How To Load And Rope Down The Perfect Top Pack

I built the perfect top pack because there wasn't one that worked for me. My top pack goes from outside to outside of the pack boxes on my stock. It's perfect for a tent, a couple sleeping bags and a clothes bag but will work for many other things. I throw a rain cover on and things stay dry. The key is balance and not loading them too heavy. I rope it on with a box hitch and it will ride for as far as you want to go without any issues.

[@skippylippy547]

I love this system. Makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing this. I'm learning a lot from this series.

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Glad you enjoy it! Lots of time on the trail gets you to these points.

[@christopherdavis2793]

Very well produced video, sir! 👍

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Glad you liked it!

[@MarkJLarsonOutdoors]

I always love watching your videos! Whenever I go out west elk hunting I try to help the outfitters as much as possible and they teach me things along the way! They will be blown away next time I'm out there lol! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge my friend!

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Glad they’re helping you

[@bhager1945]

Nice video thanks.

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Thank you too for watching and your comments

[@fireguy7004]

Awesome thanks. Our problems soft panniers. We should have built boxes from the git go!!!

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Soft panniers do have a place, i have used them, but they don’t have a permanent spot in my line up.

[@fireguy7004]

@@idahomountainbuilt Part or most of our issue was limited stock. I could only keep two. Daughter was on equestrian team so we had to get horses. Borrowed the third horse. We also wanted to be able to ride when possible. So soft panniers were it. Heres maybe a question someone else might have. I can weld aluminum and could make pretty good boxes. Is there a reason not to use aluminum???

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Aluminum would work, I know a couple guys who have used them. I don't use them just because they aren’t that forgiving and they are noisy. Just me and my weird ways. 😉

[@waltweaver7297]

Wouldn't a canvas mantie work and have more uses arount camp. Good job on your videos!

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Great point but I’ve did the mantie thing. They work but i got tired of laying everything out, wrapping it, then tying it. This top pack is a mantie with a zipper. Very fast and organized. I use the around camp too for storage and covers.

[@chalkrockranch]

That's the first time I've ever seen a box hitch tied that way. Curious why you do it that way rather than the more traditional way, where you're not pulling tails through and the hitch is picking the boxes off the animals side?

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Old habits die hard i guess. I’ve thrown the Arizona box hitch a few times. An outfitter showed me this hitch 30 years ago and it just stuck. That’s the beauty of packing, so many ways. But I’m gonna throw some at your suggestion just because and i need to diversify. Thanks for commenting and watching

[@chalkrockranch]

I’m still fairly new to packing, so mostly asking to see the rationale, then I have another tool and use case in my toolbox. Thx for sharing your content. I’ve learned some things from your videos. Like the ice hobbles. I have two sets a friend made for me, and I got to test them in the snow this past weekend. I’m a fan.

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Thanks for the comments and watching. Glad they’re helping, thats why i do it.

[@amorales9613]

That hard storage bin looks painful for the poor mules.

[@chslts]

How?