We have found, though, that some backpacking technology can come in handy when it comes to heating food. If you don't want to pack a bulky camp kitchen, an item like Coleman's Xpedition stove may fit the bill. It's a foldable, two-burner stove that weighs less than 2 pounds, yet its burners provide up to 10,000 Btu of heat. Fuel for the Xpedition is provided by Coleman's Powermax fuel cartridges, which contain a propane/butane blend that's unaffected by high altitude or extreme cold.
Another interesting Coleman product fueled by Powermax cartridges is the Xcursion lantern. This compact (631/44 inches tall) and lightweight (12 ounces) lantern is about the size of a traditional candle lantern, but its mantle and globe put out light that's equivalent to 10 candle lanterns.
So now we have light. How about heat? Outdoor-oriented heaters run the gamut from pocket warmers to portable, wood-burning stoves. Somewhere in the middle are personal heaters that can be used in tents, truck cabs, boats, and other small spaces to take the chill off. Coleman makes a number of personal heaters; one of the most compact is the new SportCat heater, standing just over a foot tall and weighing just under 211/42 pounds. Its propane-powered catalytic heater can put out 1,100 Btu of heat and operates for up to 18 hours on one fuel cylinder. (If you're not familiar with catalytic heaters, they use a catalyst that creates a chemical reaction between the propane and the oxygen in the air to generate heat without flames.)
Now, what if your idea of camping includes creature comforts on a grander scale, like refrigerators, blenders, electric lights, and maybe even portable stereos or televisions? There's a world of recreational and camping generators out there that'll provide you with all the juice you need. Just make sure to match the generator's output with your appliance's electrical requirements, as some of the smaller units may not pack the punch you need.
Choosing Winter Tires
What Works Best When The Rubber Meets The Snow?What are the best tires to use in the winter? Well, that's sort of like asking about the best tires to use during the rest of the year. There is no one, simple answer. The tires that are best for you depend on the vehicle you drive and the conditions in which you'll be using them. If you're going to spend a lot of the winter trail-busting through virgin snow, your tire choice will be very different than if you'll be driving on plowed roads or over streets and bridges that may be prone to icing over.
So the first step in choosing the right winter tire is assessing where you're going to be doing most of your driving, and then matching those road or trail conditions to the various tire types available. You may be able to use your mud- or rockcrawling tires with very few modifications. Or you may need a dedicated winter tire. Let's see if we can help point you in the right direction.
Winter Weather Tire Tips
Whether you're using dedicated snow tires or your mud tires, winter cold will have an effect on them that you may not expect. For example:
*If you get stuck in a snowdrift, don't just spin your tires. Not only will you dig in further, but the centrifugal force of the spinning tires may cause them to explode. Rock back and forth, shifting between First and Reverse, to free your tires. Make sure your speedo never exceeds 35 mph if you're trying to spin and rock your way out of a drift.
*Expect the air pressure in the tires to drop 1 to 2 psi for every 10-degree drop in ambient temperature. Keep a tire pressure gauge handy (if you don't already) and check pressures often.