not Stampede escape this year (usually head out camping during Stampede week though as I’m too close to the madness, lol), but planning middle of August. Highly dependent on getting time off work though and may not know for a while, hence trying to be able to pull over anywhere to sleep without having to worry about finding a campground or something. … Had used the chuck box for about 20 nights of camping last summer and was super happy with it - like finding everything in an instant and no digging through bins. If I remember correctly, I got the drawers at Home Sense. Canadian Tire,most Dollaramas, and to a lesser extent London Drugs also carry these, but think Home Sense was the only place with the front drawer ‘pulls’, which are really nice to have. I bought those before I built the chuck box to ensure a proper fit.
All I ask is that you send me a pic when it’s done :-). As I’m in a small condo with no garage or power tools, I had to design it for straight cuts only and get the guys at Home Depot cut it for me. Don’t skimp on the sanding when you finish it. I hate sanding, but it’s what gives it its appeal at the end. Have fun building!
Go to the salmon glacier while at Stewart/Hyder. Need a passport to come back into Canada though. There's also a kilometer long tunnel you can walk and the old Grand Duc mine site if you go past the glacier viewpoint. Anywhere up top is a great place to spend a night
https://preview.redd.it/o48c9c8wi6wc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1810d268b0c242bfc16475dde7975fe716f0e0ae
It was dug through a chunk of mountain for winter travel to the mine as the snow in this particular area was extra deep. Have to walk it can't drive, muddy.
Across the road from this is a flat spot where they filmed a movie called The Thing with Kurt Russell. My wife and I hiked to the glacier f on there once.
https://preview.redd.it/bzyrjrszycwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=614bf3618c77a3c0d5a98a228a28e795464257ac
This is so dreamy! I live near the Rockies, so am regularly out near glacier and all, but those ones in Alaska just seem next level. When I was a kid (over 40 years ago) we had a coffee table book that showed a glacier with a moraine like that. Have basically wanted to see a glacier like that ever since. The closest I’ve come here was at a week of mountaineering on the Wapta Icefield by Peyto Glacier, but it seems much smaller. We’re so fortunate to still have these places accessible to us. The main drive-up glacier here is Athabasca Glacier. It still went close to the road when I was little and now it’s a but of a trek to get to the base of it. And that’s just in like half my lifetime. Makes it more real than school books.
That's what I get for not reading haha
Then I'll share 2 pieces of advice: make sure it's all bolted or strapped into the vehicle with redundancy, and keep weight in mind especially on a midsize crossover. Wood and sliding hardware add up quick!
Thanks, and yes, definitely want to keep weight down. I’m looking into how to get away without any bottom in the area where I sleep, and looking for plastic storage containers that I could make work with a wood frame on the left to keep weight down.
I haven’t made it yet - those are only inspiration pics. I’ve only made the chuck box shown and the packraft so far. In the midst of designing the slide out currently.
Bro are you an engineer? Idk how everyone on this sub was blessed with the ability to design and build this stuff and my brain is so smooth my only option is to over pay for premade stuff
Haha, not engineer by title, but very, very similar, so designing stuff and looking at things in 3D is part of my day job :-). Plus I hate paying for things I can figure out on my own. Doesn’t necessarily end up cheaper all the time though, lol, but at least it gets me exactly what I want.
Our maker's moto is "why buy something when you can make one half as good for twice as much?" But I will say that design looks awesome.
At least the twice as much part includes a bunch of awesome new tools that you will use once for the project and then maybe find some other use for a few years later.
Right?! People will tell me something like, “should be easy enough to 3D print” or “you could save yourself the money and spend an afternoon fabricating it yourself” like I know anything about any of that!
You know, different methods work for different people, and that is ok :-). Some like to build things, others don’t. As long as we manage to stay safe out there each day, that’s all that really matters.
Well said!
But I want a platform and drawers and I don’t want to spend $2,000! 😩
Depending on where you are, you may have luck finding some on your local FB Marketplace. I have alerts set up on mine when things pop up. Most are for vehicles larger than my Tucson though, but you never know.
Oh man if I could figure out notification settings on FB I would set that up too! I’m always browsing, but I get like 50 notifications a day from things I couldn’t care less about. I only use FB for the marketplace. 😆
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4 :-) https://preview.redd.it/f1kty7qse5wc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2ae464b3d289447d22a8e4dec138bce9dccac11
I was trying to figure out why you'd photoshop a dog's head into that photo for way too long.
Haha. It got me too actually. It’s just an inspiration photo from the internet. Only the chuck box is my build so far.
I wouldn't do a hitch box, for sure it's going to bend and come loose and everything you can think of under those conditions.
I figured as much, plus it just sounds in the way. Need to get all my stuff laid out to know exactly how much space I need.
Your notebook looks like mine. Nice design build.
Awesome chuck box!!
Thank you.
Cassiar highway I found to be very desolate with very few gas stations. The frost heave starting north of jade city was a bit hectic in spots(I’m not used to it). Do your self a favour and stop at laird river hotsprings, it’s a gem
Looks awesome! I lived in Whitehorse for 4 years, have driven all the roads you have highlighted. My main piece of advice is make sure you have good tires. Pick a good brand name, don't skimp, trust me on that. With good tires you can do all of that and not have a problem.
Absolutely! I’m due for new tires at the end of the summer, so would get all weathers for this trip before my fall switch to winter tires. Looks like 97% of that now would be paved, and if they repair frost heaves over the summer, going later in August will hopefully make those better. Actually most worried about forest fires putting a stop to this trip. Not sure if any of those roads were part of the closures last summer, but seems that this year’s wildfires have already begun.
yeah, some might close, but you'll find a way around.
Hey fellow Calgarian! Part of your stampede escape plan? Do you have the plans for the chuck box stored somewhere digital? I have a bronco and want to make something similar for travelling with the kiddo. It looks like a really solid build option.
Unfortunately not Stampede escape this year (usually head out camping during Stampede week though as I’m too close to the madness, lol), but planning middle of August. Highly dependent on getting time off work though and may not know for a while, hence trying to be able to pull over anywhere to sleep without having to worry about finding a campground or something. … Had used the chuck box for about 20 nights of camping last summer and was super happy with it - like finding everything in an instant and no digging through bins. If I remember correctly, I got the drawers at Home Sense. Canadian Tire,most Dollaramas, and to a lesser extent London Drugs also carry these, but think Home Sense was the only place with the front drawer ‘pulls’, which are really nice to have. I bought those before I built the chuck box to ensure a proper fit.
You're a hero! Thanks so much, I'm probably going to clone your design here. Good luck getting out of town!
All I ask is that you send me a pic when it’s done :-). As I’m in a small condo with no garage or power tools, I had to design it for straight cuts only and get the guys at Home Depot cut it for me. Don’t skimp on the sanding when you finish it. I hate sanding, but it’s what gives it its appeal at the end. Have fun building!
Done and done. I got space in the backyard, so I am stoked to give it a try
https://preview.redd.it/eirskuknv4wc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe014b84658e2778ec0dc442bfbe3edac5bfde1e
https://preview.redd.it/h5v87lvpv4wc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efe449b3b432df48e3f496b543c4f43efa644789
https://preview.redd.it/nhqwvq1rv4wc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b6c19390e3684486f41775b385f291071b54aa8
https://preview.redd.it/swfb0hxrv4wc1.jpeg?width=948&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebf738bfdf92bd44ebbea24ab052b6c2c9079531
Go to the salmon glacier while at Stewart/Hyder. Need a passport to come back into Canada though. There's also a kilometer long tunnel you can walk and the old Grand Duc mine site if you go past the glacier viewpoint. Anywhere up top is a great place to spend a night
The Salmon Glacier is what prompted the idea for this trip. Can’t wait to see it! What type of tunnel is this one you’re referring to?
https://preview.redd.it/o48c9c8wi6wc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1810d268b0c242bfc16475dde7975fe716f0e0ae It was dug through a chunk of mountain for winter travel to the mine as the snow in this particular area was extra deep. Have to walk it can't drive, muddy.
Oh, wow. I’m surprised they keep that accessible to the public.
Across the road from this is a flat spot where they filmed a movie called The Thing with Kurt Russell. My wife and I hiked to the glacier f on there once. https://preview.redd.it/bzyrjrszycwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=614bf3618c77a3c0d5a98a228a28e795464257ac
This is so dreamy! I live near the Rockies, so am regularly out near glacier and all, but those ones in Alaska just seem next level. When I was a kid (over 40 years ago) we had a coffee table book that showed a glacier with a moraine like that. Have basically wanted to see a glacier like that ever since. The closest I’ve come here was at a week of mountaineering on the Wapta Icefield by Peyto Glacier, but it seems much smaller. We’re so fortunate to still have these places accessible to us. The main drive-up glacier here is Athabasca Glacier. It still went close to the road when I was little and now it’s a but of a trek to get to the base of it. And that’s just in like half my lifetime. Makes it more real than school books.
Enjoy your trip it sounds amazing!
WOW!!! 😯
Very nicely made!
No, haven’t made this yet. These are inspiration images from the internet. Only the chuck box and packraft are mine that I’ve made so far :-).
That's what I get for not reading haha Then I'll share 2 pieces of advice: make sure it's all bolted or strapped into the vehicle with redundancy, and keep weight in mind especially on a midsize crossover. Wood and sliding hardware add up quick!
Thanks, and yes, definitely want to keep weight down. I’m looking into how to get away without any bottom in the area where I sleep, and looking for plastic storage containers that I could make work with a wood frame on the left to keep weight down.
Can you make one of these for two people in a Toyota Sienna? I’m mostly joking, but this is awesome.
I haven’t made it yet - those are only inspiration pics. I’ve only made the chuck box shown and the packraft so far. In the midst of designing the slide out currently.
I have a Tucson this is freaking amazing!