Anybody use an old style frame?

[robtattoo]

I just wondered, with all these Kifaru/exo/Kuiu etc.... Pack threads; does anyone still use a freighter style frame?
I have a Cabelas Alaskan guide frame & I'm a little confused about gear organization. I'll be strapping my day pack to it & I'm thinking ask my other kit will go in dry packs & compression sacks.
Does anyone have photos of their frame full loaded?
I'm probably just overthinking things now that time is getting short!

 

[jljmonky]

I will be following this. I have an older REI external frame pack I am going to load down and test this week. I can easily make a cargo panel for it if it rides well.

 

[wapitibob]

If all you want is a freighter, get a frame like the duplex or Bikini and add a panel. I've used a mystery ranch panel on the Bikinni and it hauls a whole lot higher/better than the MR Nice frame.

some pics of Kifaru panel options

http://www.kifaruforums.net/showthread.php?18012-G2-Duplex-Frame-Pics!!

 

[robtattoo]

:facepalm:

Seriously?

I already HAVE the Cabelas frame. I'm not interested in Kifaru. I'm interested in seeing how others load frames similar to mine.
Thought I made that reasonably clear.....

 

[muleman]

This link has some pictures of a Dana external with a Kifaru Cargo Panel.
http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...ame-Help-Ideas&p=115244&viewfull=1#post115244

The Cargo Panel on the external frame was surprisingly easy to get set up with the straps and connectors provided and seemed to be very flexible in it's functionality.

I never did use this in the field and the Kifaru Cargo Panel is available if interested.
http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?18868-Like-New-26-quot-G2-Duplex-Goodies

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Sure I've got one, doesn't everyone? Nothing beats a freighter in comfort for long heavy loads.
They may not be the lightest, but they sure are comfortable.
Hunt'nFish

 

[stephen b]

:facepalm:

Seriously?

I already HAVE the Cabelas frame. I'm not interested in Kifaru. I'm interested in seeing how others load frames similar to mine.
Thought I made that reasonably clear.....

I can get your frustration- I saw the same thing when you asked about an inexpensive spotter the other day and had people giving you all sorts of upgrades and advice info that you did not ask for. I did try and give you some info on that thread by posting a link to a spotter that would work for you and was close to your budget.

You can use and hunt with what you have and do fine with it. Do not always have to have the latest and greatest to have it do the job. And external frames will work for hunting if you desire. In the recent Eastmans bow hunting magazine there is a sheep hunt as one of the first featured articles ( by Adam Foss I think) and pictured on the lead photo to the article is Foss with a Mystery ranch pack next to 2 guys with a Barney's Freighter frame packs. In steep terrain no less. Yes, they do work. And even though your Cabelas frame may not be a Barney's frame- the concept is the same. So I say- dance with what you have!

If you want to send me a PM, I can give give you some pointers on using what you have, and maybe even talk to you to help you make it work for what you have. I am sure Hunt'nfish can do the same- he is also adapt at making stuff work on frames.

BTW- What day pack are you strapping on the frame, and were you going to take that off to hunt separate with, or were you going to hunt with the freighter frame on your back?

 

[Buster]

You just curious how to set it up/secure everything? I used to run an old no name frame, then ziptie my day pack to it. If it was a multi-day trip, i had an 85L bag (also secured with zip ties), with my day pack doubling as a stuff sack until I made it in to base camp. Then the day pack would go back on my frame. I can only find a pic of my old set up in action in day mode, but if I can find one with my big bag on it, I'll post it later. With zipties, lash kits and some rope/para cord, a guy can secure just about anything. The day pack has my gear and a bunch of meat in it. The whole set up only cost $80 or so (but it also carried like an $80 set up).

 

[Ryan Avery]

Here is an article on it

https://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09...cabelas-alaskan-guide-external-frame-backpack

 

[robtattoo]

Stephen, thanks for the understanding!
Buster, that's exactly the setup I was thinking of.
I've got a Tenzing 2220 that I'm planning on strapping to the frame & removing to hunt. I wouldn't like to think I'm hauling the frame around all day, hunting. The plan is to pack in to camp, unload & leave the frame & hunt using just the daypack then use the frame if I happen to get an elk. The Tenzing has enough room to be able to hall out the first quarter.

 

[colonel00]

Here is a photo from many years ago on one of my first trips. I have downsized gear considerably since then but this was an Extreme Alaskan from Cabela's fully loaded down. my bag is strapped on with the straps at the bottom and the big blue thing was my sleeping pad strapped to the top.

Now, are you saying you have the frame only and no pack bag?

 

[Justin Crossley]

My brother hunts with his Barney frame all the time. When elk hunting, he prefers it over his Kifaru.

 

[robtattoo]

Yeah, I've got the frame only. All my gear that won't cram into my daypack will be going in drybags. It's just going to be a case of organizing it & strapping it all on.

 

[Buster]

Stephen, thanks for the understanding!
Buster, that's exactly the setup I was thinking of.
I've got a Tenzing 2220 that I'm planning on strapping to the frame & removing to hunt. I wouldn't like to think I'm hauling the frame around all day, hunting. The plan is to pack in to camp, unload & leave the frame & hunt using just the daypack then use the frame if I happen to get an elk. The Tenzing has enough room to be able to hall out the first quarter.

I liked to take the frame with me. It was a bit more cumbersome, but I was always leery of having to walk all the way back to base camp to grab my frame, then turn around and go back to the kill. It will depend on the terrain and distance you're hunting from camp, but maybe consider bringing it. See if you can modify your frame a bit to make it more "day mode" friendly. The top bar on mine was removable and I just got used to bringing my frame every time. For the little bit of extra weight and bulk, it sure saved me a lot of tough miles making an extra trip.

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, I've got the frame only. All my gear that won't cram into my daypack will be going in drybags. It's just going to be a case of organizing it & strapping it all on.

Yeah, I can see the challenge there. What dry bags are you planning to use? The Outdoor Research Durable dry sacks have webbing loops on the side that may assist in lashing them down.

 

[larryschwartz]

Rob,

The link that wapitibob gave in the post above your facepalm post shows a number of ways your can organize and attach your gear to a generic frame using different size bags and pouches. My advice would be to pack your day pack with your hunting gear (duh) and then assemble the rest in whatever mix of different sizes you need to attach it to the frame. I say different sizes since it can help to have heavy and light items in different bags so that you can put the heavy up high and close to your back and the light lower near your hips to help minimize how much you need to lean over to balance yourself.

Larry Schwartz (from PBS)

 

[robtattoo]

Hi Larry!
The OR dry bags are exactly what I'm planning on using. I picked up 3 of the 22l versions on sale.
The more I think about it, the more I'm thinking I'd benefit from building up & attaching a few compression straps to the frame. The lack of inbuilt lashings, I think, is throwing me.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Yeah, I've got the frame only. All my gear that won't cram into my daypack will be going in drybags. It's just going to be a case of organizing it & strapping it all on.

So this is what you have?

Have you given thought to using a duffel as a bag? Or perhaps a long stuff sack.
I've used large stuff sacks as UL pack bags before and they work fine if weather
isn't too much of an issue. Chances are someone probably makes a meat sack about the size you need. You might check TAG Bags for their sizes. Use one as a pack bag until you need it for meat.

If you have a sewing machine, or access to one, it would be pretty easy to whip up a simple functional top load bag w/ a drawstring and a lid. Or better yet sew up a Kifaru Nomad "bat wing style bag" and w/ your dry bags you'd be golden.
Hunt'nFish

 

[larryschwartz]

Hi Larry!
The OR dry bags are exactly what I'm planning on using. I picked up 3 of the 22l versions on sale.
The more I think about it, the more I'm thinking I'd benefit from building up & attaching a few compression straps to the frame. The lack of inbuilt lashings, I think, is throwing me.

Rob,

You definitely need to attach some sort of compression straps/lashings to the frame. Of course you can find those in different lengths at Bass Pro Shop I know, and probably at any outdoor store. Another approach is to get a cheap and lightweight duffle bag, then fill it with the other bags. You then attach the duffle to the frame and use the compression straps to cinch everything down. The old pack = a bag of bags concept from our Scouting days.

Larry

 

[Buster]

My 85L bag came from a liquidation store. Think it was $25. Had tubes for stays. I took the scalpel to it and trimmed the fat (stays, shoulder straps and waist belt etc) but left the compressions straps and anchor points it had. It was really easy to secure to the frame. Maybe keep an eye out for a big bag that you can modify, then you won't have to worry about securing multiple smaller bags. The OR sacks are pretty nice tho too.