The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (commonly called the RTR) was started in January, 2010 by traveler, author and long-time van-dweller Bob Wells who runs the Cheap RV Living.com website. Please check his site out as it is a great resource for a vast variety of issues that car, van and RV-dwelling travelers will find of interest. Some of …
Category: Gear
When we bought the Tacoma it came with a sadly thin folder of records and receipts. We immediately changed all the fluids and started an intensive bout of research by joining some of the leading Tacoma, 4×4 and off-road forums like TacomaWorld, ExpeditionPortal and Yotatech. After untold hours of interesting reading we narrowed down a couple of areas this truck might …
Don’t get me wrong – I love my Gore-Tex outerwear. It is light, packable, extremely water-resistant and stylish as well and so that’s what I use those items for. Then there are times when work must get done. Times that the activity I’m undertaking or the task I’m performing demand something more suited to those …
Another great footwear option for a wet, dirty environment are Birkenstock’s Super Birki Clogs. When you just have to step outside for a quick chore these are easy to step into and slip out of. No need to touch them with your hands and no need for a boot jack. No straps to move or …
As the name implies these are a great option for when you need to stomp around in muck and simply hose them off when done. The first time I lived in a farm environment it was on a sheep ranch in Humboldt county. That equals wet, mud and sheep shit. The owners of the ranch …
Dressing in appropriate layers for different conditions is a simple idea that has been used successfully for thousands of years. Knowing the attributes and shortcomings of traditional natural fibers and the materials made from them is an interesting and useful area of knowledge. Combine that with the huge variety of newer high-tech materials that outdoor enthusiasts …
Maybe it’s because we pay attention for such opportunities but we come across wandering dogs-in-need on a regular basis. Actually not just dogs; animals of all shapes and sizes. Sadly, not all our efforts are successful. Sometimes an animal is just in no mood to be approached and we don’t want to push the issue. If …
When we are in camping mode for more than a day I wanted to give Willow a way to get in and out of the shell area of the Tacoma at will. With her somewhat reduced mobility we looked for a solution to give her the freedom and flexibility to live her life on her terms and this ramp seemed …
Our adventure habitually takes us outside the boundaries of regularly traveled roads as well as along everyday commuter routes. On our journey it helps to know where we are, where we’re heading and to document those travels. Stumbling upon interesting history and culture along the route and even finding hidden geocache treasures can be an extra-added bonus. Several …
I’m a firm believer that everyone on an adventure should, figuratively, carry their own weight. When out on a hike this means Willow has to carry her own backpack. Her standard load is her water in two one liter Platypus soft bottles (one on each side for proper weight distribution), her booties in case they’re needed, …