Honest Truth To Our Disappearance | Dispersed Winter Camping | Overlanding Oregon

Warning Lots of Talking! Where have we been? I do a solo trip during the annual cold weather freakout here in Oregon, and I fill you in on why we've been MIA lately.
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[@warriorgoddesscrystalgeome6337]

Oh goodness, thanks for keeping it real. Most KZbinrs tell you the beautiful side of camping which is great but then there’s the other side of it. Really appreciate the honesty on this.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Totally, like most of social media. I manage a bank, so I talk about finances all day long so when it came to ours I told Courtney, let’s just not even sugar coat it, the world is expensive, this hobby is expensive, and we needed to turn the volume down on it. I’m glad everyone is appreciating it. I assume we all are feeling it in some way or another

[@jchambers8413]

I liked this video. Good for you about rethinking priorities. Very relatable content for more people than would care to admit it. Just found this channel. Look forward maybe to more realistic content like this.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Noted! I have a lot of content on oil changes and air filter changes for Cummins… and just in general. I was thinking… ehh might be a little too on the nose, but most my team still pays out the ear to have someone else do it… so along these same things… such a simple thing can save a ton of $$ and is just practice to be in…. Wouldn’t take much to drop that 😂 But I do appreciate the feedback! It’s very welcome

[@rwooley4494]

The other youtubers have deep pockets from their patron and sponsors providing equipment. Like you most of us spend hard earned money to enjoy the outdoors. respect to you and your family.

[@abdullahmahmood3040]

Love the raw honesty brotha. You’ll learn with the gear eventually what not only works for you but some things just aren’t needed either. Starting small and basic is always best and working your way up. I had a soft shell RTT and absolutely hated it (live in Vancouver BC) would always need to be aired out. I find the hard shell tents heaps better personally speaking. If you’re ever out my way, I’d love to show you around. Keep camping, don’t let these bummer trips get you down! New subscriber here ✌🏼

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Yeah after about 5-6 years of “overlanding” still constantly making adjustments. This this our 3rd rtt. The only reason I have not gone to a hard shell is the family, 95% of the time we sleep 4 in there. And I just have not found a hard shell that can accommodate that size, but as my teenage daughter gets older and older… she’s becoming less interested so, I imagine soon we will be down 1. Yeah back in 2020 we were going to go north through bc to AK. But Covid had other plans. But this trip is still on the docket. It would be cool to meet up 🤙🏼

[@VegaVenturing]

Nobody really talks about how expensive overlanding can be, which is funny because we originally got into dispersed camping because it was "free". And while the camping location might be free as opposed to a $30/night campground fee, fuel costs, food, and the various kinds of gear you need to be comfortable for this kind of camping certainly isn't cheap. Especially if you're trying to get out several times per month. My daughters stopped wanting to go camping around the same age as Hailey, which made me sad. Which is why I was very excited when Jen was happily open to trying dispersed camping with me. And yes, winter camping is ROUGH. Everything is just harder - cooking, sleeping, driving to remote locations, dealing with snow and cold rain, and just plain surviving. Great video. We really enjoyed this one. Thanks for sharing!

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

100%!! On the surface, it’s got this veil of “this is a cheap alternative” feel to it haha. And let’s be honest, for an average household it is! But when you start buying all this gear and replacing it aaaaand replacing it, and you start going 2, then 3, then 4 times a month. Once I started adding it up. I was like HOLD ON! Yeah, every year I enjoy winter less and less in life. 😂 now I have all these repairs and mods to the tent, but everything requires dry and decent temps to silicone or seal up seams… but the crap weather is going on for the next 3 or so months… ugh 😂

[@treyshumardcampoutwestus3702]

@@ChambersFamilyOverland 303 waterproofing spray has worked great for us. Hopefully we can catch up with you guys this year.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

@@treyshumardcampoutwestus3702 nice! I’ll check it out. I have some aggressive seam sealer on its way, actually 2 different flavors. It’s hard because it’s leaking folded up… so it’s like… where the heck is it coming from?? Haha was going to drill out the rivets on the “roof” and silicone all that up too… water leaks are…. A lot of fun 😂 We are looking forward to getting back down your way, without any drama 😂

[@campoutwestus]

I agree, winter camping isn't great. Very little daylight, freezing gear, being cold. I really like the lights you had on the awning. They put out some nice light at night! I appreciate the candid thoughts. Beautiful job on the filming as always. 👍

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Totally! I like the lights too, I need to just have a routine on where I hang them haha every time it’s a bit different and I feel like it’s another chore “gotta hang the lights” 😂😂

[@DrewBarnard]

I hear that, 2022 was really rough on a lot of people. Glad to see you out again 🤘🏻

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Yeah man, been a long time since we had to sit and have a convo on what “needs to change” hopefully more things in the world start to help in this as well. I know fuel is finally going in the right direction at least

[@fscottgray9784]

I like the honest approach you use. It is crazy how expensive a build can get. The most painful part is having to replace something you spent good money on that does not really fit your needs.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Oh, it’s brutal. Or like that rack… I had this one picked out but it just was ALOT. So I went it a Yakima, and it worked for a bit, but we found it was too low. So we went with the taller adjustable Yakima…. And that over time was hard on the bed of the truck… so now…. Back to the rack I should have got once. So I have spent what x3 the money??? Man, I’m well in my 40’s and I’m still learning lessons the hard way 😂

[@sagebrushbob2321]

I understand exactly what you are going through. It's been 10 months since I did a video. I made a conscious decision to stick close to home most of last year and save some money. The camping I did was all basic stuff that everybody has seen too much of anyway. The reason for that is that I decided it was time to make some big upgrades to how I camp and the gear that I use. I ain't getting any younger and my current setups are becoming a (real) pain. And, of course, adding big ticket items to the truck and gear are expensive.. As you know all too well. I'm looking at well into the five figure range total for all the stuff, but I think it will get me something that will be comfortable for the next ten years. I hope. Stay warm. Stay dry. Stay fed. Cheers Marshall!

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Nail on the head. And you bring up another point, “basic stuff everybody has seen anyway” I am starting to have a tough time with… ok here we are, let’s setup, let’s cook, off to bed, breakfast and see you on the next one! Before the memory card sent out this was on my mind too… It better keep you comfortable for the next ten 😂. Sounds like you and I and a small group of us are ones who actually plan on keeping our stuff for longer then 3 years 🧐

[@dad_wagon1976]

We spent a good chunk of money on our trailer and it has completely changed it for us. Year round is perfectly comfortable, all the amenities to get my wife to go out, completely off grid capable or RV site ready, real bed, etc. That said, it’s 26 feet long, 10.5 feet high and 8 feet wide, so no stuffing it down a tight trail. It has been a trade off for sure. Even with all that, sometimes my kids don’t want to go, or other things come up, so I feel you. Really enjoyed this one, the honesty and truth was good to hear. It’s not always perfect, and that’s ok. I hope you all are well and hope to see you again sometime! 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Obviously being a family like you, it’s a totally different ball park. MOST everyone who do this are 1 or a couple. So obviously we seriously looked at trailers too. Even pre overland hype, and even then you could EASILY spend $25+k on a simple setup and MIGHT not have a bathroom! I’m sorry I don’t care how long the terms are or what your payment might be… if I’m going to drop even nearly into 5 digits, I’m not pooping in the snow 😂😂😂 but then you get, storage costs. At least for us, I don’t have property to store it. And like you said, will it go to the places we love to go? Some maybe. Everything brings its own challenges for sure!!

[@clifford_overland]

That is exactly how you start a fire, good job!

[@campoutwestus]

Totally!

[@subjectadventure]

Agreed.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

I knew you’d like that 🤙🏼

[@johnwebb2232]

Of all the crap you are dealing with, good for you in sticking it out. Sometimes it's good to do a solo trip. I take out my 2016 4runner trail that's decked out for overlandding and i just go. And yes you are right about the expense. Be safe out there.

[@jenniferblair16]

Really enjoyed this one Marshall, super relatable.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Being I always enjoy being real, but hate being vulnerable haha makes for interesting content at times

[@vibolbou5903]

Good to see your mug back on the tube. Thanks for keeping it real. A lot of us face the same challenges of "overlanding". It's just the cost of everything. But that's life. Fall is my favorite time to get out, less crowds than summer and not as frigid as winter. See you out there!

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Yeah I’m with you, I think fall is my time as well. Hailey really likes the changing colors and all that. We need to make it a priority to get together it’s been years now haha

[@courtneychambers9214]

“Your mug” 😂😂

[@BBombsBigAdventure]

Good to see another Chambers Family Overland Channel! Think of me as Chambers Family Overlanding - The Cheap Southeast Edition! --ben "B-Bomb" chambers

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Haha love it! We will hope over and check out the channel 🤙🏼

[@phat56pat]

that long shot driving in love it

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

I love the long cinematic shots too, I think they always will be in videos to some capacity

[@OverlandAdventureTimes]

Feel ya on multiple fronts there!

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

As we get more experience in filming these, I want to tell a story if possible, funner for you to watch, and funner for me to edit haha, but literally as I was sitting by the fire… it was a split second decision to just point the camera at me (I had planned on this video to be mostly voiceover) and just talk about it. I had to have Courtney watch it to make sure I didn’t say anything I shouldn’t have 😂

[@OverlandAdventureTimes]

@@ChambersFamilyOverland I'm glad you did. The KZbin builds and what it takes to get views is getting pretty ridiculous. More extreme, more snow, cold temps and recoveries. $300K Gladiator builds. Over-hyping basic situations. I'm glad there are a few of us "normal people" channels around. Cuz, yeah being freezing cold and stuck actually sucks 😂

[@Live2dayWanderland]

Hard Truth.....and can totally relate and we have unfortunately gone well past you guys, made some poor decisions chasing this life. KZbin sucks you in, these larger channels suck you in.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Yeah luckily for us this was and probably always will be just a hobby. We never had the intention of being “big” but we did get pulled into “we have to go out” type mentality. So when I started looking at our accounts I was like well… our biggest hobby needs to shelf for a bit so we can turn things around.

[@Live2dayWanderland]

I fully felt the pressure and still do but its not like I want to be making huge money from it but I did want it to at least break even, fund itself, pay for the trips at least. We still want that but we have started to reassess everything and make smarter choices and plans. Glad to see you guys still get out there. Jack wants to come back out west before he heads off to college so we are hopefully going to make it that way this summer. @@ChambersFamilyOverland

[@Live2dayWanderland]

We just watched this a 2nd time, Melissa had not seen it, she said man its so sad, but that is what makes it great, real talk, the negatives, which no one talks about.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

@@Live2dayWanderland yeah, that would be nice wouldn’t it? Haha. Looking at social blade and such, the subs needed would have to be A LOT more then what we are pulling. Realistically using the channel as a portfolio to get your foot into a door of videography or something would be I think a lot more feasible. Now you’re getting paid to do what you enjoy. At least what I enjoy haha. Editing and all that is a lot … ON TOP of a full time job. But if it was your full time job, that would be quite different 🤙🏼

[@Live2dayWanderland]

yep agree with all that, it is great practice to fine tune skills etc, I have been working on trying to go just that route, did film a wedding a few months ago@@ChambersFamilyOverland

[@subjectadventure]

Great video bro! I love the intro with the logo reveal! We also haven't been out since October or so. Glad to see you're back at it. We're going to be back at it soon also. Take care man...

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Gosh! I’m glad someone noticed. Took like a hour to do that 😂😂 Hope you guys are loving the new place! Looking forward to getting out this year and having some good laughs

[@sagebrushbob2321]

Marshall, I think you've hit on something here. Looking at the comments so far it seems that nearly every one of us are having the same thoughts and issues as you. We just aren't talking about it. That should change. We need to bring this up and discuss it 'on the air' so to speak. Between the current economy and the ever increasing 'overland tax' on our gear we are all getting stretched to personal limits.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Seriously this channel could go in a totally different direction 😂. But seriously, I think there are other topics that get blown over like maintenance and such we could go over too.

[@sagebrushbob2321]

"Shop Talk" playlist in 5...4...3...2... 🤣 For when it's too cold or expensive to go "out there". (Wait a minute...that's MY tag line! 😲)@@ChambersFamilyOverland

[@redhillsoverland]

We are in the same boat when it came to expenses! With the rate of inflation it definitely took a bigger hit in the budget!

[@bajasoobnut]

As a single income I hear you there! That's why you see me just doing it maybe once a month if not once every few months for a weekend for budget wise.

[@bajasoobnut]

And don't forget the newest addition that will be added to the truck! lol

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Yeah you were one of the first ones that come to mind who was open about having to make choices in life to make it work! As soon as we get a break in the weather you will see it on there 🤙🏼

[@yepme6484]

Hi, from Springfield, Oregon

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Hello 👋

[@phat56pat]

I think Stuff at home and teaching stuff about the truck and overlanding set up in the down time would be rad! Also story time maybe me and you just set up a camera and bs and chop out the bad shit lol

[@RL-bb8wq]

I love winter camping, just did Great Basin 2 days ago

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

What was the temp out there? I bet it’s beautiful that’s for sure

[@RL-bb8wq]

23degrees f. I have a -20 degree sleeping bag though so it keeps me warm. It was beautiful, just the right amount of snow@@ChambersFamilyOverland

[@GUNSLINGEROUTDOORS]

Dig it.. subbed

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Appreciate it! I hope we don’t disappoint haha. This video has seemed to be a turning point, it’s got some good feedback in the comments

[@clifford_overland]

Thanks for cutting out the 🍄🍄🍄😂

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Ahhh but you would have loved them 😂

[@MikeBabsBC]

If I had a dime foime my memory cards ran out lol 😂 hey, what brand/model are those exterior lanterns? They kick out a lot of light!

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

😂😂 those are the Goal Zero “light a life” like all things overlanding, they were kinda spendy but very well built and I don’t know why we’d need to replace them for some time.

[@MikeBabsBC]

@@ChambersFamilyOverland yeah, gotta love that "overland" tax lol I like that they throw a spot on the ground as well... But probably not enough to but them lol thanks anyway!

[@jdbdidoek]

you exceeded the payload of the 2500, you would need a 3500 to handle the weight youre putting back there on the bed; its said that you'll run out of payload before towing capacity

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Yes I’m just over the limit. The new rack and setup is lighter. It’s the unfortunate side effect of a diesel in a 3/4 ton setup. I know for a fact the frame and axels are the same as a 1 ton, but I have a coil rear end vs leaf spring of the 3500. In fact on paper I’m probably LESS then factory rating because my suspension is considerably softer for off-roading. I’m working on another change that will lighten me up even more, but will probably be right around 9800 still 😂

[@Retired-nohurry]

Life is expensive.

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

It’s brutal. I miss being 16 and $15 in gas held me for the week 😂😂😂

[@bowtiecity]

Is your tent taking in water due to sealant failure?

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

I’m not sure exactly where it’s coming from. Hard to tell when it’s all folded up. Because as soon as I open it it’s all wet, or in this case icy haha. I’m going to caulk up the rivets on top, and there is a seam going around the edge. And on the skirt there is stitching with seam sealer tape on the inside…. I’m pretty certain it’s there… I just got in a real HEAVY liquid seam sealer that’s takes 24 hours to cure. I hope with those 3 things it will stop it

[@bowtiecity]

I had the same tent. I read that some people had problems with water coming in. Have you looked into a Free spirit tent?

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

@@bowtiecity I have, and the no floor thing weirds me out. I still don’t know if they are doing that haha. When we switch it will prob be a ikamper. I think I’m going to open it up today and look at the seam tape on the skirt. It’s so tight I’m certain I remember it being just a flaky mess

[@wildernessrecon]

Everyone I know who was doing really well about 4 years ago is down right now including myself. Fun funds are non existent for a lot of people with what’s happening in the US. Saving up for the warmer season trips!

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

Yep 100%