Kelty Cache Hauler or L.L.Bean Carryall

[Bloodworks]

Can any body with hands on time using these frames comment on their merits? I need to order a new hauler frame soon and one of these will be the winner. 6'3" 230lbs. Lifter height sufficient on either? Belt effectiveness? Huntability if I decide to forego the day pack?

 

[muleman]

Here is a post with some discussion on the Carryall.

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Forum/tabid/679/forumid/23/threadid/3611/scope/posts/Default.aspx

 

[DWarcher]

There have been a lot of Dana externals on ebay lately which would be a much better choice than either of those IMO.

 

[Bloodworks]

Haven't been able to score one with large software. I've looked at a couple locally and the foam in the belt and straps was disentigrating due to age. For the life of me I cannot understand why they won't ditch the NICE garbage and build the externals again.

 

[Shrek]

Does the HPG belt and shoulder harness adapt to a dana frame ? If so you might find an old frame with a bad belt and harness cheap enough to make it worth it. I think I saw them using their kit on one.

 

[Shrek]

So I went and looked and it appears that the belt and shoulder harness does work with a dana / k2 frame . $95 for the belt and $50 for the harness. If you could find a frame and bag cheap you could have a decent rig on the cheap.

 

[Bloodworks]

So I went and looked and it appears that the belt and shoulder harness does work with a dana / k2 frame . $95 for the belt and $50 for the harness. If you could find a frame and bag cheap you could have a decent rig on the cheap.

Getting into the range of Duplex $ going that route from the prices I find these old junk frames for + the cost of new software.

 

[Shrek]

I haven't followed the used dana frame market at all so I am clueless as to what they go for. I would not go cheap on the pack. I would go with a bikini and then coble together a bag system until you can afford to get it all. Another good thing about the kifaru packs is that if you need to sell it you will not take a beating. Resale value is solid. I'm bust myself right now so my new sleep system is a pound and a quarter heavier than I would like and my spotter is a 50mm job and the binoculars are mid to lower end but my boots and pack are tops. Clothes are mainline hiking stuff not the newest camo. Lots of ways to stretch your dollar without compromising performance and comfort. Boots or pack fail or hurt and it will be a chitty trip.

 

[RockChucker30]

I had the carryall, have a Kelty and an outfitter frame, and had two Dana externals and have an old camp trails.

The Kelty is the most comfortable. The carryall isn't in the same discussion as those other packs IMO.

The carryall is like a cheap stripped down internal frame. Very affordable, but won't carry loads as comfortably as a true external.

 

[Biggs300]

I have a Kifaru G2 Longhunter, Eberlestock J-34 and a couple of other packs including an LL Bean Carryall. The Carryall isn't in the same class as my other packs but, based on its cost, it is a good buy. It only suffers in two areas; load lifters and a belt. That said, it carries 50 to 55 pounds fairly comfortably with only minor pressure on my shoulders. I've used mine with the Spike Camp Duffle bag from my Eberlestock pack with good results. It is hard to beat for the price and utility for carrying bulky items.

 

[Bloodworks]

Thanks for the info that seals the deal.

 

[Shrek]

I don't know where you are ordering from but if it's a big online retailer might be able to get a free shipping or dicount code. Tim Tarras posted a code that saved me 25% yesterday. I've posted a few and I'm sure others would do the same. Good luck.

 

[ams]

I've tried both of those packs and sent both back. The LL bean uses 3/4 by 1/8 stays which feel like they are riveted to the plastic frame sheet. It will accept the hpg belt but there's no torso adjustment. I'm 5'11" and it fit me pretty good but might not have enough adjustment for you. The frame flexes a lot above 75lbs. The kelty was heavy and I did not care for the wrap around belt but a lot of guys like them fine. At least the frame won't bend with the kelty. I've had a few dana's and like them the best out of the true externals. I still have a large terraframe and would highly recommend it. Drop the top lid and the top bar and its at 7lbs. The bag design and pockets are still similar to what MR uses today. For me the fiberglass wands really do work and focus the weight on the sides of the hips but for some of my "wider" friends (38+) the wands pinched.

 

[Aron Snyder]

There have been a lot of Dana externals on ebay lately which would be a much better choice than either of those IMO.

Listen to DW!

 

[muleman]

Be patient on eBay, I was able to get an unused Dana TerraFrame last year and saw a few Dana K2s go for around $100.

If you want a removeable bag on a Dana / K2 external you have to pay attention to a few things. Look at post six in this thread for some tips.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1840809/1

 

[RockChucker30]

If you want to buy a Dana external then use search tempest to search all Craigslist ads within 1000 miles of your house and then convince the people to ship it.

I had two Dana externals. The quality is excellent, but the belts slipped badly on me.

 

[ams]

There is a difference in the actual frame size also so try to get the larger frame. My T1 is shorter and more narrow than the standard terraframe. I also had some slipping with thw waistbelt at first. The wands helped make contact with the waistbelt sides but the lumbar pad wasn't doing much. The way the pad attaches allows you to stick some extra material behind. I just cut some closed cell foam to size, doubled it up to about 1/2 inch thickness and tapered it a little so the pad angles downward to match my lumbar area better. This fixed the contact/ slipping issue for me. If you do some researching you'll find this same info as well as how to attach a kifaru belt to a dana frame.

 

[muleman]

Trk reports a longhunter on eBay for $350.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?p=112590
$300-$400 backcountry pack?

 

[jags]

So I went and looked and it appears that the belt and shoulder harness does work with a dana / k2 frame . $95 for the belt and $50 for the harness. If you could find a frame and bag cheap you could have a decent rig on the cheap.

I was aware the belt works but didn't think the shoulder harness fit without some at home modifications to sew it into the existing harness pad? Got a link to the shoulder harness?

 

[Shrek]

I just glanced at the HPG site. You may be right on needing modification. I think there is a dana rigged with their stuff in one of the pictures but I'm not a Dana aficionado so I could be way wrong.