How About a Thread for Offroad/Camping Items for the Budget Minded

How about a thread for outdoor/camping/offroad tools/accessories for us budget minded folks. Items you've tried and would buy again. I'll start.
I've already got a few Dewalt 20 volt tools and their cordless fan and air compressor have been well used.

The fan is strong, variable speed, and will run 4+ hours on one 5 amp battery.

$97 DEWALT 20V MAX Jobsite Fan, Cordless, Portable, Bare Tool Only (DCE512B)

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Jobsi...prefix=dewalt+20+volt+fan,aps,123&sr=8-5&th=1

The air compressor (while not the fastest at inflating a tire) runs off the battery, 12 volts, or 110 volts.

$127 DEWALT 20V MAX Tire Inflator, Compact and Portable, Automatic Shut Off, LED Light, Bare Tool Only (DCC020IB)

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCC02...t+20+volt+max+com+pressor,aps,179&sr=8-1&th=1

 

I looked at the dewalt tire inflator. The only downside was that it had a 10 minute duty cycle. Probably enough for airing up tires... Faired well in comparison tests with others on Project Farm tests.

 

I've owned one for years. It's not the most powerful unit but it does the job.

 

I've only used mine to blow up my air mattress for sleeping. Haven't had to try a tire yet (thank goodness).

 

The fan is a good idea, though a hundred bucks really doesn't fit in my definition of budget.

I like to sleep in my 4Runner when camping, and one of the best things for that was spending about 15 bucks on window screens for the back doors. I also picked up one for the sunroof last fall, though I haven't used it yet because it was raining on that trip.

Another favorite piece of gear is LED headlamps. I keep a few in the car at all time, and I make sure I have charging cables. I bought some nice ones on Amazon, I think they came in a three pack. Battery life isn't the greatest, but they have super bright settings as well as a red lamp setting.

Other than that, I don't really know what kind of good budget gear I have. I just tend to buy stuff that looks interesting when it's on sale or if I specifically need something, but I'm super lazy about camping, I pretty much just bring A cooler with lunchmeat, bread and beverages. I have an old 6-ft long couch cushion I use as a bed, and I throw a sleeping bag or some blankets on top of that.

 

cannot figure out how is budget minded definition fits in this forum.

 

Which window screens do you have? I picked some up a few years ago that I didn't end up liking (Gabbro, I think). I wouldn't mind trying a different style.

 

I also own the fan, although I got it on a Black Friday sale three or four years ago and didn't pay anywhere near a bill for it. The fan goes pretty well at high speed and really can cool one off in the middle of summer...especially when there is zero breeze.

I also bought a DeWalt portable work light (all three use the same 20v battery.) If anybody has ever changed a tire when it is pitch dark outside, it's cost will be justified after just one use.

 

I picked up 3 of these last year...really handy with 3 levels of fan and light...lasts 3-4 nights on a 5a battery...

Portable Camping Fan with LED Light Compatible for Dewalt for Milwaukee 14.4V-20V Max Lithium-ion Battery, Low-Noise Fan, Floor Fans,Rechargeable USB Port, IR Remote, MIL18DL Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3MH4QDK?ie=UTF8

They were $29 ea...come back in stock frequently...

also have seen same for team “Red” on Amazon for $39 ea.

$40 Portable Camping Fan with LED Light Compatible for Milwaukee M18 for Makita 14.4V-18V Max Lithium-ion Battery, Low-Noise Fan, Floor Fans,Rechargeable USB Port, IR Remote,MT20ML Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-M...fd1-478f-8632-029db8560124&pd_rd_i=B0B2LN8TRH

 

What size battery are you using?

 

That almost sounds like a defect. Dewalt is probably Milwaukee's biggest competitor, so I'd expect better from them.

Certainly disappointing if it's really that bad.

 

I mean some things you really shouldn’t skimp on…but sometimes you know what you can get away with

God bless the HandMeDown

Used gear…sometimes you can get decent stuff from bigwig outlets n places like pinkbike, geartrade

really pends on how minimalistic your willing to get
But then you end up paying more for light weight n boujie materials n fancy “features”

But think back to when it was really just a Coleman tent, Coleman cooler, Coleman lantern, Coleman sleeping bag, Coleman oxygen…

Determine necessities to yourself, n then branch…I really don’t care as long as I have food water light, well, least some light

so budget…peanut butter n canned goods(beans meat veggies)
Water…tons…won’t go stagnant if you live in the US
Comforts…headlamps, beach towel, some sort of chair(which can be $-$$$ real quick)

clean your feet
Bring a book

I just keep circling back to what “features” you really want n willing to cough up for

 

As far as this compressor goes, when I used to run “tool fairs” at the lumber yard out west, it was interesting to see contractors with a lil bit of everything from Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, etc, in their carts

they would “swear by THIS from them but not THAT” kinda thing
Like maybe Dewalt drills but not their sanders

it boiled down to past experience with “duds n defects”

Compressors aren’t these companies main forte; however, it is disappointing when the rest of their line really does the job n that falls short

why i steer clear from lights/radios/etc in multitool sets

 

I actually just recently picked up a Milwaukee job site radio (my 3rd from Milwaukee), and I'm really liking it.

 

^ ^ ^
Don’t get me wrong, they are good radios, lights, compressors…
But when I think Dewalt, Milwaukee, Festool…I think tools
Not saying my favorites either but like radio/jbl, light/petzel, compressor/people lucky enough to have a big dude in the garage

one thing to note bout the “tool” companies versions of “toys”

they’re usually pretty BUILT

I’ve seen some shiiiiiet fall, tossed, ran over beyond survival n it works

then again
This is all coming from a guy who should write a book called
“Working on a truck with no mechanical knowledge with borrowed broken tools from my brother in-law at 2:47AM…Vol.1”

God I miss working at the lumber yard out west…n MY tools