How to Camp in Your 4Runner: 5th vs 6th Gen Walkthrough

How to Camp in Your 4Runner: 5th vs 6th Gen Walkthrough Description:

6th Gen 4Runner Sleep Setup with Luno Mattress and BamBed Platform

6th Gen 4Runner Sleep Setup with Luno Mattress and BamBed Platform Description:

Highway Handbook: How To Stay Cool While Camping

Highway Handbook: How To Stay Cool While Camping Description:You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers. One of our main goals at Luno is to make the outdoors more accessible, and we mainly do that by designing comfortable vehicle mattresses and nifty accessories that help you turn your everyday vehicle into an extraordinary adventure mobile. But gear alone doesn’t remove barriers to the great outdoors, and sometimes, the simple act of sharing knowledge makes all the difference. In The Highway Handbook, our team of car camping experts will answer questions that regularly bombard our DMs. Whether you’re a vehicle camping expert or new to the game, we hope this series helps you get outside, explore, and enjoy time in nature with friends and family. Wondering how to stay cool while camping? You’re not alone. It’s a question we get asked all the time (thanks for recognizing our expertise on the subject), and it’s also the theme of this month’s Highway Handbook.  How do we stay cool here at Luno? Sunglasses, primarily. The right haircut helps, too–mullets are cool right now. But haircuts can backfire, and the wrong haircut can tank your cool score. Lingo is also key, especially when camping with young, hip people. You might say something like, “This campsite is lit.” This doesn’t mean that wildfire is raging through camp, but rather, the campsite is cool. [Editor’s Note: Ladies and gentlemen, two important errors have come to our attention after the initial publication of this blog post. First of all, people want to learn how to stay cool, temperature-wise, while camping in the summer heat. They aren’t asking us for grooming and fashion advice. We’ve rewritten the article below to help interested campers avoid overheating this summer. Secondly, “lit” is also no longer cool. According to our accountant’s teenageer, the youth don’t use the word anymore. We steered you wrong. If you have since used the word “lit” while camping and faced derision from cool Gen-Z campers due to the errors in this article, we are sorry. Thank you for your understanding. –Luno Journal Upper Management] How To Stay Cool While Camping Staying cool while camping is equal parts art and science. Below, we’ll school you on pre-trip prep work that can help you minimize your exposure to heat, mid-trip tips for airflow and temperature management, as well as gear and apparel we won’t camp in the summer without. If you’re ready to get schooled on cool–for real this time–read up and cool off. Set Up Camp In The Shade This first tip is pretty straightforward: park in the shade to keep your camp setup as cool as possible. If you arrive at camp in the dark, think about where the sun will rise in the morning and park accordingly. Of course, many campsites don’t have shade at all. So what do smart car campers do? They B.Y.O.S. (bring your own shade) from home. How so? Easy. Our Vehicle Window Screens are made from a black mesh material that helps block out UV rays (more on the benefits of these bad boys below). And our Privacy Curtain is even thicker and heavier, keeping the sun out and the sleep in on summer mornings. Pair theses two together for a camp-anywhere summer setup. If you are getting even more serious with your camping set up, you can always opt for a vehicle awning that attaches to your vehicle roof rack like these from ROAM Adventure Co. You can also find other options that are less bulky and non permanent like these tarp style shade structures. Bring a Fan And Window Screens The heat isn’t always avoidable. Lucky for you, there is a secret to sleeping well while camping in warmer temperatures: airflow. If you’re camping in the back of your vehicle on an ultra-comfy Luno Mattress, you need to check out our Cool Down Bundle. This includes two summer camping essentials: our Car Window Screens, which we already mentioned above for their shade-supplying properties, and our Camping Fan. Our Car Window Screens are crafted from a stretchy mesh fabric, and they pop conveniently over the passenger doors. The mesh allows you to roll down the windows, letting in all of the breeze and none of the bugs. There is now a whole lineup of Luno Window Screens including a Sunroof Window Screen that magnetically attaches to your vehicle's roof to cover your sunroof and a Trunk Window Screen for 4Runner owners who have the luxury of a rear window that rolls down. Our Camping Fan is a compact yet powerful three-speed fan that generates impressive airflow. It plugs into portable power banks and batteries (sold separately) and improves your sleep during muggy summer nights. It comes with multiple mounting options: suction cup, headrest mount, and bendable arm. This allows you to point the fan anywhere you need the extra breeze. We bundled this gear together because the sum is greater than the parts. Individually, the screens and fan are kick-ass–together, they’re revolutionary. Plus, you get an extra discount when you buy the bundle. That’s a win-win. Or, should we say, a win-wind. Pick Your Destination Of Choice Wisely One of the best ways to stay cool while camping is to camp in cool places. Simple as that. In the summer, here are a few tricks we use to target less-than-sizzling locales: We favor high-alpine zones that are naturally cooler. Higher elevations, lower temps–that’s a recipe for a wonderful summer camping trip.  Go coastal! We venture toward the coast where there’s often mellower weather. If fog rolls in at night, we’re stoked. We head north–not south. There’s a time for exploring Baja and below but it ain’t in the middle of summer. The PNW, Canada and Alaska–these are better summer destinations in our opinion.  Don’t even look at the desert. Don’t you dare. Bring A Weather-Appropriate Wardrobe And Sun Protection If heat is in the forecast, packing a lightweight, breathable wardrobe will help you stay cool and comfortable while camping. Our advice? Ditch the cotton. Instead, embrace lightweight synthetics and merino wool, the latter of which actually has natural wicking and anti-odor properties.  Sunshirts with hoods, buffs, and sun hats are also smart moves. Don’t forget the sunscreen, either. Avoiding sunburns is a great way to stay cool and comfy on an adventure. We luckily live in a time where lightweight, breathable fabrics can keep you cool while still providing full sun coverage. Long sleeve no longer has to means you're going to be hot in it. Swap Out Your Toasty Sleeping Bag for Cooler Sleep Options Leave your sleeping bag at home in the summer. Unless you know that the night time lows are going to make you need a cozy sleeping bag, you're better off opting for a more lightweight option if you still want to cover up. Grab a thin blanket from home, or find one of your old top sheets in the back of your linen closet for a cool and convenient setup.  If you're looking for a more specialized and intentionally designed solution, the Luno Fitted Mattress Sheet is specifically designed for Luno Mattresses and it is made of a quick dry, stain-resistant, but ultra-comfy synthetic fabric. Pair this with a thin blanket or top sheet from your linen closet, and you have a cool sleep setup.  If you need a little more cushion and comfort, the Luno Fitted Sleeping Bag Comforter is versatile for both the warm and cooler months. In the summer, you can unzip the thick top layer and simply use the plush base to sleep on. Again, pair with a light blanket or top sheet and you now have an extremely homey sleep setup. Lastly, when it comes to your bedding, a cool feeling pillow can keep your face from feeling the heat. Inflatable camping pillows often feel hot because they are unable to breathe due to their airtight construction. The Luno Packable Camp Pillow is filled with shredded memory foam and poly stuffing, making it breathable and oh-so comfy. The pillow features two distinct sides: one for feeling cool, one for keeping you toasty. Use the cooler feeling dark gray side for more comfort in the summer. Adjust Your Itinerary As Needed One of many things we love about car camping is that you don’t have an itinerary you’re forced to adhere to. Unlike air travel, there are no cancellation fees or penalties for changing your itinerary. Weather can and should dictate where and when you camp, so use weather apps like AccuWeather or Weather.gov to your advantage.  Let’s say you’re plan a camping trip to the Uinta Mountains in the middle of July, but a week out from your trip you realize Utah’s in the middle of a catastrophic heat wave and temperatures won’t dip below triple digits. Pivot your trip to an equally rad destination with less hellish weather. Easy peasy. Make sure you are checking the daytime highs and nighttime lows to get a good idea of the temperature swings you'll be dealing with. Let The Temperature And Sun Direction Dictate Your Schedule Don’t force activities regardless of the weather. If you let temperature and sun direction dictate your schedule, you’ll be much better off. For instance, if there’s a hike you want to do, wake up before dawn and get after it early, before the peak heat of the day. If you’re on a climbing trip, try to time your climbs so they’re in the shade when you’re on the rock. You can plan your driving during the midday heat when you can enjoy your air conditioning and set up camp when it's cooler in the evenings. Stay Hydrated Staying hydrated is super important anytime you’re camping, but especially in the summer heat. And we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but beer doesn’t count. Sorry, but we already proved how uncool we are. Bring plenty of water, ideally in large, reusable jugs. Also, be sure to map out water sources and know how to filter and purify water as needed. A great hack is to pack frozen water bottles in your cooler. They'll keep your food cold and when they thaw, you have a refreshing and chilly drink. A water bladder is also great to keep on hand and can provide water easily while driving or lying in bed. Simply hang it off the back of your seat and you can drink all drive long on your way to your destination. Watch out, you'll likely need to stop for bathroom breaks more but at least you'll be hydrated. Embrace The Cold Plunge When we say embrace the cold plunge, we’re not saying you should jump into your cooler–although the occasional dunk of the head into a melted-out beer chest isn’t out of the question. When we camp in the summer, we always like to post up near bodies of water. That might be the mighty Pacific Ocean, or a teeny, tiny snowmelt-fed creek. Dunking in water, especially if it’s chilly, is a fantastic way to cool off and reset your body temperature. Sometimes, we’ll go to bed still wet just to fall asleep before we start sweating! Beat The Heat And Stay Cool While we’re clearly unqualified to keep you looking fresh and feeling lit hip, we’re hopeful this article will help you beat the heat and camp comfortably this summer. After all, a little planning–and a little fan–are really all it takes to stay cool while camping.  As always, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you on the road, –The Not-So-Hip-But-Very-Comfortable Luno Crew

Filtration And Purification 101: How, Why, and When to Treat Water on Camping Trips

Filtration And Purification 101: How, Why, and When to Treat Water on Camping Trips Description:Water is critical to life—that’s just a fact. And that’s no different when you’re camping. But many campers are ill-prepared to purify or filter water, risking waterborne illnesses caused by bacteria like E. coli to parasites like Giardia. These microscopic dangers can decimate your digestive system—some can even kill you. Perhaps worst of all, they can ruin a rad camping trip.  All jokes aside, if you’ve ever experienced one of these waterborne illnesses, you know that water filtration and purification are no laughing matter. In this guide to camp hydration, we’ll talk all things H20. We’ll explain the difference between potable and non-potable water, and the risks associated with the latter. We’ll also discuss our favorite water filters, break down our go-to purification treatment techniques, and more.  If you want to sip safely on your next adventure and are thirsty for knowledge, keep on reading—and maybe grab yourself a glass of water while you’re at it. This is a long one! What is Potable vs Non-Potable Water? You’ll often see the phrases “potable water” and “non-potable water” while camping. It’s important to know the distinction between the two.  Potable Water: Potable water is defined as water that is safe to drink. If you see a sign that says “potable water” next to a campground spigot, you’re welcome to drink that water without filtering or treating the water. Non-Potable Water: Non-potable water, on the other hand? No bueno. If you see a water source that says “non-potable water,” it’s best not to drink it, as it may be contaminated and hazardous to your health. The vast majority of non-potable water sources, of course, are not labeled, so it’s up to you to figure out whether or not you need to filter or treat the water.  Non-potable water may be hiding some of the following hazards: Bacteria like E. Coli or Salmonella Protozoan parasites like Giardia or Cryptosporidium Viruses like Hepatitis A or Norovirus Toxins like lead Water Storage: Every Car Camper’s Favorite Hydration Hack Many backpackers carry a maximum of two liters of water at a time, as water bottles are super heavy. However, when you’re car camping, you have the luxury of packing as much water as you can fit in your trunk.  On many car camping trips, especially shorter ones, we’ll never filter or treat water at all. Instead, we’ll bring reusable containers (we like these cheap, basic, and durable five-gallon jugs) and fill them with clean, potable water from home or a campground spigot. You can also go for something more higher end (yes, water storage can get fancy) with these 11L containers from Dometic. Spigots And Streams: What To Look For When Finding Water Sources Potable Spigots When we’re camping, the very first thing we’ll look for is a designated source of potable water. As we mentioned above, you’ll find such spigots at many campgrounds and recreation areas. This saves us the hassle of filtering or treating water for drinking, and it makes things like brushing your teeth or doing dishes much easier as well. However, unless you’re confident a water source is potable, it’s recommended that you filter or otherwise treat water while camping.   Streams, Rivers, And Running Water The best sources for water collection are running water. It makes sense, right? Turbulent, quickly moving rivers and streams are preferable to stagnant lakes, ponds, or puddles, as it’s generally less likely that bacteria or parasites are present. Also, running water often tastes much better than stagnant alternatives. Two Thumbs Up For Upriver Water Collection Another important piece of advice? It’s best to collect water upstream of campgrounds and farmland, as you’re further minimizing the chances of contamination. Without getting too deep in the details, human and livestock waste are common sources of waterborne illnesses. Avoid them, as they say, like the plague. How To Collect Water From Rivers And Streams Before Filtering or Treating When you find a river or stream that seems suitable for collecting water, find a spot where you can safely approach the river. It’s almost silly to point this out, but falling in can be a disaster, especially if rapids are roaring or temperatures are frigid.  Once you’re on the bank, avoid stagnant water. Look for a section that’s running quickly, and dip your receptacle into the top section of the river, almost skimming the surface. Again, this can minimize the chances of collecting unwanted contaminants.  Choosing Snow For Melting Snow In the winter, we don’t collect water as much as we melt snow. The same basic principles apply. Cleaner, freshly fallen snow is preferable to older, dirtier snow. Avoid collecting snow from areas that might be contaminated by human or animal waste.  When To Put Your Faith In Muddy, Murky Water Sources Now, don’t get us wrong: if you’re in a survival scenario, you certainly can filter water from dirty or stagnant sources. Today’s filtration techniques are quite effective, and we’ve collected from some muddy and murky waters with no issue. But when you have the option, it’s always best to stick with moving water. Murky Water can clog your filters and shorten the lifespan of them. Prefilter If you are sourcing water from a murky or muddy source, you can use a prefilter, a bandana, t-shirt, or even a coffee filter to sift out the bigger particles and contaminants. For UV wands, this is essential, as the efficacy of a UV wand drops in murky water. This also enhances the drinking experience if you’re boiling water, as it removes grit and sand that isn’t necessarily harmful but can be unpleasant to consume. What’s more, a prefilter can reduce the frequency you need to clean or replace a filter’s cartridge. Purification Versus Filtration There are two main ways campers can turn collected water into drinkable water: filtration and purification.  Filtration A variety of water filters are available on the market today, including gravity filters, squeeze bottles, straws, and more. All of these filters follow the same basic idea: dirty water passes through a filter, and in the process, becomes clean (at the very least, it becomes clean-er). The filter has teeny-tiny pores that allow smaller water molecules to pass through, but strains out larger contaminants and critters.  While there are exceptions, filtration is generally a quick and effective way to remove most bacteria, parasites, and particulates. However, filters might not protect you against viruses.  Purification Purification, on the other hand, typically uses heat, light, or chemicals to neutralize harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and so on. Like filtration, purification has its pros and cons. For example, these AquaTabs from MSR eliminate the risk of viruses, protozoa, and bacteria, but toxins and particulates are still a concern.  Research Your Purification System Although this article is a solid starting point, it’s essential to conduct your own research when shopping for a filter or purification system. Click through each manufacturer’s technical specifications, and check to see what each filter or purification method protects you from, and what it doesn’t.  Know the Water Sources Near Your Camp Your destination determines your filter or purification needs. For instance, if you’re camping in a remote area, a filter should be fine. On the other hand, if you’re downstream of a crowded campground where human waste and viruses are a concern, it makes sense to look into purification as well. Understanding the Types of Water Filters for Camping Gravity Filters: Easy And Great For Groups Our favorite water filters for car camping are gravity filters, as they’re easy to use and can supply larger groups with plenty of drinking water. Gravity filters, like this one from MSR, use a reservoir bag to collect several liters of water. The bag is hung up—tree branches are perfect, so is our Cargo Hammock if you’re on the road—and gravity pulls water through a hose with an integrated filter. The bottom hose section can deposit clean water into another reservoir for storage or directly into water bottles for immediate drinking. Pumps: Clean, Efficient, And Best For Backpacking Pump-style filters, like this one from MSR, rely on a pump to physically push water through a microfilter. These are compact, efficient, and a go-to for backpackers. However, they’re much more time-intensive than gravity filters, especially for groups, and we tend not to use them while car camping. Squeeze Bottles Squeeze systems, like this one from Sawyer, are similar—you fill up a bottle with dirty water, squeeze it through a filter, and voila, you’re good to go. These are great because they pair with a bottle you likely already have on hand and are extremely portable. Straw Water Filters Straw water filters, like these ones popularized by LifeStraw, use suction to pull dirty water through a filter and into your mouth. They’re solid for backpacking and survival use, but a bit impractical and unnecessary for car camping. If you need to filter anything more than just one gulp at a time, these are not the choice. Often viewed as an emergency item, not a daily essential. Water Bottles With Integrated Filters: A Great Backup Plan, Hiking Hack, And International Travel Essential One of our favorite outdoor gear developments as of late? Water bottles with integrated filters, like this one from Katadyn and these ones from Grayl. These bottles are best used by individuals, not groups, as they’re essentially a straw-style filter. The difference is that it’s a one-and-done solution. Just collect dirty water in the bottle, sip it through the integrated lid, and you’re good to go. We’ll bring the flexible versions on hikes and trail runs when we know we’re going to be passing creeks, so we don’t have to carry as much water on the trail. We also love to bring them on international trips, especially in developing nations where potable water might be hard to come by. And they’re great for car camping, too, as you can fill up and drink wherever you roam. Additional Purification Methods Filters aren’t the only game in town. There are other tried-and-true purification methods, like boiling water and iodine tablets, as well as newer ones like UV wands. We’ll break those down here. Boiling Water (And Melting Snow): Trustworthy Purification If you have a camp stove and fuel, boom—you have a time-honored purification system on hand. A three-minute-long rolling boil kills, well, pretty much everything, from bacteria and parasites to viruses.  However, boiling water doesn’t eliminate toxins like lead. Nor does it account for particulate matter. Twigs and dirt may still be floating in the water, and while a bit of grit and grime isn’t pleasant, it won’t kill you. You can, as we mentioned above, use a pre-filter to remove some of these larger annoyances. Lastly, boiling can be very time-consuming and burn through fuel quickly. Purification Tablets Purification tablets, like those MSR AquaTabs and Iodine tablets, are dropped into a bottle of dirty water. They take some time to work, and Iodine in particular doesn’t taste great. However, they also eliminate bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. We like to keep some of these in a first aid kit at the very least, as they’re fantastic in the event of an emergency. UV Wands Last on our list, UV wands like the Steripen use UV light to neutralize bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. However, the effectiveness is downgraded in silty water, and if you’re out of battery, you’re out of luck. Two Filtration & Purification Devices A few more expensive and technologically advanced options exist that filter and purify simultaneously. For international travelers or campers who want the ultimate protection, these are the way to go.  MSR Guardian A pump-style filter with hollow-fiber purification technology, the Guardian is our top recommendation for backpackers and campers who want to filter water and still protect against viruses. However, it does not remove toxins like lead.  GRAYL GeoPress Another great option? The Grayl GeoPress—basically a French Press-style filtration system with built-in purification. Our top recommendation for travelers, this is one of the best options if you’re looking to combat viruses, parasites, bacteria, particulates, toxins, and more. Not only does the filter strain out the usual trouble-makers, but active charcoal elements help absorb nasty compounds like lead and arsenic, too. We like to keep this GeoPress at the ready in our Luno Seatback Organizer, especially when we’re heading south of the border. One thing to keep in mind? Pre-filtering dirty water will extend the lifespan of your Grayl cartridges. _________  Better Safe Than Sorry We hope this article has helped you gain a better understanding of the importance of water filtration and purification. Similarly, if you’re in the market for a water filter or purification device, we hope the breakdown above helped point you in the right direction.  Before we sign off, we’ll leave you with this. Purifying or filtering water is, at its worst, time-consuming, annoying, and expensive. At its best? The process can be a trip-saver, not to mention a life-saver.  In this case, the old phrase “better safe than sorry” seems particularly apt.  Thanks as always for reading, and we’ll see you on the road, The Luno Crew