Truck Camping in Daniel Boone National Forest, 2023

Dispersed Truck Camping: My dog Hank and I spend a night at Cave Run Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest... including dinner and breakfast. We tried out several new features of the truck-camping setup, including a refrigerator, freezer, stove to cook inside the truck and a movie projector. All went well!

[@MountainAjar]

Cool I like it

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thank you!

[@tracker5849]

What a beautiful place to camp. First visit to your channel.

[@thebirdbum9182]

It was a great spot once I picked it up a bit. Thanks for watching!

[@trooper2121]

Just found your channel and enjoyed the video

[@thebirdbum9182]

Awesome, thank you!

[@TheCallie1981]

Luv ur buddy hank ❤

[@jiggz28]

Really like the setup you have in the back of you me truck. This is the first time I’ve stumbled across your video. I never thought about the idea of using one as a refrigerator and one unit as a freezer. I really like the versatility of a system like that. I can see how in some cases you wouldn’t need a freezer and would be able to leave that unit behind, opening up space for something else and drawing less power than on your jackery! Appreciate your style of video! Well done

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for your comment! I agree about there being times when the freezer isn't needed. Another possibility is that I don't need the freezer but could use more fridge space. In that situation I could turn the freezer into a fridge simply by dialing back the thermostat on that smaller unit. That is, both units can be used as refrigerators if needed. Thanks for watching, and thanks again for your comment!

[@jiggz28]

@@thebirdbum9182 even more versatile!!

[@SQWIB]

Fantastic setup, thanks for sharing

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thank you! And thanks for your comment!

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

Living life like a king .. don't forget to look us up you come to michigan for grouse woodcock and turkey

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for your comment and invitation! Michigan is a great state for Grouse, Woodcock, Turkey & Honeybees!

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

@@thebirdbum9182 11.4 million acers of public and we're spending 100s of millions on habitat.. most public east of the Mississippi River. Waterfowl really good to we hunt fields marshes and offshore in layout boats

[@D_A_D_]

That's a pretty well thought out system. Just a thought: If you had a little air fryer and toaster oven combo you could fry your bacon and make some toast in that while the eggs are cooking. But, it's one more thing to carry. It would probably also work better with a propane stove to avoid over-drawing the battery. Do you freeze your game after you harvest or just refrigerate until you get home?

[@thebirdbum9182]

Actually, an air fryer is a good idea. I also thought about a toaster but haven't tried it yet. Like you said, you kind of have to make decisions about what to take based on space. In terms of freezing game, that was my thought when I included the freezer... and I do freeze game if I'm going to be taking it home. However, a lot of times I end up eating most of the game while I'm out.. and if I think I'm going to eat it on at camp I put it in the fridge. Thanks for your comment!!

[@gilturner7464]

The first 5 star truck bed camper. pretty slick set up. A fish pole and a 22 stay in the truck. never can tell when you mite want one or the other. Miss sandy is doing well, mid july we can start field work again looking forward to that. she is an independent little rascal that is for sure enjoy her more and more each day. Thank you for that. I enjoy your videos, like to see how others do things, Michigan is just a hop skip and a jump, any time your in the mood.. have a good one

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks Gil, and I'm glad all's going well with Sandy!

[@WillemLuntungan]

Nice truck

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thank you!

[@fireball1518]

That's a great setup, and the towel screen worked great!! Happy trails,friend!! 🙏

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks 👍

[@poboyadventures1]

Good looking set up. One of these days, I am going to have a Jackery solar system for our adventures. Enjoyed the video. Maybe we will run in to each other down the road sometime. -Tony

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for watching! The Jackery really does come in handy. I have also even used it at home when the power has gone out to run the refrigerator. Thanks again!

[@roverjohn]

That pot of coffee must have killed the Jackery.

[@thebirdbum9182]

It did put a dent in it, but it didn't kill it. To be honest, the projector the night before used the most power... more than I expected. Thanks for your comment!

[@roverjohn]

So you're telling use that after powering both fridges for say 8 hours, running most of the night as you say in the video, and then it powered your coffee maker and the your electric burner long enough to cook your bacon and eggs and still had 11 percent battery left???

[@thebirdbum9182]

That's exactly what I'm telling you. The coffee maker only uses a lot of power while it's brewing the coffee. It's a small coffee maker (4 cups), so it didn't brew coffee for long. The fridge and freezer didn't run the entire time but only intermittently during the night as needed to keep them at their set temperatures.. but they ran for longer than 8 hours. It was not my plan to use only the Jackery. When I went to bed I honestly didn't know if I would be able to make breakfast in the morning, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to do everything I had planned with just the Jackery.

[@randyboyett1366]

Your cook stove is pretty close to the curtains.

[@thebirdbum9182]

I agree... I need to put up some sort of heat shield between the curtains and the stove. Maybe something that folds up. Thanks for your comment!

[@kerryndenise]

I use a fold up aluminum wind screen. No curtains & cook on tail gate end when inside for safety

[@timothymitchell4261]

I love the setup! I would only add a screen for the tailgate to keep out the mosquitos. You could get one of those magnetic door screens from "As Seen on TV" Also, I would add something fireproof behind the burner. It scares me to see the curtain touching the pan. You have given me some great ideas. I look forward to doing what you are doing in a couple of years when I retire. Have a great summer.

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for watching and for your comment! That's a great idea about the screen over the back... that would help a lot with air flow when it's warmer. Also, I agree about the curtain. I need to come up with something I can set up there when I'm cooking there. Thanks again!

[@user-op1et9qd3v]

You are providing lots of valuable information and great entertainment at the same time. I love your channel !

[@warren6899]

From South Africa I had the same problem when building out my Landrover Discovery but in front of the wheel well, and solved it in the same way by elevating it, my acess is the rear passenger door, and just cleared the roof when the lid is open.....just... like 10mm

[@thebirdbum9182]

That works! Sounds like you may have elevated yours a little higher than I did. Thanks for watching!

[@Notascammer1776]

Surprised the jackery worked for everything. Id say switch to a coffee press off the propane, and a propane stovetop as well. Otherwise don't give ben and jerry your $ and you'll be good to go!😆 Thanks for not calling camping overlanding or boondocking.. drives me nuts..subscribed.

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm definitely still figuring things out. I typically camp during the winter months and have been coming up with ways to do just about everything I need to do in the back of the truck without getting out.. especially in the mornings. I use electric heat in the winter, so I figured that since I will have electricity, I'll use that for most of what I'm doing. Thanks for subscribing! I appreciate that : )

[@srbell]

I'm about an hour away from that site (Huntington, WV). Haven't camped there but have gone boating on Cave Run lake. I'm looking for dispersed camping areas relatively close to home, and Paragon is one of the few places I've found around here. I'll probably drive down sometime and check it out. The Wayne National Forest near Ironton, OH also has some nice dispersed camping sites near the old quarry lakes at the Hanging Rock trailhead.

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for your comment! Huntington isn't that far away. This dispersed camping area is very busy on weekends during the summer months... so much so that it could be difficult to find a spot. However, during the week it's pretty open. I'm not that far from Ironton, so I may give that spot a try as well. Thanks again!

[@oldsouthernpine]

Recently discovered your channel and absolutely love it! Excellent truck set up, sir!

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for watching! I've been watching videos from your channel, too. Great stuff!! Thanks again!

[@oldsouthernpine]

@@thebirdbum9182 thank you so much, sir! That means a lot!

[@mzritamarie4357]

Love your dog, Hank. I know he's a bird dog, but what's the breed and is he fully grown? He seems well behaved and on the smaller side. I am not able to camp anymore, but love watching. Also, I get ideas for a grid down situation. I saw one lady used the freezer setting, kept freezer blocks frozen for her cooler. It would be a little more work switching the freezer blocks back and forth, but is an idea. Also, if you need more power or your Jackery wears out, check out Bluetti (I'm looking at an AC180). This is my first time watching.

[@thebirdbum9182]

Hank is an American Brittany. He's four years old and is about 40 lbs. We also have some females that are about 30 lbs. He's great... love him and enjoy his company on these trips. Making freezer blocks is a good idea. I had not thought of that. I expect that on some longer trips I have coming up this fall (up to 2 weeks) I'll also have a cooler that I use ice for. That might be a good way to have ice without having to go to a store to get it. Also, I'll check out the Bluetti... thanks for that tip! Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@sambokan2611]

I really like your videos! By the way, what’s size your propane tank? Could you show us how to connect to your stove.

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for watching and for your comment! That propane tank works really well. It's a small 5 lbs tank that I only have to refill once a season. This one that I have came with an adapter that allows use with a stove, etc. Below is a link to a similar tank. Thanks again! www.amazon.com/Ignik-Refillable-Growler-5-Pound-Propane/dp/B09VW5DRY6/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?hvadid=174209944313&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9014271&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3975735691321258279&hvtargid=kwd-5004070905&hydadcr=24657_9648987&keywords=5%2Blbs%2Bpropane%2Btank&qid=1691754412&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[@fujikawu]

i have the jackery 500 already and im looking forward to upgrade even more after your video. the 1500 would be for a cooler/freezer , coffeemachine and maybe hotplate ??? the 500 for usb windowfans, lights, etc I liked the way you used it, however after a night it looks to be out of juice :(

[@thebirdbum9182]

The 1500 has worked well for me; however, you do need a way to recharge it if you'll be out for longer than overnight. I charge mine up while I'm driving and at night while I'm running a generator, which I typically do. Oh, on the night in the video I also watched a movie on the DVD projector, which used a surprising amount of power. Thanks for watching!

[@patrickmahorney3127]

Do you have coordinates for this spot? I’m looking to head that way from Indiana next weekend

[@thebirdbum9182]

I don't have the coordinates, but here is a link with more info. The best camping is down Paragon Cemetary Road. I went during the week because it can get pretty crowded on weekends. Thanks for watching the video! www.google.com/maps/place/Paragon+Dispersed+Camping+Area/@38.0479206,-83.3953901,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88446ddf49378085:0x92e61f2a490a06c3!8m2!3d38.0479206!4d-83.3953901!16s%2Fg%2F11dxj0h77_?entry=ttu

[@stanglover28966]

How is your headroom when sitting on the bed? Does the mid-rise camper shell offer some clearance?

[@thebirdbum9182]

I'm 6'2", and I can sit up on the bed comfortably. The bed is a cot that I purchased. I did have to lower the cot some so I could sit up. There is another video (basic setup) that shows this space and me sitting on the bed in more detail. Thanks for watching!

[@hammockstocoasters]

You had us at hello with starting your coffee pot from your bed, lol. Love your dog! New followers here from Everglades National Park in Florida ~ Kristina

[@thebirdbum9182]

Thanks for watching! That is pretty nice for making coffee in the mornings. One of my favorite parts of the entire setup. Thanks again!

[@tracker5849]

What size is your jackery? 500..1000?

[@thebirdbum9182]

Actually, that's a 1500. I've been nothing but happy with it so far. Thanks again!

[@donnamount151]

Wyo makes the freezer?

[@thebirdbum9182]

The freezer and fridge are both made by Alpicool. Here is a link: www.alpicool.com/product-88.html Thanks!

[@goonies79jmmy]

What rack/baskey is that on your cap?

[@thebirdbum9182]

Sorry for my delayed response. I was out on a trip to Oklahoma. The basket is a Curt cargo basket (www.curtmfg.com/cargo-management/carriers/roof-racks), but the tracks are Thule. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!

[@yogi_5150]

What size are those coolers?

[@thebirdbum9182]

The larger one is 16 qt, and the smaller one is 10 qt. Here is a link: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSBL29LP/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B0BSBL29LP&pd_rd_w=kHlCC&content-id=amzn1.sym.0d1092dc-81bb-493f-8769-d5c802257e94&pf_rd_p=0d1092dc-81bb-493f-8769-d5c802257e94&pf_rd_r=083W0ZT7A2MN5T6718X9&pd_rd_wg=ch8eY&pd_rd_r=12ff7e0c-94c7-4d99-ac94-2650b9208a71&s=appliances&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwy&th=1

[@ChenzosWorld]

Nice setup. What model jackery is that? I have a 300 plus and I’m wondering if it’s enough to run a similar fridge

[@thebirdbum9182]

Hey... I have the 1500, which is way more than I need to run the fridges. Your 300 probably would run it. You can look up the max output for the 300 to be sure it is more than is drawn by the fridge. Here is a link to the larger fridge. Of course, if the 300 does run the fridge it wouldn't run it for as long as a larger generator. Thanks for your comment!

[@raualmandera7642]

better to avoid 😮

[@tomlorenzen4062]

People are pigs, see it every time that I go camping

[@thebirdbum9182]

I also end up cleaning up most times if others have been there.

[@davidwright1728]

Wish folk's would take the few minutes to clean up and leave it better when they leave keep it clean for all of us come on guys we can do this important little thing to preserve the beauty.